Virtual reality system for viewing current and previously stored or calculated motion data

• US 8,944,928 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Kaps, Ryan, Bentley, Michael, Bose, Bhaskar
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel, Matthew D
• Application Number:
  US13/679,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20130063432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 473/140, 473/141, 473/145, 473/146, 473151-156, 473/198, 473/199, 473/200, 473/209, 473/211, 473231-234, 473/257, 473/266, 473/267, 473218-226, 473/570
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/006 for locating or ranging of objects

Abstract

Virtual reality system for viewing current and previously stored or calculated motion data. System obtains data from motion capture elements, analyzes data and stores data in database for use in virtual reality applications and/or data mining, which may be charged for. Enables unique displays associated with the user, such as 3D overlays onto images of the user to visually depict the captured motion data. Ratings, compliance, ball flight path data can be calculated and displayed, for example on a map or timeline or both. Enables performance related equipment fitting and purchase. Includes active and passive identifier capabilities.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing a virtual reality system for viewing current and previously stored or calculated motion data comprising:

providing at least one motion capture element configured to couple with a user or piece of equipment wherein said at least one motion capture element comprises

a memory;

a sensor configured to capture any combination of values associated with an orientation, position, velocity, acceleration of said at least one motion capture element;

a radio;

a microcontroller coupled with said memory, said sensor and said radio wherein said microcontroller is configured to

collect data that comprises sensor values from said sensor;

store said data in said memory;

transmit said data via said radio;

providing a mobile device, wherein said mobile device comprises a computer;

a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with said radio to obtain said data,

wherein said computer is coupled with said wireless communication interface, and

wherein said computer is configured to

receive data associated with said at least one motion capture element via said wireless communication interface;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

store said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment;

access previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment;

display information comprising at least one avatar associated with said at least one user on a virtual reality display based on

 

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment, and

 

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment,

 

or

 

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to display said information based on

a comparison of

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment and

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or said motion analysis data associated with at least one other user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said information to display further comprises display of an aim assist element.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to display said information based on

a function of

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment that determines selection of

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said information to display further comprises display of a game that uses said motion analysis data and said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other equipment.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said information to display further comprises

display of a music selection or music playlist to be played based on

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment

or

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said information to display further comprises transmission of said information to display on a visual display coupled with said computer or a remote computer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to access said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment from a server remote to said computer, and wherein said information to display is received from said server.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said user or said piece of equipment;

said mobile device further comprising an identifier reader configured to obtain said identifier;

said computer further configured to

receive said identifier;

associated said identifier with said motion analysis data.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to present an interface to enable said user to purchase said piece of equipment over said wireless interface based on said display of said information.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to allow said user and said other user to exchange motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment and said motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.

12. A method for utilizing a virtual reality system for viewing current and previously stored or calculated motion data comprising:

providing at least one motion capture element configured to couple with a user or piece of equipment wherein said at least one motion capture element comprises

a memory;

a sensor configured to capture any combination of values associated with an orientation, position, velocity, acceleration of said at least one motion capture element;

a radio;

a microcontroller coupled with said memory, said sensor and said radio wherein said microcontroller is configured to

collect data that comprises sensor values from said sensor;

store said data in said memory;

transmit said data via said radio;

providing a mobile device, wherein said mobile device comprises

a computer;

a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with said radio to obtain said data,

wherein said computer is coupled with said wireless communication interface, and

wherein said computer is configured to

receive data associated with said at least one motion capture element via said wireless communication interface;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

store said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment;

access previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment;

display a game comprising at least one avatar associated with said at least one user on a virtual reality display based on

 

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment, and

 

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment, and

 

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said information to display further comprises display of an aim assist element.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said computer is further configured to allow said user and said other user to exchange motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment and said motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.

15. A method for utilizing a virtual reality system for viewing current and previously stored or calculated motion data comprising:

providing at least one motion capture element configured to couple with a user or piece of equipment wherein said at least one motion capture element comprises

a memory;

a sensor configured to capture any combination of values associated with an orientation, position, velocity, acceleration of said at least one motion capture element;

a radio;

a microcontroller coupled with said memory, said sensor and said radio wherein

said microcontroller is configured to

collect data that comprises sensor values from said sensor;

store said data in said memory;

transmit said data via said radio;

providing a mobile device, wherein said mobile device comprises a computer;

a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with said radio to obtain said data,

wherein said computer is coupled with said wireless communication interface, and

wherein said computer is configured to

receive data associated with said at least one motion capture element via said wireless communication interface;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

store said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment;

access previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment;

display a game on a virtual reality display based on

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment, and

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment, and

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.