Footwork training system and method

• US 9,028,430 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Woo, Helen, Schrock, Allan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): EISEMAN, ADAM JARED
• Application Number:
  US11/737,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,945 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595, 600/592, 434/247, 434/250, 434/255, 482/8, 482/9, 463/7, 463/8
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/22 : Dancing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 6/00 : Mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping, gymnastics or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0015 : Dancing
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 : Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/368 : displaying animated or moving pictures synchronized with the music or audio part
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 : Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/091 : for performance evaluation, i.e. judging, grading or scoring the musical qualities or faithfulness of a performance, e.g. with respect to pitch, tempo or other timings of a reference performance
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/321 : Garment sensors, i.e. musical control means with trigger surfaces or joint angle sensors, worn as a garment by the player, e.g. bracelet, intelligent clothing vital parameter sensing G10H2220/371; wearable interfaces in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/336 : Control shoe or boot, i.e. sensor-equipped lower part of lower limb, e.g. shoe, toe ring, sock, ankle bracelet or leg control attachment garment sensors G10H2220/321; floor sensing devices, e.g. sensing mats G10H2220/341
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/395 : Acceleration sensing or accelerometer use, e.g. 3D movement computation by integration of accelerometer data, angle sensing with respect to the vertical, i.e. gravity sensing. conductor baton movement sensing G10H2220/206, angle sensing without reference to gravity G10H2220/391; player body joint angle sensing G10H2220/321

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating an activity includes an article of clothing provided with a sensor capable of detecting the impact of the article of clothing, such as a shoe, on a surface. A system receives and interprets the pattern of impacts made during the performance of the activity. The system compares these impacts with those of a target routine. Iterations of the same performance may be stored in the system so that ongoing progress may be measured. The system may be used to enhance class teaching, in the home, or for Internet competition. The activity may include dance, yoga, martial arts, or similar activities.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating an activity where a portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a target pattern to an evaluation system, wherein the target pattern includes multiple target impacts, body alignment, and target impact timing for each of the target impacts;

(ii) the user performing the activity proximate the surface while wearing an article of clothing on the portion of the user'"'"'s body, the article of clothing incorporating a sensor capable of detecting a performance pattern generated by the user, wherein the performance pattern includes multiple performance impacts, performance impact timing for each of the performance impacts, and body alignment, and wherein the surface is incapable of detecting the performance pattern;

(iii) communicating the performance pattern to the evaluation system; and

(iv) determining a performance metric by comparing the performance pattern to the target pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, the article of clothing comprising an article of footwear.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (iii) comprises transmitting the performance pattern to the evaluation system via a wireless communication link.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (iii) comprises connecting the article of clothing to the evaluation system with a wireline communication link.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

displaying the performance metric.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

displaying a visual representation of the performance pattern.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:

displaying the target pattern.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a body alignment of a user as part of the performance pattern, wherein the user performs the activity wearing a second article of clothing on a different portion of the user'"'"'s body, the second article of clothing incorporating a second sensor, the second sensor configured to facilitate a body alignment determination.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor is associated with a shoe and the different portion of the user'"'"'s body is selected from the group consisting essentially of a head, a neck, a torso, an arm, a wrist, a hand, a finger, and a leg.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(v) storing the performance metric;

(vii) the user repeating the activity to generate a new performance pattern, wherein the new performance pattern includes new performance impacts, new performance impact timing, and body alignment, and wherein the surface is incapable of detecting the new performance pattern;

(viii) communicating the new performance pattern to the evaluation system;

(ix) determining a new performance metric by comparing the new performance pattern to the target pattern; and

(x) displaying at least one of the performance pattern, the new performance pattern, the target pattern, the first performance metric, and the new performance metric.

11. The method of claim 1, the activity comprising a performance of at least one of a dance, a yoga posture, a boxing move, and a martial arts movement.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are performed in a class.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are performed in a home.

14. A system for evaluating a performance of an activity where at least one portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface, the system comprising:

an article of clothing sized and dimensioned to fit the portion of the user'"'"'s body;

a first sensor attached to the article of clothing, the first sensor being capable of detecting a first sensor impact and first sensor impact timing;

a second sensor attached to the article of clothing, the second sensor being spaced apart from the first sensor and being capable of detecting a second sensor impact and second sensor impact timing of the article of clothing;

wherein the surface comprises a performance area entirely devoid of sensors;

an evaluation module positioned proximate the surface, the evaluation module including a processor configured to communicate with the first sensor and the second sensor;

a target impact pattern accessible by the processor wherein the target impact pattern includes target impacts and target beats; and

wherein the evaluation module is configured to determine a first sensor position and a second sensor position to determine a user'"'"'s body alignment; and

wherein the evaluation module is configured to determine a performance metric by comparing the first sensor impact and first sensor impact timing and the second sensor impact and second sensor impact timing with the target impacts and target impact beats.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising at least two additional transceivers spaced apart from the evaluation module and positioned proximate the surface, the at least two additional transceivers configured to communicate with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor and to the evaluation module, wherein the evaluation module is configured to triangulate a sensor position.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising a display.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the article of clothing comprises a shirt.

18. A system for evaluating a performance of an activity where at least one portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface, the system comprising:

a first article of clothing sized and dimensioned to fit a first portion of the user'"'"'s body;

a first sensor attached to the article of clothing, the first sensor being capable of detecting an impact and timing of the impact of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body against the surface to determine a first performance impact pattern;

a second article of clothing sized and dimensioned to fit a second portion of the user'"'"'s body;

a second sensor attached to the second article of clothing and spaced apart from the first sensor, the second sensor being capable of detecting an impact and timing of the impact of the second portion of the user'"'"'s body against the surface to determine a second performance impact pattern;

wherein the surface is devoid of sensors;

an evaluation module positioned proximate the surface, the evaluation module including a processor with a transceiver configured to communicate with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor to receive impact and timing information;

a target impact and timing pattern accessible by the processor;

wherein the evaluation module is configured to compare the target impact and timing pattern with at least one of the first performance impact and timing pattern and the second performance impact and timing pattern to produce a performance metric; and

at least two additional transceivers spaced apart from the evaluation module and positioned proximate the surface, the at least two additional transceivers configured to communicate with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor and to the evaluation module, wherein the evaluation module is configured to triangulate a sensor position for at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first article of clothing comprises an article of footwear and the second article of clothing comprises a shirt.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first article of clothing comprises an article of footwear and the second article of clothing comprises pants.

21. A system for evaluating a performance of an activity where at least one portion of a user'"'"'s foot impacts a surface, the system comprising:

an article of footwear sized and dimensioned to fit the user'"'"'s foot;

a first sensor attached to the article of footwear, the first sensor being capable of detecting an impact of the article of footwear proximate the first sensor;

a second sensor attached to the article of footwear and separated from the first sensor, the second sensor being capable of detecting an impact of the article of footwear proximate the second sensor;

wherein the surface comprises a performance area entirely devoid of sensors;

an evaluation module positioned proximate the surface, the evaluation module including a processor configured to communicate with the first sensor and the second sensor to receive a performance pattern;

a target impact pattern accessible by the processor; and

wherein the evaluation module is configured to determine whether any impact of the performance pattern occurred proximate the first sensor or the second sensor.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first sensor is positioned in a forefoot region of the article of footwear and the second sensor is positioned in a heel region of the article of footwear.