Pace capture device for assisting with a sporting activity

• US 7,980,456 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andre P. Boezaart
• Original Assignee: Andre P. Boezaart
• Inventors: Boezaart, Andre P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech; Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US12/112,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20080310579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 235/95.C, 702/160, 473/223
• US Class Current: 235/95.00C
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

The present invention includes a system and method for monitoring a user'"'"'s pace and providing an indication of the user'"'"'s average pace in conjunction with performing an activity. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes monitoring a user'"'"'s pace relating to the performance of the activity and calculating pace data relating the user. In response to a first signal, the method stores the pace data and in response to a second signal retrieves the pace data. The method then calculates an assistance pace for the user over a defined time interval and transmits an output signal reflecting the assistance pace based the pace data, such as in the example of a golf club assisting in the swinging pace of the golf club.

Claims

1. A system for providing a golfer with a golf swing pace assistance, the system comprising:

a pace determining device disposed on the golfer, the device operative to monitor a walking pace of the golfer and calculate pace data relating to the walking pace of the golfer;

a data storage device operative to store the pace data therein;

a pace assistance device operative to retrieve the pace data from the storage device, calculate a golf swing assistance pace for the golfer over a defined time interval and transmit an output signal reflecting the golf swing assistance pace based on the pace data; and

an output device operative to receive the output signal and generate an output signal synchronized with the golf swing assistance pace such that the golfer can swing a golf club consistent with the golf swing assistance pace.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pace determining device includes a pedometer.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising an output router operative to route said output signal to a plurality of user-selectable output devices.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said output device includes at least one of:

a speaker, a vibrating device and a visual display.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the walking pace includes a real-time average stride rate of the golfer over the defined time interval.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an output signal data storage device including a plurality of output signals at a plurality of paces stored therein, the pace assistance device further operative to retrieve one of the output signals at a pace consistent with the assistance pace and outputting the selected signals to the output device.

7. A method for pace assistance with a golf swing, the method comprising:

monitor a walking pace of a golfer during the performance of playing golf and calculate pace data relating to the walking pace of the golfer;

in response to a first signal, storing said pace data;

in response to a second signal, retrieving said pace data;

calculating a golf swing assistance pace for the golfer over a defined time interval; and

transmitting an output signal synchronized with the golf swing assistance pace and based the pace data, such that the golfer can swing a golf club consistent with the golf swing assistance pace.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein transmitting an output signal comprising routing said output signal to a plurality of user-selectable output devices.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein transmitting an output signal comprises transmitting said output signal to at least one of:

a speaker, a vibrating device and a visual display.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said golfer'"'"'s pace relates to a walking pace of the golfer, including the real-time average stride rate of the golfer over a defined time interval.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

storing a plurality of output signals at a plurality of paces; and

retrieving one of the output signals at a pace consistent with the golf swing assistance pace and outputting the selected signals to the output device.