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Publication Number
US-7980998-B2
Publication Date
2011-07-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A personal device is provided for measuring a training activity of a trainee having a body part which moves during this training activity, this movement at least partially defining said training activity. The device comprises a sensing unit adapted to repeatedly measure, during the training activity, parameters associated with the movement of the body part, and wherein the sensing unit comprising at least accelerometer means, a compass and, optimally, gyroscope means. The device further comprises means for attaching the sensing unit to the body part and a processor adapted to receive from the sensing unit the parameters and to calculate based thereon, data indicative of the training activity. In addition, there are provided a system for use by an instructor in instructing of a plurality of participants engaged in an activity, a communication system for communicating with one or more swimmers, the system comprising a transmitting module adapted to communicate in accordance with a wireless communication protocol with at least one receiving module associated with at least one swimmer, and a method for automated training one or more swimmers accordingly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a personal device for measuring a training activity of a trainee having a body part which moves and changes its location and orientation during the training activity, where the movement at least partially defines the training activity. The device repeatedly measures movement parameters associated with the body part and characterizes the location and orientation of the body part relative to its initial location and orientation. The sensing unit comprises at least accelerometer means and a compass, with optional gyroscope means, and provides at least linear and angular acceleration values for the location and orientation characterization.
A processor receives from the sensing unit the measured parameters and calculates data indicative of the training activity. The calculated data includes at least the location and orientation of the body part for each of the measurements, and is used to provide training-activity-indicative data for the trainee. The approach further covers presentation of at least the calculated data and/or training instructions based on the calculated data, including a presentation unit configured for vibrating elements directed to the skin and/or earphones with a receiving module configured for wireless receipt and audio signal conversion.
The invention also includes systems in which a computer spaced from the processor wirelessly receives the data and presents it to a user via a monitor, and where a training advisor computer can receive user training instructions and wirelessly transfer them to a presentation unit. Further refinements include multiple sensing units for additional body parts, a sensing-unit attachment using a flexible platform adapted to amplify at least one measurement, and multi-trainee operation where the monitor displays data or information derived from the calculated data relating to a plurality of trainees and training instructions can be simultaneously and wirelessly transferred to each trainee.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims provide coverage for a personal measuring device and for associated training-advisor presentation and communications. Across the independent claims provided, the inventive features fall into multiple buckets: sensor set and calculation of training-activity indicative data with location/orientation; attachment and multi-body-part sensing; and presentation and wireless delivery of data/instructions to the trainee and to a remote monitor, including multi-trainee instruction transfer.
Repeated sensing with accelerometer and compass (optional gyroscope) to calculate training activity data including location and orientation
The sensing unit adapted to repeatedly measure during the training activity parameters associated with the movement of the body part, where the sensing unit comprises at least accelerometer means and a compass and optionally gyroscope means; and a processor adapted to receive the parameters and to calculate based thereon data indicative of the training activity, the data including at least the location and orientation of the body part for each of the measurements.
Wireless trainee instruction/data presentation via vibrating pulses directed to the skin
A presentation unit adapted to present to the trainee at least the data or training instructions based on the data, where the presentation unit comprises a vibrating element adapted to generate vibratory pulses according to a predetermined rule, and to direct said pulses to the skin of the trainee.
Wireless trainee instruction/data presentation via earphones with receiving module and audio signal conversion
A presentation unit adapted to present to the trainee at least the data or training instructions based on the data, where the presentation unit comprises at least one earphone with a receiving module adapted for wirelessly receiving readings including at least the data from the device or training instructions to the trainee based on the data, and converting said readings into audio signal to be transmitted to the trainee via said at least one earphone.
Computer spaced from the processor wirelessly receiving data and displaying derived information on a monitor
A computer adapted for being located at a location spaced from said processor and for wirelessly receiving the data from said device, and having a monitor for displaying to a user of said computer said data or information derived therefrom.
Multiple sensing units for additional body parts with location and orientation calculation for each measurement
At least one additional sensing unit and means for its attaching to an additional body part of said trainee, the sensing unit adapted to repeatedly measure during said activity parameters characterizing at least the location and orientation of said additional body part relative to its initial position and orientation, and the processor being further adapted to receive from the at least one additional sensing unit said parameters, and to calculate based thereon at least the location and orientation of said additional body part for each of the measurements, for use in providing said data.
Flexible platform attachment amplifying at least one measurement
Means for attaching the sensing unit to said body part comprising a flexible platform adapted to amplify at least one of the measurements performed by the sensing unit.
Training advisor computer receiving user training instructions and wirelessly transferring to the presentation unit
A training advisor computer configured to wirelessly transfer user training instructions to the presentation unit directly or indirectly.
Monitor displaying data or information derived from calculated data for a plurality of trainees
A training system portion including a corresponding plurality of training advisors for corresponding plurality of trainees, where a monitor displays to the user data or information derived therefrom relating to said plurality of trainees.
Real-time monitor display during an activity involving a plurality of trainees
A monitor that displays to the user data or information derived therefrom in real time during an activity involving a plurality of trainees.
Simultaneous wireless transfer of user training instructions to each trainee in a plurality
A computer with an input unit receiving training instructions and configured to simultaneously and wirelessly transfer those instructions to each trainee in a plurality.
Collectively, the independent claims cover a wearable personal measuring device that repeatedly senses movement parameters using at least accelerometer means and a compass, optionally including gyroscope means, and a processor that calculates training-activity indicative data including location and orientation. The claims further cover presentation of the data or training instructions to the trainee via vibrating pulses directed to the skin and/or earphones with a wireless receiving module, and presentation of data or information derived from the data on a remote monitor via a wirelessly connected computer. Additional coverage includes multi-body-part sensing with location/orientation computation for each body part, flexible-platform attachment amplifying at least one measurement, and system-level multi-trainee operation with real-time monitor display and simultaneous wireless transfer of user training instructions to each trainee.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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