INTERACTIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BOXING AND MARTIAL ARTS

• US 20120108394A1
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: XFit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexersys Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Terry G., Shah, Redza, Eversmann, Jeffrey, Sewell, Nathan, Bates, Brian, Eversmann, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 Boxing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/22 mounted on, or suspended from, a fixed support
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/305 Hanging heavy punching bags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/32 with indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

A boxing or martial arts training and exercise device may include punching pads locationally displaced on a frame. Respective pads may be positioned in support on the frame for punching and kicking Each pad can communicatively connect to one or more impact sensor. Each impact sensor can communicatively connect to a control unit. The control unit may be communicatively connected to a display. The impact sensor detects strikes to the pad. The impact sensor includes an accelerometer and a signal processor. The control unit includes an aggregator for receiving and logging strike metrics. The control unit directs sequences in the display according to a routine, and delivers indicators of strike metrics. The control unit includes a user interface for selection among sequences, as well as for selection of various menu items. A video of a human instructor or an animated avatar is viewable in a display.

Claims

1. An interactive boxing apparatus, comprising:

a frame;

a series of arms connected to the frame and outwardly extending from the frame;

one or more pad connected to respective ones of the series of arms;

an impact sensor communicatively connected to each pad;

a control unit communicatively connected with the impact sensor; and

a display connected to the control unit.

2. An interactive boxing apparatus, comprising:

a resistive punch pad;

a sensor communicatively connected to the punch pad, for detecting any strike to the punch pad;

a processor connected to the sensor, responsive to detection by the sensor of any strike of the punch pad;

a module communicatively connected to the processor, controlled by the processor responsive to any strike of the punch pad on detection by the sensor; and

a media display communicatively connected to the processor, the processor directs output by the media display in response to control of the module by the processor.

3. A method of boxing, comprising the steps of:

outputting a media item on a display;

detecting a punch to a pad by a sensor;

signaling a controller by the sensor in response to the step of detecting; and

controlling the media item on the display by the controller in response to the step of signaling.

4. A method of boxing, comprising the steps of:

providing a frame, a series of arms connected to the frame and outwardly extending from the frame, one or more pad connected to respective ones of the series of arms, an impact sensor communicatively connected to each pad, a control unit communicatively connected with the impact sensor; and

a display connected to the control unit;

outputting a media item on the display;

detecting acceleration of the one or more pad and an identity of the pad so accelerated;

signaling a controller by the impact sensor with the identity of the pad so accelerated; and

controlling the media item on the display by the controller in response to the step of signaling;

wherein the media item in the step of outputting selectively corresponds to the steps of detecting, signaling, and controlling for boxing instruction.

5. A boxing apparatus, comprising:

a pad;

a sensor of the pad for detecting a strike to the pad;

a controller communicatively connected to the sensor; and

a display unit communicatively connected to the controller, for prompting a select type of strike to the pad.

6. A boxing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of respective pads;

a plurality of respective sensors, each sensor unique to one of the respective pad, for detecting a strike to the respective pad;

a controller communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors; and

a display unit communicatively connected to the controller, for prompting strike to at least a select one of the respective pad.

7. The boxing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display unit prompts a select type of strike to the at least select one of the pad.

8. The boxing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the select type of strike is prompted, at least in part, by a graphical icon of the display unit selectively indicating bodily part for the strike.

9. The boxing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the graphical icon is selected from the group consisting of:

a fist, an elbow, a knee, and a foot.

10. A boxing apparatus, comprising:

a pad;

a strike sensor of the pad, for detecting strike to the pad;

a controller communicatively connected to the sensor;

a display unit communicatively connected to the controller; and

a type sensor communicatively connected to the controller, for distinguishing a type of strike to the pad.

11. The boxing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the strike sensor and the type sensor are unitary.

12. The boxing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the strike sensor differs from the type sensor.

13. A boxing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of pads;

a sensor connected to at least one pad of the plurality for detecting a strike to the pad;

a controller communicatively connected to the sensor;

a display unit communicatively connected to the controller, for outputting video and audio for boxing training in strike technique and quantitative feedback of actual strike results to the pad.

14. A boxing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of pads;

a sensor connected to at least one pad of the plurality for detecting a strike to the pad;

a controller communicatively connected to the sensor;

a display unit communicatively connected to the controller, for outputting video and audio for boxing training in strike technique and qualitative feedback of actual strike results to the pad.

15. A sensor unit for a boxing apparatus, comprising:

an accelerometer for measuring a strike; and

a signal processor communicatively connected to the accelerometer, for discerning the strike and calculating values relative to a peak acceleration, direction, total work, and total energy for the strike.

16. The sensor unit of claim 15, further comprising:

a filter communicatively connected to the accelerometer for eliminating insignificant measures of the accelerometer.

17. A method of varying an operation of a boxing apparatus to accommodate input of a user of the boxing apparatus responsive to direction of the boxing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

setting a maximum duration for the user input;

prompting the user input;

timing for the maximum duration;

detecting if the user input is received;

returning to the step of prompting upon receipt of the user input if prior to expiration of the maximum duration; and

returning to the step of prompting upon expiration of the maximum duration if the user input is not received.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

varying the maximum duration if the user input is not received prior to expiration of the maximum duration.