Systems and methods for visualizing and analyzing impact forces

• US 9,227,128 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2015
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Carfagna Jr
• Original Assignee: Richard Carfagna Jr
• Inventors: Carfagna, Richard Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara
• Application Number:
  US14/624,520
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• 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 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• 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 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/40 respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/436 partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 : Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 : Boxing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/106 : Karate
• 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 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/305 : Hanging heavy punching bags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/322 : to instruct user where to strike
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

Impact force feedback systems (IFFS) and methods for their use are described. The IFFS can measure and display raw or calculated data relating to impact force imparted to an object by a user. In a preferred embodiment the IFFS can be implemented in a boxing or martial arts configuration, where impact force(s) resulting from punches, kicks, and the like are displayed to a user.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a mat configured to be mounted to a heavy bag comprising one or more flexible impact sensors arranged so as to imitate a human physiological form;

an electronic control module configured in part to receive impact sensor signals corresponding with a strike to said one or more flexible impact sensors and display a corresponding impact value having units of force on a display device;

wherein said electronic control module is configured to receive and store one or more user preferences for displaying said impact value, and further configured to store and execute logic instructions for effectuating a pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine;

wherein each of said one or more flexible impact sensors individually transmits an impact sensor signal only when struck directly, and, for each individual impact sensor, each of said impact sensor signals is substantially devoid of impact forces imparted outside of said each individual impact sensor; and

wherein said control module is further configured such that an impact sensor signal can be used for controlling said electronic control module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said flexible impact sensor is a force-sensing resistor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said unit of force is Newtons.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said flexible impact sensor is configured to mimic a human anatomical feature.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an attenuation pad disposed between two of said flexible impact sensors, wherein said attenuation pad provides a calibrated force-reduction factor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said control module is configured to apply said calibrated force reduction factor to said impact value.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said flexible impact sensors comprises a mapped array of smaller flexible impact sensors configured to correlate to sub-features of said human physiological form.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic control module is configured to prompt a user for a control input, and said input is received by said electronic control module in return by a user-generated impact sensor signal.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said control input is a query comprising a plurality of optional choice answers, each of said optional choice answers is mapped to a particular one of said flexible impact sensors, and user selection of one of said choices is achieved by generating an impact sensor signal from one of said flexible impact sensors.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said control input is a query comprising a plurality of optional choice answers, and a user-selection of one of said answers is selectable by tapping one of said flexible impact sensors a number of times until the desired answer is selected.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said logic instructions for effectuating a pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine comprise logic for causing a pre-defined sequence of target strike areas to be communicated to a user by visual cues, audio cues, or both, through one or more lights, speakers, or both in signal communication with said control module.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said control module is further configured to receive a measured physiological parameter of a user from a user-wearable measurement device in signal communication with said control module.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said control module further comprises an analysis module configured to compare said communicated pre-defined sequence of target strikes to corresponding actual strikes delivered by said user to calculate a correlation value.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said control module is further configured to receive a measured physiological parameter of a user from a user-wearable measurement device in signal communication with said control module;

and

wherein said correlation value incorporates said measured physiological parameter.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said exercise routine comprises boxing rounds, and said correlation value is computed for each of said rounds.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said flexible impact sensor is configured to mimic a human torso, and wherein said flexible impact sensor comprises defined, segregated strike zones corresponding to individual anatomical torso features;

and wherein said control module is configured to correlate a strike to one of said individual anatomical torso features through use of a defined coordinate system that defines said segregated strike zones.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said individual anatomical torso feature is a head, neck, left arm, right arm, chest, or abdomen.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to record impact sensor signals over a period of time, and further configured to allow a user to visualize strike statistics correlating to one or more of said flexible impact sensors on said display device in an analysis mode by touching a selected one of said flexible impact sensors.

19. A method for communicating with a control module configured for effectuating a pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine, comprising:

providing a mat configured to be mounted to a heavy bag, the mat comprising at least one flexible impact sensor in signal communication with said control module, wherein said flexible impact sensor is configured in the shape of a human anatomy;

providing logic instructions for effectuating said pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine by said control module;

wherein said control module is configured to receive an impact signal from said impact sensor correlated with a strike to said impact sensor and display a strike force value on a display device if said strike is delivered during said exercise routine; and

further wherein said control module is configured such that impact sensor signals received by said control module outside of said pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine control one or more executable features of said routine.

20. A strike-practice system, comprising:

a mat configured to be mounted to a heavy bag comprising a plurality of flexible force-sensing resistors arranged so as to mimic portions of a human anatomy and configured to wirelessly transmit an impact signal to an electronic control module;

a control module processor;

a control module memory;

a control module data store for storing logic for carrying out a pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine, wherein said routine comprises visual or audio commands engendering a user to strike said mimicked portions of said human anatomy according to a pre-defined sequence;

wherein said control module is configured for receiving user input for starting, stopping, or modifying said pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine; and

wherein said receiving user input for starting, stopping, or modifying said pre-defined boxing or martial arts exercise routine comprises receiving an impact signal from one of said plurality of said flexible force-sensing resistors.