Oarlock and a method of displaying rowing data

Abstract

An oarlock for locking an oar to a rowing boat or a rowing simulator when the oarlock is installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator, the oarlock comprising: a housing that can be installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; an angular measurement device configured to measure an angular displacement in respect of the oarlock when the oar is used by a rower during a rowing stroke by the rower to row the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; and a resetter configured to enable the angular measurement device to be reset or determine an offset to calculate out error or drift before the angular measurement device measures another angular displacement in respect of the oarlock during the rowing stroke or another rowing stroke by the rower.

Description

OARLOCK AND A METHOD OF DISPLAYING ROWING DATAFIELD

[0001] This disclosure is directed to an oarlock for locking an oar to a rowing boat when the oarlock is installed on the rowing boat or rowing simulator and is particularly but not exclusively applicable to an oarlock that can be installed on a rigging pin of a rowing boat or rowing simulator.BACKGROUND

[0002] In rowing, it is often beneficial to measure the force a rower applies to an oar or oars and an angular displacement of those oars from a reference datum point while the rower rows to assess rowing performance. Such rowing force and angular displacement measurements are usually taken at instrumented oarlocks on either side of a rowboat or rowing boat through which a rower places an oar or oars.

[0003] It is known that an oarlock may comprise components for measuring a force or forces placed against the oarlock by an oar and an angular displacement of the oarlock when the oar is used by a rower during a rowing stroke. To measure angular displacement of an oarlock, it is known that microelectromechanical systems ("MEMS") gyroscopes may be utilized.

[0004] However, measurements by MEMS gyroscopes drift over time. Thus, there is a need in the art for improved or alternative oarlocks.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An aspect provides an oarlock for locking an oar to a rowing boat when the oarlock is installed on the rowing boat, the oarlock comprising: a housing that can be installed on the rowing boat; an angular measurement device configured to measure an angular displacement in respect of the oarlock when the oar is used by a rower during a rowing stroke by the rower to row the rowing boat or the rowing simulator (for example, during a rowing stroke to propel the boat); and a resetter configured to enable the angular measurement device to be reset or determine an offset to calculate out error or drift, before the angular measurement device measures another angular displacement in respect of the oarlock during the rowing stroke or another rowing stroke by the rower.

[0006] Another aspect provides a method of displaying rowing data, the method comprising: creating a target and tolerance for a measurement category; receiving measurement data belonging to the measurement category, determining the difference between the target and the measurement data; and displaying one of aplurality of types of indication categories based on the difference between the target and the measurement data.

[0007] Yet another aspect provides a oarlock for locking an oar to a rowing boat or a rowing simulator when the oarlock is installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator, the oarlock comprising: a housing that can be installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; an angular measurement device configured to measure an angular displacement in respect of the oarlock when the oar is used by a rower during a rowing stroke by the rower to row the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; and a resetter configured to determine an offset for enabling the angular measurement device to be reset before the angular measurement device measures another angular displacement in respect of the oarlock during the rowing stroke or another rowing stroke by the rower; wherein the angular measurement device comprises a planar acceleration sensor configured to measure the planar acceleration of the oarlockBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Notwithstanding any other embodiments which may fall also within the scope of the claims, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] Figure 1 depicts a closed oarlock according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 depicts an unlatched oarlock according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3A depicts an open oarlock according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3B depicts an alternative view of the open oarlock of Figure 3A.

[0013] Figure 3C depicts another alternative view of the open oarlock of Figure 3A.

[0014] Figure 4A depicts an oarlock installed on a rigging pin according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4B depicts an alternative view of the oarlock installed on the rigging pin of Figure 4A.

[0016] Figure 4C depicts another alternative view of the oarlock installed on the rigging pin of Figure 4A.

[0017] Figure 4D depicts yet another alternative view of the oarlock installed on the rigging pin of Figure 4A.

[0018] Figure 5A depicts a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5B depicts an alternative view of the cartridge of Figure 5A.

[0020] Figure 6 depicts an exploded view of a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7A depicts an exploded view of a cartridge in respect of an oarlock according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7B depicts an alternative view of the exploded view of the cartridge in respect of the oarlock of Figure 7A.

[0023] Figure 8A depicts a cartridge installed on a rigging pin according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8B depicts an alternative view of the cartridge installed on the rigging pin of Figure 8A.

[0025] Figure 9 depicts an angular measurement device and a resetter positioned around a rigging pin according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 10A depicts an example of a user interface according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 10B depicts an alternative view of the user interface of Figure 10A.

[0028] Figure 11 A depicts another example of a user interface according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 11 B depicts an alternative view of the user interface of Figure 11 A.

[0030] Figure 12 depicts a method of displaying rowing data according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] An aspect provides an oarlock for locking an oar to a rowing boat when the oarlock is installed on the rowing boat or rowing simulator, where the oarlock comprises a housing, an angular measurement device, and a resetter.

[0032] Another aspect provides a method of displaying rowing data, where the method comprises reviewing a target for a measurement category and measurement data belonging to that category, determining a difference between the target and the measurement data, and displaying one of a plurality of indication categories based on the difference.

[0033] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a closed oarlock 1 (that is, an oarlock that is depicted in a closed position) for locking an oar to a rowing boat when the oarlock 1 is installed on the rowing boat. The oarlock 1 comprises a housing 2 which itself comprises a cover 5 and an arm 4 with a latch 3, where the latch 3 is depicted in a closed position. The cover 5 is configured to receive a cartridge 10 (not depicted) and in turn, the cartridge 10 is configured to receive a rigging pin 6 (not depicted). The oarlock 1 also includes a top cap 8 to retain the cartridge 10 within the cover 5 and to secure the oarlock 1 to the rigging pin 6. A separate resetter magnet 13 is seen below the housing 2, discussed below.

[0034] In this embodiment, the latch 3 is a magnetic latch in that the latch 3 can be maintained in a closed position by way of a magnet clasp. However, it is envisaged that the latch 3 may not be a magnetic latch in an alternative embodiment. For example, it is envisaged that the latch 3 may be merely clipped in place without using a magnet in another embodiment.

[0035] Figure 2 depicts the oarlock 1 when the latch 3 depicted in Figure 2 is in an open position, and so depicts an embodiment of an unlatched oarlock 1 (that is, an oarlock 1 that is depicted in an unlatched position).

[0036] Figure 3A depicts an embodiment of an open oarlock 1. After the latch 3 is moved into an open position, as depicted in Figure 2, the arm 4 may be swung open.

[0037] Figures 3B-3C depict alternative views of the open oarlock 1 of Figure 3A.

[0038] Figure 4A depict an embodiment of an oarlock 1 installed on a rigging pin 6. First, a resetter magnet 13 is installed on the rigging pin 6 such that the oarlock 1 can be positioned at an appropriate height for a rower. Then, as described above, the cover 5 and cartridge 10 (not depicted) receive the rigging pin 6. That is, the oarlock 1 is placed onto the rigging pin 6 via the cover 5 and cartridge 10 until the cartridge 10 rests above the resetter magnet 13. Then, a top cap 8 is placed on top of the cover 5 to secure the oarlock 1 against the rigging pin 6. From there, a rower may further secure the oarlock 1 on the rigging pin 6 by placing spacers below the resetter magnet 13 such that the space between the resetter magnet 13 and a ridge 7 of the rigging pin 6 is filled, and above the top cap 8 such that the space between the top cap 8 and the top of the rigger pin 6 is filled. The rower may adjust the height of the oarlock 1 on the rigging pin 6 by adding or removing the spacers where required.

[0039] It is envisaged that the resetter magnet 13 may alternatively be installed above the oarlock 1 on the rigging pin 6, that is, above the top cap 8, or alternatively in any other location where it is fixed relative to the oarlock 1 which allows the cartridge 10 to perform its resetting functionality, discussed below.

[0040] Figures 4B-4D depict alternative views of the oarlock 1 installed on the rigging pin 6 of Figure 4A.

[0041] Figure 5A depicts an embodiment of a cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 is installable into and removable from the cover 5 of the oarlock 1. The cartridge 10 comprises a support 11, which itself comprises other components discussed below, and force load-plate 18.

[0042] In this embodiment, the support 11 is a printed circuit board. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the support 11 may be in the form of a separate dedicated circuit device that is not entirely integrated into the cartridge 10.

[0043] Figure 5B depicts an alternative view of the cartridge 10 of Figure 5A. From this point of view of the cartridge 10, the support 11 can be seen outfitted with aninterface 17 which may be connected to, e.g., an image capturing or data logging device (not depicted), which may provide electrical power, data transfer and storage capabilities, and processing capabilities to the cartridge 10, discussed below.

[0044] Figure 6 depicts an exploded view an embodiment of the cartridge. As depicted, the support 11 comprises an angular measurement device 12, a processor 15, an analog-to-digital converter 16 ("ADC"), and a magnet sensor 19. As discussed above, the cartridge 10 also interfaces with a resetter magnet 13 (not depicted) and comprises an interface 17 (not depicted). Additionally, the cartridge 10 comprises at least two force measuring devices 14 which are positioned underneath the force load-plate 18. The resetter magnet 13 and the magnet sensor 19 are known collectively as the resetter 13, 19. It is envisaged that the cartridge 10 may also comprises a communication device and a power source in another embodiment.

[0045] In this embodiment, the angular measurement device 12 comprises an angular displacement sensor (or an angular displacement measurement device) configured to measure the angular displacement of the oarlock 1 from a datum or reference point, and a planar acceleration sensor (or a planar acceleration measurement device) configured to measure the planar acceleration of the oarlock 1 from the datum or reference point. However, in an alternative embodiment it is envisaged that the angular measurement device 12 comprises just the angular displacement sensor or just the planar acceleration sensor. In this embodiment, the angular measurement device 12 is a MEMS gyroscope.

[0046] When the planar acceleration sensor measures the planar acceleration of the oarlock 1, the planar acceleration sensor measures the frequency, magnitude, and direction of forces sensed by the oarlock 1. For example, at the end or release of a rowing stroke by a rower, the planar acceleration sensor is configured to detect how much vibration or shaking of the oar and oarlock 1 occurs by measuring the frequency, magnitude, and direction of forces sensed by the oarlock 1, such as in a plane perpendicular to the rigging pin 6 or a plane which is colinear with a centreline of the rowing boat. Advantageously, data measured by the planar acceleration sensor may be indicative of how efficiently and effectively the end or release of a rowing stroke was performed by the rower and the skill level of the rower. A rowing stroke that ends with particularly high measurements taken by the planar acceleration sensor may indicate that the rower is a novice.

[0047] It is envisaged that in another embodiment, one or more planar acceleration sensors in one or more enclosures, which may be positioned independently of oarlocks 1 throughout the rowing boat such as on rigger arms, measure the vibration and shaking of the oarlock 1 closest to the planar acceleration sensor and / or the combined vibration or shaking of the collective oarlocks 1 transmitted through the rowing boat. When all the combined vibration or shaking of the collective oarlocks 1 is transmitted through the rowing boat and measuring by the one or more planar acceleration sensors, data regarding disruption to the row boatcaused by the collective end or release of rowing strokes of the rowers in the row boat may be obtained.

[0048] The resetter 13,19 is configured to determine a zero point or an offset, enabling values measured by the angular measurement device 12 to be reset before the angular measurement device 12 measures another angular displacement in respect of the oarlock 1 during a rowing stroke or another rowing stroke by the rower.

[0049] In this embodiment, the magnet sensor 19 is configured to determine an offset for the angular measurement device 12 based on the resetter magnet 13, which comprises of a pair of oppositely polarized magnets (not depicted) such that a zero point where the angular measurement device 12 measures an angular displacement can be reset or offset to advantageously compensate for drift. When a rower rows an oar from start to finish, the magnet sensor 19 passes the resetter magnet 13 and the measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 are reset to 0 if a maximum or minimum magnetic field is detected by the magnet sensor 19. Alternatively, when a rower rows an oar from start to finish and the oar passes the resetter magnet 13, measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 can be noted and offset and a zero point can be derived based on the offset. It is envisaged that other devices may have the potential to reset the angular measurement device 12.

[0050] In this embodiment, the resetter magnet 13 compensates the oarlock 1 on the rigging pins 6 of a rowing boat to ensure automatic detection of the side of the boat on which the oarlock 1 is installed. Due to the orientation that the resetter magnet 13 is installed on the rigging pin 6, the pair of oppositely polarized magnets (not depicted) of the resetter magnet 13 allows for measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 to always reflect values relevant for the appropriate side of the rowing boat.

[0051] The force measuring devices 14 are configured to measure all of the force a rower's oar places against the oarlock 1 whilst the rower is rowing. That is, the force measuring devices 14 are able to capture the entire force of each stroke the rower makes with their oar, and the plane of force measurement taken at the force measurement devices 14 is always perpendicular to the rigging pin 6. Advantageously, using force measuring devices 14 allows for measurements to be taken without the need for any interpolation between the different angles the rower's oar makes in respect of the oarlock 1 and the rigging pin 6 as all angles of each stroke the rower makes with their oar are able to be captured in a plane perpendicular to the face of the oarlock 1 and the rigging pin 6. Measurements taken by the force measuring devices 14 are transmitted to the ADC 16, which then transmits the converted measurements to the processor 15.

[0052] In this embodiment, the force measuring devices 14 are load cells. It is envisaged that there are typically multiple load cells in the oarlock 1 but a person skilled in theart will appreciate that there may be only a single load cell in an alternative embodiment.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the force measuring devices 14 are positioned vertically, one above the other, as depicted in Figure 6. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 6, each force measuring device 14 can provide independent measurement of the rotational twist of an oar's sleeve throughout an entire rowing stroke. By detecting the relative amounts of feree on each force measuring device 14, the rotational twist of an oar's sleeve and thus oar can be deduced.

[0054] In this embodiment, the angular measurement device 12, the force measuring devices 14, and the magnet sensor 19 take measurements at a rate of 100 Hz. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that a different frequency (e.g., faster or slower than 100 Hz) may be used.

[0055] The processor 15 is configured to receive measurements and data taken by the angular measurement device 12, the magnet sensor 19, and the force measuring devices 14 and process them. For example, the processor 15 can process the measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 and the force measuring devices 14 and communicate such processed measurements to a mobile device via a communication device. Alternatively, the processor 15 can send the measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12, the force measuring devices 14, and the magnet sensor 19 and communicate such measurements to an image capturing device via the interface 17 for processing.

[0056] In such a setup where the processor 15 provides measurements from the angular measurement device 12 and the force measuring devices 14 to the image capturing device via the interface 17, image capturing device may be coupled to the top of the rigging pin 6. By communicating such measurements to an image capturing device via the interface 17 then having the image capturing device process and communicate with a mobile device, the oarlock 1 advantageously avoids signal transmission loss and interference from the water and other rowboat components.

[0057] The image capturing device can record images of a rower while they row and then can send such image data, or angle measurements, and force measurements described above, directly to a mobile device or alternatively to a collector, e.g., a hub or router mounted on the rowing boat, where the collector provides a dependable, known location in the rowing boat to collect data and network transmissions from the oarlocks 1, image capturing devices, or data loggers equipped in the row boat to then communicate with the mobile device. The image capturing device is also configured as a data logger to store measurements received from the cartridge 10 via the interface 17 in memory.

[0058] In this embodiment of the oarlock 1, a wired connection is used for communication between the oarlock 1 and the image capturing device. However, it is envisaged that other suitable wireless communication technologies may be employed. Forexample, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that Zigbee, WiFi, or Bluetooth may alternatively be used in another embodiment of the oarlock 1.

[0059] The power source supplies power to the different components of the cartridge 10, such as the angular measurement device 12, the force measuring devices 14, the processor 15, and the communication device. It is envisaged that the power source is a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, or any other type of power supply. It is also envisaged that an external device, such as the image capturing device, can also provide power to the cartridge 10 via the interface 17.

[0060] Figure 7A depicts an embodiment of an exploded view of a cartridge 10 in respect of an oarlock 1 where the cartridge 10 is installable into and removable from a cover 5 of the oarlock 1.

[0061] Figure 7B depicts an alternative view of the exploded view of the cartridge 10 in respect of the oarlock 1 of Figure 7A.

[0062] Figure 8A depicts an embodiment of a cartridge 10 and resetter magnet 13 installed on a rigging pin 6 where a cover 5 and oarlock 1 are not depicted. When a cartridge 10 is installed into a cover 5 of an oarlock 1 and the cover 5 receives the rigging pin 6, the rigging pin 6 passes through the cartridge 10 as depicted in Figure 8A.

[0063] Figure 8B depicts an alternative view of the cartridge 10 installed on the rigging pin 6.

[0064] Figure 9 depicts an embodiment of an angular measurement device 12 and a resetter magnet 13 positioned around a rigging pin 6 where the rest of the cartridge 10, cover 5, and oarlock 1 are not depicted. As discussed above, the resetter magnet 13 comprises a pair of oppositely polarized magnets 13a, 13b.

[0065] As discussed above, a mobile device may have measurements made by an angular measurement device 12 and force measuring devices 14 communicated to it via an oarlock 1 by way of a communication device of a cartridge 10 or by an image capturing device coupled with the cartridge 10 via an interface 17. For a given rower, a mobile device may receive measurements from two oarlocks 1 or two image capturing devices in the case of scull rowing and one oarlock 1 or one image capturing device in the case of sweep rowing. For example, a given rower in a scull rowing boat may have an oarlock 1 measure angles and forces originating from the rower's bow side oar (or right-hand side of the rowboat when viewed from rowboat's stern to bow) and another oarlock 1 measure angles and forces originating from the rower's stroke side oar (or left-hand side of the rowboat when viewed from the rowboat's stern to bow). The measurements taken by the bow side oarlock 1 and the stroke side oarlock 1 may then be communicated to a mobile device directly or through image capturing devices on the respective bow or stroke sides of the rowboat.

[0066] When a mobile device receives measurements from oarlocks 1 or image capturing devices, the measurements may be formatted and presented in a user interface 30.

[0067] Figure 10A depicts an example of a user interface 30 for an octuple rowing boat on a mobile device according to an embodiment. The user interface 30 provides indication categories 34 for a given measurement category 33 for each rower 32 (e.g., Jazz, Aimee, Edie, ...) in a respective rowboat position 31 (e.g., 1 b or bow seat number 1, 2s or stroke seat number 2, 3b or bow seat number 3, ...). Instead of the oarlock 1 merely sending live or real-time measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 and the force measuring devices 14, the processor 15 or image capturing device is able to process the measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 and force measuring devices 14 and send such processed data to be displaying on the user interface 30.

[0068] For a given measurement category 33, a user of a mobile device or a tethered display device may view data related to rower performance at a glance in an easily digestible format. Measurement categories 33 comprise "FG force" which corresponds to the force on the bow side and stroke side oarlocks 1 measured by the force measuring devices 14 of each oarlock 1, "FG angle" which corresponds to the angles on the bow side and stroke side oarlocks 1 measured by the angular measurement devices 12 of each oarlock 1, "FG sync" which corresponds to measurements of how synchronized each rower 32 is with one another in respect of row stroke timing proximity between each rower 32, and "FG dur" which corresponds to measurements of the duration of time each row stroke of each rower 32. Within each measurement category 33, instead of displaying measurements collected at each of the bow side and stroke side oarlocks, it is envisaged that one or more measurement category 33 parameters may be displayed. For example, in the "FG force" measurement category 33, a column of indication categories 34 may correspond to force per kilo of rower 32, peak force, force during the catch or beginning of the row stroke. It is envisaged that other measurement category 33 parameters can be calculated from measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 and the force measuring devices 14. Further measurement categories 33, such as rower 32 body temperature or heart rate data received from separate, integrated sensors or devices are also envisaged.

[0069] A mobile device or tethered display device user may first enter in a target value for the measurement category 33 into the user interface 30, where the target value is a numerical value to benchmark the performance of each rower 32. For example, with respect to the "FG angle" measurement category, a user of the mobile device or tethered display device, e.g., a coach, may enter in a target value corresponding to a theoretically ideal angle measurement for a catch angle. Next, the mobile device or tethered display device user may enter high and low tolerance levels for the measurement category 33 into the user interface 30, where the tolerance level is a numerical value referenced to the target value and the tolerance level represents an acceptable deviation from the target value. Then, as rowers 32 row, measurementstaken by the angular measurement devices 12 with respect to each rower's 32 catch angle (that is, the angle where a power segment of the rower's stroke begins) during their rowing stroke will be compared against the target value entered in by the mobile device or tethered display device user. The indication categories 34 for a respective rower 32 indicate the difference between each rower's 32 catch angle measurements, for both the catch angle and the finish angle (that is, the angle where the power segment of the rower's stroke ends) as represented respectively by the left-hand side and right-hand columns of the indication categories 34, and the target value entered by the mobile device user. For example, a first type of indication category 35a, shown in dashed lines, may indicate that for a particular row stroke a rower has performed a catch at an angle that is on target with the target or within a small tolerance level from the target. A second type of indication category 35b, shown in dotted lines, may indicate that for a particular row stroke a rower has performed a catch at an angle that is within the expected tolerance level from the target. A third type of indication category 35c, shown in solid lines, may indicate that for a particular row stroke a rower has performed a catch at an angle that is beyond the tolerance level from the target. Other ranges of tolerance levels from the target, and different types of indication categories 35, e.g., different colours for each type of indication category 35, are envisaged. For example, in an embodiment, the first type of indication category 35a may be shown in green, the second type of indication category 35b may be shown in amber, and the third type of indication category may be shown in red.

[0070] In Figure 10A, the user interface 30 shows that the force measurement category 33 tab is selected and a mobile device user, e.g., a coach, may view the performance of each rower 32 with respect to the force each rower 32 applied to their oars and conversely their respective oarlocks 1 represented by indication categories 34 with a given type of indication category 35. The mobile device user has set a target value of force by which to benchmark the measurements taken by the force measuring devices 14 for each oarlock 1 of each rower 32 and the difference between the force of a given rower's 32 rowing stroke and the target value of force is determined and a corresponding type of indication category 35 is displayed. Alternatively, as discussed above, each column of indication categories may correspond to different measurement category 33 parameters. For example, in Figure 10A, rower 32 Ellie sitting in rowboat position 31 7s has had a first oarlock 1 force measurement category 33 parameter out of proximity of a tolerance level from the target value and a second oarlock 1 force measurement category parameter on target with the target value.

[0071] In Figure 10B, the user interface 30 depicts an additional detail regarding the indication categories 34 compared to Figure 10A in the form of target indications 36. The target indications 36 indicate whether a given rower's 32 rowing stroke force measurement is greater than or less than a target value entered by a mobile device user, indicated by an up-arrow or down-arrow, respectively. As seen in Figure 10B, rower 32 Issy sitting in rowboat position 31 5s has a first oarlock 1 forcemeasurement category 33 parameter that is greater than the target value and out of proximity of a tolerance level from the target value and a second oarlock 1 force measurement category 33 parameter that is also greater than the target value and out of proximity of a tolerance level from the target value.

[0072] Different target indications 36 besides variation directions target indications 36 such as up-arrows and down-arrows are also envisaged. For example, in Figure 11 A, delta target indications 36 may show differences from a target numerically with decimal numbers corresponding to the difference from the target being displayed within an indication category 34 with a type of indication category 35. Additionally, actual target indications 36 may show a particular rower's 32 rowing stroke measurement numerically with decimal number being displayed within an indication category 34 with a type of indication category 35. In some embodiments, such as embodiments depicted in Figures 11 A and 11 B, if target indicators 36 are enabled, if a measured value is within an acceptable range or tolerance of the target, either no target indicator 36 is depicted in an indication category 34 or a symbol may be depicted in an indication category 34, as indicated by the left column and right column of the indication category 34 of rower 32 Andie sitting in rowboat position 31 8b in Figures 11 A and 11 B and as indicated by the left column of the indication category 34 of the rower 32 Aimee sitting in rowboat position 31 2s in Figure 11 B.

[0073] Figure 11 A depicts a user interface 30 that shows that the sync measurement category 33 tab is selected and a mobile device user, e.g., a coach, may view the performance of each rower 32 with respect to synchronization measurement category 33 parameters of each rower's 32 row strokes when compared with a target the other rowers 32 in the rowing boat represented by indication categories 34 with a given type of indication category 35. Delta target indicators 36 are depicted in Figure 11 A, where the numbers in each indication category 34 represent units of time away from a synchronization target.

[0074] Figure 11 B depicts a user interface 30 that shows that the sync measurement category 33 tab is selected and a mobile device user, e.g., a coach, may view the performance of each rower 32 with respect to synchronization measurement category 33 parameters of each rower's 32 row strokes when compared with a target and the other rowers 32 in the rowing boat represented by indication categories 34 with a given type of indication category 35. Like Figure 10B, Figure 11 B depicts variation direction target indicators 36.

[0075] From the user interface 30, the user of the mobile device may cycle through measurements taken at different times or different rower 32 row strokes to see how a particular rower 32 has performed over time or at particular times.

[0076] As discussed above, an image capturing device can record images of a rower while they row and then can send such image data directly to a mobile device or alternatively to a collector of a rowboat, where the collector can then communicate with the mobile device. In an octuple row boat (i.e., a boat with 8 rowers), imagecapturing devices can be installed on each rigging pin 6 and the image data that each image capturing device records can be saved on the respective image capturing device and then sent to the same mobile device or to the collector, which can then communicate such image data to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device may then use the user interface 30 to display synchronized image captures, i.e., videos, of each of the rowers from a stroke side and a bow side of the row boat.

[0077] Additionally, as discussed above, it is envisaged that an oarlock 1 can send live or real-time measurements taken by the angular measurement device 12 and the force measuring devices 14 to a mobile device or an image capturing device that have been processed by the processor 15 or the image capturing device. When received by the mobile device, a user of the mobile device may view such data in a user interface 30 in an alternative form of a graph that charts measurements over time. It is envisaged that a user of a mobile device can view such measurement data simultaneously with image data captured by the image capturing device to visualize when, during a rower's row stroke, such measurement data is collected.

[0078] Figure 12 depicts an embodiment of a method 40 of displaying rowing data.

[0079] The method comprises a first method step 41 of receiving a target for a measurement category 33.

[0080] In a second method step 42, measurement data belonging to the measurement category 33 is received.

[0081] In a third method step 43, the difference between the target and the measurement data is determined.

[0082] In a fourth method step 44, one of a plurality of types of indication categories 35 is displayed based on the difference between the target and the measurement data.

[0083] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.REFERENCE LIST:1 : Oarlock2: Housing3: Latch4: Arm5: Cover6: Rigging pin7: Ridge8: Top cap10: Cartridge11: Support12: Angular measurement device13, 19: Resetter13: Resetter magnet (of resetter 13, 19)14: Force measuring device15: Processor16: Analog-to-digital converter17: Interface18: Force load-plate19: Magnetic sensor (of resetter 13, 19)30: User interface31: Rowboat position32: Rower33: Measurement category34: Indication categories35a: First type of indication category35b: Second type of indication category35c: Third type of indication category36: Target indication40: Method41: First method step42: Second method step43: Third method step44: Fourth method step

Claims

CLAIMS1. An oarlock (1) for locking an oar to a rowing boat or a rowing simulator when the oarlock (1) is installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator, the oarlock (1) comprising: a housing (2) that can be installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; an angular measurement device (12) configured to measure an angular displacement in respect of the oarlock (1) when the oar is used by a rower during a rowing stroke by the rower to row the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; and a resetter (13, 19) configured to enable the angular measurement device (12) to be reset or determine an offset to calculate out error or drift before the angular measurement device (12) measures another angular displacement in respect of the oarlock (1) during the rowing stroke or another rowing stroke by the rower.

2. The oarlock (1) of claim 1, further comprising at least two force measuring devices (14) each of which is configured to measure a force applied to the oarlock (1) from the oar.

3. The oarlock (1) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the angular measurement device (12) is a microelectromechanical system gyroscope.

4. The oarlock (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resetter (13, 19) comprises a resetter magnet (13) and a magnet sensor (19).

5. The oarlock of any one of claims 1-18, wherein the angular measurement device (12) further comprises a planar acceleration sensor configured to measure the planar acceleration of the oarlock (1).

6. The oarlock (1) of any one of the preceding claims, the housing (2) further comprising a magnetic latch (3).

7. The oarlock (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resetter (13, 19) is configured to prevent incorrect configuration with regard to the direction of the rowing boat relative to the oarlock (1) onto the rowing boat or the rowing simulator.

8. The oarlock (1) of any one of the preceding claims, the housing (2) further comprising a cartridge (10), wherein the cartridge (10) comprises the angular measurement device (12).

9. The oarlock (1) of claim 8, wherein the cartridge (10) comprises the at least two force measuring devices (14).

10. The oarlock (1) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an interface (17) for enabling the oarlock (1) to be coupled to a data logger or an image capturing device configured to: record movements of the rower using the oar and movements of the oar, and communicate with a mobile device or a tethered device.

11. The oarlock (1) of claim 10, wherein the image capturing device is further configured to process the measured angular displacement of the oarlock (1) and the measured force applied to the oarlock (1) from the oar.

12. The oarlock (1) of claim 11, wherein the tethered device or the mobile device is configured to display the processed measured angular displacement of the oarlock (1) and the processed measured force applied to the oarlock (1) by the oar.

13. The oarlock (1) of any one of claims 10-12, wherein the tethered device or the mobile device is configured to display the recorded movements of the rower using the oar and movements of the oar.

14. The oarlock (1) of claim 13, wherein the tethered device or the mobile device is configured to display two or more of the processed measured angular displacement of the oarlock (1), the processed measured force applied to the oarlock (1) from the oar, and the recorded movements of the rower using the oar and movements of the oar simultaneously.

15. The oarlock (1) of any one of claims 11-14, wherein the tethered device or the mobile device is configured to display a type of indication category (35) based on whether the processed measured angular displacement of the oarlock (1) meets predetermined targets.

16. The oarlock (1) of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the tethered device or a mobile device is configured to display a type of indication category (35) based on whether theprocessed measured force applied to the oarlock (1) from the oar meets predetermined targets.

17. The oarlock (1) of any one of claims 10-16, wherein the data logger and / or image capturing device is configured to communicate with one or more other data loggers or image capturing devices of other oarlocks (1) installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator.

18. The oarlock (1) of any one of claims 2-17, wherein the angular measurement device (12) and the at least two force measuring devices (14) take measurements at a frequency of 100 Hz.

19. A method (40) of displaying rowing data, the method comprising: receiving (41) a target for a measurement category (33); receiving (42) measurement data belonging to the measurement category (33); determining (43) the difference between the target and the measurement data; and displaying (44) one of a plurality of types of indication categories (35) based on the difference between the target and the measurement data.

20. An oarlock (1) for locking an oar to a rowing boat or a rowing simulator when the oarlock (1) is installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator, the oarlock (1) comprising: a housing (2) that can be installed on the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; an angular measurement device (12) configured to measure an angular displacement in respect of the oarlock (1) when the oar is used by a rower during a rowing stroke by the rower to row the rowing boat or the rowing simulator; and a resetter (13, 19) configured to determine an offset for enabling the angular measurement device (12) to be reset before the angular measurement device (12) measures another angular displacement in respect of the oarlock (1) during the rowing stroke or another rowing stroke by the rower; wherein the angular measurement device (12) comprises a planar acceleration sensor configured to measure the planar acceleration of the oarlock (1).

Images