Kinematic Motor Skills Testing System Using Motion Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motion tracking systems are expensive, require extensive training to operate, and provide subjective, non-reliable assessments of kinematic motor skills, making them unsuitable for consistent and objective testing in physical education and sports disciplines.
Innovation Solution
A kinematic motor skills testing system that uses motion sensors and computing devices to capture body-joint angle data, compare it to benchmark data, and generate proficiency scores, providing an objective, cost-effective, and user-friendly method for assessing motor skills without the need for specialized training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current motion tracking systems are used to track and analyze complex human movement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring trained specialists and exhaustive video analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses motion sensors to capture and copy human movement data, creating a digital representation of physical motor skills performance. This copy can be analyzed objectively without requiring specialists to perform exhaustive video analysis, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of video analysis and human observation with an automated computing system that processes motion sensor data. This substitution eliminates the need for trained specialists to manually analyze movements, reducing device complexity and ease of operation while maintaining or improving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If current motion tracking systems with infrared cameras and body sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring special attire and specialized training
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures movement data through motion sensors that record positional information without requiring special attire or body sensors on the subject. This copying approach maintains measurement precision while significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating complex setup requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive motion sensors rather than expensive infrared camera systems and specialized body sensors. This approach maintains adequate measurement precision for motor skills assessment while dramatically improving ease of operation and reducing cost
3Measurement precision
If exhaustive video analysis and on-screen measurement tools are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to requiring concerted effort of video observation and individual body sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual video analysis with automated computing device processing of motion sensor data. The system automatically determines temporal phases and compares them to benchmark data, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with exhaustive video observation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically processing motion data, determining temporal phases, and comparing results to benchmarks without requiring human intervention for analysis. This automation maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with manual video observation and measurement
4Measurement precision
If current systems provide raw data output, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens because the data would be useless for most end-users without specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that transforms raw motion sensor data into meaningful proficiency scores by comparing temporal phases to benchmark data. This intermediary step maintains the precision of raw data measurement while making the output useful and accessible to non-specialist end-users
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a transformed copy of the raw data in the form of proficiency scores that are directly interpretable by end-users. This copied representation maintains the measurement precision of the original data while eliminating the need for specialized knowledge to interpret results
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system for testing motor skills involved in locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative activities. The system utilizes joint data created by a motion sensor during a subject's performance of an activity to determine the subject's motor skill proficiency for that activity. The system compares the subject's joint data to benchmark data to detect one or more phases of the activity. Based on the comparison, the system also determines the subject's proficiency in the particular motor skill tested. The system is embodied in a computer-implemented application that provides various user interfaces for navigating through the user interfaces, accessing a database of the system, testing a subject's motor skills, analyzing a subject's proficiency, and facilitating practice of motor skills.