Activity tracking racquet attachment device

• US 9,744,403 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2014
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerardo Marvez, Jorge H. Rangel
• Original Assignee: Gerardo Marvez, Jorge H. Rangel
• Inventors: Rangel, Jorge H., Marvez, Gerardo
• Primary Examiner(s): Galka, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US14/303,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20150360082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• 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 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• 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 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• 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 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 : Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/20 : Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition recognition of facial expressions G06V40/16
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/0066 : on sports articles, e.g. golf clubs

Abstract

An activity tracking racquet attachment device tracks activity such as calories burned over a period of using a racquet to which the device is attached. The device includes a housing having a first face and a perimeter sidewall extending from and around the first face. A processor is coupled to the housing. A motion detector is coupled to the housing such that the motion detector detects movement of the housing. The motion detector is communicatively coupled to the processor wherein the processor receives motion data from the motion detector. A coupler is coupled to and extends from a second face of the housing coupling the housing to an end of a handle of a racquet such that the first face of the housing faces outwardly from the end of the handle.

Claims

1. An activity tracking racquet attachment device comprising:

a housing having a first face, a perimeter sidewall extending from and around said first face;

a processor coupled to said housing;

a motion detector coupled to said housing such that said motion detector detects movement of said housing, said motion detector being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor receives motion data from said motion detector; and

a coupler coupled to and extending from a second face of said housing wherein said housing is configured for being coupled to an end of a handle of a racquet such that said first face of said housing faces outwardly from the end of the handle of the racquet;

a display screen coupled to said housing, said display screen being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said processor displays images on said display screen, said display screen being parallel to and inset from said first face of said housing, said housing defining a well extending into said first face of said housing, said display screen being positioned in said well wherein said display screen is visible within said well; and

a cap, said cap being positionable in said well such that said cap covers said display screen, said cap being removably coupled to said housing for selectively exposing said display screen.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter coupled to said housing, said transmitter being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor transmits said motion data to an extrinsic apparatus.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising said processor processing said motion data to determine calories burned corresponding to said motion data.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a speaker coupled to said housing, said speaker being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said processor broadcasts audio through said speaker.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising said perimeter sidewall being angled relative to said first face such that said perimeter sidewall extends outward laterally from a peripheral edge of said first face of said housing and towards said second face of said housing.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a groove extending into an inwardly facing wall defining said well, said groove being positioned in spaced relationship to said first face of said housing; and

a lip extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of said cap, said lip being positionable in said groove coupling said cap to said housing.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising said groove extending a full length around said inwardly facing wall.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising said lip extending fully around said perimeter edge of said cap.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising said housing having a notch extending from said well wherein an exposed portion of a perimeter edge of said cap is accessible to facilitate removal of said cap from said well.

10. The device of claim 2, further comprising said transmitter transmitting said motion data using a wireless personal access network.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a timer coupled to said housing, said timer being communicatively coupled to said processor.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver coupled to said housing, said receiver being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor is controllable from transmissions received by said receiver.

13. An activity tracking racquet attachment device comprising:

a housing having a first face, a perimeter sidewall extending from and around said first face, said perimeter sidewall being angled relative to said first face such that said perimeter sidewall extends outward laterally from a peripheral edge of said first face of said housing and towards said second face of said housing, said housing defining a well extending into said first face of said housing, said housing having a notch extending from said well;

a processor coupled to said housing;

a motion detector coupled to said housing such that said motion detector detects movement of said housing, said motion detector being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor receives motion data from said motion detector, said processor processing said motion data to determine calories burned corresponding to said motion data;

a coupler coupled to and extending from a second face of said housing wherein said housing is configured for being coupled to an end of a handle of a racquet such that said first face of said housing faces outwardly from the end of the handle of the racquet;

a transmitter coupled to said housing, said transmitter being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor transmits said motion data to an extrinsic apparatus, said transmitter transmitting said motion data using a wireless personal access network;

a speaker coupled to said housing, said speaker being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said processor broadcasts audio through said speaker;

a display screen coupled to said housing, said display screen being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said processor displays images on said display screen, said display screen being parallel to and inset from said first face of said housing, said display screen being positioned in said well wherein said display screen is visible within said well;

a cap, said cap being positionable in said well such that said cap covers said display screen, said cap being removably coupled to said housing for selectively exposing said display screen, an exposed portion of a perimeter edge of said cap being accessible through said notch to facilitate removal of said cap from said well;

a groove extending into an inwardly facing wall defining said well, said groove being positioned in spaced relationship to said first face of said housing, said groove extending a full length around said inwardly facing wall;

a lip extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of said cap, said lip being positionable in said groove coupling said cap to said housing, said lip extending fully around said perimeter edge of said cap;

a timer coupled to said housing, said timer being communicatively coupled to said processor; and

a receiver coupled to said housing, said receiver being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor is controllable from transmissions received by said receiver.