Bridge Hand Glove Feedback for Precise Cue Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cue sports players often improperly position the cue in the bridge hand, leading to an improper stroke and loss of control over the cue ball, which is not easily detectable during play.
Innovation Solution
A performance monitoring bridge hand glove with embedded sensors and feedback elements that provide real-time feedback when the cue is correctly positioned, ensuring optimal contact with the thumb webbing and middle finger, and pressure thresholds are maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bridge hand glove is used to improve cue control, then cue positioning stability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to embedded sensors and electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is divided into separate functional segments: sensor arrays embedded in specific regions (thumb webbing, middle finger), processing circuitry, and feedback elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design manageable and targeted rather than uniformly complex throughout the entire glove.
Solution Approach 2:
A microcontroller or processing unit acts as an intermediary between the sensor arrays and the feedback elements. This intermediary component receives raw data from multiple sensors, processes the information to determine proper cue positioning, and activates appropriate feedback mechanisms, thereby managing the system's complexity through a centralized control logic.
2Measurement precision
If sensor arrays are embedded in the glove to detect cue positioning, then measurement precision of cue position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is segmented into multiple specialized sensor arrays located at specific positions (thumb webbing, middle finger). Each sensor array is optimized for detecting pressure or position at its specific location, and the combined data from these segmented measurements provides comprehensive and precise cue positioning information without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor arrays are merged into a unified detection system that works together to monitor cue positioning. The sensor data from different locations (thumb webbing, middle finger) is combined and processed to determine overall cue position, providing more accurate and reliable measurement than any single sensor could achieve alone.
3Ease of operation
If feedback elements are added to indicate correct cue positioning, then ease of operation is improved by providing real-time guidance, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback elements that provide real-time information to the player about their cue positioning. When the sensor arrays detect proper cue placement, the feedback elements (such as visual indicators, auditory signals, or haptic responses) activate to confirm correct positioning. This feedback loop helps players self-correct and improve their cue handling without requiring complex external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback system serves the player's own needs for improving their technique. The embedded sensors and feedback elements work together to provide self-diagnostic information about cue positioning, allowing the player to self-correct without requiring external instruction or complex analysis. The system empowers the player to monitor and improve their own performance.
4Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to detect cue contact force, then measurement precision of applied force is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force measurement function is divided into separate pressure sensor arrays positioned at specific contact points (thumb webbing, middle finger). Each sensor array measures the pressure applied at its specific location, and the combined data provides a complete picture of the total force applied to the cue. This segmented approach enables precise force measurement without requiring a single complex force sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects changes in pressure parameters at different locations to determine proper cue positioning and force application. By monitoring variations in pressure magnitude and distribution across the sensor arrays, the system can identify when the correct amount of force is applied in the correct manner, providing precise measurement of both force magnitude and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A performance monitoring bridge hand glove for cue sports cues includes a hand enclosure including segments from hand to at least knuckle for each of a middle finger, a pointer finger and a thumb. The glove further includes a thumb webbing sensor array embedded in a webbing portion between the thumb and the pointer finger, and a middle finger sensor array embedded in a distal end of one of the segments for the middle finger. The glove yet further includes a switch communicatively coupled to the thumb webbing sensor array and the middle finger sensor array and switched on by the thumb webbing sensor array and the middle finger sensor array. Finally, the glove includes a feedback element activated by the switch and a power source fixed to the hand enclosure powering the arrays, the switch and the feedback element.