Methods and systems for assessing athletic performance

• US 6,885,971 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2001
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: PhatRat Technology Incorporated (PhatRat Technology)
• Inventors: Darcy, Dennis, Vock, Curtis A., Flentov, Peter, Marshall, Charles, Bodkin, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Wachsman, Hal D
• Application Number:
  US09/992,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 702/41, 702/42, 702/44, 702/79, 702/80, 702/96, 702/104, 702/138, 702/139, 702/158, 702/141, 702/142, 702/147, 702/149, 702/160, 702176-178, 702/185, 702/187, 702/189, 702/56, 702 60- 62, 702/166, 702/179, 702/122, 702/127, 702/188, 702/33, 702/FOR.170, 702/FOR.126, 702/FOR.103, 702/FOR.104, 702/FOR.123, 702/FOR.129, 702/FOR.134, 702/FOR.135, 702/FOR.139, 702/FOR.150, 702/FOR.151, 702/FOR.154, 377/20, 377/23, 377/24.1, 377/24.2, 377/5, 377/9, 482/71, 482/74, 482/902, 482/8, 235/105, 368/10, 368/11, 368/14, 73488-493, 734/95, 735/03, 738/620.1, 738/620.2, 733/790.1, 733/790.3, 738/652, 73862042-862045, 735/97, 340/323.R, 340/665, 340668-670, 340/323.B, 434/253, 968/885, 473/198, 473/200, 473/570, 701/213
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/16 for erasable recording, e.g. magnetic recording
• 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

The invention detects the loft time, speed, power and/or drop distance of a vehicle, such as a sporting vehicle, during activities of moving and jumping. A loft sensor detects when the vehicle leaves the ground and when the vehicle returns to the ground. A controller subsystem converts the sensed information to determine a loft time. A display shows the recorded loft time to a user of the system. In addition, a speed sensor can detect the vehicle'"'"'s speed for selective display to the user. A power sensing section informs the user of expended energy, which can be compared to other users. A drop distance sensing unit informs the user of the peak height of a jump, during an airtime. Gaming on the internet is facilitated to connect worldwide sport enthusiasts.

Claims

1. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching a speed sensor to each of the persons.

2. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching an airtime sensor to each of the persons, the step of processing the data comprising comparing airtimes between each of the persons.

3. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching a drop distance sensor to each of the persons, the step of processing the data comprising comparing drop distances between each of the persons.

4. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching a mobile power sensor to each of the persons.

5. The method of claim 4, the mobile power sensor determining an amount of energy expended by each of the persons during athletic activity.

6. The method of claim 4, the mobile power sensor determining an aggressiveness corresponding to motion of each of the persons during athletic activity.

7. The method of claim 6, the step of coupling comprising attaching the mobile sensor to each of the persons as a watch.

8. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching a speed sensor to each of the persons, the step of processing the data comprising comparing forward velocity of each of the persons.

9. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching the mobile sensor to a non-motorized vehicle ridden on by at least one of the persons.

10. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of processing comprising determining a power spectral density of the data.

11. A method for assessing athletic performance of a user through a sport implement, comprising the steps of:

integrating a sensing unit with the sport implement so that the sensing unit is non-interfering with normal operation of the sport implement, the sensing unit having at least one sensor within a housing of the sensing unit;

processing data from the sensor and within the sensing unit when operated by the user; and

wirelessly transmitting the processed data to a remote receiver, the processed data being indicative of the athletic performance of the user.

12. The method of claim 11, the sensing unit reporting the athletic performance to a watch worn by an individual.

13. The method of claim 11, the sensor comprising an accelerometer.

14. The method of claim 13, the step of integrating comprising integrating the sensing unit within a playing ball selected from the group consisting of a soccer ball, a basketball, a football, and a volleyball.

15. The method of claim 11, the step of integrating comprising integrating the sensing unit within a body of a tennis racquet.

16. The method of claim 15, the step of processing data comprising determining an impact of the tennis racquet.

17. The method of claim 11, the step of processing data comprising determining performance data, the processed data comprising performance data and being selected from the group consisting essentially of power, airtime, speed and drop distance.

18. The method of claim 11, the step of integrating a sensing unit comprising integrating the sensing unit into one of a ski, snowboard, mountain bike, windsurfer, windsurfer mast, roller blade boot, skate-board, boot, ice skate, ski pole, wake board and kayak.

19. The method of claim 11, the housing comprising material of the sport implement.

20. A method for comparing athletic performance between multiple persons, comprising the steps of:

coupling a mobile sensor with each of the persons;

downloading data generated by the mobile sensor to an Internet-accessible database; and

processing the data to compare athletic performances of the multiple persons, wherein Internet users may review comparisons by accessing the database through the Internet the step of coupling comprising attaching a mobile altimeter to each of the persons, the step of processing the data comprising comparing altitude variation between each of the persons.