Wearable Sensor Motion Capture for Athletic Training

Solution Overview

Problem

Current motion capture and analysis systems for athletic training are not portable and require a professional to manually review data for providing feedback, limiting their effectiveness and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A portable system using small, strategically placed wireless sensors that transmit data to a smartphone and cloud-based software for immediate analysis and feedback, allowing users to receive expert guidance without a professional's direct intervention, utilizing motion sensors and a smartphone-based interface for data evaluation and correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If video camera equipment is used for motion capture, then motion data can be captured, but the system is not portable and requires fixed location setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion capture capabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional video camera-based motion capture systems with wearable inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) that directly measure motion parameters. This substitution eliminates the need for fixed camera equipment and complex video analysis, enabling portable, wireless motion capture that works anywhere without infrastructure setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to independently capture and analyze their own motion data using wearable sensors and a mobile device application. The automated analysis algorithms process sensor data locally on the mobile device, eliminating the need for professional instructors to manually review video footage, thus making the system self-sufficient and highly portable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If wearable sensors are used for motion capture, then positional data can be gathered, but professional analysis is still required to provide valuable feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional data accuracyVSAvoidanalysis requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback loops where sensor data is continuously processed by algorithms that compare actual motion against ideal movement patterns. The mobile application delivers immediate corrective feedback to users through visual and auditory cues, eliminating the need for professional analysis while maintaining high feedback quality through automated comparison and evaluation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to independently capture and analyze their own motion data using wearable sensors and a mobile device application. The automated analysis algorithms process sensor data locally on the mobile device, eliminating the need for professional instructors to manually review video footage, thus making the system self-sufficient and highly portable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If manual data review by professionals is used, then accurate feedback can be provided, but the process is time-consuming and requires professional intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently capture and analyze their own motion data using wearable sensors and a mobile device application. The automated analysis algorithms process sensor data locally on the mobile device, eliminating the need for professional instructors to manually review video footage, thus making the system self-sufficient and highly portable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-loads ideal movement patterns and performance benchmarks into the mobile application before the user begins training. This preliminary preparation enables real-time comparison and immediate feedback during exercise, eliminating the need for post-session professional analysis and providing instant corrective guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9248361B1Motion capture and analysis systems for use in training athletes

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 VIRTUAL SPORTS TRAINING

AI summary

A complete closed-loop system of capture, analysis, and corrective feedback uses small unobtrusive, strategically placed sensors on the ear, hip, knee, wrist, and/or ankle that communicate wirelessly to a base unit. The sensors capture movement during an activity to be analyzed, such as a golf swing, and send data to a base unit, which processes and transmits the data to a smart phone or other suitable portable and wireless communications device. The wireless communications device, in turn, transmits the processed data to a data base in the cloud (centrally based Internet software) where software instantly analyzes the motion represented by the processed data, then provides immediate feedback for improvement to the user.