Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The present application relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which enable a batter who performs a tee shot practice to grasp how to change his or her swing posture. A processor of the information processing apparatus executes the following steps: a posture measurement step of continuously measuring a posture of a batter who performs a tee shot practice, on the basis of an output signal of one or both of a motion sensor and a force plate; a time determination step of determining a time at which the batter hits a ball provided to the tee, on the basis of an output signal of a force sensation sensor built in the tee; a posture determination step of determining the posture of the batter at the determined time as a swing posture of the batter; and an output step of outputting a message for instructing a change in the swing posture of the batter, on the basis of information indicating a swing posture as a model and information indicating the determined swing posture of the batter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a system that uses a bat speed radar device and a ball speed radar device installed on the batting tee to detect bat speed and ball speed.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-217275 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the aforementioned existing technologies, although it is possible to measure the motion information of the bat and ball, as well as the kinetic energy of the player, the batter practicing tee batting cannot grasp how to change his hitting posture.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a technique that enables batters practicing stamina to understand how to change their hitting posture.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] To address the aforementioned problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus comprising one or more processors. The processors execute steps (1) to (4).

[0011] (1) Measurement steps: The posture of the batter practicing hitting the ball is continuously measured based on the output signals of one or both of the motion sensor and the force plate.

[0012] (2) The timing determination step is to determine the moment when the batter hits the ball set on the tee based on the output signal of the force sensor built into the tee.

[0013] (3) Posture determination step: The posture of the batter at the time determined in the time determination step is determined as the batter's hitting posture.

[0014] (4) Output step: Based on information representing a strike posture as an example corresponding to the batter's body characteristics and information representing the batter's strike posture determined in the posture determination step, output a message indicating a change in the batter's strike posture.

[0015] The effects of the invention

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, a batter practicing hitting from a saddle is able to grasp how to change his hitting posture. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a block diagram that schematically illustrates the structure of the hitting system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram that schematically shows the appearance of the ball-hitting system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of the information processing method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the contents of an exemplary table according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the actions performed by the ball-playing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by a display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by a display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by a display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by a display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating the contents of a message table according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating the contents of the message table according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the learning-completed model according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 16 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] [Implementation Method 1]

[0034] [System Overview]

[0035] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 This is a block diagram that schematically illustrates the structure of a striking system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the hitting system 1. The hitting system 1 is a system that outputs messages to instruct a batter on changes in his hitting posture while practicing hitting from a tee. The hitting system 1 includes an information processing unit 10, a force sensor 20, a motion sensor 30, a force plate 40, and a tee 60.

[0036] The information processing device 10 is a device that performs various calculations for outputting messages, such as a personal computer, which instructs a batter to change his hitting posture while practicing hitting the ball from a saddle.

[0037] Force sensor 20 is a sensor built into ball seat 60 used to set the ball. Force sensor 20 detects the direction and magnitude of force and torque. As an example, force sensor 20 is a 6-axis force sensor that detects force components Fx, Fy, Fz and torque components Mx, My, Mz in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions in a three-dimensional space defined by the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Furthermore, force sensor 20 is not limited to a 6-axis force sensor; for example, it could be a 4-axis force sensor or other force sensors.

[0038] Motion sensor 30 is a sensor used to determine the batter's posture using motion capture technology. As an example, motion sensor 30 is a motion capture camera that detects multiple markers worn by the batter. Figure 2 The example shown illustrates a striking system 1 comprising four motion sensors 30, but the number of motion sensors 30 may be more than four or less than four.

[0039] The force plate 40 is placed on the ground where the batter performs the hitting action to detect the ground reaction force and the batter's center of gravity position.

[0040] The information processing device 10 includes a processor 11. The processor 11 executes the information processing method M1. Figure 3 This is a flowchart representing the flow of information processing method M1 executed by processor 11. Information processing method M1 includes a measurement step M11, a time determination step M12, an attitude determination step M13, and an output step M14.

[0041] Measurement step M11 is a step of continuously measuring the batter's posture during tee hitting practice based on the output signals of one or both of the motion sensor 30 and the force plate 40. As an example, the processor 11 continuously measures the batter's posture using motion capture technology based on the output signal of the motion sensor 30. Alternatively, as another example, the processor 11 continuously measures the batter's center of gravity position based on the output signal of the force plate 40.

[0042] As an example, information indicating the batter's posture includes some or all of the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity position. In other words, the processor 11 calculates some or all of the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity position based on one or both of the output signals from the motion sensor 30 and the force plate 40.

[0043] The timing determination step M12 is the step of determining when the batter struck the ball set on the ball stand 60 based on the output signal of the force sensor 20 built into the ball stand 60. As an example, the processor 11 determines that the batter struck the ball when the change in force and / or torque applied to the ball stand 60 exceeds a predetermined threshold, based on the output signal of the force sensor 20. Hereinafter, the timing determined by the processor 11 in the timing determination step M12 will also be referred to as the "hitting moment". Furthermore, the method for determining the hitting moment is not limited to the example described above. As an example, the processor 11 may also determine that the batter struck the ball when the force applied to the ball stand 60 in the vertical direction, i.e., the weight of the ball, is below a threshold, based on the output signal of the force sensor 20.

[0044] The posture determination step M13 is the step of determining the batter's posture at the time determined in the time determination step M12 as the batter's hitting posture.

[0045] Output step M14 is a step of outputting a message to indicate a change in the batter's hitting posture based on information representing a dummy hitting posture corresponding to the batter's body characteristics and information representing the batter's hitting posture determined in posture determination step M13.

[0046] In the following explanation, the striking stance used as a demonstration will also be referred to as the "demonstration stance." Additionally, the striking stance of the batter being evaluated will also be referred to as the "evaluation stance." Furthermore, in the following explanation, information indicating the demonstration stance will also be simply referred to as the demonstration stance. Additionally, information indicating the evaluation stance will also be simply referred to as the evaluation stance.

[0047] As an example, the information indicating the demonstration posture includes information detected by motion sensor 30 indicating the position of multiple markers worn on the batter, the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and some or all of the center of gravity position.

[0048] As an example, information describing a batter's physical characteristics includes some or all of the following: height, weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), age, gender, dominant hand, and batting position (right-handed or left-handed).

[0049] As an example, information representing the demonstration posture is stored in a predefined memory such as secondary memory 13, corresponding to the batter's physical characteristics. In this case, multiple pieces of information representing the demonstration posture are stored corresponding to information representing the batter's physical characteristics. The information representing the demonstration posture and the information representing the physical characteristics can be in a one-to-one correspondence; alternatively, as an example, multiple pieces of information representing the physical characteristics may correspond to a single piece of information representing the demonstration posture.

[0050] As an example, a message indicating a change in striking posture might be a message showing the difference between the demonstration posture and the posture of the object being evaluated. Alternatively, the message could also indicate improvements to the object's posture based on the difference between the demonstration and evaluation postures. As an example, the message could be output as an image, such as a still image or a moving image, or it could be output as sound.

[0051] Based on the above structure, the information processing device 10 determines the moment the batter hits the ball based on the output signal of the force sensor 20 built into the tee, and outputs a message indicating a change in the hitting posture at the determined moment. This allows batters practicing tee hitting to understand how to change their hitting posture.

[0052] [System Structure]

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 1 To illustrate the structure of striking system 1. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in addition to the information processing device 10, force sensor 20, motion sensor 30, force plate 40 and ball seat 60, the ball hitting system 1 also has a display device 50.

[0054] [Structure of Information Processing Device 10]

[0055] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the structure of an information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes a processor 11, a primary memory 12, a secondary memory 13, an input / output interface 14, a communication interface 15, and a bus 16. The processor 11, primary memory 12, secondary memory 13, input / output interface 14, and communication interface 15 are interconnected via the bus 16.

[0056] The secondary memory 13 stores program P1 and example table TBL1. The processor 11 expands program P1 stored in the secondary memory 13 onto the primary memory 12 and executes the steps of information processing method M1 according to the commands contained in program P1 expanded on the primary memory 12. A device that can be used as processor 11 can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). A device that can be used as primary memory 12 can be, for example, a semiconductor RAM (Random Access Memory). A device that can be used as secondary memory 13 can be, for example, a flash memory.

[0057] Input and / or output devices are connected to the input / output interface 14. Examples of input / output interfaces 14 include USB (Universal Serial Bus). In information processing method M1, information acquired from the force sensor 20, motion sensor 30, and force plate 40 is input to the information processing device 10 via the input / output interface 14. Furthermore, information provided to the batter in information processing method M1 is output from the information processing device 10 via this input / output interface 14.

[0058] Communication interface 15 is an interface for communicating with other computers. Communication interface 15 may include an interface for communicating with other computers without a network, such as a Bluetooth interface. Alternatively, communication interface 15 may include an interface for communicating with other computers via a LAN (Local Area Network), such as a Wi-Fi interface.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a structure is adopted in which a single processor (processor 11) is used to execute the information processing method M1, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a structure in which multiple processors are used to execute the information processing method M1 may also be adopted. In this case, the multiple processors that cooperate to execute the information processing method M1 may be located in a single computer so that they can communicate with each other via a bus, or they may be distributed among multiple computers so that they can communicate with each other via a network. As an example, consider a configuration in which the processor of the computer constituting the cloud server cooperates with the processor of the computer owned by the user of the cloud server to execute the information processing method M1.

[0060] The demonstration table TBL1 is a table that maps the physical characteristics of batters to the demonstration postures. Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the contents of Demonstration Table TBL1. Demonstration Table TBL1 is a table that associates body characteristics with demonstrated postures. Figure 5 In the example, the demonstration table TBL1 contains interconnected items for "Body Characteristics" and "Demonstration Posture". The "Body Characteristics" item stores identification information used to identify the batter's body characteristics. The "Demonstration Posture" item stores identification information used to identify the demonstration posture, which is information representing the demonstration posture. The processor 11 refers to the demonstration table TBL1 when performing the process of determining the demonstration posture used to evaluate the batter's hitting posture as the evaluation target.

[0061] The secondary memory 13 stores information representing multiple demonstration postures, and each demonstration posture is accompanied by identification information. That is, the batter's physical characteristics and demonstration postures are matched using the identification information stored in the demonstration table TBL1.

[0062] The display device 50 displays images according to the data supplied by the information processing device 10. As an example, the display device 50 is a liquid crystal display connected to the input / output interface 14 of the information processing device 10.

[0063] [Operation of the information processing device]

[0064] Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating the information output actions performed by the processor 11 of the information processing device 10. In step S11, the processor 11 acquires body information representing the physical characteristics of the batter being evaluated. For example, the processor 11 may acquire body information input by the batter through an input device such as a touch panel operated by the batter. Alternatively, the processor 11 may acquire body information by reading it from a storage medium containing such information. For example, the body information may include some or all of the batter's height, weight, BMI, age, and gender.

[0065] In step S12, the processor 11 continuously measures the posture of the batter practicing hitting the ball from the saddle based on the output signals of one or both of the motion sensor 30 and the force plate 40. As an example, the posture of the batter measured by the processor 11 in step S12 includes some or all of the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity.

[0066] In step S13, the processor 11 determines whether the batter has struck the ball set on the tee 60 based on the output signal of the force sensor 20. For example, if the change in force and / or torque applied to the tee 60, determined based on the output signal of the force sensor 20, exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor 11 determines that the batter has struck the ball. If the batter has struck the ball (step S13: Yes), the processor 11 proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the batter has not struck the ball (step S14: No), the processor 11 returns to step S12 and continues the process of determining the batter's posture.

[0067] The processor 11 repeats the processing of step S12 until the batter hits the ball, thereby continuously measuring the batter's posture and storing the time sequence information representing the measured posture in the secondary memory 13.

[0068] In step S14, the processor 11 determines the batter's posture measured at the time determined in step S13 as the batter's hitting posture.

[0069] In step S15, the processor 11 determines the demonstration pose corresponding to the batter's body characteristics. For example, the processor 11 refers to the demonstration table TBL1 to determine the demonstration pose corresponding to the body characteristics of the batter being evaluated. In this case, if the acquired batter's body characteristics are not registered in the demonstration table TBL1, the processor 11 can also select the body characteristic with the smallest difference from the acquired body characteristics from among the multiple body characteristics registered in the demonstration table TBL1 to determine the demonstration pose corresponding to the selected body characteristic.

[0070] Furthermore, the method for determining the demonstration pose in step S15 is not limited to the method of determining it by referring to the demonstration table TBL1; other methods may also be used. The processor 11 may also determine the demonstration pose by using processing of other rule bases that utilize the batter's body features. Alternatively, as an example, the processor 11 may also determine the demonstration pose by inputting the batter's body features into a learned model constructed through machine learning, wherein the learned model takes the batter's body features as input and outputs a label representing the pattern of the demonstration pose.

[0071] exist Figure 6 In step S16, the processor 11 outputs a message indicating a change in the batter's hitting posture based on information representing the demonstration posture and information representing the evaluation target posture of the batter. For example, the processor 11 outputs a message representing the difference between the demonstration posture and the evaluation target posture. In this example, the processor 11 outputs the message by displaying an image representing the message on the display device 50.

[0072] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is an example of a screen displayed by the display device 50. Figure 7 This is a picture showing the batter's posture as the subject of evaluation. The multiple points d11, d12, ... in the figure are points that summarize the appearance of the batter's posture as determined by the processor 11 based on the output signal of the motion sensor 30. Figure 7 In the image, "shoulder joint," "elbow joint," "hip joint," and "knee joint" represent the angles of the shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, and knee joint, respectively, determined by the processor 11 based on the output signal of the motion sensor 30. "Center of gravity position at impact" in the image represents the position of the batter's center of gravity, determined by the processor 11 based on the output signal of the force plate 40.

[0073] Figure 8 This is a visual representation of the difference between the demonstrated posture and the posture of the person being evaluated. The multiple points d21, d22, ... in the image are points that summarize the appearance of the demonstrated posture. Additionally, in... Figure 8 In the example, the differences between the demonstration posture and the evaluation subject's posture are displayed for the shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity position. The difference between the demonstration posture and the evaluation subject's posture indicates how the batter should change his hitting posture.

[0074] In step S16, the method by which the processor 11 indicates the difference between the demonstration pose and the evaluation target pose is not limited to the methods described above, and other methods may also be used. For example, the processor 11 may modify the content of the message to be output based on the combination of the demonstration pose and the evaluation target pose. For example, the processor 11 may not directly output information indicating the difference between the demonstration pose and the evaluation target pose, but instead output one or both of the demonstration pose and the evaluation target pose in a modified manner, such as outputting a difference smaller than the actual difference or outputting a difference larger than the actual difference. For example, if the difference between the demonstration pose and the evaluation target pose is larger than a predetermined threshold, the processor 11 may output a message indicating a difference smaller than the actual difference.

[0075] Alternatively, as an example, the processor 11 may differentiate the message to be output based on the batter's physical characteristics. For example, if the batter's age or other physical characteristics meet predetermined conditions, the processor 11 may correct the demonstration posture by making the difference to be output smaller than the actual difference. Alternatively, as an example, if the batter's physical characteristics meet a predetermined second condition, the processor 11 may correct the demonstration posture by making the difference to be output larger than the actual difference.

[0076] Alternatively, as an example, the processor 11 could correct the demonstration posture by specifying certain items among the multiple items included in the posture information (shoulder joint angle, elbow joint angle, center of gravity position, etc.) to make the difference to be output smaller than the actual difference. Alternatively, as an example, the processor 11 could correct the demonstration posture by specifying certain items among the multiple items included in the posture information to make the difference to be output larger than the actual difference. In this way, the processor 11 can correct the information of each item separately according to the category of the multiple items included in the posture information.

[0077] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10 outputs a message indicating the difference between the exemplary hitting posture and the batter's hitting posture. Thus, the batter practicing hitting from the tees can understand how to change their hitting posture.

[0078] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10 outputs a message indicating changes in some or all of the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity position, thus prompting the user on how the batter should change his hitting posture. Therefore, the batter using the hitting system 1 can grasp how to change some or all of the angles of the shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity position.

[0079] [Implementation Method 2]

[0080] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0081] In this embodiment, the processor 11 of the information processing device 10 determines the impact intensity and impact angle based on the output signal of the force sensor 20. That is, in this embodiment, the batter's hitting posture includes not only the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity, but also the impact intensity and impact angle.

[0082] Impact intensity is the magnitude of the force applied to the ball at the moment of impact. As an example, the processor 11 measures the magnitude of the force applied to the ball seat 60 based on the output signal of the force sensor 20 to determine the impact intensity.

[0083] The impact angle is the angle of the force applied to the ball at the moment of impact. As an example, the processor 11 measures the angle of the force applied to the ball seat 60 based on the output signal of the force sensor 20 as the impact angle.

[0084] Information indicating a batter's hitting posture may include, but is not limited to, the items mentioned above. For example, information indicating hitting posture may include the initial velocity of the ball at the moment of impact, or the angle of the bat.

[0085] In this embodiment, the processor 11 processes the measurement of the batter's posture ( Figure 6 In step S12), in addition to measuring the position of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity, the impact intensity and impact angle are also measured. Furthermore, the processor 11 processes the output message ( Figure 6 In step S16), in addition to outputting messages indicating how to change the position of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity, messages also outputting messages indicating how to change the impact intensity and impact angle.

[0086] Figure 9 and Figure 10 This diagram shows an example of the screen displayed on the display device 50. Figure 9 In the example, in addition to displaying the angles of the batter's shoulder joint and elbow joint, the "impact intensity" and "impact angle" are also displayed. "Impact intensity" and "impact angle" represent the impact intensity and impact angle measured by the processor 11 based on the output signal of the force sensor 20, respectively.

[0087] Figure 10It is a visual representation of the difference between the demonstrated posture and the posture of the person being evaluated. In Figure 10 In the example, in addition to displaying messages indicating how to change the angle of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, etc., information also indicates how to change the impact intensity and impact angle.

[0088] As explained above, according to this embodiment, in addition to providing the user with information indicating how the batter should change the angles of the batter's shoulder and elbow joints, the information processing device 10 also provides the user with information indicating how the batter should change the impact intensity and impact angle. By visually confirming the image displayed on the display device 50, the batter using the batting system 1 can grasp how to change their batting posture.

[0089] [Implementation Method 3]

[0090] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0091] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus 10C according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 10C includes a message table TBL21 in a secondary memory 13C.

[0092] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating the contents of message table TBL21 stored in secondary memory 13. Message table TBL21 is a table that associates the combination of the demonstrated pose and the pose of the evaluation object with messages. Figure 12 In the example, the message table TBL21 contains interconnected items: "Demonstration Pose," "Evaluation Object Pose," and "Message." The "Demonstration Pose" item stores identification information used to identify the demonstration pose. The "Evaluation Object Pose" item stores identification information used to identify the evaluation object's pose.

[0093] The "Messages" section stores messages indicating changes in the batter's hitting posture. The information processing device 10C can display messages for items where the difference in joint angles between the demonstration posture and the evaluation subject's posture is large. For example, the message could be something like "Please *** when impacting." For instance, if the armpit is excessively open relative to the demonstration posture, the information processing device 10C could display "Please close your armpit when impacting."

[0094] The information output operation performed by the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10C according to this embodiment is the same as that described in Embodiment 1 above. Figure 6The flowchart is the same. However, the output of the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10C according to this embodiment is the same as the message output processing according to Embodiment 1. Figure 6 The messages output in step S16 are different from the messages in the processing.

[0095] In this embodiment, the processor 11 refers to the message table TBL21 and determines the message to be output based on the demonstration pose and the pose of the evaluation object. Specifically, the processor 11 first... Figure 6 The combination of the striking posture determined in step S14 and the demonstration posture determined in step S15 is used as a keyword to search the message table, and the message corresponding to the searched keyword is determined as the message to be output. If the striking posture determined in step S14 is not registered in the message table TBL21, the processor 11 selects the striking posture with the smallest difference from the determined striking posture from the multiple striking postures registered in the message table TBL21 as the evaluation object posture. The processor 11 uses the combination of the selected striking posture and the demonstration posture determined in step S15 as a keyword to search the table.

[0096] The processor 11 outputs the message determined by referring to message table TBL2 to the display device 50, etc. The batter can understand how to change his hitting posture by referring to the message output to the display device 50, etc.

[0097] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10C outputs a message that associates a table with a combination of the demonstration posture and the evaluation target posture, and is determined based on the demonstration posture and the evaluation target posture. Thus, a batter practicing hitting the ball at a saddle can understand how to change their hitting posture.

[0098] [Implementation Method 4]

[0099] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0100] The content of the message table of the information processing device 10D involved in this embodiment is different from the content of the message table of the information processing device 10C involved in the above embodiment 3. Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating the contents of message table TBL22 according to this embodiment. Message table TBL22 is a table that associates the difference between the demonstrated pose and the pose of the evaluation object with messages. Figure 13In the example, the message table TBL22 contains related items for "Difference Information" and "Message". The "Difference Information" items store information indicating the difference between the demonstrated stance and the evaluated stance. The "Message" items store messages indicating changes in the batter's hitting stance.

[0101] The information output operation performed by the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10D according to this embodiment is the same as that described in Embodiment 1 above. Figure 6 The flowchart is the same. However, the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10D according to this embodiment is... Figure 6 In step S16, a different process than that in implementation method 1 is performed to output the message.

[0102] In this embodiment, the processor 11 refers to message table TBL22 and determines the message to be output based on the demonstration pose and the pose of the evaluation object. Specifically, the processor 11 first calculates the message to be output based on the demonstration pose and the pose of the evaluation object. Figure 6 The difference between the striking posture determined in step S14 and the demonstration posture determined in step S15. As an example, the processor 11 calculates the difference between the evaluation object posture and the demonstration posture for multiple items such as the angle of the player's shoulder joint, the angle of the elbow joint, the angle of the hip joint, the angle of the knee joint, and the position of the center of gravity, and sets the difference values ​​of each item as difference information.

[0103] Next, the processor 11 uses the generated difference information as a keyword to search the message table TBL22. If no generated difference information is registered in the message table TBL22, the processor 11 selects the striking posture with the smallest difference from the generated difference information from the multiple striking postures registered in the message table TBL22. The processor 11 outputs the message corresponding to the selected difference information to the display device 50, etc.

[0104] By sending messages to the display device 50, the batter can determine how to change his hitting posture.

[0105] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10D outputs a message that refers to a table that associates the difference between the demonstration posture and the evaluation object posture with a message, and is determined based on the demonstration posture and the evaluation object posture. Therefore, a batter practicing hitting the ball at the saddle can understand how to change their hitting posture.

[0106] [Implementation Method 5]

[0107] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0108] The processing of selection messages in the information processing apparatus 10E according to this embodiment ( Figure 6 The content of step S16 is different from the content of the selection message processing of the information processing device 10 in Embodiment 1 described above. The information processing method performed by the information processing device 10E in this embodiment is referred to as information processing method M4.

[0109] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus 10E according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 10E includes a learned model LM1 in a secondary memory 13E. The processor 11 expands the learned model LM1 stored in the secondary memory 13E onto the primary memory 12. The processor 11 utilizes the learned model LM1 expanded in the primary memory 12 when performing message output processing. Furthermore, storing the learned model LM1 in the secondary memory 13 means specifying that the parameters of the learned model LM1 are stored in the secondary memory 13.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the learned model LM1 is stored in the memory (secondary memory 13) of the same computer as the processor (processor 11) that executes the information processing method M4, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a structure can also be adopted in which the learned model LM1 is stored in the memory of a different computer than the processor that executes the information processing method M4. In this case, the computer with the memory storing the learned model LM1 is configured to communicate with the computer with the processor that executes the information processing method M4 via a network. As an example, consider the following: the learned model LM1 is stored in the memory of the computer that constitutes the cloud server, and the processor of the computer owned by the user of the cloud server executes the information processing method M4.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the learned model LM1 is stored in a single memory (secondary memory 13), but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a structure in which the learned model LM1 is stored in multiple memories can also be adopted. In this case, the multiple memories storing the learned model LM1 can be located in a single computer (which may be a computer with a processor that executes the information processing method M4, or a computer that does not have a processor that executes the information processing method M4), or they can be distributed among multiple computers (which may include computers with a processor that executes the information processing method M4, or computers that do not have a processor that executes the information processing method M4). As an example, consider a structure in which the learned model LM1 is stored in the memories of each of the multiple computers constituting a cloud server.

[0112] The Learned Complete Model (LM1) is a learned complete model built through machine learning. It takes a combination of a demonstrated pose and an evaluation pose as input and outputs a message. The LM1 can be implemented using algorithms such as neural network models (e.g., convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks), regression models (e.g., linear regression), or tree models (e.g., regression trees).

[0113] Figure 15 This diagram schematically illustrates an example of the learned model LM1 according to this embodiment. As shown, input data is input to the learned model LM1. The learned model LM1 includes, for example, convolutional layers, pooling layers, and connection layers. In the convolutional layers, the input data is convolved based on filtered information. The convolved data is then pooled in the pooling layers. As a result, the model's ability to recognize changes in the position of features in the data is improved. The pooled data is then processed in the connection layers, thereby transforming it into the output data of the learned model LM1, i.e., labels used to identify messages, which are then output.

[0114] That is, by sequentially passing the input data into the learned model LM1 through... Figure 15 The layers shown output the estimated results of the message. Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the output format of the estimation results. For example, the message can also be represented as text data.

[0115] The information output operation performed by the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10E according to this embodiment is the same as that described in Embodiment 1 above. Figure 6 The flowchart is the same. However, the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10E according to this embodiment is... Figure 6 In step S16, a different process is performed than in implementation method 1.

[0116] In this embodiment, the processor 11 uses the learned model LM1 to determine the message to be output. In other words, the processor 11 inputs a combination of the demonstration pose and the evaluation object pose into the learned model LM1, and outputs a message corresponding to the label output from the learned model LM1 to the display device 50, etc.

[0117] [Generation of teacher data and construction of learning completion model]

[0118] Next, the construction of the learned model LM1 and the generation of teacher data used in the construction process will be explained. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10E performs the construction process of the learned model LM1 and the generation process of teacher data. Alternatively, the construction process of the learned model LM1 and the generation process of teacher data may also be performed by other devices besides the information processing device 10E.

[0119] The teacher data used in the construction of the learned model LM1 includes groups of evaluated object postures and demonstrated postures, as well as labels indicating the types of messages.

[0120] First, the processor 11 acquires the pose of the object to be evaluated and the corresponding demonstration pose. For example, the processor 11 acquires the pose of the object to be evaluated and the demonstration pose from an input device or other device via input / output interface 14 or communication interface 15. Next, the processor 11 generates teacher data by mapping the acquired pose of the object to be evaluated and the demonstration pose to corresponding tags. Tags are data indicating the type of message. Tags are input to the information processing device 10E, for example, via input / output interface 14.

[0121] The processor 11 constructs a learned model LM1 using supervised learning with teacher data. The learned model LM1 can be constructed using algorithms such as neural network models (e.g., convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks), regression models (e.g., linear regression), or tree models (e.g., regression trees).

[0122] According to this embodiment, the information processing device 10E uses a learned model LM1 constructed through machine learning to determine the message to be output. The learned model LM1 takes a combination of the demonstration posture and the posture of the evaluation object as input and outputs the message. Thus, a batter practicing hitting the ball from a saddle can grasp how to change their hitting posture.

[0123] [Implementation Method 6]

[0124] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0125] Figure 16 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information processing apparatus 10F according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 10F includes a learned model LM2 stored in a secondary memory 13F. The processor 11 expands the learned model LM2 stored in the secondary memory 13F onto the primary memory 12. The learned model LM2 expanded on the primary memory 12 is utilized when the processor 11 performs message output processing.

[0126] The Learned Complete Model (LM2) is a learned complete model built through machine learning. It takes the difference between the demonstrated pose and the evaluated pose as input and outputs the result. LM2 can be implemented using algorithms such as neural network models (e.g., convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks), regression models (e.g., linear regression), or tree models (e.g., regression trees).

[0127] The information output operation performed by the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10F according to this embodiment is the same as that described in Embodiment 1 above. Figure 6 The flowchart is the same. However, the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10F according to this embodiment is... Figure 6 In step S16, a different process is performed than in implementation method 1.

[0128] In this embodiment, the processor 11 uses the learned model LM2 to determine the message to be output. Specifically, first, the processor 11 calculates... Figure 6 The difference between the striking posture determined in step S14 and the demonstration posture determined in step S15. As an example, the processor 11 calculates the difference between the evaluation object posture and the demonstration posture for multiple items such as the angle of the player's shoulder joint, the angle of the elbow joint, the angle of the hip joint, the angle of the knee joint, and the position of the center of gravity, and sets the difference values ​​of each item as difference information.

[0129] Next, the processor 11 inputs the generated difference information into the learned model LM2 and outputs a message corresponding to the label output from the learned model LM2 to a display device or the like.

[0130] According to this embodiment, the information processing device 10F uses a learned model LM2 constructed through machine learning to determine the message to be output. The learned model LM2 takes the difference between the demonstration posture and the evaluation object posture as input and the message as output. Thus, a batter practicing hitting the ball from a saddle can grasp how to change their hitting posture.

[0131] [Implementation Method 7]

[0132] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0133] In the above-described embodiment 1, the information processing device 10 determines, with reference to the demonstration table TBL1, the demonstration posture as the comparison object for the posture to be evaluated. Figure 6 Step S15). In contrast, the information processing device 10G according to this embodiment uses the learned model LM3 to determine the demonstration posture.

[0134] The Learned-Complete Model (LM3) is a learned-complete model built through machine learning. It takes one or both of the batter's body features and the evaluated pose as input, and outputs a label representing the demonstrated pose. The LM3 can be implemented using algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, linear regression, or tree models like regression trees.

[0135] The information output operation performed by the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10G according to this embodiment is the same as that described in Embodiment 1 above. Figure 6 The flowchart is the same. However, the processor 11 of the information processing apparatus 10G involved in this embodiment is... Figure 6 In step S15, the process of determining the demonstration posture is performed in a different manner than in implementation method 1.

[0136] In this embodiment, the processor 11 uses the learned model LM3 to determine the demonstration pose. In other words, the processor 11 inputs one or both of the batter's body characteristics and the pose of the evaluation object into the learned model LM3, and determines the demonstration pose corresponding to the label output from the learned model LM3 as the demonstration pose to be compared with.

[0137] The input data for the learned LM3 model is not limited to information representing the batter's physical characteristics and the posture of the evaluation object; it can also include other information. For example, the input data for the learned LM3 model can also include time-series data representing the batter's posture measured during a specified period before and after the batter's stroke.

[0138] The teacher data used in the construction of the learned model LM3 includes one or both of the body characteristics and the evaluation target's posture, as well as labels representing the demonstration posture. During the learning phase, firstly, the processor 11 acquires information representing the batter's body characteristics and information representing the evaluation target's posture. For example, the processor 11 acquires this information from an input device or other means via input / output interface 14 or communication interface 15. Next, the acquired information is matched with labels to generate teacher data. The labels are identification information used to identify the demonstration posture. The labels are input to the information processing device 10G, for example, via input / output interface 14.

[0139] The processor 11 constructs a learned model LM3 using supervised learning with teacher data. The learned model LM3 can be constructed using algorithms such as neural network models (e.g., convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks), regression models (e.g., linear regression), or tree models (e.g., regression trees).

[0140] [Note 1]

[0141] The processes described in the above embodiments can also be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​can operate either in the control device or in other devices (e.g., edge computers or cloud servers).

[0142] [Note 2]

[0143] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of this invention.

[0144] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0145] 10, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G: Information processing device; 11: Processor; 20: Force sensor; 30: Motion sensor; 40: Force measuring plate; M1, M4: Information processing method.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising one or more processors, characterized in that, The processor performs the following steps: The measurement process involves continuously measuring the posture of a batter practicing hitting the ball from a saddle, based on the output signals from one or both of the motion sensor and the force plate. The timing determination step is based on the output signal of the force sensor built into the ball seat to determine the moment when the batter hits the ball set on the ball seat; The posture determination step determines the batter's posture at the time determined in the time determination step as the batter's hitting posture. as well as The output step, based on information representing a demonstrative striking posture corresponding to the batter's body characteristics, and information representing the batter's striking posture determined in the posture determination step, outputs a message indicating a change in the batter's striking posture. The batter's striking posture includes the impact intensity and impact angle determined based on the output signal of the force sensor.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the output step, the processor outputs a message representing the difference between the exemplary hitting posture and the hitting posture of the batter determined in the posture determination step.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the striking posture used as a demonstration is designated as the demonstration posture, and the striking posture used as the evaluation object is designated as the evaluation object posture... In the output step, the processor refers to a table and determines the message to be output based on the demonstration pose and the evaluation object pose. The table associates the combination of the demonstration pose and the evaluation object pose with the message, or associates the difference between the demonstration pose and the evaluation object pose with the message.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the striking posture used as a demonstration is designated as the demonstration posture, and the striking posture used as the evaluation object is designated as the evaluation object posture... In the output step, the processor uses a learned model constructed through machine learning to determine the message to be output, the learned model taking the combination of the demonstration pose and the evaluation object pose or the difference between the demonstration pose and the evaluation object pose as input and the message as output.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Information indicating the posture includes some or all of the angles of the batter's shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, and center of gravity position.

6. An information processing method, executed by one or more processors, characterized in that it includes the following steps: In the measurement step, the one or more processors continuously measure the posture of the batter practicing hitting the ball from the saddle based on the output signals of one or both of the motion sensor and the force plate. In the timing determination step, the one or more processors determine the moment when the batter struck the ball placed on the tee based on the output signal of the force sensor built into the tee; In the posture determination step, the one or more processors determine the batter's posture at the moment determined in the time determination step as the batter's hitting posture. as well as In the output step, the one or more processors, based on information representing a demonstrative striking posture corresponding to the batter's body characteristics and information representing the batter's striking posture determined in the posture determination step, output a message indicating a change in the batter's striking posture. The batter's striking posture includes the impact intensity and impact angle determined based on the output signal of the force sensor.

7. A computer program product comprising a program that causes a computer to perform a plurality of steps, characterized in that the program causes the computer to perform the following steps: The measurement process involves continuously measuring the posture of a batter practicing hitting the ball from a saddle, based on the output signals from one or both of the motion sensor and the force plate. The timing determination step is based on the output signal of the force sensor built into the ball seat to determine the moment when the batter hits the ball set on the ball seat; The posture determination step determines the batter's posture at the time determined in the time determination step as the batter's hitting posture. as well as The output step, based on information representing a demonstrative striking posture corresponding to the batter's body characteristics, and information representing the batter's striking posture determined in the posture determination step, outputs a message indicating a change in the batter's striking posture. The batter's striking posture includes the impact intensity and impact angle determined based on the output signal of the force sensor.

Images