Multi-Axis Athletic Performance Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS systems used to track athletic performance fail to accurately compensate for errors caused by the Earth's rotation and angular position of the athlete relative to the ground, leading to inaccuracies in speed and distance measurements.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device equipped with a processor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer is used to arm sensors when specific criteria are met, such as a predetermined attitude and inactivity period, allowing for precise data collection during athletic activities like the 40-yard dash, including measurements like initial burst, speed, and distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional GPS devices are used to track athletic performance, then distance and speed can be measured, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors from Earth's rotation and angular position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) into a single integrated sensing device worn by the athlete. This fusion of sensors allows the system to capture motion data from multiple reference frames simultaneously, enabling compensation for Earth's rotation and angular position effects that plague single-sensor GPS systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives data from the multi-axis sensors and performs coordinate transformations. This intermediary layer processes the raw sensor data through mathematical models that account for Earth's rotation and the athlete's angular position, converting measurements into accurate speed and distance values independent of these harmful factors.
2Measurement precision
If multi-axis sensors are used to track athletic performance, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal sensing device that performs multiple functions: the accelerometer measures linear acceleration, the gyroscope measures angular velocity, and the magnetometer measures magnetic field orientation. This multi-functional device captures comprehensive motion data in a single unit, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each measurement type and reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced sensor technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary calibration and setup procedures where the system characterizes the sensor array's response characteristics before actual use. By pre-characterizing the sensors and establishing baseline data, the system reduces the computational complexity required during actual athletic performance tracking, making the sophisticated multi-axis measurement system more manageable and less complex in practice.
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
The system provides accurate and efficient data collection and processing of athletic performance metrics, improving the tracking of speed, distance, and other parameters by accounting for the athlete's orientation and movement, thus enhancing the assessment of athletic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor suite unit comprising one or more sensors that measure an activity parameter of a user
Implementation Method 2
A sensing device equipped with a processor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer
Implementation Method 3
A sensing device equipped with a processor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for calculating athletic performance during an athletic activity. In one embodiment, a processor of a sensing device comprising one or more sensors measures an activity parameter of a user. The processor analyzes the activity parameter to determine whether the activity parameter meets a predetermined criteria. When the activity parameter meets the predetermined criteria, the processor arms the one or more sensors. The arming comprises activating the one or more sensors to collect exercise data for a known exercise activity performed by the user. In another embodiment, the processor of the sensing device comprising one or more sensors arms the one or more sensors to collect data when the activity parameter of the user meets a predetermined criteria. After arming the one or more sensors, the processor collects exercise data for a known exercise activity performed by the user.