Pressure sensing systems for sports, and associated methods

• US 7,966,154 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2008
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Darcy, Dennis, Vock, Curtis A., Flentov, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond; Edward
• Application Number:
  US12/210,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20090063097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 702182-185, 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/185 for ski-jumping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• 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 2220/74 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/10 for the head A63B71/081 takes precedence ; in the form of caps or hats A42B1/08; helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/00 Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/00 Measuring force or stress, in general measuring force due to impact G01L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/50 for measuring linear speed G01P3/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/14 using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/60 : wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 : Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same

Abstract

A system determines athletic performance. A pressure sensor senses change in elevation. A microprocessor processes signals from the pressure sensor to determine speed corresponding to the change in elevation. A display reports the speed to a user.

Claims

1. A system for determining athletic performance, comprising:

a sensor configured for sensing athletic activity, wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor;

a microprocessor configured for processing signals from the sensor to determine at least one characteristic corresponding to the athletic activity; and

an output device configured for reporting information relating to the at least one characteristic to a user;

wherein the information relating to the at least one characteristic is used as an input to a computer function.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer function is a database accessible by a plurality of users.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device is at least one of a computer, a printer, a video display unit, an audio display unit, and/or a speaker.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a speed sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a global positioning system sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the accelerometer is positioned generally perpendicular to the ground.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an altimeter.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a power sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a drop distance sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an airtime sensor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to an article of footwear.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to an athletic implement.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic is used to calculate speed, distance traveled, acceleration, pace, power, energy, and/or location.

15. A system for determining athletic performance, comprising:

a sensor configured for sensing athletic activity;

a microprocessor configured for processing signals from the sensor to determine at least one characteristic corresponding to the athletic activity; and

an output device configured for reporting information relating to the athletic activity to a user;

wherein information relating to the athletic activity is used as an input to a game associated with a social network accessible by a plurality of users through the Internet.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the game is a multi-player game.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the game is a race.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the game is a computer game.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the game is a video game.