Enclosure and mount for motion capture element

• US 9,622,361 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael, Kaps, Ryan, Bose, Bhaskar, Scarbo, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Galka, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US13/688,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20130095941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,594 Days
• Field of Search: 473219-222, 473316, 473407
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/00 Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis strings therefor A63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 : Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 : Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 : Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 11/00 : Accessories for skiing or snowboarding fittings on vehicles for carrying skis B60R9/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 : Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/22 : Radio waves emitting or receiving, e.g. remote control, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/24 : Processing or storing data, e.g. with electronic chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 : Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 : relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 : Electromagnetic shields
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 : Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings

Abstract

Enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, for example without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package in the mount, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Claims

1. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor with internal components;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment;

a cap coupled with said enclosure wherein said cap comprises a visual marker configured to enable visually capturing motion of said enclosure and motion capture sensor;

wherein said visual marker is coupled with an outer portion of said cap, wherein said visual marker comprises a plurality of positionally offset visual elements positioned on a background color,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements are arranged in a non-linear pattern and are offset from each other,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprises positionally offset dots or non-parallel lines or both said positionally offset dots and said non-parallel lines,

wherein the plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprise only one unique 360 degree pattern that enables visual determination of a rotational orientation unique within 360 degrees of the visual marker from a point orthogonal to a plane that passes through the plurality of positionally offset visual elements, such that said visual determination of the visual marker is enabled with only one unique rotation of the plurality of positionally offset visual elements,

wherein each of said plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprise differing visual characteristics than said background color, and,

wherein said visual marker is further configured enable an external camera to visually track said at least one sensor

to determine position and distance to said visual marker, and

to determine a rotational characteristic of said visual marker; and

,

a shock puck comprising a material configured to

dampen or limit G-forces,

surround said enclosure, shield said enclosure from said G-forces,

protect said internal components of said motion capture sensor, and,

assert force on said motion capture sensor;

wherein said cap covers said enclosure; and

,

wherein said cap is isolated from said piece of equipment via said shock puck.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a grip configured to engage said side portion of said cap and to roll down said cap to enable said cap to be exposed without removing said grip; and

,

said enclosure configured to non-permanently couple with said cap.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an antenna coupled with an outer portion of said enclosure wherein said enclosure is an electromagnetic shield.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said mount is streamlined and configured to provide low wind or water drag.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

an insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

a z antenna; and

,

wherein said enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said electrical components.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a weight element; and

,

wherein said enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed and wherein said weight element is configured to weigh an amount that minimizes a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, helmet, skateboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, golf club, tennis racquet, or weight training bar, and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package associated with a golf club number wherein said identifier is passive and is configured to operate without contact with a battery or wherein said identifier is active and is configured to couple with a battery.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein a symmetry group of the plurality of positionally offset visual elements contains only an identity function.

12. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor with internal components;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment;

a cap coupled with said enclosure wherein said cap comprises a visual marker configured to enable visually capturing motion of said enclosure and motion capture sensor;

wherein said visual marker is coupled with an outer portion of said cap, wherein said visual marker comprises a plurality of positionally offset visual elements positioned on a background color,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements are arranged in a non-linear pattern and are offset from each other,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprises positionally offset dots or non-parallel lines or both said positionally offset dots and said non-parallel lines,

wherein the plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprise only one unique 360 degree pattern that enables visual determination of a rotational orientation unique within 360 degrees of the visual marker from a point orthogonal to a plane that passes through the plurality of positionally offset visual elements, such that said visual determination of the visual marker is enabled with only one unique rotation of the plurality of positionally offset visual elements,

wherein each of said plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprise differing visual characteristics than said background color, and,

wherein said visual marker is further configured enable an external camera to visually track said at least one sensor

to determine position and distance to said visual marker, and

to determine a rotational characteristic of said visual marker;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

an insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package; and

,

a shock puck comprising a material configured to

dampen or limit G-forces,

surround said enclosure,

shield said enclosure from said G-forces,

protect said internal components of said motion capture sensor, and,

assert force on said motion capture sensor;

wherein said cap covers said enclosure;

wherein said cap is isolated from said piece of equipment via said shock puck; and

,

wherein said enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact and said electronics package.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment and wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, helmet, skateboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, golf club, tennis racquet, or weight training bar, and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.

14. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

an antenna coupled with an outer portion of said enclosure wherein said enclosure is an electromagnetic shield.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said mount is streamlined and configured to provide low wind or water drag.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said electrical components are removable to comply with sporting regulations.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a weight element;

wherein said shaft enclosure and said cap are further configured to internally hold said weight element when at least one of said electrical components is removed and wherein said weight element is configured to weigh an amount that minimizes a difference in weight between said at least one of said electrical components that is removed and said weight element.

18. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said electronics package and configured to identify said piece of equipment.

19. A motion capture element mount system comprising:

an enclosure configured to house a motion capture sensor with internal components;

a mount coupled with said enclosure and configured to couple said enclosure to a piece of equipment wherein said mount is configured to couple with said piece of equipment without modification of said piece of equipment;

a cap coupled with said enclosure wherein said cap comprises a visual marker configured to enable visually capturing motion of said enclosure and motion capture sensor;

wherein said visual marker is coupled with an outer portion of said cap, wherein said visual marker comprises a plurality of positionally offset visual elements positioned on a background color,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements are arranged in a non-linear pattern and are offset from each other,

wherein said plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprises positionally offset dots or non-parallel lines or both said positionally offset dots and said non-parallel lines,

wherein the plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprise only one unique 360 degree pattern that enables visual determination of a rotational orientation unique within 360 degrees of the visual marker from a point orthogonal to a plane that passes through the plurality of positionally offset visual elements, such that said visual determination of the visual marker is enabled with only one unique rotation of the plurality of positionally offset visual elements,

wherein each of said plurality of positionally offset visual elements comprise differing visual characteristics than said background color, and,

wherein said visual marker is further configured enable an external camera to visually track said at least one sensor

to determine position and distance to said visual marker, and

to determine a rotational characteristic of said visual marker;

electrical components comprising

a positive battery contact;

an insulator that is electrically insulative;

a negative battery contact;

an electronics package;

an identifier coupled with said electronics package and configured to identify said piece of equipment;

an antenna coupled with said electronics package;

a shock puck comprising a material configured to

dampen or limit G-forces,

surround said enclosure,

shield said enclosure from said G-forces,

protect said internal components of said motion capture sensor, and,

assert force on said motion capture sensor;

wherein said cap covers said enclosure;

wherein said cap is isolated from said piece of equipment via said shock puck;

wherein said enclosure and said cap are configured to internally hold said positive battery contact, said insulator, said negative battery contact and said electronics package; and

,

wherein said piece of equipment is a piece of sporting, exercise or medical rehabilitation equipment, baseball bat, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, helmet, skateboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, golf club, tennis racquet, or weight training bar, and wherein said mount comprises a spear collet or is configured to couple to said piece of equipment via at least one screw.