Motion capture and analysis

• US 9,656,122 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2014
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NewSpin Sports, LLC
• Original Assignee: NewSpin Sports, LLC
• Inventors: Papadourakis, Angelo Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, TOAN M
• Application Number:
  US14/461,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20160107027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/06 Squash
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/065 Racketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 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 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• 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 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 : for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 : Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration

Abstract

A system for motion capture and analysis is described. The system may include a motion sensor unit configured to capture data associated with movement of an object. The motion sensor unit is configured to be directly or indirectly coupled to the movement object at a first location. The system also includes a processor to process the captured data to determine one or more values and to translate the data and/or values to correspond to a second location on the movement object located away from the first location. The data and/or values, including translated data and/or values, may be transmitted by wireless transmitter and displayed by a display unit.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a motion sensor unit configured to be directly or indirectly coupled to a movement object at a first location, the movement object being used in a physical sport or leisure activity, the motion sensor unit being further configured to capture data associated with movement of the movement object;

a processor to process the data to determine one or more values associated with movement of the movement object, and to translate the data or values to correspond to a second location on the movement object located away from the first location; and

a wireless transmitter to transmit at least one of the data and the values to a display unit configured to receive and graphically display at least one of the data and the values.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the movement object has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the first end of the movement object.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the second end of the movement object.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the movement object is selected from the group consisting of a golf club, a baseball bat, a tennis racket, a hockey stick, a racquetball racquet and a squash racquet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor unit comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the data and values to be displayed by the display unit comprise the translated data or values.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the translated data or values comprises information related to acceleration of the second location of the movement object.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the translated data or values comprises information related to a velocity of the second location of the movement object.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the translated data or values comprises information related to angular momentum of the second location of the movement object.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the translated data or values indicate a path of movement of the second location of the movement object.

11. A system, comprising:

a non-wearable motion sensor unit configured to be adjustably coupled to, but not mechanically integrated with, an outer surface at a first location on a movement object using an adjustable attachment mechanism, the movement object being used in physical activity,

the non-wearable motion sensor unit being further configured to be removed from the movement object and adjustably coupled to, but not mechanically integrated with, another outer surface of another movement object using the adjustable attachment mechanism,

the non-wearable motion sensor unit being further configured to capture data associated with movement of the movement object;

a processor to process the data to determine one or more values and to translate at least one of the data and the values to correspond to a second location on the movement object located away from the first location; and

a wireless transmitter to transmit at least one of the data and the values to a display unit configured to receive and graphically display at least one of the data and values.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the movement object has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the first end of the movement object.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the second end of the movement object.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one of the data and values to be displayed by the display unit comprise the translated data or values.

15. A system, comprising:

a motion sensor unit configured to be directly or indirectly coupled to a movement object at a first location, the movement object being used in a physical sport or leisure activity, the motion sensor unit being further configured to capture data associated with movement of the movement object;

a wireless transmitter to transmit the data to a processor;

a processor to process the data to determine one or more values associated with movement of the movement object, and to translate the data or values to correspond to a second location on the movement object located away from the first location; and

a display unit to graphically display at least one of the data and the values.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the movement object has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the first end of the movement object.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the second end of the movement object.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the data and values to be displayed by the display unit comprise the translated data or values.

19. A system, comprising:

a non-wearable motion sensor unit configured to be adjustably coupled to, but not mechanically integrated with, an outer surface at a first location on a movement object using an adjustable attachment mechanism, the movement object being used in physical activity,

the non-wearable motion sensor unit being further configured to be removed from the movement object and adjustably coupled to, but not mechanically integrated with, another outer surface of another movement object using the adjustable attachment mechanism,

the non-wearable motion sensor unit being further configured to capture data associated with movement of the movement object,

a wireless transmitter to transmit the data to a processor,

a processor to process the data to determine one or more values and to translate at least one of the data and the values to correspond to a second location on the movement object located away from the first location; and

a display unit to graphically display at least one of the data and values.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the movement object has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the first end of the movement object.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the second location corresponds to a location at or adjacent to the second end of the movement object.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one of the data and values to be displayed by the display unit comprise the translated data or values.