Footwork Training System and Method

• US 20150290495A1
• Filed: 04/27/2015
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Woo, Helen, Schrock, Allan M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,283,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• 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 2244/22 : Dancing
• 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 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 6/00 : Mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping, gymnastics or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0015 : Dancing
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 : Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/368 : displaying animated or moving pictures synchronized with the music or audio part
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 : Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/091 : for performance evaluation, i.e. judging, grading or scoring the musical qualities or faithfulness of a performance, e.g. with respect to pitch, tempo or other timings of a reference performance
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/321 : Garment sensors, i.e. musical control means with trigger surfaces or joint angle sensors, worn as a garment by the player, e.g. bracelet, intelligent clothing vital parameter sensing G10H2220/371; wearable interfaces in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/336 : Control shoe or boot, i.e. sensor-equipped lower part of lower limb, e.g. shoe, toe ring, sock, ankle bracelet or leg control attachment garment sensors G10H2220/321; floor sensing devices, e.g. sensing mats G10H2220/341
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/395 : Acceleration sensing or accelerometer use, e.g. 3D movement computation by integration of accelerometer data, angle sensing with respect to the vertical, i.e. gravity sensing. conductor baton movement sensing G10H2220/206, angle sensing without reference to gravity G10H2220/391; player body joint angle sensing G10H2220/321

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating an activity includes an article of clothing provided with a sensor capable of detecting the impact of the article of clothing, such as a shoe, on a surface. A system receives and interprets the pattern of impacts made during the performance of the activity. The system compares these impacts with those of a target routine. Iterations of the same performance may be stored in the system so that ongoing progress may be measured. The system may be used to enhance class teaching, in the home, or for Internet competition. The activity may include dance, yoga, martial arts, or similar activities.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a footwork-based activity, the method comprising:

detecting a target routine comprising a first set of footstrike data received from a first sensor disposed in a first article of footwear;

storing the target routine in a memory module;

detecting an evaluation routine comprising a second set of footstrike data received from a second sensor disposed in a second article of footwear; and

comparing the evaluation routine to the target routine using a processor to compare the first set of footstrike data stored in the memory module to the second set of footstrike data.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a comparison data structure comprising the results of the comparison of the second set of footstrike data to the first set of footstrike data.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the comparison data structure is configured to be displayed on a display.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the target routine is performed by a first user and the evaluation routine is performed by a second user.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of comparing the evaluation routine to the target routine is performed in real-time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation routine is stored in the memory module.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of comparing the evaluation routine to the target routine comprises retrieving the target routine and the evaluation routine from the memory module.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first set of footstrike data and the second set of footstrike data each comprise a plurality of left and right footstrikes associated with a timing between successive footstrikes.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of left and right footstrikes are substantially repetitive such that the timing between successive footstrikes is periodic.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the footwork-based activity is running;

and

wherein the first set of footstrike data and the second set of footstrike data are associated with running a predetermined distance.

21. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating a third sensor to the processor, wherein the third sensor is positioned on a mat.

11-20. -20. (canceled)

22. A method for evaluating a footwork-based activity where a portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface, the method comprising:

detecting a first series of impacts of the portion of the user'"'"'s body against the surface received from a first sensor to determine a first performance impact pattern;

comparing the first performance impact pattern to a target impact pattern using a processor to determine a first performance metric;

storing the first performance metric in a memory module;

detecting a second series of impacts of the portion of the user'"'"'s body against the surface received from the first sensor to determine a second performance impact pattern;

comparing the second performance impact pattern to the target pattern using the processor to determine a second performance metric;

storing the second performance metric in the memory module;

comparing the first performance impact pattern to the second performance impact pattern using the processor to determine an evaluation; and

communicating a second sensor to the processor, wherein the second sensor is positioned within the surface.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first performance metric and the second performance metric are visually displayed on a display, and information relating to the evaluation is also displayed.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the sensor is positioned on the user;

and

wherein the surface is a mat and the second sensor is positioned on the mat.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the mat incorporates a plurality of sensors.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the mat has multiple layers.

27. A method for comparing footwork-based activity of multiple users for activities where a portion of each user'"'"'s body impacts a surface, comprising the steps of:

providing each user with a target impact pattern and a local evaluation system;

each user performing the activity wearing an article of footwear which impacts the surface, the article of footwear incorporating a sensor capable of detecting a first performance impact pattern generated by the user when the user impacts the surface;

communicating the first performance impact pattern of each user to the user'"'"'s local evaluation system;

comparing the first performance impact pattern to the target impact pattern to determine each of the users evaluation characteristics and to define a first performance metric;

communicating the evaluation characteristics for at least two users to a remote evaluation module via a communications network;

comparing the evaluation characteristics of each of the users to the target impact pattern and further comparing each of the users evaluation characteristics between one another, in both instances the evaluation characteristics of the users are received by the remote evaluation module;

repeating the activity at least once to generate a second performance impact pattern;

comparing the second performance impact pattern to the target pattern to determine a second performance metric for each of the users; and

comparing the second performance impact pattern to the first performance impact pattern to evaluate the progress of each of the users.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first performance impact pattern of each of the users is stored in a memory module.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the communications network comprises the Internet.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the remote evaluation module is accessible by each user via a website.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the remote evaluation module determines rankings of the users according to the evaluation characteristics received by the remote evaluation module.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the remote evaluation module updates the rankings of the users according to submissions of subsequent evaluation characteristics for the users.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the sensor is connected to a processor via a communication link.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the surface is a mat and a second sensor positioned on the mat, wherein the mat is communicatively connected to the processor.