Athletic performance monitoring system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for measuring performance of at least one athlete comprising:
- (a) ultrasonic sensor means for determining the presence of an athlete at a predetermined position, said sensor means located at said predetermined position and having an output signal indicative of the presence of said athlete at said position;
(b) computational means for correlating the presence of said athlete at said predetermined position with performance of an athletic activity by said athlete, said computational means having an input from said ultrasonic sensor means;
(c) display means operatively connected to said computational means to provide a human sensible indication of said athletic performance of said athlete; and
,(d) input means operatively connected to said computational means to select a mode of computation such that various types of athletic activities may be evaluated as a function of elapsed time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An athletic performance evaluation device utilizes ultrasonic sensing circuitry or infrared sensing circuitry, a vibration sensitive switch, and an audio input to signal a microprocessor to start a timing function that calculates therefrom an objective evaluation of the athlete'"'"'s performance. A light emitting diode (LED) may be included in the apparatus to signal the athlete to begin performance while simultaneously starting the timing function. The vibration sensitive switch may be placed on the ground adjacent to a selected position on which the athlete stands to stop the timing function. In operation, the athlete jumps and the ultrasonic sensor signals the microprocessor to begin the timing function and the vibration sensor sends a second signal to stop the timing function when the athlete lands again. The interval between signals is used in distance formula h=g(I/2)2 /2 to determine the height attained and a display is provided for a human sensible output to show the athlete or evaluation personnel the height of the jump. The measurement is based solely on time; thus, each jumper is equally evaluated. In a response-time measurement mode, an audible input to a microphone signals the microprocessor to being the measurement and is simultaneously heard by the athlete. Ultrasonic sensing circuitry adjacent to a selected finishing position signals the microprocessor when the athletes passes through an ultrasonic beam. Alternatively, the LED may signal the athlete to begin performance which simultaneously starts the timing function. In the audible input mode, the microprocessor compensates for the delay in time required for the audible signal to reach the athlete. Various types of sensors are anticipated in the device to start and stop the timing function.
173 Citations
27 Claims
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1. Apparatus for measuring performance of at least one athlete comprising:
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(a) ultrasonic sensor means for determining the presence of an athlete at a predetermined position, said sensor means located at said predetermined position and having an output signal indicative of the presence of said athlete at said position; (b) computational means for correlating the presence of said athlete at said predetermined position with performance of an athletic activity by said athlete, said computational means having an input from said ultrasonic sensor means; (c) display means operatively connected to said computational means to provide a human sensible indication of said athletic performance of said athlete; and
,(d) input means operatively connected to said computational means to select a mode of computation such that various types of athletic activities may be evaluated as a function of elapsed time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to calculate and output a signal indicative of said athlete'"'"'s explosive leg power as a function of height of jump and elapsed time on the ground during a series of repetitive jumps, said microprocessor including means for storing a correlation table and retrieving stored values therefrom for display.
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9. Apparatus for measuring at least one athlete'"'"'s performance comprising:
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(a) sensing means for sensing the initiation and completion of said performance to be measured and outputting a signal responsive thereto, wherein at least said initiation or said completion occurs at a predetermined position relative to said sensing means; (b) computational means operatively connected to said sensing means for correlating the elapsed time between initiation and completion of said performance with a value; (c) means operatively connected to said computational means to provide a human sensible indication of said correlated value; and (d) input means operatively connected to said computational means to select a mode of computation such that various types of athletic activities may be evaluated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to calculate and output a signal indicative of said athlete'"'"'s explosive leg power as a function of height of jump and elapsed time at said selected position during a series of repetitive jumps, said microprocessor including means for storing a correlation table and retrieving stored values therefrom for display.
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15. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for inputting an audio signal to said computational means to initiate said correlation of the presence of said athlete at said predetermined position and wherein said athlete is located at a second position a predetermined distance from said predetermined position and said computation means is a microprocessor programmed to calculate and output a signal to said display means indicative of a time lapse between said input of said audible signal and the presence of said athlete at said position, said apparatus including means to compensate for a delay in time for said audible signal to reach said athlete.
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16. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said ultrasonic sensing circuit comprises:
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(a) an ultrasonic pulse transmitter for generating continuous ultrasonic pulses; and
,(b) an ultrasonic pulse receiver for receiving said ultrasonic pulses from said transmitter over an area where athletic movement is anticipated, said receiver including means for signaling said computational means upon disruption or reception of said pulses.
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17. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said ultrasonic sensing circuit comprises:
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(a) a tube for transporting ultrasonic waves; (b) an ultrasonic pulse transmitter for generating continuous ultrasonic pulses; and
,(c) an ultrasonic pulse receiver for receiving said ultrasonic pulses from said transmitter through said tube, said receiver including means for signaling said computational means upon interruption or reception of said pulses.
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18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said computational means is programmed to calculate and output a signal to said display means indicative of the time lapse between said input of said audible signal and said movement of said athlete from said tubing.
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19. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said sensing means includes at least one vibration sensitive switch to be actuated by movement of said athlete, an infrared sensing circuit to be actuated by movement of said athlete, and at least one means for signaling the reception of an audible signal by said apparatus.
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20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said infrared sensing circuit comprises:
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(a) an infrared beam generator for generating a continuous infrared beam; and
,(b) an infrared receiver for receiving said infrared pulses from said transmitter over an area where athletic movement is anticipated, said receiver including means for signaling said computational means upon disruption of said pulses.
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21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said infrared generator and receiver are integrated into a single infrared transceiver and said disruption is an unexpected correlation between an actual infrared dispersal pattern and a reference infrared dispersal pattern, said infrared transceiver including means for signaling said computational means of said disruption.
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22. Apparatus for measuring at least one athlete'"'"'s performance comprising:
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(a) sensing means located at a predetermined position for sensing the initiation and completion of said performance to be measured and outputting a signal responsive thereto; (b) computational means operatively connected to said sensing means for correlating the elapsed time between initiation and completion of said performance with a value; (c) signaling means for signaling an athlete to initiate said performance; (d) input means operatively connected to said computational means to select a mode of computation such that various types of athletic activities may be evaluated; and
,(e) means operatively connected to said computational means to provide a human sensible indication of said correlated value. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification