Apparatus, systems, and methods for evaluating body movements

• US 20100201512A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Technology Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Shears, Jay Allan, Stirling, Harold Dan, Cusey, Lee Norman
• Application Number:
  US11/601,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20100201512A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.110
• 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 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/22 Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow exercising apparatus A63B21/00 ; measuring of work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• 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 2220/836 : 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 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 5/11 : Trampolines
• 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 69/3667 : Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 : Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 : Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 : ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for measuring and analyzing movements of a body and for communicating information related to such body movements over a network. In certain embodiments, a system gathers biometric and biomechanical data relating to positions, orientations, and movements of various body parts of a user performed during sports activities, physical rehabilitation, or military or law enforcement activities. The biometric and biomechanical data can be communicated to a local and/or remote interface, which uses digital performance assessment tools to provide a performance evaluation to the user. The performance evaluation may include a graphical representation (e.g., a video), statistical information, and/or a comparison to another user and/or instructor. In some embodiments, the biometric and biomechanical data is communicated wirelessly to one or more devices including a processor, display, and/or data storage medium for further analysis, archiving, and data mining. In some embodiments, the device includes a cellular telephone.

Claims

1. A golfer alignment system comprising:

a first sensor associated with the head of a user;

a second sensor associated with the upper torso of the user;

a third sensor associated with the lower torso of the user;

a portable master control unit configured to be worn or carried by the user, the master control unit configured to receive data from at least two sensors; and

a remote processor having a user interface and a wireless receiver, the remote processor configured to communicate wirelessly with the portable master control unit and provide information related to at least one of the user'"'"'s stance, alignment, or swing to the user in real time.

2. The golfer alignment system of claim 1, further comprising at least one foot sensor.

3. The golfer alignment system of claim 2, wherein the user interface of the remote processor comprises a stance indicator that can display information relating to data received from the at least one foot sensor, the information relating to a distance between the user'"'"'s feet or to an alignment of the user'"'"'s feet.

4. The golfer alignment system of claim 2, wherein the user interface further comprises a visual reference line for use in aligning the user interface with the golf target line.

5. The golfer alignment system of claim 1, wherein the user interface of the remote processor further comprises a human form representation having indicators showing the user any stance changes needed and which portion of the user'"'"'s body the stance change should affect.

6. The golfer alignment system of claim 1, wherein the remote processor comprises a cellular telephone.

7. The golfer alignment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third sensors is configured to be associated with a garment worn by the user.

8. The golfer alignment system of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the first, second, and third sensors is configured to be associated with the garment by being disposed in a sensor cavity in the garment.

9. The golfer alignment system of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the first, second, and third sensors and the sensor cavity are shaped or sized to resist relative movement therebetween.

10. A method of evaluating a golfer'"'"'s form, the method comprising:

associating a plurality of sensors with portions of a golfer'"'"'s body;

associating a master control with the golfer, the master control unit configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors;

calibrating the plurality of sensors and the master control unit to provide a calibration position;

assuming, by the golfer, a golfing stance with respect to a target line; and

analyzing data from the plurality of sensors to evaluate the golfer'"'"'s form.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein associating a plurality of sensors with portions of a golfer'"'"'s body comprises:

associating a first sensor with the head of the golfer;

associating a second sensor with the upper torso of the golfer; and

associating a third sensor with the lower torso of the golfer.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein calibrating the plurality of sensors comprises:

assuming the calibration position, by the golfer; and

communicating to the master control unit information related to the calibration position.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the calibration position comprises a balanced, erect position of the golfer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein assuming the calibration position, by the golfer, comprises:

standing such that the golfer'"'"'s left and right shoulders are each located distances away from the ground that are substantially the same; and

standing such that the golfer'"'"'s left and right hips are each located distances away from the ground that are substantially the same.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the golfer'"'"'s form comprises the golfer'"'"'s stance, alignment, or swing.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein analyzing data from the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of determining a width of the golfer'"'"'s stance, an alignment of regions of the golfer'"'"'s body, and a lean in an address position of the golfer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the regions of the golfer'"'"'s body include the golfer'"'"'s head, feet, hips, or shoulders.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

aligning an interface box with the target line, the interface box configured to communicate with the master control unit so as to provide visual or audible information related to the golfer'"'"'s stance, alignment, or swing.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

performing a golf swing, by the golfer; and

activating a rhythm indicator in response to the golf swing.

20. A system for evaluating a body movement, the system comprising:

a first sensor associated with a first body portion of a user;

a second sensor associated with a second body portion of the user;

a third sensor associated with a third body portion of the user;

a portable master control unit configured to be worn or carried by the user, the master control unit configured to receive data from the first, the second, and the third sensors; and

a remote processor having a user interface and a wireless receiver;

wherein the remote processor is configured to (i) wirelessly receive body movement information from the portable master control unit, (ii) calculate a performance evaluation based at least in part on the body movement information, and (iii) provide via the user interface information relating to the performance evaluation.