Sport monitoring systems

• US 20050038626A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: PhatRat Technology LLC (PhatRat Technology)
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Flentov, Peter, Darcy, Dennis M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,054,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0433 Detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0071 Distinction between different activities, movements, or kind of sports performed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/185 for ski-jumping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• 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 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• 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 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 : Microphones
• 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 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/19 : Skiing
• 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 5/00 : Apparatus for jumping mats for jumping A63B6/00; for racing or riding sports, e.g. hurdles A63K
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 : for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 : for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• 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: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/10 : for the head A63B71/081 takes precedence ; in the form of caps or hats A42B1/08; helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 11/00 : Accessories for skiing or snowboarding fittings on vehicles for carrying skis B60R9/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/24 : Processing or storing data, e.g. with electronic chip
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/03 : Mono skis; Snowboards
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 : with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/00 : Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/16 : for erasable recording, e.g. magnetic recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 : Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 : with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/42 : Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means G01P3/66 takes precedence; measuring electric or magnetic values in general G01R
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/50 : for measuring linear speed G01P3/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/14 : using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/60 : wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 : Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for determining speed, power and/or impact (sporting characteristics) of persons involved in activity. Wireless signals may be generated indicative of the sporting characteristics for receipt and display on a watch worn by the user or on a remote display. Sensors may attach to the person or to a vehicle ridden by the person, to gauge activities such as jogging, hockey, biking, football and aerobics.

Claims

1. A system for determining sporting characteristics associated with a person during activity, comprising at least one accelerometer and a processor contained within a water-tight housing and attached to the person or to a vehicle ridden by the person, the accelerometer generating signals indicative of movement by the person, the processor processing the signals to determine the sporting characteristics.

2. A system of claim 1, further comprising means for informing the person of the sporting characteristics, the means for informing and the housing comprising a watch worn by the person.

3. A system of claim 2, the sporting characteristics comprising power.

4. A system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter mounted within the housing for generating wireless signals indicative of the sporting characteristics, and further comprising a watch worn by the person for receiving the wireless signals to display the sporting characteristics to the person.

5. A system of claim 1, the sporting characteristics comprising one or more of airtime, speed, power, distance traveled and drop distance corresponding to movements of the person during the activity.

6. A system of claim 1, the processor configured to determine the sporting characteristics as absorbed power experienced by the person during a time period of between about one-half second and eight hours.

7. A system of claim 1, the system being adapted for attachment to a sportsman involved in activity selected from the group of mountain biking, football, hockey, jogging and aerobics.

8. A system of claim 1, the processor being calibrated to determine sporting characteristics as a pedometer for the person as a jogger.

9. A system of claim 1, the housing comprising at least part of a helmet of a football player, the processor being configured to process the signals to determine sporting characteristics of impact of the helmet, and further comprising a wireless transmitter configured with the housing to generate wireless signals indicative of the impact to a remote location