Sensor Glove for Volleyball Strike Angle Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports training aids for overhead throwing sports like volleyball lack objective feedback on performance metrics such as vertical reach and angle of contact, making them ineffective for optimizing player performance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a glove with integrated sensors and a wireless transmitter that sends data to remotely positioned detectors and a processor, which determines the angle and position of the ball strike, providing real-time performance feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual passive training aids (tethers) are used to return the ball, then the ball can be returned to the user, but objective performance feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sensors, accelerometers, and wireless transmitters in the training aid that detect ball characteristics (size, weight, velocity, spin) and provide real-time objective feedback to the user about their performance metrics, transforming the passive tether into an active feedback system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual/mechanical ball return systems with electronically monitored systems that use sensors, wireless communication, and data processing to track and report performance metrics, substituting mechanical feedback with electronic/digital feedback
2Measurement precision
If no sensors or tracking devices are used, then the device complexity is low, but measurement precision of strike angle and position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent sensor components (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetic field sensors, wireless transmitters) distributed throughout the training aid, each measuring specific parameters that are later integrated to provide comprehensive strike analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional sensor modules that perform multiple measurement tasks simultaneously (detecting ball impact, tracking motion trajectory, measuring strike angle, and monitoring position) using integrated sensor arrays, reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced measurement capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A glove and system measure the speed, angle, and vertical distance of a ball struck by a player. A glove worn in the striking hand of the user includes one or more sensors. A short-range wireless transmitted sends sensor signals to nodes and/or a hub. The nodes detect a position of the ball proximate a net. The nodes provide another signal to the hub. The hub may be wirelessly connected to a software application on a computing device. The software application includes a user interface displaying measurements associated with the ball that was struck.