Portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system and method

• US 9,604,142 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2011
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael, Bose, Bhaskar
• Primary Examiner(s): GALKA, LAWRENCE STEFAN
• Application Number:
  US13/267,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20120088544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/212, 473/223
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 : Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 : Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/554 : by saving game or status data
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 : Ball
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 : Shopping for digital content

Abstract

Portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system and method configured to display motion capture/analysis data on a mobile device. System obtains data from motion capture elements, analyzes data and store data in database for 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 including ratings. Predicted ball flight path data can be calculated and shown on a time line showing relative peaks of velocity for the user'"'"'s body parts. User can determine equipment that fits best and immediately purchase the equipment, via the mobile device. Custom equipment may be ordered on the mobile device from a vendor that can assemble-to-order customer built equipment and ship the equipment. Includes active and passive golf shot count capabilities.

Claims

1. A portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system comprising:

a plurality of motion capture elements configured to couple with a user or piece of equipment, and wherein each motion capture element of said plurality of motion capture elements comprises

a memory;

a sensor configured to capture any combination of sensor values associated with an orientation, position, velocity, acceleration of said 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 said sensor values from said sensor;

store said data in said memory;

transmit said data via said radio;

a database;

a mobile device wherein said mobile device comprises

a computer;

a display;

a wireless communication interface configured to

communicate with said radio to obtain said data,

communicate with said database;

wherein said computer is coupled with said display and said wireless communication interface, wherein said computer is configured to

recognize said plurality of motion capture elements associated with said user or said piece of equipment and automatically associate and automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements with assigned locations on said user or said piece of equipment based on movement of each of said plurality of motion capture elements respectively,

wherein said automatically associate and automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements comprises analyzing spatial data from said movement of each of said plurality of motion capture elements and determining differences in speed of each of said plurality of motion capture elements during said movement to automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements with said assigned locations;

receive said data associated with said plurality of motion capture elements via said wireless communication interface;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

display said motion analysis data on said display;

store said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data in said database; and

,

said database configured to retrieve said data from said plurality of motion capture elements, or said motion analysis data, or both said data from said plurality of motion capture elements and said motion analysis data;

wherein said database comprises information comprising one or more of said data and said motion analysis data, related to two or more users that differ from said user;

wherein said database comprises information related to a user that data mines wherein said information enables said user that data mines to be charged to access said database;

wherein said database is configured to enable said user that data mines to access said database and offer at least one product associated with an average score computed from said two or more users that differ from said user and said piece of equipment;

wherein said database comprises information related to said two or more users including an age or height or weight or sex or address of said two or more users;

wherein said two or more users that differ from said user comprise similar characteristics to said user wherein said similar characteristics are determined through comparison of said data, said motion analysis data or both, said age, said height, said weight, said sex or said address between said user and said two or more users;

wherein said offer comprises at least one suggestion associated with said user to improve performance of one or more of said user and said piece of equipment;

wherein said at least one product and said at least one suggestion are based on said average score computed from said two or more users that differ from said user.

2. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said database comprises information related to a plurality of manufacturers and models of said piece of equipment.

3. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said database comprises information related to said data obtained from said plurality of motion capture elements including any combination of time or location associated with said data.

4. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said database comprises information related to at least one pattern found in said database associated with said data.

5. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said database comprises information related to said user that data mines that enables said user that data mines to access said data obtained from said plurality of motion capture elements related to said two or more users.

6. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said microcontroller is configured to

detect a first value from said sensor values having a first threshold velocity or acceleration and

detect a second value from said sensor values having a second threshold velocity or acceleration with a time window;

signify a prospective strike;

compare said prospective strike to a characteristic signal associated with a typical swing and eliminate any false positive strikes;

signify a valid strike if said prospective strike is not a false positive strike;

save said valid strike in said memory.

7. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said microcontroller is configured to store said data in said memory at least until a communications link to said computer exists and said data has been transferred to said computer.

8. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said microcontroller is configured to transmit said data in said memory after an event or periodically or when requested by said computer.

9. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said computer is configured to transmit said data to said database after a communications link to said database exists or after an event or periodically or when requested by said database.

10. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said data in said database is utilized to play a game comprising one or more total players wherein said game utilizes actual data obtained from said plurality of motion capture elements.

11. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 further comprising at least one camera configured to capture one or more images of said user and/or a visual marker associated with said plurality of motion capture elements and wherein said one or more images are stored in said database.

12. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said display of said motion analysis comprises display of

a rating or

a calculated ball flight path or

a time line showing points in time along a time axis where peak values occur or

an impact location of a ball on said piece of equipment

or any combination thereof associated with said motion analysis data as calculated on said computer or obtained from said database and with or without any images of said user.

13. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said display of said motion analysis comprises display of a suggested training regimen to aid said user in improving mechanics of said user as determined via said computer or as determined from data in said database.

14. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 further comprising an identifier associated with a passive RFID or is associated with said microcontroller or obtained remotely by said microcontroller over said radio and wherein said identifier is stored in said database.

15. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1 wherein said database comprises information related to elasticity and inertia related to said user or said piece of equipment.

16. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1, wherein said at least one product and said at least one suggestion are based on said average score computed from said information in said database comprising one or more of said data and said motion analysis data, related to two or more users that differ from said user.

17. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface coupled with said computer, wherein said computer is configured to present an interface to enable said user to instantaneously purchase said piece of equipment over said wireless interface based on data analyzed on said computer or as suggested or returned via a search on said database.

18. A portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system comprising:

a plurality of motion capture elements configured to couple with a user or piece of equipment, and wherein each motion capture element of said plurality of motion capture elements comprises

a memory;

a sensor configured to capture any combination of sensor values associated with an orientation, position, velocity, acceleration of said 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 said sensor values from said sensor;

store said data in said memory;

transmit said data via said radio;

a database;

a mobile device wherein said mobile device comprises

a computer;

a display;

a wireless communication interface configured to

communicate with said radio to obtain said data,

communicate with said database;

wherein said computer is coupled with said display and said wireless communication interface, wherein said computer is configured to

recognize said plurality of motion capture elements associated with said user or said piece of equipment and automatically associate and automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements with assigned locations on said user or said piece of equipment based on movement of each of said plurality of motion capture elements respectively,

wherein said automatically associate and automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements comprises analyzing spatial data from said movement of each of said plurality of motion capture elements and determining differences in speed of each of said plurality of motion capture elements during said movement to automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements with said assigned locations;

receive said data associated with said plurality of motion capture elements via said wireless communication interface;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

display said motion analysis data on said display;

store said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data in said database; and

,

said database configured to retrieve said data from said plurality of motion capture elements, or said motion analysis data, or both said data from said plurality of motions capture elements and said motion analysis data;

wherein said database comprises information comprising one or more of said data and said motion analysis data, related to two or more users that differ from said user;

wherein said database comprises information related to a user that data mines that enables said user that data mines to access said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data related to said two or more users that differ from said user;

wherein said information enables said user that data mines to be charged to access said database;

wherein said database is configured to enable said user that data mines to access said database and offer at least one product associated with an average score computed from said two or more users that differ from said user and said piece of equipment;

wherein said two or more users that differ from said user comprise similar swing characteristics to said user;

wherein said offer comprises at least one suggestion associated with said user to improve performance of one or more of said user and said piece of equipment;

wherein said at least one product and said at least one suggestion are based on said average score computed from said two or more users that differ from said user;

a wireless interface coupled with said computer, wherein said computer is configured to present an interface to enable said user to instantaneously purchase said at least one product over said wireless interface based on said data analyzed on said computer or as suggested or returned via a search on said database.

19. The portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system of claim 18, wherein said at least one product and said at least one suggestion are based on said average score computed from said information in said database comprising one or more of said data and said motion analysis data, related to two or more users that differ from said user.

20. A portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system comprising:

a plurality of motion capture elements configured to couple with a user or piece of equipment, and wherein each motion capture element of said motion capture elements comprises

a memory;

a sensor configured to capture any combination of sensor values associated with an orientation, position, velocity, acceleration of said 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 said sensor values from said sensor;

store said data in said memory;

transmit said data via said radio;

a database;

a mobile device wherein said mobile device comprises

a computer;

a display;

a wireless communication interface configured to

communicate with said radio to obtain said data,

communicate with said database;

wherein said computer is coupled with said display and said wireless communication interface, wherein said computer is configured to

recognize said plurality of motion capture elements associated with said user or said piece of equipment and automatically associate and automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements with assigned locations on said user or said piece of equipment based on movement of each of said plurality of motion capture elements respectively,

wherein said automatically associate and automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements comprises analyzing spatial data from said movement of each of said plurality of motion capture elements and determining differences in speed of each of said plurality of motion capture elements during said movement to automatically assign each of said plurality of motion capture elements with said assigned locations;

receive said data associated with said plurality of motion capture elements via said wireless communication interface;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

display said motion analysis data on said display;

store said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data in said database; and

,

said database configured to retrieve said data from said plurality of motion capture elements, or said motion analysis data, or both said data from said plurality of motion capture elements and said motion analysis data;

wherein said database comprises information comprising one or more of said data and said motion analysis data, related to two or more users that differ from said user;

wherein said database comprises information related to said two or more users including an age or height or weight or sex or address of said two or more users that differ from said user;

wherein said database comprises information related to a plurality of manufacturers and models of said piece of equipment;

wherein said database comprises information related to said data obtained from said plurality of motion capture elements including any combination of time or location associated with said data;

wherein said database comprises information related to at least one pattern found in said database associated with said data;

wherein said database comprises information related to a user that data mines that enables said user that data mines to access said data, or said motion analysis data, or both said data and said motion analysis data related to said two or more users that differ from said user;

wherein said database comprises information related to said user that data mines so that said user that data mines can be charged to access said database;

wherein said database is configured to enable said user that data mines to access said database and offer at least one product associated with an average score computed from said two or more users that differ from said user and said piece of equipment;

wherein said two or more users that differ from said user comprise similar swing characteristics to said user;

wherein said offer comprises at least one suggestion associated with said user to improve performance of one or more of said user and said piece of equipment;

wherein said at least one product and said at least one suggestion are based on said average score computed from said information in said database comprising one or more of said data and said motion analysis data, related to two or more users that differ from said user; and

,

a wireless interface coupled with said computer, wherein said computer is configured to present an interface to enable said user to instantaneously purchase said piece of equipment over said wireless interface based on data analyzed on said computer or as suggested or returned via a search on said database.