APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

• US 3,846,704 A
• Filed: 12/13/1972
• Issued: 11/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Bessette
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Bessette
• Inventors: Bessette, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Psitos, Aristotelis M.
• Application Number:
  US05/314,801
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 325/51,53,55,64,66,310,311,16,118,361 35/28,29R 58/152E 270/4 235/92GA,92DN,92T 128/2.6F,2.1A,25R 340/331,332
• US Class Current: 340/870.28
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0071 Distinction between different activities, movements, or kind of sports performed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• 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 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

Apparatus for evaluating an athletic performance against a predetermined performance characterized by a plurality of lights for affording a visual indication to an observer of the progress of the predetermined performance and displayed so as to be comparable to the athletic performance being evaluated; a settable central control for sequentially energizing the lights responsive to the predetermined performance set into the central control and elapsed time; and a communication link between the central control and the lights. Also disclosed are embodiments which include: (1) a pair of setting dials are included for setting in two separate performance times and operating in either a continuous or sequence mode to allow one or more paces to be employed in training; (2) a variety of other options, such as interrupting temporarily the output to the lights; (3) preferred logic apparatus and construction appropriate to the environment and the observer, be he spectator, training athelete or health enthusiast; and (4) apparatus enabling optimum training of an individual as determined by his physiological response.

Claims

1. Apparatus for apprising an observer of the relativezrformance of an athlete compared with a useful predetermined performance comprising:

a. a power source for supplying electrical energy;

b. a timing means for indicating elapsed time;

c. a plurality of apprisal means for apprising said observer of the progress of said predetermined performance;

said plurality of apprisal means including at least respective lights that are visible to said observer and connected with said power source so as to be energized responsive to output signals from a settable central control means to afford at least a visual indication of the progress of said predetermined performance;

said apprisal means being spaced apart and arranged so as to be compared by an observer with the progress of said athlete along a path said athlete will travel;

each traverse along said path by said athlete being referred to as a lap;

d. settable central control means for sequentially energizing respective ones of said plurality of apprisal means responsive to elapsed time and to said predetermined performance set into said settable central control means;

said settable central control means being connected with said power source and said apprisal means for sequentially energizing respective said apprisal means to display progress of said predetermined performance;

said settable central control means including a time setting means for setting said predetermined performance into said settable central control means;

said settable central control means including means for dividing said predetermined performance into equal time increments, which time increments represent the respective distance increments between said plurality of apprisal means generate respective output signals after elapse of respective said time increments;

said central control means including a timing means that emits a plurality of time signals for repeated indications of small elapsed time intervals;

a time counter that is connected with said timing means for accumulating said time signals; and

a time comparator means for signalling when an accumulation of said time signals is equal to said desired time interval set into said time setting means;

said time comparator means being connected to said time setting means and said time counter for energizing respective said apprisal means sequentially and uniformly; and

e. communication links communicating with respective said plurality of apprisal means and with said central control means for energizing said apprisal means sequentially with said output signals from said settable central control mEans.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apprisal means also includes an audio signal emitting device at each light location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said time comparator means affords an output signal when said accumulation of time signals is equal to said desired time interval for an indication of an elapsed time based distance interval;

said central control means includes a distance setting means for setting in a desired distance;

a distance counting means for accumulating repeated indications of elapsed time based distance intervals;

said distance counting means being connected with said time comparator means; and

a distance comparator means for signalling when an accumulation of said indications of elapsed time based distance intervals is equal to said distance set into said central control means;

said distance comparator means being connected with said distance setting means and said distance counting means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said central control means includes two time-distance indicators including, respectively and properly connected, two said time setting means, timing means, time counters and time comparator means and two said distance setting means, distance counting means and distance comparator means and said central control means is operable in a sequential mode to operate at two respective paces set into respective said time setting means to complete a cycle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a second of said distance comparator means effects a cycle signal;

a cycle counter is connected therewith for accumulating said cycle signals;

said central control means includes a cycle setting means for setting in the number of cycles to be completed and a cycle comparator means for comparing the number of cycles on said cycle counter with the number on said cycle setting means such that said apparatus is operable for a predetermined number of cycles at the two set paces;

said cycle comparator means being connected to said cycle counter and to said cycle setting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said central control means includes a sequence switch means for effecting operation in said sequential mode;

and includes a continuous switch means for effecting operation in a continuous mode employing only said time setting means, said timing means, said time counter, said time comparator means, said distance setting means, said distance counting means and said distance comparator in a single time-distance indicator operating the pace set into said time setting means; and

numerical read-out means is connected with said sequence switch means and said continuous switch means and responsive to only one thereof for displaying the number of cycles or laps responsive to the mode selected.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a photoplethysmograph is connected with a counter and said counter is connected with said timing means such that the number of heartbeats per unit time are automatically measured to give a heartbeat rate after a particular performance by an athlete and a numeric display is connected therewith for displaying said heartbeat rate.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said timing means includes a clocking means that has a clocking frequency that is proportional to said plurality of apprisal means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said clocking frequency is equal to said plurality of apprisal means;

said time comparator means generates an output signal when accumulated said time signals on said time counter equal the number set into said time setting means; and

interconnection means electrically and sequentially connect respective apprisal means with said time comparator means such that each time said timing means has counted the number set into said time setting means and said time comparator means emits an output signal the next said apprisal means is energized.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said central control means is operable through a plurality of laps at a given pace in a contInuous mode until stopped by manually operated means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an apprisal reset means is connected into said central control means as a master reset for resetting said apprisal means to a starting point and resetting said central control means to a starting condition.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said central control means includes an apprisal interrupt means for temporarily stopping energization of said apprisal means in practice and allowing the remainder of said central control means to continue to operate to evaluate an athlete'"'"''"'"'s pacing of himself with respect to said predetermined performance without the external stimulus of said apprisal means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communication link comprises at least one transmitter connected with said central control means and a plurality of respective receivers;

said receivers including respective power sources and being connected with respective ones of said apprisal means;

said transmitter and said receivers being compatible in respective frequencies of transmission and reception and each said receiver including a decoding means for responding to only its code and its discrete signal such that a discrete signal transmitted from said central control means will effect energization of a respective apprisal means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said central control means is connected with said transmitter by way of a coding means for encoding respective signals for a respective apprisal means and each said receiver is connected with its said power source and said apprisal means by way of a decoding means for decoding the signals and energizing via electrical energy from said power source the respective apprisal means only upon receipt of its respective signal.

15. Apparatus for optimizing benefits to an athlete, or participant, indulging in accordance with a predetermined program based on the athlete'"'"''"'"'s predetermined optimum hearbeat rate, in an athletic performance being compared with a predetermined performance, comprising:

a. a power source for supplying electrical energy b. interval indicating means for indicating elapsed intervals;

said interval indicating means emitting a plurality of pulses, each pulse designating a small elapsed interval of time;

c. a plurality of apprisal means for apprising said athlete of the progress of said predetermined performance;

said plurality of apprisal means including at least respective lights that are connected with said power source so as to be energized to afford at least a visual indication of the progress of said predetermined performance;

said apprisal means being disposed along the path said athlete is to travel, spaced apart and arranged so as to apprise said athlete of his progress relative to said predetermined performance;

d. settable central control means for sequentially energizing respective ones of said plurality of apprisal means responsive to said elapsed intervals and to said predetermined performance set into said central control means;

said central control means being connected with said power source and by communication links in accordance with and said apprisal means for sequentially energizing respective said apprisal means to display progress of said predetermined performance;

said settable central control means including a setting means for setting said predetermined performance into said settable central control means;

said settable central control means including means for dividing said predetermined performance linearly into equal time increments which time increments represent the respective distance increments between said plurality of apprisal means a time realm into and to generate respective output signals after elapse of respective said time increments for energizing respective said apprisal means sequentially and uniformly such that said apprisal means can be employed by said athlete to pace his performance at a uniform pace throughout each Respective lap comprising one traversal throughout the path said athlete is to traverse;

e. communication links communicating with respective said plurality of apprisal means and with said settable central control means for energizing said apprisal means sequentially with said output signals from said central control means;

f. measuring means for measuring heatbeats for determining a heartbeat rate of said athlete during said athletic activity;

g. monitoring means for monitoring the output of said measuring means;

said monitoring means being connected with said measuring means by electrical conductors and including a heartbeat transmitter connected with said measuring means and carried by said athlete for transmitting heartbeats signal indicative of said hearbeats and a receiver and heartbeat rate counter connected with said settable central control means and receiving heartbeat indication signals from said transmitter;

said counter being connected with a timer such that the count per increment of time is registered;

said counter being connected with said central control means by a decoder;

h. modifier means connected with said monitoring means and said settable central control means for modifying the time between respective energization of the respective apprisal means responsive to said heartbeat rate in accordance with said predetermined program;

said modifier means including a comparator for comparing the heartbeat rate of said athlete with said predetermined optimum heatbeat rate and an up/down control for respectively increasing and decreasing said predetermined performance to bring said heartbeat rate of said athlete to said predetermined optimum heartbeat rate;

whereby said athlete attains a desired level of activity without overstraining.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said elapsed interval in element b. is a uniform time interval and a time clocking pulse is employed in said settable central control means;

and wherein a predetermined performance in the time to run a predetermined distance is set into said apparatus and said up/down control is connected with an up/down counter for increasing the time if said heartbeat rate exceeds said predetermined optimum heartbeat rate and for decreasing the time if said heartbeat rate becomes less than said predetermined optimum heartbeat rate whereby said time is altered responsive to measured heartbeat rate compared with the optimum hearbeat rate for the individual athlete.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said measuring means includes photoplethysmorgraph apparatus, said hearbeat rate counter is connected with a holding register and a decoder and said decoder is connected with a converter, said converter being connected with a numeric display on said central control means for visible display of the heartbeat rate of said athlete.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said communication link comprises at least one transmitter connected with said central control means and a plurality of respective receivers;

said receivers including respective power sources and being connected with respective ones of said apprisal means;

said transmitter and said receivers being compatible in respective frequencies of transmission and reception and each said receiver including a decoding means for responding to only its code and its discrete signal such that a discrete signal transmitted from said central control means will effect energization of a respective apprisal means.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said central control means is connected with said transmitter by way of a coding means for encoding respective signals for a respective apprisal means and each said receiver is connected with its said power source and said apprisal means by way of a decoding means for decoding the signals and energizing via electrical energy from said power source the respective apprisal means only upon receipt of its respective signal.

20. A method of optimizing benefits of indulging in athletic activity in accordance with a predetermined program based on the athlete'"'"''"'"'s predetermined optimum heartbeat rate, comprising the steps of:

a. disposing a plurality of apprisal apparatus including at least lights along a path said athlete is to traverse and connecting said apprisal apparatus with a settable central control via a communication link;

b. setting a predetermined performance into said settable central control and dividing said predetermined performance linearly into equal time increments, which time increments represent the respective equal distance increments between said apprisal apparatus;

said central control including a time setter, a timer that emits a plurality of time signals for repeated indications of small elapsed time intervals;

a time counter that is connected with said timer for accumulating said time signals; and

a time comparator for signalling when an accumulation of said time signals is equal to said desired time interval set into said time setter;

said time comparator being connected to said time setter and said time counter;

c. starting said athlete and said settable central control means simultaneously and automatically, linearly and sequentially energizing in response to said predetermined performance set into said central control respective ones of said plurality of apprisal apparatus, thereby affording to the athlete at least a visible indication of the progress of the predetermined performance in the distance realm along the path the athlete is to traverse;

d. measuring and monitoring a heartbeat rate of said athlete during his athletic performance in attempting to match said predetermined performance; and

e. automatically altering the time between respective energizations of the respective apprisal apparatus in response to said heartbeat rate of said athlete by increasing said time if said heartbeat rate exceeds said predetermined optimum heartbeat rate and decreasing said time if said heartbeat rate falls below said predetermined optimum heartbeat rate whereby said athlete attains the desired level of performance without overstraining.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein an initial null period is provided during which the step of automatically altering the predetermined performance in response to the heartbeat rate is not performed;

and, thereafter, said heartbeat rate is automatically monitored at the end of respective predetermined time intervals and compared with said optimum heartbeat rate for said athlete for his optimum benefits and wherein said predetermined performance is automatically altered in accordance with said predetermined program when said heartbeat rate departs from said optimum hearbeat rate.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apprisal means include both lights and audio emitting devices that are disposed along said path said athlete is to traverse;

said communication means includes electrical conductors connected respectively with said apprisal means and said central control means; and

wherein respective sequentially-operable connection means connect respective said electrical conductors with said time comparator means for energizing respective said apprisal means sequentially and uniformly;

said apprisal means being energized at a uniform pace such that said apprisal means can be employed by said athlete to pace his performance at a uniform pace throughout each respective lap comprising one traversal along said path.