Multi-mode acceleration-based athleticism measurement system

• US 10,729,936 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2015
• Issued: 08/04/2020
• 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:
  US14/845,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20150375043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• 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 user input device;

a sensor;

a processor; and

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

track movement of the sensor, wherein data from the movement of the sensor is recognized as a user'"'"'s physical activity, and wherein the data includes an average contact time for each foot of the user and indicates whether one leg of the user is slower than the other;

compare the data to a predetermined performance criterion; and

electronically transmit a guide for improving a running movement efficiency of the user based on the comparison of the data to the predetermined performance criterion, wherein the guide for improving running movement efficiency is calculated by analyzing acceleration data associated with at least one of the user'"'"'s wrists and at least one of the user'"'"'s shoes to characterize directions of arm movement during running relative to running stride information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes a foot contact time threshold that satisfies a fast feet criterion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes an accuracy threshold of a user'"'"'s movement.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes a quantity threshold of user movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises feedback electronically transmitted in real-time.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide includes coaching recommendations for improvement based on the comparison of the physical activity data to the predetermined performance criterion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes one or more cues for performing an action, based on the comparison of the physical activity data to the predetermined performance criterion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one wrist worn sensor.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the processor of the apparatus to:

track movement of a sensor, wherein data from the movement of the sensor is recognized as a user'"'"'s physical activity, and wherein the data includes an average contact time for each foot of the user and indicates whether one leg of the user is slower than the other;

compare the data to a predetermined performance criterion; and

electronically providing a guide for improving running movement efficiency of the user based on the comparison of the physical activity data to the predetermined performance criterion.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes a foot contact time threshold that satisfies a fast feet criterion.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes an accuracy threshold of a user'"'"'s movement.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes a quantity threshold of user movement.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the guide comprises electronically-transmitted feedback provided in real-time.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the guide includes coaching recommendations for improvement that are based on the comparison of the data to the predetermined performance criterion.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the predetermined performance criterion includes one or more cues for performing an action that are based on the comparison of the physical activity data to the predetermined performance criterion.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein determining the physical activity data corresponding to the user'"'"'s physical activity includes receiving data from at least one wrist worn sensor.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein determining the physical activity data corresponding to the user'"'"'s physical activity includes receiving data from at least one appendage worn sensor.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the tracking of the movement of the sensor comprises receiving an electronic signal from an accelerometer.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the electronically providing the guide comprises transmitting the guide over a wireless communication protocol.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a user input device;

a sensor;

a processor; and

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

track movement of the sensor, wherein data from the movement of the sensor is recognized as a user'"'"'s physical activity, and wherein the data includes an average contact time for each foot of the user and indicates whether one leg of the user is slower than the other;

compare the data to a predetermined performance criterion; and

electronically transmit a guide for improving a running movement efficiency of the user based on the comparison of the data to the predetermined performance criterion, wherein the guide for improving running movement efficiency is calculated by analyzing acceleration data associated with at least one of the user'"'"'s shoes to characterize running stride information.