Multi-mode acceleration-based athleticism measurement system

• US 8,721,342 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Prstojevich, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US13/709,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20130103170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 434/265, 434/247
• US Class Current: 434/247
• 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 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• 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 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• 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 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• 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 24/0062 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 : Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system includes an athlete-borne acceleration sensor and an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of multiple athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user. A data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device transmits the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to;

determine athleticism information, the athleticism information corresponding to any of a first athleticism mode corresponding to a first athletic test involving a first type of athletic movement and a second athleticism mode corresponding to a second athletic test involving a second type of athletic movement; and

when the first athleticism mode is selected;

generate a first set of one or more cues corresponding to instructions for a user to perform the first type of athletic movement at a specified time during the first athletic test, and

generate one or more indicators indicating whether the user has met a predefined first criterion of the first athletic test; and

when the second athleticism mode is selected;

generate a second set of one or more cues corresponding to instructions for a user to perform the second type of athletic movement at a specified time during the second athletic test, the second set of one or more cues being different from the first set of one or more cues, and

generate one or more indicators indicating whether the user has met a predefined second criterion of the second athletic test, the predefined second criterion being different from the predefined first criterion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to communicate over a data link to one or more other devices, wherein the data link is a wireless data link.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a wireless athlete timing system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is borne by the athlete.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is a wrist-worn device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein apparatus includes the one or more athletic activity sensors.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further causes the apparatus to provide real-time feedback of athletic performance to the user during at least one of:

performance of the first athletic test and performance of the second athletic test.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to:

when the first athleticism mode is selected;

process data received from the one or more athletic activity sensors to generate a first set of one or more performance metrics; and

when the second athleticism mode is selected;

process data received from the one or more athletic activity sensors to generate a second set of one or more performance metrics.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to generate an athleticism rating of athletic performance using the first and second sets of performance metrics, wherein the athleticism rating comprises a single athleticism value generated based on performances in the first and second athleticism modes.

10. A method comprising:

determining, by a computing device, athleticism information, the athleticism information corresponding to any of a first athleticism mode corresponding to a first athletic test involving a first type of athletic movement and a second athleticism mode corresponding to a second athletic test involving a second type of athletic movement;

receiving a selection of the first athleticism mode;

in response to receiving the selection of the first athleticism mode;

generating, by the computing device, a first set of one or more cues corresponding to instructions for a user to perform the first type of athletic movement at a specified time during the first athletic test, and

generating, by the computing device, one or more indicators indicating whether the user has met a predefined first criterion of the first athletic test;

receiving a selection of the second athleticism mode; and

in response to receiving the selection of the second athleticism mode;

generating, by the computing device, a second set of one or more cues corresponding to instructions for a user to perform the second type of athletic movement at a specified time during the second athletic test, wherein the second set of one or more cues are different from the first set of one or more cues, and

generating, by the computing device, one or more indicators indicating whether the user has met a predefined second criterion of the second athletic test, the predefined second criterion being different from the predefined first criterion.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing real-time feedback of athletic performance to the user during at least one of:

performance of the first athletic test and performance of the second athletic test.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

when the first athleticism mode is selected;

processing data received from the one or more athletic activity sensors to generate a first set of one or more performance metrics; and

when the second athleticism mode is selected;

processing data received from the one or more athletic activity sensors to generate a second set of one or more performance metrics.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating an athleticism rating of athletic performance using the first and second sets of performance metrics, wherein the athleticism rating comprises a single athleticism value generated based on performances in the first and second athleticism modes.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus to:

determine athleticism information, the athleticism information corresponding to any of a first athleticism mode corresponding to a first athletic test involving a first type of athletic movement and a second athleticism mode corresponding to a second athletic test involving a second type of athletic movement;

when the first athleticism mode is selected;

generate a first set of one or more cues corresponding to instructions for a user to perform the first type of athletic movement at a specified time during the first athletic test;

generate one or more indicators indicating whether the user has met a predefined first criterion of the first athletic test; and

process data received from one or more athletic activity sensors to generate a first set of one or more performance metrics; and

when the second athleticism mode is selected;

generate a second set of one or more cues corresponding to instructions for a user to perform the second type of athletic movement at a specified time during the second athletic test, wherein the second set of one or more cues are different form the first set of one or more cues;

generate one or more indicators indicating whether the user has met a predefined second criterion of the second athletic test, the predefined second criterion being different from the predefined first criterion; and

process data received from the one or more athletic activity sensors to generate a second set of one or more performance metrics.