Method and system for athletic motion analysis and instruction

• US 10,576,373 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2017
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• 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 H
• Application Number:
  US15/705,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20180056184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 analyzing body motion, comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a computer-based motion analysis system, first motion data representing a first body motion associated with a user;

measuring, by the processor, a first movement pattern for the user using the first motion data;

assessing, by the processor, the first movement pattern by comparing the first motion data to existing motion data stored in a motion database;

automatically prescribing, by the processor, a first prescribed body motion stored in the motion database based upon the assessed first movement pattern, the first prescribed body motion defined as at least one exercise for the user to perform in order to improve the assessed body movement pattern relative to the existing motion data stored in the motion database;

receiving, by the processor, second motion data representing a second body motion when the first prescribed body motion is performed by the user;

measuring, by the processor, a second movement pattern for the user using the second motion data;

assessing, by the processor, the second movement pattern by comparing the second motion data to existing motion data stored in the motion database associated with the first prescribed body motion;

determining, by the processor, whether the second movement pattern falls within a range of body motion limits associated with the first prescribed body motion, and automatically prescribing, by the processor, the first prescribed body motion if the second movement pattern is determined to fall outside the range of body motion limits, and if the second movement pattern is determined to fall within the range of body motion limits, then either automatically prescribing, by the processor, a second prescribed body motion that is different than the first prescribed body motion or stopping the analysis of the body motion for the user;

generating, by the processor, using the second body motion data, in real time a graphical user interface configured to display an animation of the user performing the first prescribed body motion; and

generating, by the processor, in real time a first biofeedback signal when the second movement pattern is determined to fall outside the range of body motion limits, and in real time a second biofeedback signal that is different than the first biofeedback signal when the second movement pattern is determined to fall within the range of body motion limits,

wherein the first and second motion data each comprise data associated with more than one body segment, the more than one body segment comprising at least two of a head segment, a neck segment, a thorax segment, a shoulder segment, an arm segment, a hand segment, a pelvis segment, a leg segment, and a foot segment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the first and second motion data are transmitted to the processor from at least one sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is an inertial sensor.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted at a target area of the user'"'"'s body, the target area being in front of or behind a respective body joint.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein part of the first and second motion data is transmitted to the processor from a camera, the camera being configured to monitor at least part of the first and second body motions.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

measuring, by the processor, a third movement pattern for the user using third motion data associated with the second prescribed body motion;

assessing, by the processor, the third movement pattern by comparing the third motion data to existing motion data stored in the motion database associated with the second prescribed body motion; and

determining, by the processor, whether the third movement pattern falls within a range of body motion limits associated with the second prescribed body motion, and prescribing the second prescribed body motion if the third movement pattern is determined to fall outside the range of body motion limits, and if the third movement pattern is determined to fall within the range of body motion limits, then either prescribing a third prescribed body motion that is different than the second prescribed body motion or stopping the analysis of the body motion for the user; and

generating, by the processor, the first biofeedback signal when the third movement pattern is determined to fall outside the range of body motion limits associated with the second prescribed body motion, and the second biofeedback signal when the third movement pattern is determined to fall within the range of body motion limits associated with the second prescribed body motion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the first and second motion data is transmitted to the processor from a camera, the camera being configured to monitor at least part of the first and second body motions.