Portable Motion Capture Data Mining via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motion capture systems for sports analysis are not portable, expensive, and lack the ability to mine large datasets for patterns, failing to provide immediate feedback, equipment fitting, and business insights, while also requiring cumbersome electronics and batteries.
Innovation Solution
A portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system that uses visual markers, sensors, and RFID tags to capture and analyze motion data, integrating with mobile devices for real-time feedback, data mining, and equipment fitting, allowing for seamless integration with sports equipment and automatic data storage and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stationary multi-camera systems are used for motion capture, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical multi-camera systems with a mobile device equipped with sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) and visual markers. This substitution uses electronic sensing and optical tracking instead of multiple synchronized cameras, dramatically reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision for motion capture applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual markers that replicate the function of complex motion capture infrastructure. These markers serve as simplified proxies that can be tracked by the mobile device's camera and sensors, enabling accurate motion capture without requiring expensive stationary camera systems.
2Ease of operation
If portable wireless sensors are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing modalities (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, camera tracking of visual markers) into a single mobile device platform. This combination compensates for the limitations of individual portable sensors by fusing data from multiple sources, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving portability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual markers as intermediaries between the portable sensors and the motion capture process. These markers provide additional tracking data that mediates and enhances the precision of motion measurement, allowing portable devices to achieve accuracy comparable to fixed systems.
3Measurement precision
If data is analyzed on per user basis in laboratory, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback loops where motion capture data is immediately processed and analyzed by algorithms on the mobile device or connected systems. This real-time feedback mechanism maintains analytical precision while dramatically increasing productivity by eliminating manual laboratory analysis for each user, enabling batch processing of multiple users' data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data processing and filtering algorithms on the mobile device itself, preparing data in advance for more sophisticated analysis. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden on central systems and accelerates overall processing speed while maintaining precision through multi-stage analysis pipelines.
4Reliability
If bulky electronics and batteries are used in sports equipment, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy battery and complex electronics from the sports equipment itself and relocates them to the mobile device. This separation allows the equipment to remain lightweight and simple while the mobile device provides reliable power and computational functions through its own battery and processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the mobile device to serve itself by using its existing battery, processors, and sensors for motion capture and data processing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate power sources and electronics in the sports equipment, reducing weight while maintaining full functionality through the mobile device's resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
Portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system and method configured to display motion capture/analysis data on a mobile device. System obtains data from motion capture elements, analyzes data and store data in database for data mining, which may be charged for. Enables unique displays associated with the user, such as 3D overlays onto images of the user to visually depict the captured motion data. Ratings associated with the captured motion can also be displayed. Predicted ball flight path data can be calculated and displayed. Data shown on a time line can also be displayed to show the relative peaks of velocity for various parts of the user's body. Based on the display of data, the user can determine the equipment that fits the best and immediately purchase the equipment, via the mobile device. Custom equipment may be ordered through an interface on the mobile device from a vendor that can assemble-to-order customer built equipment and ship the equipment. Includes active and passive golf shot count capabilities.