METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRAINING PROPER RUNNING OF A USER

• US 20160114213A1
• Filed: 10/22/2014
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dalsu Lee
• Original Assignee: Dalsu Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Dalsu
• Granted Patent: US 9,687,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases

Abstract

A method and system for training proper running of a user, the system including at least one inertial sensor, a memory, a controller, and an output interface. The memory is for storing information for an ideal running gait, the information including information for an ideal bounce or acceleration over time. The method can be implemented by the controller and includes displaying an animation of an ideal running gait and an actual running gait of the user, both simultaneously with cadence synchronized, and also providing to the output interface a comparison of an actual bounce of the user with the ideal bounce.

Claims

1. A system for training proper running of a user, including:

at least one inertial sensor for attachment to an upper body of the user and configured to provide sensor data;

at least one output interface including a display output interface;

memory for storing information for an ideal running gait, the information including animation information and including information for an ideal acceleration over time which correlates to at least a GRF (Ground Reaction Force); and

at least one processor in operable communication with the at least one inertial sensor, the output interface, and the memory, for executing instructions stored in the memory which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to;

determine the ideal running gait information from the memory,

determine the sensor data from the at least one inertial sensor for an actual running gait of the user,

perform a comparison determination including;

whether a rate of change of the actual acceleration of the user during ground impact is less than a predetermined value or within a threshold thereof, and whether a ground impact period of acceleration is greater than a predetermined value or within a threshold thereof,

output to the at least one output interface information based on the comparison determination, and

display on the display output interface an animation of the ideal running gait and the actual running gait, both simultaneously with cadence synchronized.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ideal running gait and associated acceleration further includes associated arm and shoulder movement, wherein the arm and shoulder are lower than a predetermined threshold during landing, and the arm and shoulder are higher than a predetermined threshold during propulsion

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ideal running gait and associated acceleration over time further comprises an estimated sustainable maximum amount of load over a specified time period for the user, wherein the controller is further configured to output to the at least one output interface the specified time period or a time remaining from the specified period.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ideal acceleration over time further includes an ideal vertical acceleration over time.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ideal acceleration over time further includes an ideal acceleration for three different axes of acceleration.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein outputting the information based on the comparison determination includes an indication to perform an action which corrects any discrepancies between the ideal running gait and the actual running gait.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein displaying the animation is performed dynamically by the processor and displayed in real time or near real time.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein generating the output to the at least one output interface is performed dynamically by the processor and displayed in real time or near real time.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the ideal running gait is specific to the user based on at least user information stored in the memory, the user information including at least height information and weight information.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comparison determination includes an indication to the user to maintain the actual running gait of the user.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inertial sensor includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or a magnetometer.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one inertial sensor is part of a torso strap, eyeglasses, band, necklace and/or any attachment mechanism above the waist.

13. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is part of a mobile communication device.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output interface includes at least one of a audio output interface or a tactile output interface, wherein the output includes feedback using audio or vibration in relation the information based on to the comparison determination.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comparison determination is displayed on a same display as the animation.

16. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein inertial sensors are not required for attachment to a lower body of the user.

17. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display output interface is displayed to a display screen of a separate device to the controller.

18. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information for the ideal acceleration over time further includes the following criteria or within a threshold, for the comparison determination:

a peak acceleration which is between a maximum predetermined value and a minimum predetermined value.

19. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information for the ideal acceleration over time further includes the following criteria or within a threshold, for the comparison determination:

a freefall period of acceleration which is less than a predetermined value or within a threshold for the comparison determination.

20. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comparison determination further includes determining whether a second derivative rate of change of the actual acceleration of the user during impact is less than a predetermined value or within a threshold.

21. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comparison determination further includes determining whether a concavity of the actual acceleration of the user during impact versus time is less than a predetermined value or within a threshold.

22. A method for training proper running of a user, wherein at least one inertial sensor is for attachment to an upper body of the user and configured to provide sensor data, wherein at least one output interface includes a display output interface, wherein memory is for storing information for an ideal running gait, the information including animation information and including information for an ideal acceleration over time which correlates to at least a GRF (Ground Reaction Force), and wherein at least one processor is in operable communication with the at least one inertial sensor, the output interface, and the memory, for executing instructions stored in the memory, the method being executed by the at least one processor and comprising:

determining the ideal running gait information from the memory;

determining the sensor data from the at least one inertial sensor for an actual running gait of the user;

performing a comparison determination including;

whether a rate of change of the actual acceleration of the user during ground impact is less than a predetermined value or within a threshold thereof, and whether a ground impact period of acceleration is greater than a predetermined value or within a threshold thereof;

outputting to the at least one output interface information based on the comparison determination; and

displaying on the display output interface an animation of the ideal running gait and the actual running gait, both simultaneously with cadence synchronized.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions executable by a processor for training proper running of a user, wherein at least one inertial sensor is for attachment to an upper body of the user and configured to provide sensor data, wherein at least one output interface includes a display output interface, wherein memory is for storing information for an ideal running gait, the information including animation information and including information for an ideal acceleration over time which correlates to at least a GRF (Ground Reaction Force), and wherein at least one processor is in operable communication with the at least one inertial sensor, the output interface, and the memory, for executing instructions stored in the memory which, the instructions comprising:

instructions for determining the ideal running gait information from the memory;

instructions for determining the sensor data from the at least one inertial sensor for an actual running gait of the user;

instructions for performing a comparison determination including;

whether a rate of change of the actual acceleration of the user during ground impact is less than a predetermined value or within a threshold thereof, and whether a ground impact period of acceleration is greater than a predetermined value or within a threshold thereof;

instructions for outputting to the at least one output interface information based on the comparison determination; and

instructions for displaying on the display output interface an animation of the ideal running gait and the actual running gait, both simultaneously with cadence synchronized.