Interactive video testing and training system

• US 5,469,740 A
• Filed: 12/02/1992
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cybex International
• Original Assignee: Impulse Technology Limited
• Inventors: Ferguson, Kevin R., Glass, Andrew B., Borges, Gregory, McDonald, Halley A. III, Mohansingh, Timothy, French, Barry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dougherty, Elizabeth L.
• Application Number:
  US07/984,337
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 73/379.04, 73/379.05, 73/865.4, 73/172, 273/445, 273/446, 273/148 B, 273/434, 273/438, 901/47, 244/161, 482/9, 482/14, 482/901, 482/902, 482/1, 482/8, 482/54, 364/413.01, 434/247, 434/258, 128/774, 128/779
• US Class Current: 73/379.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63K 3/023 Starting-blocks
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/16 using properties of piezoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A testing and training system for measuring and assessing leg reaction movement sequence of a subject includes a test field having a plurality of load sensing target positions defining vectored movement paths for the subject, the field and target positions being replicated on a video screen positioned frontally with respect to the subject with visual cues presented on the screen directing movement between positions with hardware and software processing the cues and signals from the target positions to determine time intervals associated with changes in loading during the movement and determining reaction movement sequence parameters based thereon.

Claims

1. A reaction movement sequence system for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

a. video means;

b. field means for confining subject leg movement including a plurality of intercept positions each of which comprises a pair of laterally spaced foot impact pads geometrically oriented to locate the subject frontally with respect to said video means when the subject is positioned thereon and arrayed on the field in predetermined positions to provide predetermined relationships with respect to the other pads and reachable by lateral, forward and backward movements of the subject;

c. analog sensor means operatively associated with said impact pads providing a signal in accordance with changes in loading on said impact pads;

d. first means operatively associated with said video means for presenting thereon a replication of said field means;

e. second means operatively associated with said first means for presenting a visual cue on said replication of said field means at a target intercept position corresponding to one of said plurality of intercept positions different from the current intercept position of the subject;

f. timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining (1) the time interval from said visual cue until commencement of movement by the subject for exiting said current intercept position, (2) the interval from said commencement of movement until the subject reaches said target intercept position, and (3) the time interval until said subject reaches predetermined stability on said target intercept position;

g. third means for initiating another visual cue when said subject reaches said target intercept position, said third means generating subsequent visual cues in a nonpredictable fashion as to timing and prescribing a course of subject movement between said current intercept position and subsequent intercept positions; and

h. means associated with said timing means and said video means for graphically presenting on said video means information related to said timing intervals.

2. A reaction movement sequence apparatus for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

a plurality of intercept positions, each intercept position comprising foot impact pads geometrically oriented and arrayed on said field means to provide predetermined relationships with respect to the other pads and reachable by lateral, forward and backward movements of the subject;

display means for graphically representing said intercept positions;

analog sensor means operatively associated with said impact pads providing a signal in accordance with movement on said impact pads;

first means operatively associated with said display means for presenting a visual cue on said display at a target intercept position graphically corresponding to a destination intercept position different from the current intercept position of the subject;

timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining (a) the time interval from said visual cue until commencement of movement by the subject for exiting said current interception position, and (b) the time interval from said commencement of movement until the subject reaches said destination intercept position;

second means for initiating another visual cue when said subject reaches said destination intercept position, said second means generating subsequent visual cues in a nonpredictable fashion as to timing and prescribing a course of subject movement between said current intercept position and subsequent destination intercept positions.

3. A reaction movement sequence system for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

a plurality of intercept positions each comprising foot impact pads geometrically oriented and arrayed on said field means to provide predetermined relationships with respect to the other pads reachable by lateral, forward and backward movements of the subject;

display means for graphically representing said intercept positions;

analog sensor means operatively associated with said impact pads providing a signal in accordance with movement on said impact pads;

first means operatively associated with said display means for presenting a visual cue on said replication of said field means at a target intercept position graphically corresponding to one of said plurality of intercept positions different from the current intercept position of the subject;

timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining from the group consisting of (a) the time interval from said visual cue until commencement of movement by the subject for exiting said current interception position, (b) the interval from said commencement of movement until the subject reaches said next interception position;

second means for initiating another visual cue when said subject reaches said next intercept position, said second means generating subsequent visual cues in a nonpredictable fashion as to timing and prescribing a course of subject movement between said current intercept position and subsequent intercept positions; and

means associated with said timing means for graphically displaying information related to said timing intervals.

4. A method of determining the reaction movement sequence of a player, comprising the steps of:

providing a horizontal field engagable by the player and confining movement therewithin;

determining the current position of the player on said field;

directing the player to a second position on said field;

determining a transit time based on the time interval between departure from said current position toward said second position;

providing analog sensing means at said second position providing a signal in accordance with changes in movement by said player at said second position;

determining from said signal a stabilization time based on the time interval between said arrival at said second position and the player having achieved predetermined stability at said second position; and

displaying information based on said time interval subsequent to said arrival at said second position.

25. The method as recited in claim 4 including the step of providing sensing means at said current position generating a signal when said subject departs said current position and said timing means receives such signal and determines a transit time based on the time interval between the departure from said current position until said arrival at said second position.

26. The method as recited in claim 25 including the step of providing sensing means at said current position generating a signal at the onset of movement by said subject at said current position to said second position and said timing means receives such signal and determines a ground force time based on the time interval between said onset and said departure from said current position.

5. A functional testing system for determining differences between right directed movement and left directed movement of a subject, comprising:

a field consisting of a plurality of target positions defining individually therebetween a set of movement paths substantially balanced between right vectored movement and left vectored movement;

sensor means operatively associated with said target positions for determining loading caused by said subject at said target position;

display means viewable by said subject at said target positions showing a replication of said field and said target positions;

indicating means operatively associated with said display means for representing the current target position of said subject and designating a subsequent target position for said subject;

control means operatively associated with said sensor means and said indicating means for establishing a sequential series of target positions comprising said set of movement paths;

timing means operatively associated with said sensor means and said indicating means for determining time intervals associated with loading at said target positions during movement therebetween;

means operatively associated with said timing means for comparing said time intervals during said sequential series and determining differences in said time intervals between said right directed movement and said left directed movement of said subject.

6. A reaction movement sequence system for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

a. display means;

b. means for generating a movement cue;

c. a plurality of intercept positions arrayed in predetermined positions to provide predetermined relationships with respect to the other intercept positions and reachable by lateral, forward and backward movements of the subject;

d. analog sensor means operatively associated with said intercept positions for providing a signal in accordance with changes in loading on said intercept positions;

e. timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining (1) the time interval from said movement cue until commencement of movement by the subject for exiting said current intercept position, (2) the interval from said commencement of movement cue until the subject leaves said current intercept position, and (3) the time interval until said subject reaches predetermined stability on said target intercept position;

f. means for initiating another movement cue when said subject reaches said intercept position and generating subsequent visual cues prescribing a course of subject movement between said current intercept position and subsequent intercept positions; and

g. means associated with said timing means and said display means for graphically presenting on said display means information related to said timing intervals.

7. A reaction movement sequence apparatus for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

a plurality of intercept positions, each intercept position comprising foot impact pads geometrically oriented and arrayed to provide predetermined relationships with respect to the other pads and reachable by lateral, forward and backward movements of the subject;

analog sensor means operatively associated with said impact pads providing a signal in accordance with movement on said impact pads;

first means for presenting a cue for directing movement to a destination intercept position different from the current intercept position of the subject;

timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining (a) a reaction time based on the time interval from said cue until commencement of movement by the subject for exiting said current interception position, and (b) a ground force time based on the time interval from said commencement of movement until the subject leaves said current intercept position;

second means for initiating another cue when said subject reaches said destination intercept position, said second means generating subsequent cues for prescribing a course of subject movement between said current intercept position and subsequent destination intercept positions.

8. A system for determining differences between isolated limbs during horizontal movement of a subject, characterized by a field consisting of a plurality of targets defining non-linear intercept positions requiring horizontal movement to travel therebetween;

sensor means operatively associated with said targets for determining changes in loading caused by said subject at said intercept position;

control means operatively associated with said sensor means for establishing a sequential series of intercept positions comprising horizontal movements;

operatively associated with said sensor means for determining time intervals associated with changes in loading at said intercept positions during movement therebetween;

means operatively associated with said timing means for comparing said time intervals during said sequential series and determining differentials between said isolated limbs of said subject.

9. A system for determining stability of a subject horizontally moving from a first position to a second position, comprising:

a horizontal platform defining said second position;

analog sensor means operatively associated with said platform for generating a signal varying with time and amplitude in response to forces generated by the subject thereon;

first means coupled to said sensor means for establishing a predetermined time interval;

second means coupled to said sensor means for determining the amplitude of said signal during said time interval and for resetting said time interval if said amplitude exceeds a predetermined amplitude during said time interval;

means for indicating stability at said platform when said amplitude does not exceed said predetermined amplitude during said time interval.

10. A method of determining the stability of a limb of a subject horizontally moving from a first position and impacting a second position with said limb, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a horizontal target at said second position having analog sensor means generating a signal varying in amplitude and time in accordance with forces transmitted by said limb of said subject on said target;

b. cuing said subject for horizontally moving from said first position and impacting said second position;

c. continuously evaluating said signal after said impacting as to time and amplitude;

d. determining from said evaluating when said signal has not exceeded a predetermined amplitude during a predetermined time;

e. indicating to said subject when said predetermined amplitude has not exceeded said predetermined amplitude during said predetermined time; and

f. determining the time interval between the time of said impacting and the time when said subject did not exceed said predetermined amplitude during said predetermined time.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 including the further step of cuing said subject after said indicating of step e to move horizontally to another position.

12. A system for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

display means;

a plurality of intercept positions, each intercept position comprising at least one foot impact pad for receiving a foot of the subject, said intercept positions being arrayed on the field in predetermined positions to provide predetermined relationships with respect to the other pads and reachable by lateral, forward and backward movements of the subject;

sensor means operatively associated with each of said impact pads for providing a signal in accordance with the presence of the legs of the subject on said impact pads;

first means operatively associated with said display means for presenting thereon a representation of said intercept positions;

second means operatively associated with said first means for presenting a visual cue on said replication of said field means at a target intercept position corresponding to one of said plurality of intercept positions different from the current intercept position of the subject;

timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining the interval from said visual cue until the subject is present on the impact pads at said target intercept position;

third means for initiating another visual cue when said subject reaches said target intercept position, said third means generating subsequent visual cues in a nonpredictable fashion as to timing and prescribing a course of subject movement between said current intercept position and subsequent intercept positions; and

means associated with said timing means and said display means for graphically presenting on said display means information related to said time intervals.

13. A method of measuring changes of loading on a limb of a subject during horizontal movement between positions, comprising the steps of:

providing on a display means in a non-predictable sequence a spatially related cue directing movement of said limb of said subject from a current position to a subsequent position;

measuring changes in loading of said limb during such movement; and

providing the subject with information related to such changes in loading.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said measuring changes in loading is with respect to amplitude and time.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said measuring determines the time interval between commencement of movement of said limb on said current position until said limb has vacated said current position.

16. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said measuring determines when said loading of said limb at said subsequent position does not exceed a predetermined amplitude for a predetermined time.

17. The method as recited in claim 13 including the step of locating said positions a predetermined distance apart and measuring the time from commencement of movement by said limb on said current position until initial loading by said limb on said subsequent position.

18. The method as recited in claim 13 including repeating said method using the other limb of said subject.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 including the step of comparing said information between said limbs.

20. A reaction movement sequence system for directing and assessing leg movement performance of a subject, comprising:

a. a plurality of intercept positions geometrically oriented and arrayed to provide predetermined relationships reachable by movements of the subject;

b. display means for graphically representing said intercept positions;

c. first means operatively associated with said display means for presenting on said display means a visual cue of a designated target intercept position graphically corresponding to one of said plurality of intercept positions different from the current intercept position of the subject;

d. analog sensor means operatively associated with said designated target position providing a signal in accordance with movement thereon;

e. timing means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and determining the time interval from said subject reaching an intercept position until reaching a predetermined stability thereon;

f. second means for initiating another visual cue at said designated intercept position and prescribing a course of subject movement therefrom; and

g. means associated with said timing means for graphically displaying information on said display means related to said time interval.

21. The reaction movement sequence system as recited in claim 20 wherein said analog sensor means are operatively associated with each of said target positions and provide a signal in accordance with movement thereon.

22. The reaction movement sequence system as recited in claim 20 wherein said timing means receives said signal from said sensor means and determines the time interval from said another visual cue until onset of movement by said subject.

23. The reaction movement sequence system as recited in claim 20 wherein said timing means receives said signal and determines the time interval from said another visual cue until said subject departs said designated intercept position.

24. The reaction movement sequence system as recited in claim 20 wherein said current position is provided with sensing means for providing a signal to said said timing means when said subject departs said current position, and said timing means determines the time interval from when said subject departs said designated intercept position until said arrival at said designated intercept position.