Head gear including a data augmentation unit for detecting head motion and providing feedback relating to the head motion

• US 6,730,047 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Progressive Sports Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Progressive Sports Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert Jonathan, Lathrop, Olin Glenn, Donahue, Mark William, Socci, Roger David, Wheeler, Mark Winthrop, Wakenight, Robert L
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOREMAN, JONATHAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/784,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 335/11, 335/12, 340/573, 473/209, 600/595, 600/587
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0204 of power management
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/002 Billiards
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/03 Skeet, clay pigeon shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/04 Bow shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 Boxing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0015 : for cricket
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 : for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0022 : for skating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 : for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 : for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0046 : for bowling
• 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 69/3629 : Visual means not attached to the body for aligning, positioning the trainee's head or for detecting head movement, e.g. by parallax
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 : for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/385 : for practising the serve
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/00 : Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 : indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

The invention disclosed includes a head gear to be worn when it is desirable to have an indication of the wearer'"'"'s head motion or position. The head gear may be incorporated into an existing article of head wear. The incorporation may be permanent, or the head gear may be alternatively attached to various articles of head wear. Integral with the head gear are motion and/or position sensing devices to indicate the motion or position of the wearer'"'"'s head. The data from the sensors may be fed into a digital processor to process the sensed data and derive a signal indicative of the wearer'"'"'s head motion or position. Some embodiments employ a programmable processor to adapt the head gear to a variety of applications. The signal indicative of head motion or position may be fed into an indicator to provide the wearer with a recognizable feedback signal indicative of head motion or position.

Claims

1. A method for detecting head motion and providing feedback to a user engaged in a physical activity the method comprising:

providing head gear for wearing on a user'"'"'s head, wherein the head gear comprises a sensor for detecting motion of the head gear;

providing a processor that

stores a predetermined head motion value corresponding to a preferred path of motion for the head gear and

receives input from the sensor indicative of the motion of the head gear;

comparing measured head motion data based on the input from the sensor to the predetermined head motion value; and

generating a feedback signal indicating the result of the comparison;

wherein the physical activity is a repetitive physical activity; and

wherein the processor stores predetermined head motion values for a plurality of phases of the repetitive physical activity;

wherein the step of comparing further comprises comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating that the head gear has remained in an arming position for a predetermined duration.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises:

generating an arming feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the measured head motion data substantially agrees with the stored head motion value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball and the step of comparing further comprises:

comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a backswing head position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball and the step of comparing further comprises:

comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a forward swing head position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball and the step of comparing further comprises:

comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a follow through head position.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a ball with a bat.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises:

generating a first arming feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the input substantially agrees with the stored head motion value; and

generating a second arming feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the input does not substantially agree with the stored head motion value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a ball with a bat and the step of comparing further comprises:

comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a load at pitch head position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises:

generating a load at pitch feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the measured head motion value deviates from the stored head motion value.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a ball with a bat and the step of comparing further comprises:

comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating bat swing head position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises:

generating a feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the measured head motion data deviates from the stored head motion value.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a ball with a bat and the step of comparing further comprises:

comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating follow through head position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises:

generating a feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the measured head motion data deviates from the stored head motion value.

15. An apparatus for detecting the motion of a user'"'"'s head during the user'"'"'s performance of a physical activity, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor, wearable on the user'"'"'s head, wherein the sensor detects motion of the user'"'"'s head;

a processor that

stores a predetermined head motion value corresponding to a preferred path of motion for the head gear,

receives input from the sensor indicative of the motion of the head gear, and

compares measured head motion data based on the input from the sensor to the stored head motion value; and

a feedback indicator that generates a feedback signal indicative of the result of the comparison; and

wherein the physical activity is a repetitive physical activity; and

wherein the processor stores predetermined head motion values for a plurality of phases of the repetitive physical activity;

wherein the comparison by the processor further comprises comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating that the apparatus has remained in an arming position for a predetermined duration.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a band, wearable about the user'"'"'s head, and comprising at least three sensor nodes positioned around the band.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least three sensor nodes are positioned around the band at positions along a circumference of the band that substantially correspond to locations of about 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a gyroscopic sensor.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor further comprises:

a data augmentation unit comprising a first portable processor based device.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the data augmentation unit further comprises:

an interface that enables data stored in the data augmentation device to be uploaded to a second processor based device.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the data augmentation unit further comprises:

a user interface to enable the user to input information.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second processor based devices is capable of communicating over the Internet.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a club type or swing type.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a distance from a target.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to an angle from a target.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to scorekeeping.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a pitch type.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a pitch speed.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a pitch location.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a hit result.

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a field position.

33. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the input information further comprises:

information relating to a batting average.

34. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the data augmentation unit receives input from the sensor via a wireless connection.

35. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the feedback indicator further comprises:

a display.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the display further comprises:

a screen for displaying visually perceptible information.

37. A method of evaluating a physical activity by processing head motion data, comprising:

providing a head device including sensors for sensing head motion during a repetitive type of physical activity;

providing a processor device including stored predetermined values corresponding to preferred head motion, the stored predetermined values corresponding to a plurality of identified phases of the physical activity;

wearing said head device during the physical activity;

receiving input data from said sensors corresponding to head motion during the physical activity;

processing the input data according to the stored predetermined values to generate a feedback signal;

wherein the feedback signal represents at least one of a positive and a negative feedback for one or more of said plurality of identified phases;

wherein the step of processing further comprises comparing measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating that the head device has remained in an arming position for a predetermined duration.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the physical activity is a golf swing and the phases include a backswing and a forward swing.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the phases further include an address position.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the phases further include a follow-through.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of receiving a user input of a club type or a swing type.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the phases further include an impact phase.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the physical activity is a baseball swing and the phases include a forward swing and a follow-through.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the phases further include a batting stance position.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the phases further include a load pitch phase.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the phases further include an impact phase.

47. A method for detecting head motion and providing feedback to a user engaged in a physical activity the method comprising:

providing head gear for wearing on a user'"'"'s head, wherein the head gear comprises a sensor for detecting motion of the head gear;

providing a processor that

stores a predetermined head motion value corresponding to a preferred path of motion for the head gear and

receives input from the sensor indicative of the motion of the head gear;

comparing measured head motion data based on the input from the sensor to the predetermined head motion value; and

generating a feedback signal indicating the result of the comparison;

wherein the physical activity is a repetitive physical activity; and

wherein the processor stores predetermined head motion values for a plurality of phases of the repetitive physical activity;

wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball and the step of comparing further comprises comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a backswing head position;

wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises;

generating a first backswing feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear rotated beyond a predetermined rotation point;

generating a second backswing feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear translated beyond a predetermined translation point; and

generating a third backswing feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear inclined or declined beyond a predetermined inclination point.

48. A method for detecting head motion and providing feedback to a user engaged in a physical activity the method comprising:

providing head gear for wearing on a user'"'"'s head, wherein the head gear comprises a sensor for detecting motion of the head gear;

providing a processor that

stores a predetermined head motion value corresponding to a preferred path of motion for the head gear and

receives input from the sensor indicative of the motion of the head gear;

comparing measured head motion data based on the input from the sensor to the predetermined head motion value; and

generating a feedback signal indicating the result of the comparison;

wherein the physical activity is a repetitive physical activity; and

wherein the processor stores predetermined head motion values for a plurality of phases of the repetitive physical activity;

wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball and the step of comparing further comprises comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a forward swing head position;

wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises;

generating a first forward swing feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear rotated beyond a predetermined rotation point;

generating a second forward swing feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear translated beyond a predetermined translation point; and

generating a third forward swing feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear inclined or declined beyond a predetermined inclination point.

49. A method for detecting head motion and providing feedback to a user engaged in a physical activity the method comprising:

providing head gear for wearing on a user'"'"'s head, wherein the head gear comprises a sensor for detecting motion of the head gear;

providing a processor that

stores a predetermined head motion value corresponding to a preferred path of motion for the head gear and

receives input from the sensor indicative of the motion of the head gear;

comparing measured head motion data based on the input from the sensor to the predetermined head motion value; and

generating a feedback signal indicating the result of the comparison;

wherein the physical activity is a repetitive physical activity; and

wherein the processor stores predetermined head motion values for a plurality of phases of the repetitive physical activity;

wherein the physical activity comprises hitting a golf ball and the step of comparing further comprises comparing the measured head motion data to a stored head motion value indicating a follow through head position;

wherein the step of generating a feedback signal further comprises;

generating a first follow through feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear rotated beyond a predetermined rotation point;

generating a second follow through feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear translated beyond a predetermined translation point; and

generating a third follow through feedback signal when the result of the step of comparing indicates that the head gear inclined or declined beyond a predetermined inclination point.