WO2008137046A1

WO2008137046A1 - System and method for improving a golf swing

Info

Publication number: WO2008137046A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/005644
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Levin
Original assignee: John Levin
Priority date: 2007-05-02
Filing date: 2008-05-02
Publication date: 2008-11-13

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method including a plurality of motion sensors along a first user's body that transmits location and time information to a processing module while the first user is performing a specific movement type, with the processing module generating information on the first user's motion, and comparing such information with a second user who puts motion sensors along his body and performs the specific movement type, transmitting new data to a corresponding processing module. Advantageously, the first's user's motion data may belong to an athletic expert or a coach as the movements by the second user can be compared against an ideal or perfect movement of the expert or the coach.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING A GOLF SWING Related Application:

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/927,315, filed on May 2, 2007, and 60/928,680, filed on May 10, 2007, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention:

The present invention is in the field of motion sensing by electrical apparatuses.

Background:

There are many strategies available for providing improvements to a golf swing, or other athletic movements. For example, some athletes use the help of professional golfers, or other professional sports players. Others use video analysis equipment in order to improve their stance and swing.

However, the information made available from observation from professional golfers or even from video analysis can be vague, and not provide the level of detail that a golfer may need to make the appropriate adjustments to his golf swing, that would help to improve such golf swing, or other athletic movements.

Objects and Summary:

Although most of the examples here show the invention in use for improving a golf swing, it is understood that any athletic or other physical motion that may be subject to repetitive analysis may also be employed. For example the present invention may be used for analyzing a quarterback's throwing motion, a pitcher's wind-up and delivery, and a soccer player kicking the ball, etc. Furthermore the present invention may be used in medical situations such as with work related back injuries and the like so that a doctor may better evaluate the movements of the patient and even provide a manner of feedback to allow the patient to know when they are using incorrect (and potentially injury causing) motions.

The present invention allows for an arrangement to automatically provide data on a user's physical speed and motion in comparison with a model set of data. The system and method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, can be used to improve a user's golf swing, or else can be used to monitor and improvement a user's movement in other sports or in other fields where a user's body movement is important, such as in physical therapy. The present invention is related to a system and method for utilizing electrical sensors to obtain such data to help improve movement such as a golfer's swing.

The present invention is further directed to a system and method for improving movement such as a golf swing that employs one or more wearable articles, such as, for example, a shirt, pants, gloves, hats, shows, or any combination of clothing articles, having a plurality of motion sensors attached thereto, as shown in Figures 1 through 3.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a processing module communicates with the motion sensors, and an optional digital display is connected to the processing module. The processing module collects and interprets the data sent by the motion sensors to make determinations of time, position, velocity, and acceleration of each of the individual motion sensors attached to the person's body, together providing information on a person's full body movement, when such person is wearing one of the wearable articles of the present invention. When the person wearing such wearable article, for example, takes one or more golf swings while the processing module collects and interprets data from the motion sensors, the processing module will collect and interpret data specifically on the person's golf swing, which the person can review and analyze.

Furthermore, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the processing module is configured to use the information it collects from an expert, such as an expert's golf swing, to generate "model swing" information against which the person can compare each of his later swings. The same process can be repeated to create "model swing" data for different professional golfers or used to create "model swing" data for different typical swings (e.g. sand trap, short iron, straight put, etc...). In other applications, other types of model movement data can be collected from pros and experts. For example, a plurality of motion sensors on a tennis pro, sending data to a processing module, can create model swing data for various types of tennis racquet swings.

In another embodiment, rather than a practicing golfer trying to mimic a model swing from a professional, a user may simply wish to record their own swing using the arrangement from Figures 1-3 and then at a later time test their later swing against their own earlier recorded swing. Such an action may allow the system to detect changes in a particular movement such as in a golfer's swing over time or other such learning tools that may be utilized by a professional to help make improvements.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Figure 1 shows a shirt with motion sensors and a processing module, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows pants with motion sensors embedded in various locations and a remote processing module receiving data remotely from the motion sensors in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 3 shows a shirt and pants each with motion sensors attached to each such "sensor garment," such motion sensors sending data to a processing module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a shirt and pants each with motion sensors embedded in various locations, and a transmitter attached to each such sensor garment. The transmitters in Figure 4 receive data from the motion sensors and transmit such data to a remote processing module, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a shirt with motion sensors embedded in various locations throughout, and a processing module and display both in a wristwatch unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows the sequential steps of the method for improving a golf swing, using the system disclosed herein, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 7 shows an arrangement for the processing module and display in which such elements are built into a goggle unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 shows a diagram of components for an embodiment of the processing module. Detailed Description of the Drawings:

In a first arrangement, as shown in Figure 1, an upper body garment 5 (e.g. a shirt) is covered with a plurality of motion sensors 1, on the inside, outside, or within the fabric of the upper body sensor garment 5. Although the preferred motion sensor 1 is an accelerometer, the invention is not limited in this respect.

Motion sensors, including accelerometers, can measure such motion data as distance traveled, speed, height jumped, and directional movement. Some of such motion sensors are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,305,221, 6,122,960, 5,899,963 and 5,724,265, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

Motion sensors 1 may be placed in several locations on the upper body sensor garment 5 that are conducive to detecting the necessary movements for measuring, for example, a golf swing from the back swing to the follow through.

In a second arrangement, as shown in Figure 2, motion sensors 1 are embedded in pants 6, also having motion sensors thereon for making similar motion detection. An arrangement including both a shirt 5 and pants 6, both covered with a plurality of motion sensors 1, is shown in Figures 3 and 4.

It is noted that although motion sensors 1 are shown connected to a shirt 5 or pants 6 in Figures 1 through 5, it is understood that such motion sensors may also be attached directly to a user's body using straps (Velcro™ and the like) or other such direct connection methods.

For arrangements wherein motion sensors 1 are connected to a garment, as in Figures 1 through 5, this may be achieved by sewing the motion sensors (e.g. accelerometers) directly into the fabric of such garments. An example of how this is achieved is discussed in Leah Buechley and Michael Eisenberg, "The LilyPad Arduino: Toward Wearable Engineering for Everyone", Computer, IEEE Computer Society, April- June 2008, Washington D. C, incorporated herein by reference.

Figures 1 and 2 both show a processing module 2 at a location remote from the garments 5 and 6. It is understood that motion sensors 1 may be configured to broadcast data directly to a remote processing module 2 using a wireless broadcasting signal, such as Bluetooth.

In another embodiment, as in Figure 3, a processing module 2 is attached directly to each garment 5 and 6, receiving data from motion sensors 1 attached to each garment 5 and 6. Motion sensors 1 on each garment of such an embodiment may broadcast data to the respective processing module 2 using a wireless signal, as in Figures 1 and 2, or else motion sensors 1 on each garment may use direct, wired connections to the respective processing module 2.

In another embodiment, as in Figure 4, motion sensors 1 on each of the garments 5 and 6 send data to attached transmitters 8, and such transmitters 8 transmit the received data to a remote processing module 2. The motion sensors 1 of each garment of such an embodiment may broadcast data to their respective input port of transmitter 8 using a remote signal, or else motion sensors 1 on each sensor garment may use direct, wired connections to the respective input ports of transmitter 8. Figure 4 also shows processing module 2 attached to a display 7.

In another embodiment, processing module 2 and display 7 may be part of a wristwatch unit, as illustrated in Figure 5, so that a user receives processed information conveniently on his wrist.

In another embodiment, processing unit 2 and display 7 may interact with a goggle unit, as illustrated in Figure 7, so that a user receives and views processed information conveniently right before his eyes. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, motion sensors 1 communicate with a processing module 2 with an optional display 7, that is capable of interpreting the collected data and processing it to make a continuous or periodic time/location measurement for each point in a golfers swing. It is noted that processing module 2 and/or display 7 may either be connected to the shirt/pants, as illustrated in Figure 3, or may be located remotely from the user's body, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4. Exemplary motions sensors 1 used for such applications may include those shown and/or described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,724,265, 5,899,963, 6,122,960, and 6,305,221, incorporated herein by reference.

Thus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, each of motion sensors 1 includes a plurality of accelerometers and rotational sensors disposed within its structure. Each of the individual accelerometers is configured to provide acceleration signals corresponding to accelerations associated with a movement of the user's body within the location the sensor. The rotational sensors embedded in each motion sensor 1 are configured so as to provide substantially small angular signals corresponding to substantially small incremental angles, about an axis of a three dimensional coordinate system. An embedded processor within motion sensor 1 is coupled to the embedded accelerometers and the rotational sensors so as to receive the acceleration signals and the angular signals corresponding to the incremental angles. To this end the system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is adapted to measure the speed and the distance traversed by each location of the person's body within the vicinity of each attached motion sensor 1.

Figure 8 shows a processing module 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As such, processing module 2 includes a receiving module 10, a model data database 11, a user data database 12, a user interface 13, and a processor 14. A display 7 is also attached in Figure 8, but the display 7 and user interface 13 may also be located remotely from the processing module 2, with the use of a transmitting module 15, which is also in Figure 8.

A first method of operation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6, in accordance with any of the systems of the present invention, including such embodiments as disclosed in Figures 1 through 5 and 7.

The steps of such method of operation are as follows:

101: A first golfer (i.e. expert golfer) wears sensor garment(s) (e.g. shirt 5 and pants 6 having a plurality of motion sensors 1). It is preferable that both an upper body and lower body sensor garment is used, for data on the full body of the golfer.

102: A calibration step is performed, according to the sensor garment(s) and first golfer's relevant body measurements. There are numerous ways in which the motion sensor and body measurement positions may be calibrated. One way is to use a body scan device to take body measurements and match up the distance of key body points from specific motion sensors on the sensor garment(s). Another way is for the sensor garments to be covered in pockets, so that the golfer can insert each motion sensor into an appropriate pocket to match them up with key points on such golfer's body (e.g. a motion sensor below the elbow, a motion sensor on the knee, a motion sensor on each wrist, etc.).

103: The first golfer, such as an expert golfer, takes one or more golf swings. The golf swings of this step, if more than one swing is taken, should be of the same kind of swing, for appropriate data on a particular swing.

104: Motion sensors 1, over time during the expert golfer's swing, transmit location data to a processing module 2. The processing module 2 also records time data. 105: Processing module 2 processes location, motion and time data of each motion sensor 1 to determine or estimate the position and motion of the first golfer's body during the golf swing, generating "model swing" information. Velocity and acceleration are also calculated by processing module 2 from the data and included in the model swing information. The processing module 2 interprets the data sent by motion sensors 1 to make determinations of time (t) and position (x, y, z), which can also be used to calculate velocity (dx/dt, dy/dt, dz/dt), and acceleration (d²x/dt², d²y/dt², d²z/dt²).

The model swing data can be made available on an optional digital display 7.

Optional step 105A: The first golfer or another expert golfer may repeat Steps 1 through 5 above to generate alternate model swing data, such as for different golf swings, for a corresponding golf situation such as sandtraps, etc.

106: A second golfer wears sensor garment(s) that send data to a processing module with the model swing data stored on such processing module. The processing module may be the same as the processing module used in Steps 1 through 5 above, or may be a different processing module with the model information stored on it.

107: A calibration step is performed, according to the sensor garment(s) and second golfer's relevant body measurements, so that the location of the motion sensors 1 on the second golfer are scaled to the location of the motion sensors on the first user.

108: The second golfer takes one or more golf swings.

109: Motion sensors 1, over time during the second golfer's swing, transmit location data to processing module 2. Processing module 2 also records time data. 110: Processing module 2 processes location and time data to determine or estimate the position and motion of the second golfer's body during the golf swing, generating swing information for the second golfer.

Ill: The processing module compares the second golfer's swing information with the first golfer's model swing information, and measures how close the second golfer's swing was to the model swing, and when and how the movements deviated.

112: The comparison information is retrieved from the processing module. The information may be retrieved directly by a user, such as by using a visual display 7, or else the information may be stored on storage medium or transmitted to another device or system.

In one arrangement of the above method of operation, processing module 2 is configured to provide an audible or visual signal, such as a beep for correct and a double beep for incorrect, based on whether or not the second golfer was able to properly follow the model swing. Other embodiments may include various other audio or visual signals to indicate particular degrees of similarity between the second golfer's swing and the model swing. For this arrangement, it is understood that the tolerance range (distance/timing away from the model that is considered acceptable) may be altered based on the skill level of the practicing golfer.

In another arrangement of the above method of operation, rather than providing simply a yes/no answer as to whether the second golfer's swing follows the model swing, processing module 2 and visual display 7 may be able to provide a visual showing of the practicing golfer's swing versus the model swing so that the user may determine the exact location of their swing flaw(s).

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such

modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for improving a person's movement comprising:

A plurality of motion sensors disposed along a first user's body; and

A processing module, wherein said processing module receives location data transmitted by said motion sensors, said processing module records time data with respect to said location data, said processing module generates motion information on said first user's body position and motion over time, during the time in which said location data is transmitted from said motion sensors to said processing module, and said processing module generates a comparison of the motion information of said first user with motion information collected from a second user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said motion sensors are accelerometers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said motion sensors are disposed on garments to be worn by said first user and said second user.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said processing module is connected to a digital display.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said processing module delivers an audio or visual signal to said second user, that informs said second user about said comparison of said motion information of said first user with said motion information of said second user.

6. A method for improving a person's movement, comprising the steps of:

A first user wearing one or more of sensor garments having a plurality of motion sensors disposed on said sensor garments; said first user calibrating a processing module according to said first user's relevant body measurements; said first user performing a specific movement type; said motion sensors, transmitting over time during each of said first user's specific movement types, transmitting location data to said processing module, and said processing module recording time data; processing location and time data to estimate the position and motion of said first user's body during specific movement type, generating model information;

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: a second user wearing one or more sensor garments having a plurality of motion sensors disposed on said sensor garments, said motion sensors configured to transmit data to a processing module having access to said model information stored in a model data database; said second user calibrating said processing module according to said first and second users' relevant body measurements; said second user performing said specific movement type; said motion sensors, transmitting over time during said second user's specific movement.type, transmit location data to said processing module, and said processing module recording time data; said processing module processing location and time data to estimate the position and motion of said second user's body during said specific movement style, generating the second user's movement information; and comparing the second user's movement information with the first user's model information.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of retrieving the comparison information from the processing module.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein processing step further comprises a calculation of velocity and acceleration information.