MOBILE IMAGE CAPTURE SYSTEM

• US 20140257539A1
• Filed: 05/19/2014
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Youngs, Perry, Larkin, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 10,147,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/14 specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/24 Horse riding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0022 for skating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 : for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 : for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 : with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 : with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 : wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 : Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A mobile image capture system, a system comprising: a sensing unit for attaching to a vehicle, the sensing unit having a camera constructed and arranged to view a participant on the vehicle, the camera capturing at least one image; and processing electronics for storing data representing the captured at least one image or for relaying data representing the captured at least one image to a computer or a network.

Claims

1. A mobile data capture system comprising:

a sensing unit comprising

i) at least one sensor that, in operation, generates sensor data based on detected motion of a user while the sensing unit is attached to one of the user, a vehicle that transports the user, and equipment worn by the user, and

ii) at least one camera that, in operation, captures a plurality of images of the user while the at least one sensor generates the sensor data; and

processing electronics that, in operation, store data representing the plurality of images and correlate at least one of the plurality of images to a performance metric.

2. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

3. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a snowboard.

4. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a rollerblade.

5. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein the performance metric is airtime.

6. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein the performance metric is G-force.

7. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein the performance metric is drop distance.

8. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein:

the sensing unit further comprises an interface for transmitting at least one of the sensor data and the data representing the plurality of images to a computer via a network.

9. The mobile data capture system of claim 8 further comprising:

an antenna and relay electronics for transferring at least one of the sensor data and the data representing the plurality of images to the to the computer in real-time.

10. The mobile data capture system of claim 1 wherein:

the processing electronics are configured to apply a time stamp to each of the plurality of images based upon a common time reference.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

applying a time stamp to each of the plurality of images based upon a common time reference using the processing electronics.

11. A method of correlating image data with performance metrics comprising:

generating sensor data using a sensor unit based on detected motion of a user while the sensing unit is attached to one of the user, a vehicle that transports the user, and equipment worn by the user;

capturing a plurality of images of the user using a camera during the detected motion of the user and while the camera is attached to one of the user, the vehicle that transports the user, or the equipment worn by the user;

storing data representing the plurality of images using processing electronics; and

correlating at least one of the plurality of images to a performance metric using the processing electronics.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the vehicle is a snowboard.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the vehicle is a rollerblade.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the performance metric is airtime.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the performance metric is G-force.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the performance metric is drop distance.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

transmitting at least one of the sensor data and the data representing the plurality of images to a computer via a network.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

transferring at least one of the sensor data and the data representing the plurality of images to the computer in real-time using an antenna and relay electronics.