Wearable Sports Sensor Using Weighted Algorithm Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices for measuring athletic performance are limited by their reliance on GPS and LPS technologies, which are not precise, require external signals, and are invasive and costly. Additionally, they struggle to accurately measure specific movements like jumps and falls, and their algorithms are prone to errors and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device that uses MEMS inertial sensors to detect accelerations and rotations, processing data with proprietary algorithms to calculate instantaneous speed and changes in direction. This device is designed to be compact, cost-effective, and capable of measuring specific movements without external signals, allowing for more extensive and varied applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GPS-based systems are used to measure athletic performance, then outdoor movement tracking is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates due to satellite signal limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS satellite positioning with LPS local radio reference positioning into a hybrid system. The device uses both satellite signals and local transmitter signals simultaneously to calculate position, thereby maintaining outdoor tracking capability while significantly improving measurement precision through signal fusion and cross-validation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local radio reference transmitters as intermediary elements in the positioning system. These fixed transmitters act as mediators that provide known reference points for trilateration calculations, enabling the device to correct GPS inaccuracies and achieve higher precision without sacrificing outdoor adaptability
2Measurement precision
If LPS systems with multiple transmitters are deployed to improve precision, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the positioning system to serve multiple functions: it can operate standalone using LPS transmitters for high-precision indoor tracking, and simultaneously integrate with GPS for outdoor tracking. This multi-functionality allows the same device architecture to achieve high precision across different environments without requiring separate systems, thereby reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a scalable LPS infrastructure where transmitters can be deployed partially based on specific application needs. The system can function with a minimal number of strategically placed transmitters for basic precision requirements, and scale up by adding more transmitters only where higher precision or broader coverage is needed, avoiding unnecessary infrastructure complexity
3Measurement precision
If inertial sensors are used to correct GPS data, then measurement precision improves, but the device becomes physically larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical inertial sensor systems with a software-based algorithmic approach. Instead of using physical accelerometers and gyroscopes to correct GPS data, the invention uses computational algorithms that process GPS and LPS signal data mathematically to achieve correction, thereby maintaining precision while avoiding the size and cost penalties of additional mechanical sensors
4Adaptability or versatility
If GPS devices are placed on the back for optimal signal reception, then adaptability is maintained, but the device becomes physically large and potentially dangerous in case of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning functionality from the wearable device body. The core processing unit and sensors can be miniaturized and placed in a safe location on the athlete's body, while maintaining full GPS and LPS signal reception capability through high-gain antennas and sensitive receivers, thereby separating the function of signal reception from the location of the device to eliminate injury risk
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 device provides precise and reliable measurements of athletic performance, including specific movements like jumps and falls, while being compact, cost-effective, and capable of indoor use. Its algorithms ensure accurate real-time data processing, reducing errors and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
movement detection means comprising at least one inertial sensor suitable for detecting data relating to the instantaneous value of the accelerations on three predetermined orthogonal reference axes and to the rotation speeds around said reference axes
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for measuring sports performance comprises a wearable containment casing which houses therewithin a PCB provided with an electronic circuit having a microcontroller (MCU), movement detection means suitable to detect data relating to the instantaneous value of accelerations and rotation speed and to transfer them to said microcontroller for their processing thereby, wherein the microcontroller is suitable of simultaneously executing three secondary algorithms for calculating three different instantaneous speeds (V1(t), V2(t), V3(t)) to calculate the instantaneous speed (v(t)) as the weighted average of the values of said instantaneous speeds of said three secondary algorithms, using the formulav(t)=a*V1(t)+b*V2(t)+c*V3(t)wherein a, b and c are the three coefficients of the weighted average selected as a function of the detected step frequency.