Limb Motion Sensing for Objective Swimming Stroke Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing performance measurement techniques for athletes, particularly in swimming, rely heavily on subjective coaching observations and lack objective data-based analysis of limb movements for improving technique.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes sensing devices attached to an athlete's limbs to collect data on pressure, acceleration, and orientation, applying quaternion rotations to generate performance metrics through processing systems, enabling detailed analysis of stroke events and swim style.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a coach watches an athlete and provides subjective observations, then coaching feedback is obtained, but objective measurement of limb movements is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual observation system (coach watching athlete) with an electronic sensing system using accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to objectively measure limb movements. This substitution transforms subjective visual assessment into precise quantitative data collection, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and maintaining simple measurement methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensing devices as intermediaries between the athlete's limbs and the measurement system. These devices include accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers that attach to limbs and transmit movement data to processing systems, serving as mediators that enable objective measurement without requiring direct coach observation.
2Loss of information
If sensing devices are attached to limbs to collect data, then objective performance metrics are obtained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions (acceleration, rotation, magnetic field detection) into integrated sensing devices that attach to athlete limbs. By combining accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers into unified measurement units, the system captures comprehensive performance data while reducing the number of separate components needed, thus addressing the contradiction between data completeness and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing devices are designed with multi-functionality, serving as universal measurement tools that can capture various types of movement data (acceleration, orientation, position) from different limbs. This universal approach allows a single device design to handle multiple measurement needs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive data collection.
3Measurement precision
If quaternion rotation is applied to process data, then accurate orientation measurement is achieved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing quaternion rotation matrices that represent different limb orientations. Rather than performing complex real-time quaternion calculations during data processing, the system prepares rotation transformations in advance, reducing computational power requirements during actual performance measurement while maintaining high orientation measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a performance metric of an athlete is provided. The method includes receiving, with a processing system, data from at least one limb of the athlete, determining an orientation of the at least one limb, and applying the orientation to the received data. The method also includes generating the performance metric of the at least one limb based on received data and orientation of the at least one limb.