Swimming Orientation Apparatus Using Magnetometer Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for swimmers to maintain an optimal heading during swimming, leading to deviations from the intended route and increased swimming time, especially in outdoor settings where looking at the goal requires breaking stride and can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An orientation apparatus that uses magnetometers and GPS to detect deviations from a target heading, providing real-time feedback through audio or haptic alerts to help swimmers correct their course, allowing them to maintain the optimal route without constantly looking at the goal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the swimmer looks at the goal to maintain optimal heading, then the swimmer can correct deviations from the intended route, but the swimmer must break stride and this is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a magnetometer to continuously detect the swimmer's heading relative to the intended route and providing auditory feedback through headphones. The system generates tone frequencies that indicate directional deviations (left or right), allowing the swimmer to correct their course without visual contact with the goal, thus maintaining swimming continuity while ensuring heading accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/visual system of directly viewing the goal with an auditory feedback system. Instead of relying on visual inspection and manual course correction, the system uses magnetic field detection and acoustic signal transmission to provide directional guidance, eliminating the need to break stride for visual checks.
2Measurement precision
If the swimmer frequently checks the goal position, then the swimmer can maintain correct course, but the swimming time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous real-time feedback through auditory tones that continuously indicate directional deviations from the intended route. This eliminates the need for periodic visual checks, as the swimmer receives constant guidance information through the headphones, maintaining correct course without time loss from frequent stops or stride breaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous swimming motion without interruptions for course correction checks. The auditory feedback system operates continuously throughout the swim, providing uninterrupted guidance that keeps the swimmer on course without requiring them to stop or break their stroke rhythm.
3Measurement precision
If the swimmer takes corrective turns to return to optimal route, then the swimmer can realign with the intended path, but the swimming route becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetometer-based feedback system detects even small deviations from the optimal route and provides immediate auditory warning. This allows the swimmer to make minor, timely corrections rather than large corrective turns, keeping the swimming route length minimal while maintaining precise route alignment through continuous auditory guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and warning of deviations before they become significant. By continuously monitoring heading and providing early auditory feedback, the system enables the swimmer to correct minor deviations before they accumulate into large route deviations, preventing the need for lengthy corrective turns and minimizing overall route length.
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 apparatus enables swimmers to maintain the correct heading more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of large deviations and optimizing swimming performance by providing immediate corrective feedback, thus shortening the swimming route and improving performance.
Implementation Method 1
obtain, with the magnetometer, a current heading of the swimmer
Implementation Method 2
a GPS receiver for determining a location of the swimmer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5E
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform operations comprising: obtaining heading information indicating a target heading to a target; detecting, during swimming, that the swimmer deviates from the target heading; and informing the swimmer, via a user interface element, that the swimmer has deviated from the target heading.