Mobile Device Motion Sensor Analysis for Virtual Sports Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports motion analysis systems require attachment to sports equipment or impact with physical balls, making them cumbersome and expensive, and they do not effectively analyze motions without physical interaction.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile device with integrated motion sensors to simulate sports motions by determining a starting point, obtaining motion data, and calculating impact points with virtual objects, allowing for analysis without equipment attachment or physical impact, utilizing gyroscope data to determine velocity and orientation for accurate swing analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If motion sensors are attached to sports equipment or physical balls are used, then measurement precision of sports motions is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of sports equipment (golf club, baseball bat, tennis racket) and sports objects (golf ball, baseball, tennis ball) in a virtual environment. The mobile device simulates the sports equipment itself, eliminating the need for physical attachments while maintaining measurement precision through sensor data from the mobile device's built-in motion sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical attachment systems (clips, mounts, physical connections between sensors and equipment) with a software-based simulation system. The mobile device's sensors directly capture motion data without mechanical intermediaries, and virtual physics engines calculate impact and trajectory, substituting mechanical complexity with computational models.
2Measurement precision
If motion sensors are attached to sports equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves itself as both the sports equipment and the measurement instrument. The device's built-in motion sensors automatically capture data during normal use without requiring separate attachment of external sensors. The system self-calibrates and self-analyzes motion data through onboard processing, eliminating the need for users to perform attachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the sports equipment (club, bat, or racket), the sensor system, the data processing unit, and the display device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attachment components and simplifies the user experience to just holding and using the device as normal sports equipment would be used.
3Measurement precision
If physical balls and equipment are used for sports motion analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the virtual sports equipment and objects can be changed through software configuration rather than physical replacement. The same mobile device can simulate different sports equipment types (golf club, baseball bat, tennis racket) and different sports objects, allowing the system to adapt to various sports and scenarios without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (equipment type, object mass, trajectory, impact force) through software rather than physical modification. The virtual physics engine allows dynamic adjustment of sport-specific parameters such as club head speed, ball trajectory, and impact angle, providing adaptability across different sports while maintaining measurement precision through consistent sensor data collection.
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 accurate analysis of sports motions, including golf swings, without the need for physical equipment or ball impact, providing detailed analytical information on swing speed and accuracy, and can be extended to various sports and virtual interactions, offering a cost-effective and user-friendly solution.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing gyroscope data to assess wrist and forearm rotation for accurate swing analysis
Implementation Method 2
mobile device with integrated motion sensors to simulate sports motions, determine a starting point, and analyze movement data
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system to analyze sports motions using the motion sensors of a mobile device, such as a smart phone, is provided. This method uses the mobile device motion sensor output to define the impact point with a virtual object, such as a golf ball, baseball or tennis ball. The motion sensor signature of the sports motion is analyzed for characteristics, specific to each type of sports motion. A method is disclosed using multiple sensors outputs in a mobile device to compute the impact point with a virtual object, such as a golf ball, baseball, tennis ball. Further, a method is disclosed where moving virtual sports objects interact with virtual sports motions and the responsive outputs are displayed on the mobile device and/or any Web-enabled display device.