Speed ​​control device that projects an optical target

Abstract

The present invention relates to a speed control device intended to be physically fixed to a person (for example via a belt or harness) or to any other mobile body (for example a bicycle, a horse or a remote controlled automobile), comprising: 1. means for periodically checking the speed of the device, 2. means for periodically checking a set speed, 3. means for projecting a light target onto an element of the device's environment, 4. means for directing this projection, and 5. means for controlling this orientation, characterized in that one of the functions of said means is to give the impression that a light target is moving over the surface of the element of the environment at the set speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present invention is included in the field of sports support solutions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method that allows participants in racing sports to control their pace.

Background Art

[0002] Background Art In racing sports, during training or competition, maximum performance often depends on maintaining a predetermined pace.

[0003] However, maintaining a pace is difficult. Therefore, sports athletes generally use support solutions that can be classified into the following two categories. · Category 1: A method using a target to move at a desired pace, which is sufficient for tracking. The target is, for example, a professional sports athlete (colloquially called a "rabbit"), a vehicle, or even a light target projected from the vehicle to the ground. The target may be represented by a light track arranged along the passage. · Category 2: A personal electronic device equipped with a GPS receiver, such as a sports watch or a smartphone, having a sports activity tracking application that calculates the speed of the sports athlete and warns the sports athlete that the sports athlete is not maintaining the pace via a display screen or an audible message.

[0004] The method of Category 1 is instinctive to use but difficult to implement. The devices of Category 2 are easy to implement but difficult to use effectively when trying to draw all the attention.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Summary of the Invention The objective of the present invention is to provide a pace-controlling solution that is easy to implement because it can be incorporated into a mobile device, and is intuitive to use because it is based on a goal-tracking principle.

[0006] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a pace-controlling device intended to be physically attached to a person (e.g., via a belt or attachment) or any other moving object (e.g., a bicycle, a horse, or a remotely controlled vehicle).

[0007] The device is 1. A means of periodically checking the device's pace, 2. Means for periodically checking the target pace, 3. Means for projecting a light target onto elements in the device environment, 4. Means for directing this projection, 5. A means for controlling this orientation, characterized in that one of its functions is to give the impression that the light target is moving over the surface of these elements in the environment at this target pace. Includes.

[0008] Depending on the action performed, the light target is projected onto the ground, road, track, bottom of a swimming pool, wall of a bobsleigh track, or any other element in the device's environment.

[0009] The projection target is, for example, a spot, line, symbol, text, image, or any other figure formed from possibly superimposed or separate subfigures.

[0010] The present invention can be applied to all competitive sports, including competitive sports using intervening devices (e.g., remotely controlled vehicles), such as running, swimming, skiing, cycling, and horseback riding, and more generally, to all actions involving progress under time constraints (e.g., foot movement by soldiers or rescue workers).

[0011] Other features and advantages will become clear when you read the detailed explanation below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] Brief explanation of the drawing [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a runner equipped with the subject device of the present invention, according to one specific embodiment and use of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a substantially cross-sectional view of the device that is the subject of the present invention, according to one specific embodiment and use of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Detailed explanation In the following description, paragraphs that do not begin with the phrase "in one variant" relate to the specific embodiments and uses shown in Figures 1 and 2. On the other hand, paragraphs that begin with "in one variant" relate to other uses or embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] The device 1, which is the subject of this invention, is attached to the runner 2 via a belt.

[0015] In one variation, the device is attached to another mobile object (e.g., a bicycle, a horse, or a remotely controlled vehicle).

[0016] The device includes a line-generating laser module 10 that projects the optical target 3 in the form of a linear segment, and this laser module constitutes one example of means for projecting the optical target.

[0017] The light target 3 is projected onto the ground 4, and the components of the ground constitute one example of elements in the device's environment.

[0018] The laser module 10 is fastened to the axle 11 of the brushless electric motor 12, thereby allowing the laser module 10 to be oriented towards the plane of the drawing at an angle a, and the electric motor and its axle constitute one example of means for oriented the projection.

[0019] In one variant, the means for orienting the projection includes the interlocking of a gimbal / motor pair, such as an electric gimbal stabilizer for a camera, and can orient the projection according to three degrees of freedom (roll, pitch, yaw).

[0020] In one variant, the means for orienting the projection includes a mirror attached to a galvanometer that reflects the beam of a fixed laser, and thus the following can be done. 1. Orient the projection according to three degrees of freedom (roll, pitch, yaw), and 2. Generate a light target with a complex shape due to afterimage properties

[0021] The angle α of the brushless motor 12 is controlled by a microcontroller 13 capable of projecting a target at a desired distance d, and this microcontroller and the program of the microcontroller constitute one example of the means for controlling the orientation.

[0022] The Bluetooth interface 14 can connect the device to a sports watch or smartphone having a sports activity tracking application that can provide the pace of the device and the target pace (the target pace may vary with time, for example, according to the terrain), and this interface constitutes one example of the means for periodically checking the pace of the device and the target pace.

[0023] In one variant independent of any external device, the device includes the following. 1. A GPS receiver capable of calculating the pace of the device by obtaining the position according to time, and this GPS receiver constitutes another example of the means for periodically checking the pace of the device. 2. A user interface formed from a digital screen and buttons through which, for example, the user can input one or more target paces, and this user interface constitutes another example of the means for periodically checking the target pace.

[0024] The program of the microcontroller 13 dynamically changes angle a at a target pace Ac, and therefore independently of the device pace Ad, to give the impression that the optical target is moving over the surface of the element in the environment. The program's algorithm is based on the following logic: 1. The linear velocity to be applied to the device is given by [Equation 1] below. [Formula 1]

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[0025] Four buttons 16 allow the user to set the minimum and maximum distance from the light target to the device. 1. The MIN and MAX buttons are selectors for selecting the distance to be set. Pressing one of these buttons sends a command to the microcontroller 13 to switch to forced mode and project the target at the corresponding distance. 2. You may use the + and - buttons to increase or decrease the minimum or maximum distance selected in this way. These buttons constitute one example of a means by which the user can set at least one of the operating parameters. This forced mode constitutes an additional function of a means for controlling orientation, in addition to the functions described in paragraph

[0024] .

[0026] In one variant where the means for directing the projection can direct the projection according to three degrees of freedom (lateral, vertical, and polarity), some buttons can also set the initial position of the light target, allowing for lateral positioning, for example, on the side of a bicycle or on the wall of a bobsleigh track.

[0027] In one variant, the settings button is replaced with a Bluetooth interface that connects to a smartphone having an application for parameterizing the device, and this interface constitutes another example of a means by which the user can set at least one of the operating parameters.

[0028] The inertia unit 15 transmits the acceleration of the device, which follows six degrees of freedom, to the program of the microcontroller 13, and this inertia unit constitutes one example of a means of confirming the movement of the device.

[0029] The following two accelerations, resulting from device vibration and runner body movement, cause parasitic displacement of the optical target, which is desirable to suppress. 1. The runner's possible acceleration (4 m / s²) 2 If it is greater than ), the translational acceleration g1 in the direction of motion 2. Rotational acceleration g2 in the plane of the drawing The program of the microcontroller 13 acts on angle a to cancel out the ground displacement of the optical target caused by these two parasitic accelerations, thereby constituting one example of at least partially compensating for the effects of device movement at the optical target's position. Thus, the new equation for the desired angular velocity is given by [Equation 4] below. [Equation 4]

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[0030] The Bluetooth interface 14 can connect to a sports watch or smartphone having a sports activity tracking application that can provide periodic information regarding the slope of the ground 4, and this interface constitutes one example of a means for periodically checking the geometric properties of elements in an environment onto which a light target is projected.

[0031] The slope of the ground introduces an inaccuracy into the microcontroller 13's program that is advantageous for correction, and this correction constitutes one example of the use of these geometric properties to reinforce the impression that the light target is moving at the target pace. Generalizing the calculation of [Equation 2], we find that the angle a to be given to the motor 12 is now as shown in [Equation 5] below. [Formula 5]

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[0029] , this gives the following [Equation 7]. [Equation 7]

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[0032] In one variant example, the device includes a GPS receiver capable of calculating the slope of the ground by obtaining altitude, and this GPS receiver constitutes another example of a means for periodically checking the geometric properties of elements in an environment onto which a light target is projected.

Claims

1. A pace-controlling device (1) intended to be physically attached to a person (2) or any other moving object, a. Means (14) for periodically checking the pace of the device, b. Means for periodically checking the target pace (14), c. Means (10) for projecting a light target (3) onto elements in the environment (4) of the device, d. Means (11, 12) for directing the projection at an angle (a) with respect to a vertical line, e. Means (13) for controlling the orientation, one of which is to dynamically change the angle (a) to give the impression that the optical target (3) is moving on the surface of the element in the environment (4) at a target pace, independently of the pace of the device. A device (1) including the above.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means (15) for confirming the movement of the device, wherein the control means (13) acts on the angle (a) based on the movement of the device to cancel out the displacement of the light target (3) on the element in the environment (4), which is caused by the movement of the device and therefore at least partially compensates for the effect of the movement at the position of the light target (3).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means (14) for periodically checking the geometric properties of the elements in the environment (4) of the device, wherein the control means (13) acts on the angle (a) based on the geometric properties to compensate for the influence of the geometric properties on the projection of the light target (3) onto these elements in the environment (4), and thus enhance the impression that the light target (3) is moving on the surface of the elements in the environment (4) at the target pace.

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