Mobile image capture system

• US 8,731,865 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2010
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Youngs, Perry, Larkin, Adrian
• Primary Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US12/874,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20100332188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 702/80, 702/104, 702/105, 702/110, 702/116, 702/122, 702/175, 702/182, 702/188, 702/141, 702/142, 340/870.3, 340/937, 482/8, 348157-159, 455/11.1
• US Class Current: 702/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/14 specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• 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 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/24 Horse riding
• 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 69/0022 for skating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 : for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 : for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 : with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 : with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 : wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 : Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A mobile image capture system, a system comprising: a sensing unit for attaching to a vehicle, the sensing unit having a camera constructed and arranged to view a participant on the vehicle, the camera capturing at least one image; and processing electronics for storing data representing the captured at least one image or for relaying data representing the captured at least one image to a computer or a network.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a sensing unit comprising at least one sensor and being attached to an article of clothing worn by a user or being configured for attachment to the user, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate sensor data that is associated with an athletic performance metric and based on detected motion of the user during an athletic performance of the user;

at least one camera configured for capturing a plurality of images of the user during the athletic performance of the user and being attached to the article of clothing worn by the user or being configured for attachment to the user, wherein the at least one camera is arranged to view the user during the athletic performance; and

processing electronics configured for storing image data representing the images, for storing the sensor data, and for processing the sensor data to identify at least one of the images corresponding to when the athletic performance metric meets a performance criterion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing electronics relay data representing the images to a network in real-time.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the images includes a sequence of images.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing electronics include digital video memory for storing data representing the captured at least one image.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing electronics are configured to cause transfer of the image data and the sensor data via a network for presentation.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing electronics are configured to apply a time stamp to each of the images based on a common time reference.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is configured to measure speed and/or distance.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit comprises an accelerometer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit comprises a global positioning system device and/or an accelerometer.

10. A method comprising:

generating, by a sensing unit, sensor data that is associated with an athletic performance metric and based on movement of a user during an athletic performance of the user, wherein the sensing unit is attached to the user or to an article of clothing worn by the user;

capturing a plurality of images by a camera being attached to the article of clothing by the user or being configured for attachment to the user, wherein the camera is arranged to view the user during the athletic performance and the images depict the user during the athletic performance of the user;

storing, by processing electronics, image data representing the images and the sensor data; and

processing the sensor data to identify at least one of the images corresponding to when the athletic performance metric meets a performance criterion.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising relaying the image data to a network in real-time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one image includes a sequence of images.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the processing electronics comprise a digital video memory for storing the image data.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising causing transfer of the image data to a network.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising causing transfer of the image data to a remote location via an antenna and/or relay electronics.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising applying a time stamp to each of the images, wherein the time stamps are based on a common time reference.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor data comprises a speed measurement and/or a distance measurement.

18. A system comprising:

a sensing unit comprising at least one sensor and being configured for attachment to a user or an article of clothing worn by the user, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate sensor data that is associated with an athletic performance metric and based on detected motion of the user during an athletic performance of the user;

at least one camera configured for capturing a plurality of images of the user during the athletic performance and being attached to the article of clothing worn by the user or being configured for attachment to the user, wherein the at least one camera is arranged to view the user during an athletic performance; and

a processor configured for processing the sensor data to identify at least one of the images corresponding to when the athletic performance metric meets a performance criterion.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensing unit is configured to measure speed and/or distance.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to cause transfer of the sensor data and the image data via a computer network.