Mobile Camera Overlays for Objective Athletic Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic performance assessments are costly, time-consuming, and often produce unreliable results due to subjective methods, limiting coaches' and athletes' ability to objectively compare performance and plan targeted training.
Innovation Solution
A virtual measurement system using a mobile device with a camera and floor markers to create a virtual overlay, allowing athletes to perform standardized activities while capturing and measuring their performance, which is then objectively benchmarked and compared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional athletic performance assessment equipment and methods are used, then measurement accuracy may be improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the athletic performance testing system using digital overlays and computer vision algorithms. Instead of physical measurement equipment, the system projects virtual boundaries and markers onto the real environment, capturing athlete performance through standard mobile device cameras. This digital copying approach achieves professional-grade measurement accuracy without requiring complex physical testing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems with optical and computational systems. Traditional physical markers and measurement tools are substituted with computer vision technology that processes video feeds from mobile devices. The system uses algorithms to track athlete movement, calculate performance metrics, and compare results against virtual standards, eliminating the need for specialized mechanical testing equipment.
2Reliability
If professional athletic assessment equipment is deployed, then measurement reliability is improved, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal assessment platform that can evaluate multiple athletic performance metrics using a single mobile device. The system is designed to work across different sports and performance types (speed, agility, strength, endurance) without requiring specialized equipment for each test. This multi-functional approach allows coaches and athletes to conduct comprehensive assessments using only a smartphone or tablet, making professional-grade evaluation accessible to anyone with a mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables coaches and athletes to independently conduct performance assessments without requiring expensive professional testing facilities. The mobile application guides users through standardized protocols, automatically captures performance data, and generates comparative reports. This self-service capability eliminates the need for costly professional assessment services while maintaining measurement reliability through standardized procedures and objective digital measurement.
3Measurement precision
If standardized assessment protocols are implemented, then objective comparison between athletes is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures virtual boundaries, markers, and measurement protocols within the mobile application before each assessment session. The system automatically sets up the digital testing environment, loads appropriate performance standards, and prepares measurement algorithms in advance. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming manual calibration and configuration during actual testing, allowing coaches to quickly conduct standardized assessments while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous tracking of athlete performance throughout the assessment process using computer vision algorithms that process video feeds in real-time. Instead of interrupting the test to take manual measurements or reset equipment, the system continuously captures motion data, calculates performance metrics, and compares results against standards without breaking the flow of the assessment. This continuous measurement approach reduces total assessment time while preserving measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that includes a mobile application to create a virtual overlay over a field of view of a mobile device, to virtually measure athletic performance of an athlete performing a sports activity. The system is configured to enable virtual boundary-based measurements in order to objectively assess athletes based on scores calculated using the virtual measurements. Displayed to the user are virtual boundaries including virtual planes extending from one or more floor markers within a mobile camera field of view.