WO2006010934A2 - Motion sensor with integrated display, grip pressure distribution sensor, location of impact sensor and impact vibration sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable device which is carried in use, comprises motion sensing means for recording the motion as a user displaces the device; the motion sensing means is adapted to operate in conjunction with a processor located within the portage device and/or located remotely from the portable device and which assesses the motion of said portable device. The device has an indicator as part of the device for providing an indication to the user representative of the assessment to be displayed via personal computers and/or wireless hand held devices. The device may include means for sensing grip pressure distribution, location of impact and/or vibrations caused by an impact.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to moveable devices.

Background to the Invention

Whilst the background of the invention is drafted around the sport of golf, the present invention is intended to apply to many other fields. Specific applications are presented in the section entitled "Detailed Description of the Drawings".

Prior art golf training and practice devices exist which detect and relate data to the user, in a variety of forms, concerning characteristics of a golfer's swing such as the golf club swing path, club head speed, acceleration and grip pressure.

Three such systems being the 'golf club swing path, speed and grip pressure monitor'

(US6,441,745 GATES), 'portable golf club swing speed indicator with downward angled collimated light sensors' (US5,634,855 KING) and 'video speed analyser of golf club swing or the like' (US4,163,941 LINN). Each professes to provide a system which helps a golfer improve his game but each have a number of drawbacks and differences when compared to the present invention.

The closest known prior art is US6,441,745 (GATES) in which a system is disclosed where each swing is monitored and the resultant swing path, speed and handle grip pressure is recorded and graphed/displayed so that next time round golfers can make appropriate changes to improve specific aspects of his or her swing.

During the actual swing, a golfer is alerted only when the grip pressure is either above a maximum pressure or below a minimum pressure. No indication of location of the grip is taught. No self-adjustment is enabled during each swing.

1185,634,855 (KING) discloses a meter which determines and displays the highest speed obtained in a given golf club swing upon coin activation. No other characteristics of the swing are monitored. This meter dispenses balls and records speeds during a specified period or for a specified number of swings.

Through use, a golfer may improve his or her performance and ultimately his or her game but this system is intended to provide specific information on a single aspect. The other main drawback is that this system is impractical to use anywhere but in a netted area or a range - it would not be used during a game.

US4,163,941 (LINN) discloses a video device and method for analysing golf club swings or the like and includes means for detecting the golf club swing and calculating the resultant velocity of the club head which is displayed.

Again, the focus is on a single characteristic, the golf head velocity, and the results are displayed after the event for correction during the next swing.

The system itself is very bulky comprising, amongst other elements, television cameras and a display. This system is impractical to use during an actual game and is more suited to a golfing range environment or an arcade scenario. Summary of the Invention

According to a first broad independent aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable device which is carried in use, comprising motion sensing means for recording the motion as a user displaces the device; the motion sensing means are adapted to operate in conjunction with a processor located within the portable device and/or located remotely from the portable device and which assesses the motion of said portable device, characterised in that the device has an indicator as part of the device for providing an indication to the user representative of the assessment carried out by said processor.

The feature set described above yields a number of benefits. For example, it reduces or eliminates the requirement of having large amount of separate additional equipment such as video cameras and monitors. It may also reduce the time that would be spent setting up the equipment.

It may also allow, when applied to the field of golf, a user to directly view the indicator to better assess his/her performance. This may be done without twisting around to view a display as may be the case in prior art devices.

In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's first broad independent aspect, means are provided to allow said assessment to be displayed via personal computers and/or wireless hand held devices.

According to a second broad independent aspect of the invention there is provided a moveable device comprising a grip portion, characterised in that the portion incorporates sensing means for measuring the distribution of pressure exerted on said portion.

This grip sensing feature is particularly advantageous because it allows a user to adjust the pressure applied in different areas of the grip which could help to improve performance. It could also assist in minimising the risk of injuries. It could also allow non-naturally gifted players to dissect more closely aspects of a naturally gifted player, which a video for example fails to show. According to a subsidiary aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable device wherein the sensing means for measuring distribution of pressure measure the location of pressure points.

Rather than assessing the distribution from an intensity perspective through the grip assessing the location of pressure points may allow a user to accurately achieve a model hand position which is critical in grip sensitive sports such as golf and tennis. The advantages of this feature are also apparent in other sports where interactions with the surface material can assist in analyzing the potential or intended result. In football understanding the area and force of impact on a ball can determine the ball flight and nature of curve. In racket or bat sports, where similarly the speed, intensity, location of pressure points allows angle, spin of ball, speed and accuracy of intended shot to be determined. In skiing, this kind of surface contact analysis would allow people to understand how to carry out quicker and easier turns or how to manufacture skis to improve performance. In basketball, this kind of analysis can allow players to improve their free throw profile (the interaction of the hands with the surface of the ball).

According to a third broad independent aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable device comprising a portion which is configured to be displaced and impact against an object, wherein said portion incorporates sensing means for measuring the location of the impact.

This would allow a user to improve his/her assessment of the quality of his/her movement. For example, in golf, a golfer will be able to know how close to the so-called 'sweet spot' the actual impact occurred which propelled the ball. This would provide a golfer with an accurate measure of performance without having the privilege of seeing the ball in full flight - although the device may naturally be used in any application such as on the course itself.

According to a fourth broad independent aspect of the invention there is provided a portable device comprising a portion which is configured to be displaced and impact against an object, wherein said portion incorporates means for sensing the vibration caused by the impact. Vibration is the cause of certain injuries in sports where repeated impact occurs. Being able to assess the vibration say in a tennis racket will provide a user with useful data to attempt to reduce the occurrence of certain harmful vibrations so as to limit the risk of injury and maximise a player's ability to perform for longer periods.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 a shows a side view of a golf club.

Figure Ib shows a block schematic view of a portion of figure 1 a incorporating a sensor.

Figure Ic shows an enlargement of a portion of figure Ia.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figures Ia to Ic present three different aspects of a golf club embodiment generally referenced 10.

Figure Ia shows a typical golf club 10 comprising a handle or grip portion 11 and a head 12 comprising an impact region 13 spaced from the grip portion 11 by a shaft 14.

Sensing means 15 are mounted within the grip portion 11 for measuring the distribution of pressure exerted on the grip portion 11. The sensing means may measure the intensity of any grip applied by a golfer on the grip portion 11. The information measured by the sensing means may be transferred to process means, which may plot the location of the various pressure points. The process means may then compare the location of the various pressure points with a predetermined map of pressure points, which may have been obtained from a professional golfer. The sensing means may have several modes of operation one being a simple gripping mode without any action, another may be during the swing, and another may be at the point of impact. The data gathered in this mariner will allow a golfer to effect changes to his/her swing to ultimately improve how the ball is struck and how far it travels. It can also be compared to a suite of pre-defined user grips customized to the user to vary the grip according to the type of shot or movement required.

The invention envisages that a series or sheet of sensing material 15 may be placed within the handle 11 area. This sheet may be set to provide real time feedback to supporting software that analyses the grip. Inbuilt indicators 19 may inform the user whether or not the grip is correct. In use, a computer data model of the grip for each swing can be recorded and analysed at a later time.

Appropriate software is envisaged to be used in order to assess the correctness of the grip. The correctness of grip may be set to automatically analyse the user's grip against either known grips favoured by professionals in the sport or either the user or the user's trainer can specifically identify the grip that must be used. Once the grip has been recognised the indicator signals for the user to proceed with his or her swing. If however, the software does not automatically recognise the form of the user's grip then the indicator may indicate that the grip is incorrect.

The grip sensor and supporting software may be designed to adjust to the changing needs of the sport enthusiast using them. The software may allow the golfer or the golfer's professional trainer to completely configure the club to react to the needs of that specific golfer. In this case the grip can be configured either as a training feature to help them or force them to adapt to a new grip or as an aid to inform them that their grip is not aligned. Golfers and their trainers can choose from a number of typical grip profiles or can slightly alter one profile to adjust to the specific golfer's requirements.

A circuit of electronics embedded in the club by for example using multi-layered circuitry may be used to allow the collection of sufficient data to reproduce all of the movements the club makes. The electronics built into the club provide feedback to the golfer to show him/her in software how his/her swing and what is wrong with their swing. This feedback can be done in real time over a wireless link between the club and a computer or stored in a memory buffer to be collected and reviewed later after a game perhaps. This arrangement provides the golfer with valuable feedback on the errors caused due to incorrect swing, types of swing used, swing tempo, power of the swings and much more to help the sport's enthusiast obtain a full picture of his/her strengths and weaknesses.

Correctness of swing may be determined by software. The software may be set to understand what a correct swing looks like by analysing the swings of professionals in the sport. Another important option is to allow a trainer to set the parameters of what a users' swing should look like, therefore customising the software for that particular golfer. The golfer can then practice and know how well he/she is adhering to his/her trainers' advice.

As mentioned above, software may provide a golfer with useful feedback designed to allow flexibility so that individual golfers can set up profiles to categorise their swings and ultimately build up their own profile of swings. Thereby the software itself learns the profile of its golfers and highlights any inconsistencies of usage. Means may be provided to allow a golfer to select from a variety of different swings from a storage facility.

Means may be provided to allow a player to compare their swing to that of a professional or to a number of stored swings of his/her own or his/her instructors. This way the player can gradually learn to improve his/her golf swing with assistance from his/her golf professional. The player is able to dynamically compare his/her swing against any one of the stored swings or profile swings in any on-course or off-course location.

The impact region 13 of the golf club head 12 is displaced in use before, during and after impact with a target such as a golf ball. Sensing means 16 located on the rear face 17 of the head 12 monitor a variety of impact related data such as, for example, the location of the impact upon the front face 18 of the head 12 and levels of vibration throughout the impact region 13.

The golfer can self-correct any aspect of the swing after they get feedback from this system. Some adjustments that could be made individually or altogether are: their grip, club 10 orientation, club 10 altitude, club 10 motion, swing path, swing plane and speed. Means are provided to measure swing path, swing plane and swing speed. Indicators 19 are provided within the end face 20 of the handle 11 which alert the golfer if and when a specified grip has not been achieved so that they may make corrections during their actual swing or for follow-on swings.

The grip related indicators 19 may be visual, auditory or vibratory in nature. For example, in figure Ic an indicator light 19a is lit to indicate that the sensors are on, whereas indicator light 19b is lit in two modes either continuously on if a low battery level has been met or alternating between 'on' and 'off if the specified grip has not been achieved.

Typically, indicator light 19a is green and indicator light 19b is red.

Alternatively, these indicators could be auditory: a specified tone would indicate that the sensors means 15 within the handle 11 are on, a specified tone would indicate that the correct grip has not been achieved, a specified tone would indicate that the correct grip has been achieved and a different specified tone would indicate that the battery needs replacing. Similarly, four (or any other appropriate number as selected by the person skilled in the art) different vibratory alerts could be utilised within the handle.

Also, on the end face 20 of the club's handle 11, is the powering switch 21.

The processing means 22 which receives data about the golfer's grip from sensing means 15 compares said grip against a specified grip is housed within the handle 11. Powering means 23 are also provided within the handle 11. Also housed therein is storing means 24 for storing the measured and recorded grip data and impact data apparent at the impact region 13. Further sensing means 25 measure the orientation, movement and the altitude of the club 10 during use typically by a plurality of accelerometers mounted therein such as the ADXRS300 manufactured by Analog Devices, the LIS3L02DQ manufactured by ST Microelectronics or the like. This data is also stored within the storing means 24. This storage means can be local embedded within the club or a removable storage device such as a SD (Secure Digital) card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) card can be used. This storing means 24 can have local and remote applications. Locally: visual, auditory or vibratory alerts can be given to the golfer in real time during the swing motion whereas remotely: either the information can be displayed via a PC (personal computer), PDA (personal digital assistant) or the like, which the user can monitor during the game or during each motion in much the same way as the indicator means 19 or this data can be stored locally within the handle 11 and downloaded at a later time for more complex analysis to improve the golfer's performance. Such a download can be performed either by removal memory, an IRDA link, a wireless link or the like.

The use of removal non- volatile memory, such as the CF (Compact Flash), the SD card, Smart Media card and the like, has a number of advantages over other wired and wireless data transmission technology. Namely, non-volatile replaceable memory is cheap, very easily up-gradable, has high data rates, low power usage, and thus allows for very long periods of use c.f. low power radio & wireless data transmission. Use of this media ensures all data is stored regardless of any battery/power source failure. It is also compatible with any PC/PDA or the like cheaply and with no problematic set up routines.

Stabilisers 26 are provided to ensure that the sensors 25 mounted therein maintain a fixed relation with the golf club 10 irrespective of the motion of the golf club 10. The stabilizers will also ensure the electronics unit is stable within the golf club and is shielded from any un-necessary vibration.

In use, the golfer determines which performance characteristics need improving and selects a specified level which he/she wants to achieve. This information can be sent to the onboard processing means 22 via. an IRDA link 27 mounted in the end face 20, a wireless link 28 or the like. Alternatively, the golfer can set the level or specified swing profile using buttons and an interface which could be located on the side of the club. Having transferred this information, the levels are set against which successive motion characteristics are compared, resulting in either indications 19b that self correction to the grip positioning and distribution of pressure upon the handle 11 is required; or tracking of the motion of the club against an expected motion is displayed within the golfer's visual range so that again self-corrections can be imposed by the user to improve their performance during the actual swing motion thus minimising the differences between the actual motion and the expected or predicted motion.

The systems described above with reference to the sport of golf have a number of further applications, which for each of the following applications may be particularly advantageous:

a) Javelin or other projectile

A javelin would have a grip portion, a front end and a rear end. The athlete's grip and the motion of the javelin before release and in mid air may be monitored and assessed. The vibration sensor may be sensed to calculate the time elapsed from grip release to impact. Position sensors may be used to calculate the angle of the javelin throughout its motion. The distance may then be calculated without requiring the javelin thrower to go in proximity to where the javelin landed. The impact of the javelin may be used to switch off the power so as to economise battery power.

Such in flight reading may relate to the spin about its longitudinal axis during flight (which can be as high as 25 revolutions per second) which stabilise the javelin in flight or the oscillation about the length of the javelin typically approximately 25Hz which is detrimental to the flight of the javelin and needs to be minimised by the thrower by achieving a delivery which is in the same vertical plane as the flight path of the javelin.

Additional analysis using software can be used to provide further feedback to the user on their throwing style, the release, and the resulting flight. Thus providing training information about how one can improve their style to achieve better performance.

b) A bobsleigh may incorporate similar sensors with unique beneficial effects.

The combination of sensors embedded in a bobsleigh may also provide the user with additional information on how to optimize their performance based on previous runs. Sensors can be positioned to gather information on the bobsleigh's movement relative to the track; the construction of the bob-sleigh itself and how it might respond to the use of different materials, construction methods and design; the movement of the bobsleigh team and how it effects the movement and ultimate speed of the sleigh.

c) A car may incorporate grip sensors about the wheel and gear stick with unique beneficial effects. The same analytics can be used to augment existing car electronics to provide additional feedback about the driver and his/her interaction with the car. For example, this data can then be used to customize the cars performance features to the drivers driving style for a racecar or to alter the configuration of the car's interior for everyday drivers.

d) Hand-held tools such as a welding machine or a sledge hammer may be equipped with sensors of the kind described above for gathering data in order to yield unique advantages.

e) A ball may similarly incorporate these features. A ball of almost any size can incorporate the same basic features so that one can track its movement about a field of sport. This data can then be used by manufacturers to analyse the features of the ball and create a ball with unique features for each sport. It can also be used on the field of play to track movement of the ball about the field e.g. soccer, tennis, rugby, basketball and the like.

f) Sport bats with strings may similarly incorporate these features. Any sports bat with strings may incorporate the same features and similarly help their users to improve their performance.

g) A bow and arrow arrangement. A bow and an arrow may incorporate the same features to look at how a user can improve their accuracy, looking at the movement, vibration of the bow before arrow release and the flight of the arrow, after release. These features can be embedded in the centre-piece of the bow and in the tip of the arrow.

h) A gun or other hand-held weapon can incorporate these additional features to see how the user can improve their form (as in the case of martial arts) or their accuracy (as in the case of shooting). The feature can be embedded in the weapon and can provide feedback to the user on their movement of the weapon as compared to an idealized movement.

i) Film industry. In the film industry this same technology can be used to track the movements of an actor on a set. The system can be strapped to the actors and can provide a digital view of the actor's movement on the film set.

j) Robotics. This technology can be used to control or embedded in robots to model the movements of other individuals/objects either simultaneously or at some point later. It can also be used to help robots learn from others: the subject (person or tiling) can be strapped with this technology in order to show the robot how to perfect the movement. Taken to the golfing model it can help build the perfect golf robot.

k) Electronic gaming. The system may be used in a gaming environment to interpret the moves of the player by moving the mobile gaming device itself or some other input device (e.g. a joystick, paddle). For example: in mobile gaming, if the player moves the device to the right and down at a 15 degree angle then the character or position in the game moves to a similar position (using a mobile device such as a phone, PSP, GameBoy or like mobile gaming platform). In other gaming environments this technology would be embedded in other existing or new forms of input system/device to enable the game system to similarly interpret the player's movement within the game.

1) Apparatus with remote control.

Figure 2 shows a golf club 30 with a grip portion 31 and a head 32. An impact and motion sensor 33 is provided in head 32. A grip sensor 34 is provided in the grip portion. On the tip of the club, there is provided a feedback indicator 35 which may have LEDs (light emitting diodes), speakers and power. A liquid crystal display 36 may also be present.

The electronics boards as shown in cut out A incorporates a first motion sensor 37, a controller 38, a memory 39, a wireless interface 40, a second motion sensor 41 and a battery pack 42, and stabilizers 43 and 44. A wireless interface 40 allows communication with PDA (personal digital assistant) 45. Hardware

General design

Figure 3 shows a block diagram containing a number of components whose uses are detailed below:

Whilst the use of three sensors is preferred, the invention envisages that any other number of sensors may be employed. Software

Vibration Analysis:

Software is used to analyse the signature of the vibration to see how it matches the signature of an ideal vibration. In the case of sport, the ideal hitting area or 'sweet spot' is related to the ball contact with the movable device (hitting object e.g. club, bat, racquet) centre of gravity and/or 'centre of vibration' (or nodal point of many vibration modes) of the device. The key sensing of vibration (higher frequency post-impact motion linearly or angularly) and recoil (low frequency or DC post-impact motion or angular rotation) give information as to the location of the bat/ball's impact on the contact surface in relation to this 'sweet spot'. Therefore measurements of angular and linear accelerations, velocities and higher frequency vibrations can be processed by the software to give 'quality of hit' and even location of the impact on the contact surface relative to the sweet spot.

The data components can be separated using digital or analog filters and software algorithms in electronics hardware, firmware or software running on the onboard processor or an off-line PC processor. The software reviews the stored data from the instrument into high and low frequency components and dynamics in individual directions or rotation axes. This allows calculation and eventual display to the user and/or storage to memory of the impacts of the hit object relative to the centre of rotation, mass (centre of gravity) and vibration nodal points. It can then dynamically or in an off-line mode be modelled against a stored memory model of the club dynamics, an idealized data model from use by an expert and more general models of the particular type of sports or other equipment mechanical dynamics and the data these dynamics will give to the sensors deployed when in use.

In the case of golf, the club would demonstrate a unique signature when the ball is struck in the sweet spot as opposed to the heel or the toe of the club head. Using the analysis described above the player is informed as to how well they are managing to hit the ball with each of their clubs and be able to profile their strengths across the club range. They can also customise the signature to suit their type of play or the type of hit desired. The same technology can also be used in other sports, e.g. baseball. In baseball, a similar baseball bat ideal vibration signature can be built for the bat and/or player in question thus enabling customized feedback to the user on their contact with the ball. In skiing, the same vibration analysis can be used to view the profile of the skier relative to the slope or to the vibration of other skiers. It can also be used to provide feedback into the selection process for the materials/processes used in manufacturing equipment in sports or other vibration sensitive products.

For these, other sporting and non-sporting applications the software is similar in design, bringing together all known aspects of the device, idealized movement, idealized rotation, nodal vibration, etc. to provide a detailed analysis of the movement and the type of impact/interaction.

Comparison

The movement comparison built in software compares the points in the movement to the movement of an idealized movement. For example, in golf, the software analyses movement in the swing plane for the current player to that of an ideal player. The profile of a swing (i.e. the key set of points that determine the outcome of the swing) can be compared to that of an ideal player. The differences in the swing, talcing into account the player's features, are selected and highlighted to show to the user. Then the software recommends a number of fixes depending on the problem. AU of the comparison features can be customised based on the player involved. For example, a user can set up the 'ideal swing' to be just a little better than their own rather than comparing themselves to the swing of a professional. Doing so, enables the player to gradually improve overtime and to construct a training/improvement programme to suit them and how they want to play the game.

In non-sporting applications the movement of an individual or a device can similarly be recorded and reviewed against an ideal movement. Then the software identifies the differences in the movement and recommends corrective action(s). In a mechanical/robotic environment, the ideal movement may be adopted by the software to be used as a movement data feed into the device so that it 'learns' the required movement. For example, teaching simple to intricate human movements to a humanoid robot may be 'taught' by providing a data feed to which the robot has the ability to emulate.

The software design is very similar across all sporting and non-sporting applications. It is used to analyse the movement against an idealized movement. The type of movement, the patterns of the movement, the variance allowed and the types of resolutions that are required may vary depending on the application however the core software analysis model remains the same.

Claims

1. A portable device which is carried in use, comprising motion sensing means for recording the motion as a user displaces the device; the motion sensing means adapted to operate in conjunction with a processor located within the portable device and/or located remotely from the portable device and which assesses the motion of said portable device, characterised in that the device has an indicator as part of the device for providing an indication to the user representative of the assessment carried out by said processor.

2. A portable device according to Claim 1, wherein means are provided to allow said assessment to be displayed via personal computers and/or wireless hand held devices.

3. A moveable device, comprising a grip portion, characterised in that the portion incorporates sensing means for measuring the distribution of pressure exerted on said portion.

4. A portable device according to claim 3, wherein the sensing means for measuring distribution of pressure measure the location of pressure points.

5. A portable device comprising a portion which is configured to be displaced and impact against an object, wherein said portion incorporates sensing means for measuring the location of the impact.

6. A portable device, comprising a portion which is configured to be displaced and impact against an object wherein said portion incorporates means for sensing the vibration caused by the impact.

7.^' A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.