METHOD OF COUPLING A MOTION SENSOR TO A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
First Claim
1. A method of coupling a motion sensor to a piece of equipment comprising:
- manufacturing a sensor receiver configured to couple to a piece of equipment, wherein said sensor receiver hasan outer surface comprising an outer receiver orientation alignment feature;
an inner surface surrounding an inner cavity that is configured to receive a sensor housing containing a motion sensor; and
,one or more protrusions or indentations in said inner surface that mate with one or more corresponding features on said sensor housing when said sensor housing is installed in a correct orientation into said inner cavity;
coupling said sensor receiver to said piece of equipment in an orientation that aligns said outer receiver orientation alignment feature with a corresponding feature of said piece of equipment; and
,inserting said sensor housing into said inner cavity in an orientation that aligns said one or more protrusions or indentations in said inner surface with said one more corresponding features on said sensor housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method for coupling a sensor to a piece of equipment, such as a golf club, baseball bat, or tennis racket, that ensures that the sensor is in a known position and orientation relative to the equipment. Compensates and calibrates for degrees of freedom introduced in manufacturing and installation. The method may include manufacturing a sensor receiver that aligns with equipment in a fixed orientation, and that holds a sensor housing in a fixed orientation relative to the receiver. Remaining uncertainties in sensor position and orientation may be addressed using post-installation calibration. Calibration may include performing specific calibration movements with the equipment and analyzing the sensor data collected during these calibration movements.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of coupling a motion sensor to a piece of equipment comprising:
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manufacturing a sensor receiver configured to couple to a piece of equipment, wherein said sensor receiver has an outer surface comprising an outer receiver orientation alignment feature; an inner surface surrounding an inner cavity that is configured to receive a sensor housing containing a motion sensor; and
,one or more protrusions or indentations in said inner surface that mate with one or more corresponding features on said sensor housing when said sensor housing is installed in a correct orientation into said inner cavity; coupling said sensor receiver to said piece of equipment in an orientation that aligns said outer receiver orientation alignment feature with a corresponding feature of said piece of equipment; and
,inserting said sensor housing into said inner cavity in an orientation that aligns said one or more protrusions or indentations in said inner surface with said one more corresponding features on said sensor housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of coupling a motion sensor to a golf club comprising:
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manufacturing a sensor receiver configured to couple to a golf club at an end of said golf club opposite a clubhead of said golf club, wherein said sensor receiver has an outer surface comprising an outer receiver orientation alignment feature; an inner surface surrounding an inner cavity that is configured to receive a sensor housing containing a motion sensor comprising a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope, wherein said inner cavity is substantially a right circular cylinder having a closed bottom end and an open top end; and
,one or more protrusions or indentations in said inner surface that mate with one or more corresponding features on said sensor housing when said sensor housing is installed in a correct orientation into said inner cavity; coupling said sensor receiver to said golf club in an orientation that aligns said outer receiver orientation alignment feature with a corresponding feature of said golf club; inserting said sensor housing into said inner cavity in an orientation that aligns said one or more protrusions or indentations in said inner surface with said one more corresponding features on said sensor housing; after inserting said sensor housing into said inner cavity, performing one or more calibration movements with said golf club, said one or more calibration movements comprising holding said golf club in an orientation with a shaft of said golf club aligned with a gravitational direction; rotating said golf club around a first axis aligned with said shaft of said golf club; and
,rotating said golf club around a second axis perpendicular to said shaft of said golf club; collecting data from said motion sensor during said one or more calibration movements; and
,analyzing said data to calculate a position and orientation of said motion sensor relative to a reference coordinate system of said golf club. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification