Interactive system and method for boxing and martial arts

• US 8,337,366 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: XFit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexersys Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Terry G., Shah, Redza, Eversmann, Jeffrey, Sewell, Nathan, Bates, Brian, Eversmann, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/234,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/83, 482/84, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 Boxing
• 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 69/22 mounted on, or suspended from, a fixed support
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/305 Hanging heavy punching bags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/32 with indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

A boxing or martial arts training and exercise device may include punching pads locationally displaced on a frame. Respective pads may be positioned in support on the frame for punching and kicking. Each pad can communicatively connect to one or more impact sensor. Each impact sensor can communicatively connect to a control unit. The control unit may be communicatively connected to a display. The impact sensor detects strikes to the pad. The impact sensor includes an accelerometer and a signal processor. The control unit includes an aggregator for receiving and logging strike metrics. The control unit directs sequences in the display according to a routine, and delivers indicators of strike metrics. The control unit includes a user interface for selection among sequences, as well as for selection of various menu items. A video of a human instructor or an animated avatar is viewable in a display.

Claims

1. A boxing apparatus, comprising:

a pad;

a strike sensor of the pad, for detecting strike to the pad;

a controller communicatively connected to the sensor;

a display unit communicatively connected to the controller; and

a type sensor communicatively connected to the controller, for distinguishing a type of strike to the pad;

wherein the strike sensor and the type sensor are unitary.

2. The boxing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a frame;

an arm connected to the pad and the frame, the arm resistively movable with respect to the frame and opposing striking impact to the pad.

3. The boxing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad resists striking impact to the pad.

4. The boxing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a media module connected to the display and processed by the controller for directing output by the display.

5. The boxing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the media module directs output by the display in response to the strike sensor detecting strike to the pad and the type sensor distinguishing type of strike to the pad.

6. The boxing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the media module directs the display to visually prompt a strike to the pad.

7. The boxing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the strike is prompted, at least in part, by a graphical icon of the display selectively indicating the pad.

8. The boxing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an audio output device connected to the controller.

9. The boxing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller controls the audio output device to audibly prompt a select type of strike to the pad.

10. The boxing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

an audio output device; and

a media module connected to the audio output device and processed by the controller for directing audio output by the audio output device.

11. The boxing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the media module directs output by the audio output device in response to the strike sensor detecting strike to the pad and the type sensor distinguishing type of strike to the pad.

12. The boxing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the media module directs the audio output device to audibly prompt a strike to the pad.

13. A sensor unit for a boxing apparatus, comprising:

an accelerometer for measuring a strike; and

a signal processor communicatively connected to the accelerometer, for discerning the strike and calculating values relative to a peak acceleration, direction, total work, and total energy for the strike.

14. The sensor unit of claim 13, further comprising:

a filter communicatively connected to the accelerometer for eliminating insignificant measures of the accelerometer.

15. A method of varying an operation of a boxing apparatus to accommodate input of a user of the boxing apparatus responsive to direction of the boxing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

setting a maximum duration for the user input;

prompting the user input;

timing for the maximum duration;

detecting if the user input is received;

returning to the step of prompting upon receipt of the user input if prior to expiration of the maximum duration; and

returning to the step of prompting upon expiration of the maximum duration if the user input is not received.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

varying the maximum duration if the user input is not received prior to expiration of the maximum duration.