Athletic Heads-Up Display for Real-Time Motion Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing athletic activity monitoring systems often provide information in a distracting manner, requiring individuals or observers to look away from their viewpoint, which can reduce attention, increase the risk of injury, and hinder performance analysis.

Innovation Solution

The use of heads-up display (HUD) systems that superimpose performance-related information onto the user's real-world view, allowing for quick, accurate, and non-distracting access to performance data during athletic activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If information is displayed on traditional monitors or screens, then information can be presented clearly, but the user must look away from their viewpoint causing distraction and reduced focus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance information deliveryVSAvoiddistraction and reduced focus
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent display surface (combining glass or transparent OLED) as an intermediary between the user's viewpoint and the information display. This allows light to pass through while presenting visual information, enabling users to see both the background environment and the displayed performance data simultaneously without distraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The display transitions from a traditional 2D screen that requires lateral viewing to a transparent surface that integrates information into the user's existing field of view. Information is overlaid on the transparent surface, adding a visual layer without blocking the user's natural viewpoint or requiring head movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If existing athletic activity monitoring systems provide information after activity completion, then detailed analysis is possible, but timely feedback during activity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance analysis accuracyVSAvoidreal-time feedback delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data processing and preparation during the athletic activity itself, accumulating and analyzing performance data in real-time. The transparent display presents this processed information immediately as it becomes available, rather than waiting for post-activity processing, enabling timely feedback while maintaining analytical accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where performance data is collected by sensors, processed by the control unit, and immediately displayed on the transparent surface. This real-time feedback mechanism allows users to see their performance metrics as they occur, enabling immediate adjustment and optimization during the activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If HUD systems are integrated into wearable devices, then portability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and wearabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent display surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective cover for the display, provides the viewing medium for information, and maintains optical transparency to preserve the user's field of view. The integrated sensors and processing units are embedded within the wearable device structure, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive performance monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated wearable device: the transparent display, sensors for performance tracking, processing unit, and power source are merged into one cohesive unit. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables individuals to receive insightful performance information without diverting their attention, facilitating improved performance analysis and strategy development.

Implementation Method 1

HUDs typically include a projector for projecting information onto a transparent surface, such as a glass plate, that enables the background environment of the user's typical viewpoint to still be seen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3756738B1Athletic activity heads up display systems and methods
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 ADIDAS AG
  • EP3756738B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3756738B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3756738B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A method of using an athletic activity heads up display system during an athletic activity includes the steps of: a heads up display unit determining a position of a part of the body of an individual wearing the heads up display unit during an athletic movement, and the heads up display unit displaying visual feedback to the individual about the position of the part of the body during the athletic movement.