Method and system for athletic motion analysis and instruction

• US 8,616,989 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PG Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: K-Motion Interactive, Inc.
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael D
• Primary Examiner(s): LIM, SENG HENG
• Application Number:
  US11/834,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,338 Days
• Field of Search: 473/207, 473219-221
• US Class Current: 473/215
• 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 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0636 3D visualisation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 : Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 : Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 : for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 : Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 : characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 : comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 : Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 : involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 : Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 : Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 : using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 : being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 : using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 : Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 : for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 : Ball
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing and improving the performance of a body motion of an animal or human subject requires instrumenting a subject with inertial sensors, monitoring a body motion of interest, converting sensor data into motion data and animation, comparing the motion data with existing data for motion related performance parameters, providing a real-time, information rich, animation and data display of the results in color coded displays; and based on the results prescribing a training regime with exercises selected from a library of standardized exercises using standardized tools and training aids.

Claims

1. A method for analysis of a body motion of an animal or human subject, comprising:

using a computer-based motion analysis system comprising multiple, body mountable, inertial sensors in communication with a processing computer connected to a computer-driven display screen;

mounting the multiple inertial sensors to the body of an animal or human subject of interest at target areas of the body relating to a body motion of interest;

calibrating the inertial sensors for initial alignment and orientation of each respective target area of the body;

setting range of motion limits for selected body segments of said body motion;

monitoring the execution of a said body motion with the motion analysis system;

collecting sensor data from said motion sensors;

processing said sensor data so as to generate an animation and motion data representing the body motion of said subject, said animation comprising at least two color coded body segments wherein one body segment is color coded in a different color than the other body segment;

displaying the animation of the body motion on the display screen;

displaying on the display screen a visually apparent, rectangular, three dimensional open frame cage representing said motion limits for each said selected body segment, within which said animation of said selected body segment is visible; and

comparing the generated motion data to existing motion data and calculating performance parameters related to the body motion.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

prescribing a regime of training exercises selected from a pre-defined list of exercises where each exercise is associated with at least one said performance parameter, and the order and amount of each exercise of the prescribed regime is associated with the relative levels of said performance parameters.

3. The method of claim 1, said body motion requiring manipulation of an associated object, said subject comprising the individual and the associated object in combination.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

altering a selected color on the display screen upon the occurrence of a body motion exceeding said motion limits.

5. The method of claim 1, said mounting the multiple inertial sensors to the body comprising attaching said sensors to at least one body appliance worn by the subject, the sensors and said at least one appliance having corresponding mating structure by which a said sensor may be uniformly and repeatably attached with the same orientation to the appliance.

6. The method of claim 1, said existing motion data being user-selectable from a database of existing motion data.

7. The method of claim 1, said sensor data comprising linear motion, linear velocity, rotational motion, and rotational velocity, in three dimensions, for each said sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating motion related instructions to the subject;

said computer-based motion analysis system comprising means for communicating said motion related instructions to the subject.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

communicating motion related performance reports to the subject;

said computer-based motion analysis system comprising means for communicating motion related performance reports to said subject.

10. The method of claim 2, said computer-based motion analysis system comprising means for communicating said regime of training exercises to the subject.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising

displaying said motion data on the display screen.

12. The method of claim 11, said motion data comprising a time-based graph of selected said performance parameters.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising:

setting range of motion limits for selected body segments of said body motion in advance of said monitoring; and

generating a first audio feedback signal upon the occurrence of said body motion conducted within said range of motion limits, and a different audio feedback signal upon the occurrence of a said body motion exceeding said range of motion limits.

14. The method of claim 1, said inertial sensors incorporating wireless data transmitters, said computer-based motion analysis system incorporating a wireless data receiver.

15. The method of claim 1, said computer-based motion analysis system comprising a video camera connected to the system;

said method comprising;

monitoring the execution of a said body motion with the camera;

collecting a video signal of the body motion;

displaying the video signal on the display screen concurrently with said animation and said motion data.

16. A method for analysis of a body motion of an animal or human subject, comprising:

using a computer-based motion analysis system comprising multiple, body mountable, inertial sensors in communication with a processing computer connected to a computer-driven display screen, at least one wearable body appliance configured to accept the attachment of said sensors thereto, and means for communicating motion related instructions and performance parameters to a system operator;

attaching the inertial sensors to a selected animal or human subject using the at least one wearable body appliance such that the sensors are located at target areas of the body relating to a body motion of interest;

calibrating the inertial sensors for initial alignment and orientation of each respective target area of the body;

setting range of motion limits for selected body segments for said body motion;

communicating said motion related instructions to the system operator;

monitoring the execution of a said body motion with the motion analysis system;

collecting sensor data from said motion sensors;

processing said sensor data so as to generate animation and motion data representing said body motion, said animation comprising at least two color coded body segments wherein one body segment is color coded in a different color than the other body segment;

displaying the animation and motion data of the body motion on the display screen;

displaying on the display screen a visually apparent, rectangular, three dimensional open frame cage representing said motion limits for each said selected body segment, within which said animation of said selected body segment is visible;

comparing the generated motion data to said motion limits and signaling the system operator when said limits are exceeded;

comparing the generated motion data to existing motion data selected from a computer database of exiting motion data, and calculating said performance parameters there from;

communicating said performance parameters to the system operator.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising:

prescribing a regime of training exercises selected from a pre-defined list of exercises where each exercise is associated with at least one said performance parameter, and the order and amount of each exercise of the prescribed regime is associated with the relative levels of said performance parameters; and

communicating the regime of training exercises to the system operator.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising:

associating the generated said motion data with the subject and the date of collection and saving it to the computer database of existing motion data.