Sports sensor

• US 8,036,826 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Catapult Group International Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: MNT Innovations Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Rice, Tony, Holthouse, Shaun, MacIntosh, Colin, Van de Griendt, Igor
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US12/121,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20080284650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 701/25, 701/207, 701/213, 702/188, 702/182
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/10 Swimming instruction apparatus for use without water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles

Abstract

A data logger for a monitoring sports which includes an accelerometer, a gyro sensor to sense angular displacement, a GPS unit to sense position and velocity, a magnetometer to sense direction of movement, a heart rate monitor, and a controller programmed to manipulate the data and provide a display of the heart rate, speed, and other sport parameters. The data can be stored or transmitted to a remote computer for use by the coach. The device is useful in football codes, athletics, swimming, snow sports and cycling.

Claims

1. A data acquisition system for use in sporting events which incorporates

a. at least one inertial sensor measuring angular acceleration in at least one dimension

b. at least one accelerometer to derive acceleration and velocity data in 3 dimensions

c. a microcontroller with a clock to measure the angular acceleration and accelerometer data

d. a power supply

e. optional communication means for transmission of angular acceleration and accelerometer data from the microcontroller to a computer device

f. said computer device and/or said micro controller being programmed to use the angular acceleration and accelerometer data to provide accurate output of parameters such as velocity, acceleration, changes of direction and distance traveled.

2. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 1 which also includes a GPS sensor and velocity is derived from the global position sensor and the accelerometer and angular change data is sampled to obtain movement characteristics of the sport being monitored.

3. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 2 which also includes a magnetometer which combined with GPS data can provide directional data.

4. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 1 which also includes a physiological sensor.

5. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 4 in the physiological sensor is a heart rate monitor.

6. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 1 for a cyclist which also includes a pedal cadence sensor.

7. A data acquisition system for use in sporting events which incorporates

a) at least one accelerometer to derive acceleration and velocity data in 3 dimensions

b) at least one magnetometer sensing the direction of magnetic north

c) a Global Positioning Sensor (GPS)

d) a microcontroller with a clock to measure the magnetometer, GPS and accelerometer data

e) a power supply

f) optional communication means for transmission of magnetometer, GPS and accelerometer data from the microcontroller to a computer device

g) said computer device and/or said micro controller being programmed to use the magnetometer, GPS and accelerometer data to provide accurate output of parameters such as velocity, acceleration, changes of direction and distance traveled.

8. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 7 which also includes at least one inertial sensor measuring angular acceleration in at least one dimension.

9. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 7 which also includes a physiological sensor.

10. A data acquisition system as claimed in claim 9 in the physiological sensor is a heart rate monitor.