U.S. patent application number 14/298338 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for swing analysis system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Head Technology GmbH. Invention is credited to Ralf SCHWENGER.
Application Number | 20150352404 14/298338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53284171 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150352404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHWENGER; Ralf |
December 10, 2015 |
SWING ANALYSIS SYSTEM
Abstract
A computer-implemented method of evaluating a movement in a
sporting environment may include receiving sensor data regarding
player movement in a sporting environment, and receiving a
contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an
individual associated with the movement. The method may also
include displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function
of the rating evaluation.
Inventors: |
SCHWENGER; Ralf; (Weiler im
Allgau, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Head Technology GmbH |
Kennelbach |
|
AT |
|
|
Family ID: |
53284171 |
Appl. No.: |
14/298338 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/05 20130101;
A63B 69/38 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 24/0003
20130101; A63B 69/0002 20130101; A63B 69/36 20130101; A63B 24/0006
20130101; A63B 69/0017 20130101; A63B 2069/0008 20130101; G09B
19/0038 20130101; A63B 2102/06 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 69/36 20060101 A63B069/36; A63B 69/38 20060101
A63B069/38; A63B 69/00 20060101 A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method of evaluating a movement in a
sporting environment, the method comprising: receiving sensor data
regarding player movement in a sporting environment; receiving a
contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an
individual associated with the movement; and displaying
characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating
evaluation.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is data from one
or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor,
or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.
3. The method of claim 1, further including receiving an indication
of the type of player movement, and the displaying of the
characteristics are also a function of the type of player
movement.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual associated with
the movement includes one of the player or an individual observing
the player movement.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of a rating
evaluation is received via voice signals.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rating evaluation is a value
selected from a predetermined rating scale.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is received
during a player competition.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein a command to initiate the
receiving of the sensor data or a terminate the receiving of sensor
data is received from the individual associated with the
movement.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying characteristics
includes displaying one or more of portions of the sensor data or
variables derived from the sensor data.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the displaying characteristics
include one or more of video images, swing data, ball data, player
movement data.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the displaying includes
displaying characteristics associated with one rating.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the displaying includes
comparing characteristics associated with one rating with
characteristics associated with a different rating.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the player movement is a racket
swing.
13. The method of claim 1, further including providing a training
recommendation as a function of the swing data and the rating
evaluation.
14. A computer-implemented method of evaluating a swing movement in
a sporting environment, the method comprising: receiving a
plurality of sets of sensor data associated with a plurality of
swing movements in a sporting environment; receiving a plurality of
contemporaneous rating evaluations of the plurality of swing
movements from an individual associated with the movement;
displaying characteristics of the plurality of sets of sensor data
as a function of the plurality of rating evaluations.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the displaying includes
comparing characteristics associated with one rating with
characteristics associated with a different rating.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor data is data from
one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball
sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.
17. The method of claim 14, further including receiving an
indication of the type of swing for each of the plurality of swing
movements, and the displaying of the characteristics are also a
function of the type of swing.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the displaying characteristics
includes displaying one or more of portions of the sensor data or
variables derived from the sensor data.
19. A computer readable storage medium including instructions that,
when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a
plurality of functions, including functions to: receive sensor data
regarding player movement in a sporting environment; receive a
contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an
individual associated with the movement; and display
characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating
evaluation.
20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the
sensor data is data from one or more of an image capture device, a
swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the
player.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is directed to a swing analysis
system, more particularly, to a swing analysis system incorporating
input.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Sports players, for example tennis players, golf players, or
baseball players, both amateurs and professionals, continuously
look to improve different aspects of their game. However, due to
the complexity of a sports swing, sports players often have
difficulty determining which portions of a swing should be changed
and which portions should be repeated. Sports players looking to
improve often enlist the help of video equipment and/or formal
instruction. However, video analysis of a sports swing requires
significant knowledge of proper swing mechanics to understand and
diagnose faults. Further, formal instruction may be expensive
and/or time-consuming to enable an instructor to diagnose the
player's swing.
[0003] Both video analysis and formal instruction may also neglect
the player's inherent physical limitations. One common benchmark
used to improve sports swings of amateur players is to compare the
swing of the amateur player to the swing of a professional player.
However, analyzing swings in this manner does not account for the
amateur player's limitations, skills, injuries, or other
circumstances that may prevent the amateur player from repeating
the swing of the professional player. Accordingly, there is a need
for an analysis system to help sports players repeat rated good
swings and behaviors.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
computer-implemented method of evaluating a movement in a sporting
environment. The method may include receiving sensor data regarding
player movement in a sporting environment, and receiving a
contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an
individual associated with the movement. The method may also
include displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function
of the rating evaluation.
[0005] Various aspects of the present disclosure may include one or
more of the following examples: wherein the sensor data may be data
from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball
sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player; receiving an
indication of the type of player movement, and the displaying of
the characteristics may also be a function of the type of player
movement; wherein the individual associated with the movement may
include one of the player or an individual observing the player
movement; wherein the receiving of a rating evaluation may be
received via voice signal; wherein the rating evaluation may be a
value selected from a predetermined rating scale; wherein the
sensor data may be received during a player competition; wherein a
command to initiate the receiving of the sensor data or a terminate
the receiving of sensor data may be received from the individual
associated with the movement; wherein the displaying
characteristics may include displaying one or more of portions of
the sensor data or variables derived from the sensor data; wherein
the displaying characteristics may include one or more of video
images, swing data, ball data, player movement data; wherein the
displaying may include displaying characteristics associated with
one rating; wherein the displaying may include comparing
characteristics associated with one rating with characteristics
associated with a different rating; wherein the player movement may
be a racket swing; and providing a training recommendation as a
function of the swing data and the rating evaluation.
[0006] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
computer-implemented method of evaluating a swing movement in a
sporting environment. The method may include receiving a plurality
of sets of sensor data associated with a plurality of swing
movements in a sporting environment, and receiving a plurality of
contemporaneous rating evaluations of the plurality of swing
movements from an individual associated with the movement. The
method may also include displaying characteristics of the plurality
of sets of sensor data as a function of the plurality of rating
evaluations.
[0007] Various examples of the present disclosure may include one
or more of the following features: wherein the displaying may
include comparing characteristics associated with one rating with
characteristics associated with a different rating; wherein the
sensor data may be data from one or more of an image capture
device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor
coupled to the player; receiving an indication of the type of swing
for each of the plurality of swing movements, and the displaying of
the characteristics may also be a function of the type of swing;
and wherein the displaying characteristics may include displaying
one or more of portions of the sensor data or variables derived
from the sensor data.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to
a computer readable storage medium including instructions that,
when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to perform a
plurality of functions. The functions may include receiving sensor
data regarding player movement in a sporting environment, and
receiving a contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from
an individual associated with the movement. The functions may also
include displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function
of the rating evaluation.
[0009] Various examples of the present disclosure may include the
following feature: wherein the sensor data may be data from one or
more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or
an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary swing analysis
system;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method performed by
the swing analysis system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another exemplary method performed
by the swing analysis system of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 show exemplary screenshots of a mobile device
from the swing analysis system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of
the present disclosure described above and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0015] A swing analysis system 100 is depicted in FIG. 1. Swing
analysis system 100 may include a mobile computing device 102
having a processor 104, a data storage device 105 coupled to
processor 104, and a display 106. Mobile computing device 102 may
also include an image capture device 108 and a user input device
110.
[0016] Mobile computing device 102 may be any suitable mobile
computing device. In one aspect, mobile computing device 102 may be
a cellular telephone (e.g., a smart phone). Mobile computing device
102 may also be another suitable mobile computing device, such as,
e.g., a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), tablet computer or any
other kind of touchscreen-enabled device, a personal computer, or a
laptop. Mobile computing device 102 may have a web browser and/or
mobile browser installed for receiving and displaying electronic
content received from one or more web servers. Mobile computing
device 102 may have an operating system configured to execute a web
or mobile browser, and any type of application, such as a mobile
application.
[0017] Mobile computing device 102 may be configured to receive
image input from image capture device 108. In one aspect, image
capture device 108 may be integral with mobile computing device
102. For example, image capture device 108 may be a camera or other
image capture device integrated with a cellular telephone.
Alternatively, image capture device 108 may be separate from mobile
computing device 102. In some aspects, image capture device 108 may
capture images and/or video of a player 112, a racket 114, and/or a
game implement or ball 116.
[0018] Player 112 may be a sports player, e.g., a tennis player, a
squash player, badminton player, a golf player, a baseball player,
or another type of sport player. As referenced herein, the term
"player" refers to an individual performing movements associated
with a sporting activity, be it during actual sporting competition,
or during practice or training activities, or solely for the
purpose of data capture in accordance with this disclosure. The
remainder of the disclosure will refer to the sports player as a
tennis player, but it is understood that the disclosure will be
equally applicable to other sports players and their associated
accessories, such as a squash player with a squash racket and a
squash ball, a badminton player with a badminton racket and a
shuttlecock or birdie, a golf player with a golf club and a golf
ball, a baseball player with a baseball bat and a baseball, or any
other sports player and associated accessories.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates tennis player 112 having a tennis racket
114 and hitting a tennis ball 116. The movement(s) and/or
location(s) of player 112, racket 114, and/or ball 116 may be
captured by image capture device 108 and recorded (e.g., in a
memory coupled to processor 104) by mobile computing device
102.
[0020] In addition, or as an alternative to receiving swing data
from image capture device 108, mobile computing device 102 may
receive swing data from a swing sensor 118, ball sensor 120, and/or
an auxiliary sensor 122. All or portions of the data received from
any or all of these devices/sensors (108, 118, 120, 122) is
referred to as sensor data.
[0021] Swing sensor 118 may be any suitable sensor configured to
collect racket data during the course of a swing. Swing sensor 118
may be operatively coupled to racket 114 in any suitable manner.
For example, swing sensor 118 may be disposed within a frame or
handle of racket 114, coupled to an exterior portion of the racket
frame, or attached to the strings of racket 114, if desired. In
some aspects, swing sensor 118 may be rigidly fixed to racket 114,
or may be detachable from racket 114. Swing sensor 118 may be
configured to sense parameters of a tennis swing such as, e.g., the
impact force generated during ball contact, racket speed, ball
speed, racket acceleration, pressure, pressure distribution,
strain, impact force, stroke length, impact location, heart rate,
calories burnt, foot position, string tension, contact time, racket
life span, and/or any other values that can be calculated based on
known data and collected data from swing sensor 118.
[0022] Ball sensor 120 may be configured to collect ball data
during the course of play. Ball sensor 120 may be disposed within
or otherwise coupled to game implement 116. Ball sensor 120 may be
configured to sense parameters of play such as, e.g., lob height
and air time during a serve, ball speed, ball trajectory, spin, or
the like. Ball sensor 120 may communicate with mobile computing
device 102 in a substantially similar manner that swing sensor 118
communicates with mobile computing device 102.
[0023] Auxiliary sensor 122 may be configured to track a location
of player 112. In one aspect, auxiliary sensor 122 may be disposed
in the shoes of player 112, a wrist-worn device, a glove, and/or
disposed on various body parts of player 112 (e.g., elbow, wrist,
hand, leg, back, chest, shoulder, or the like), and may be
configured to track the location and/or speed of these body parts
during all aspects of play. When in the shoes of player 112,
auxiliary input device 122 may include GPS or another suitable
technology to track the player's foot movement, since footwork may
be vital to executing a proper swing technique. Auxiliary sensor
122 may also include at least one pressure sensor (not shown) to
monitor pressure distribution in the shoes of player 112. Such
sensors may be placed in the player's insoles. Auxiliary sensor 122
may communicate with mobile computing device 102 in a substantially
similar manner that swing sensor 118 communicates with mobile
computing device 102.
[0024] Swing sensor 118, ball sensor 120, and/or auxiliary sensor
122 may communicate data to a communication assembly 124 of mobile
computing device 102 by any suitable mechanism, such as, e.g.,
BLUETOOTH, BTLE, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11, a parallel port, an Ethernet
adapter, a FireWire (IEEE 1394) interface, a Universal Serial Bus
(USB) and plug, and/or cables, wires, and other suitable wired or
wireless connectors.
[0025] Mobile computing device 102 may also be configured to
receive user input from user input device 110. In one aspect, user
input device 110 may be integral with mobile computing device 102.
For example, user input device 110 may be a microphone or other
suitable audio capture device integrated with mobile computing
device 102. Alternatively, user input device 110 may be separate
from mobile computing device 102, such as a device held or worn by
player 112, or an observer, including a device on the racket 114
itself. In one aspect, user input device 110 may include
voice-recognition capability and receive voice commands from player
112 relating to a rating of a last-completed swing. In some
aspects, user input device 110 may include another suitable
mechanism, such as, e.g., a touchpad, touchscreen, or buttons, for
player 112 to provide a rating of a last-completed swing to mobile
computing device 102.
[0026] In some aspects, mobile computing device 102 may be
configured to communicate and transmit data over a network 126
(e.g., a cellular, electronic, or internet network) via
communication assembly 124. A processor 128 and a data storage
device 130 may be coupled to network 126 and disposed remotely from
mobile computing device 102. One or more of the functionalities of
analysis system 100 may be carried out by processor 128 and data
storage device 130.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method 200 for analyzing a
tennis swing. Method 200 may include the steps of initiating data
capture (step 210), capturing swing data (step 220), receiving a
rating of the swing (step 230), terminating data capture (step
240), and processing and displaying the captured data as a function
of the received swing rating (step 250).
[0028] With respect to the initiating data capture of step 210,
mobile computing device 102 may receive an indication that a swing
is about to be performed by player 112. In some aspects, player
112, or an observer, may indicate that a swing is about to be
performed by vocalizing a command, such as, e.g., SWING that is
recognized by the mobile computing device 102. In another aspect,
player 112, or an observer, may press a button or touchscreen of
mobile computing device 102, or player 112, or an observer, may
provide another suitable indication of initiation, such as, for
example, via a device located on the racket 114, or located on the
player's 112 body or an observer's body.
[0029] After initiating data capture in step 210, method 200 may
proceed to step 220 where player 112 may perform a swing, e.g., a
tennis swing, and the data associated with the swing is captured by
the mobile computing device. The data capture may include one or
more of: video data captured by image capture device 108, racket
movement data captured by swing sensor 118 located on the racket
114, ball flight data captured by ball sensor 120 located on the
ball 116, and/or player movement data captured by auxiliary sensor
122.
[0030] After the swing is complete, the player 112, or an observer,
may communicate a rating evaluation of the last-completed swing to
mobile computing device 102. Because this rating evaluation is
based on sensed aspects by an individual (e.g. the player 112 or an
observer), such a rating evaluation is considered subjective in
nature. The rating may be communicated to mobile computing device
102 in any suitable manner, such as via voice commands from the
player 112 or an observer, via inputs directly to the mobile
computing device 102 through user input 110, via a separate rating
device functionally connected to the mobile computing device 102,
or via predetermined and unique movements of the racket, ball,
and/or player 112 sensed by the various sensors of the analysis
system 100. Once received, the mobile computing device 102
associates or links the ranking with the swing data previously
captured.
[0031] Mobile computing device 102 may receive a rating along any
suitable, predetermined rating scale such as, e.g., a numeric
rating scale, a letter rating scale, or a word-associated rating
scale. For example, player 112, or an observer, may assign a
numerical rating (e.g., 1-3) to a last-completed swing, and
communicate that rating to mobile computing device 102. In another
aspect, player 112, or an observer, may assign a word-associated
rating, e.g., EXCELLENT, GOOD, or POOR, to a last-completed swing.
The rating of a last-completed swing may be communicated or input
to mobile computing device 102 before the initiation of a next
swing to ensure that a rating is correctly associated with the
appropriate swing. In some aspects, mobile computing device 102 may
not collect data on a next or subsequent swing attempt by player
112 until a rating on a recently-completed or last-completed swing
is communicated to and recorded by mobile computing device 102.
Alternatively, mobile computing device may be configured to allow a
player 112, or an observer, to go back after a plurality of swings
to rate, re-rate, or delete a particular swing. As understood
herein, rating the swing before the initiation of a next swing, or
after the completion of a plurality of swings as discussed above,
are considered to be contemporaneous ratings.
[0032] To help ensure further accuracy of analysis system 100,
mobile computing device 102 may request that the player confirm the
rating, or otherwise indicate what rating was ultimately received
by the mobile computing device 102. For example, mobile computing
device 102 may request confirmation from player 112, or an
observer, by providing a confirmation prompt. The confirmation
prompt may be displayed on display 106, or the confirmation prompt
may be an audio prompt that is output on an audio output device,
e.g., a speaker, of mobile computing device 102. In some aspects,
the player 112, or an observer, may be required to verify the
rating assigned to the last-completed swing by, e.g., speaking a
verbal command, pressing a button on mobile computing device 102,
selecting an icon in the mobile application, or providing another
suitable confirmation. In one aspect, the confirmation prompt may
only request an indication from the player 112, or an observer,
that the rating is incorrect, and may proceed after a set time
period if no corrective indication is received. For example, a
different sound, volume, and/or pitch may be played and associated
with a unique rating. If player 112, or an observer, does not hear
the correctly associated pitch, volume, and/or sound that is
associated with the intended rating, a verbal or other suitable
command may be given to cancel and/or correct the previous
rating.
[0033] During the rating receiving step 230, player 112, or an
observer, may additionally or alternatively indicate a type of
swing that was performed, such as, e.g., SERVE, FOREHAND, BACKHAND,
VOLLEY, LOB, SMASH, or another suitable swing. Identifying the
swing type may assist in the data analysis by comparing and
analyzing data from equivalent swing types, and identifying
relevant analysis parameters for the particular swing type.
Alternatively, the indication of swing type by the player 112 or
observer can be done before or after the rating receiving step
230.
[0034] In some aspects, data capture (step 220) may capture swing
data for a predetermined time period once data capture has been
initiated (step 210). For example, sensor data may be captured for
10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5, minutes, 10 minutes, etc.,
from the initiation of data capture. It should be noted, however,
that any other suitable time period may alternatively be utilized.
Further, the time period could be variable, such as data capture
during actual player competition. Alternatively or in addition,
player 112 may provide an indication to mobile computing device 102
to terminate data capture. This indication can be provided in any
similar manner as discussed above with respect to the initiation of
data capture (step 210).
[0035] Alternatively or in addition, termination of data capture
may be a function of the number of swing data sets captured. For
example, swing analysis system 100 may require a minimum number of
swing data sets to complete an analysis. For example, player 112
may be required to perform and rate a minimum number of swings or
same type of swings, e.g., a minimum number of serves. In some
aspects, a minimum number of completed swings assigned a given
rating may be required, e.g., analysis system may require that the
player perform at least 10 EXCELLENT-rated swings and at least 10
POOR-rated swings. If the threshold number of swing data sets has
been met, or data capture has been otherwise terminated, method 200
may proceed to step 250.
[0036] At Step 250, processor 104 may process/analyze the captured
data from the completed swings. The processing or analyzing may
include all or a part of the captured data and can result in
numerous different swing variables or characteristics representing
aspects of the swing. The captured data and/or resulting analytics
can be stored in a data storage of the mobile communication device
102, displayed, or sent to the remote network 126 for processing,
or further processing, via the remote processor 128, and/or stored
in remote data storage 130
[0037] Processor 104 may associate a unique identifier with each
swing performed by player 112. Thus, each unique identifier may be
associated with a set of data (representing a swing) collected at
mobile computing device 102 via one or more of image capture device
108, swing sensor 118, ball sensor 120, and/or auxiliary sensor
122. Each unique identifier may also be associated with a user
input that is representative of the rating assigned by player 112,
or an observer, to the swing associated with the given unique
identifier. Processor 104 may analyze each set of captured swing
data to calculate, determine, identify, and/or extract one or more
swing variables or characteristics from each set of captured data.
These swing variables or characteristics may include, but are not
limited to, swing speed, racket acceleration, swing trajectory, arm
position, shoulder position, elbow position, wrist position, foot
position, lower body position, upper body position, ball position,
height of lob in a serve, amount of time a ball is airborne before
being hit by the racket in a serve, among other features. In some
aspects one or more swing variables may be extracted from
images/video captured by image capture device 108 by any suitable
video analysis software (e.g., Dartfish.RTM. or the like). In one
example, video analysis of a swing may include the tracking and
analysis of markers coupled to one or more of the player 112,
racket 114, and ball 116.
[0038] A method 300 for processing and displaying the captured data
is shown in FIG. 3. Method 300 may begin at step 310, where
processor 104 may process/analyze and correlate the swing variables
calculated, identified, and/or extracted and stored in a database
in order to display data showing areas of improvement for the
player 112 and/or showing correlations between extracted features
and the rating applied by the player 112 or an observer (i.e.,
ratings).
[0039] For example, processor 104 may identify correlations between
swing variables determined from swings having the same rating
(e.g., amongst all swings given a 3 or "EXCELLENT" rating by player
112 or an observer (step 310)). After identifying correlations
between swing variables having the same rating, method 300 may
proceed to step 320, where processor 104 may compare correlated
swing variables belonging to a first performance rating to
correlated swing variables belonging to a second performance rating
to identify feature differences between swings having the first and
second performance ratings.
[0040] For example, processor 104 may compare correlated swing
features belonging to a first rating category, e.g., rating number
3, or EXCELLENT swings, to correlated extracted features belonging
to a second rating category, e.g., rating number 2, or GOOD swings.
In performing this comparison, processor 104 may determine swing
variable variations or differences between differently-rated swings
of player 112. For example, processor 104 may detect changes in
swing speed, racket acceleration, swing trajectory, arm position,
shoulder position, elbow position, wrist position, foot position,
lower body position, upper body position, ball position, height of
lob in a serve, amount of time a ball is airborne before being hit
by the racket in a serve, among other features.
[0041] After processor 104 identifies swing variable differences
between swings belonging to different rating categories, method 300
may proceed to step 330, where feedback may be provided to player
112 via, e.g., display 106 of mobile computing device 102.
[0042] In one aspect, providing feedback to player 112 may include
displaying a representation of one or more completed swings on
display 106. FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary screenshot of mobile
device 102. In the aspect shown by FIG. 4, representations of two
swings performed by player 112 are shown side-by-side on display
106. A representation may be an image or video replay of player 112
performing the swing, or may be another suitable representation,
such as, e.g., an animation. In one aspect, a first representation
402 may be representative of a first swing performed by player 112.
First representation 402 may be a swing identified by processor 104
to be representative of swings belonging to a particular rating
category (e.g., GOOD). A second representation 404 may be displayed
simultaneously on display 106 with first representation 402. Second
representation 404 may be a swing identified by processor 104 as
representative of swings belong to a different rating category
(e.g., POOR). By displaying the first representation 402 concurrent
with the second representation 404 on display 106, player 112 may
view feature differences between swings belonging to different
swing rating categories identified by player 112. In some aspects,
first and second representations may be manipulated and/or replayed
according to a preference of player 112. For example, player 112
may choose to enlarge or minimize one or more of first and second
representations 402, 404. In another example, player 112 may choose
to alter the playback speed of first and second representations
402, 404, play first and second representation 402, 404
simultaneously, and/or alter any other suitable viewing
parameter.
[0043] An indication may be displayed on one or more of first
representation 402 and second representation 404. The indication
may be any suitable indication that can be visualized on display
106, such as, e.g., an arrow, a marker, a highlight, vertical or
horizontal lines, or other suitable indications. The indication may
identify a feature difference of swings belonging to
differently-rated swings, such as, e.g., the differently-rated
swings shown by first and second representations 402, 404. For
example, if processor 104 identifies arm position as a feature
difference between swings of different rating categories, the
indication may highlight arm position on first representation 402
and/or second representation 404. If multiple feature differences
exist between swings belonging to different rating categories, a
user may select to view multiple indications at the same time or
one at a time. In some examples, a text, audio, or other indication
may be provided in addition to a visual indication.
[0044] FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary screenshot of mobile device
102. In the aspect shown by FIG. 5, processor 104 may also output
the swing variables correlated with a given rating category (e.g.,
correlated extracted features from GOOD-rated swings) chart form on
display 106. It should be noted that the swing variables may be
displayed in any other suitable form, such as, e.g., graphs, text,
lines, or the like. Processor 104 may be configured to display the
swing variables common to one or more different rating categories
at the same time (e.g., displaying the correlated extracted swing
variables from POOR swings simultaneous with the correlated
extracted swing variables from GOOD swings). The display of
information in this manner may allow player 112, a coach, or
another interested party to identify swing variables common to
swings of different rating categories.
[0045] In the exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 5, swing variables or
parameters may be listed in a column 502. Values for the swing
variables or parameters listed in column 502 associated with a
first rating (e.g., associated with GOOD swings) may be displayed
in a column 504. Similarly, values for the swing variables or
parameters listed in column 502 that are associated with a second
rating (e.g., associated with POOR swings) may be displayed in a
column 506. In some exemplary aspects, the difference between the
values associated with the first and second ratings may be
displayed in a column 508. Columns 502-508 may relate to any
suitable swing variables or parameter disclosed herein or related
to a racket swing.
[0046] In one aspect, mobile computing device 102 may be configured
to identify and display the swing variables differences identified
between swings assigned a given rating, such as, e.g., the swing
variable differences between an EXCELLENT swing and a GOOD swing.
That is, mobile computing device 102 may be configured to display
player tendencies that may cause a GOOD swing to be executed
instead of an EXCELLENT swing. In another example, mobile computing
device may rank swing variables having the greatest deviation
between various ratings. For example, a first swing variable, e.g.,
racket speed may exhibit the greatest percentage change between
EXCELLENT and GOOD swings, indicating that the first variable
(e.g., racket speed) may be an important feature for player 112. On
the contrary, a second swing variable (e.g., stroke length) may
remain unchanged between EXCELLENT and GOOD swings, indicating to
the player that the second swing variable (e.g., stroke length) is
not an important swing variable to focus on.
[0047] In some aspects, mobile computing device 102 may display a
percentage of each rating type assigned during a specific capture
period (e.g., 50% EXCELLENT, 30% GOOD, 20% POOR). Mobile computing
device 102 may track these percentages over multiple capture
periods to allow player 112, or other party, to help identify
rating trends over time.
[0048] In some aspects, analysis system 100 may track swings over
multiple sessions. In one aspect, analysis system 100 may be
configured to compare features to determine how player tendencies
have changed over time. For example, after a first session,
analysis system 100 may have determined a first feature difference
(e.g., player 112 starts a movement of his right arm too quickly in
BAD swings compared to EXCELLENT swings) between two different
swing rating categories. Player 112, having knowledge of the first
feature difference identified in a first training session, may
correct the first feature difference via, e.g., practice sessions.
At a subsequent training session utilizing analysis system 100,
player 112 may have corrected the first feature difference and thus
analysis system 100 may detect a different, second feature
difference between two different swing rating categories of the
second session. That is, because player 112 may have corrected the
early movement of the right arm that was identified as the first
feature difference between two different swing categories of the
first session, the different, second feature difference may be
identified between two different swing categories of the second
session. Alternatively, if analysis system 100 continues to
identify the first difference in the second or subsequent training
session, player 112 may be reminded to continue to working to
correct the first feature difference. In some aspects, analysis
system 100 may be configured to identify a change in the magnitude
of a feature difference over time. For example, analysis system 100
may indicate to player 112 that the first feature difference has
been improved upon or worsened since the first training
session.
[0049] In some aspects, processor 104 may be configured to make
recommendations based on an analysis of completed swings. For
example, processor 104 may be configured to suggest a training
regimen to player 112 based on a the swing variables alone, or
difference identified between different swing categories. In some
aspects, processor 104 may be configured to suggest equipment
recommendations (e.g., a lighter or heavier racket) or swing
pattern recommendations (e.g., a non-standard string pattern
configuration) based on one or more feature differences identified
between different swing categories. In some aspects, player 112 may
communicate equipment information and string pattern information to
processor 104 via mobile computing device 102. Processor 104 may
utilize the communicated equipment and/or string pattern
information to make equipment and/or string pattern recommendations
to player 112.
[0050] In some aspects, processor 104 may be configured to
recommend that player 112 view one or more videos, demonstrations,
lessons, or similar programming, based on an analysis of player
112. For example, if processor 104 determines that player 112 may
improve swing performance by improving elbow positioning during
swings, processor 104 may suggest that player 112 access a
particular video, demonstration, lesson, or similar programming
focused on proper elbow positioning. Such programming may include
videos of actual tennis players or virtual representations of
tennis players (e.g., avatars), and may be accompanied by audio
instructions and discussion.
[0051] As noted above, in some aspects, a coach, instructor, or
other suitable party may rate swings taken by player 112 to assist
in an evaluation of player 112.
[0052] In some aspects, analysis system 100 may be configured to
analyze a sequence of tennis events or swings. For example, swing
mechanics, footwork, positioning, and other parameters of a serve
and volley may be analyzed.
[0053] As noted above, the above described analysis system 100 may
be configured to perform similar analysis based on ratings of
players 112 in other physical activities or sports such as, e.g.,
golf swings, baseball swings, hockey shots or passes, throwing
motions, kicking motions, basketball activities, or other suitable
activities. When analyzing certain sport motions not utilizing an
implement (e.g., throwing motions, basketball activities), analysis
system 100 may rely on one or more sensors coupled to player 112
and/or on video analysis of data captured by image capture device
108.
[0054] When analyzing various swings, e.g., golf swings, in
addition to rating swings according to a rating, a player 112 may
utilize one or more additional or alternative rating systems. For
example, player 112 may rate swings according to one or more of
HOOK, STRAIGHT, and/or SLICE to help correct a recurring trajectory
issue with a golf swing.
[0055] The analysis systems of the present disclosure may assist
tennis players or other athletes in determining feature differences
between differently-rated swing or sports movement categories.
Thus, a tennis player 112 may quickly identify, without formal
instruction, features of a tennis swing causing lapses in
performance.
[0056] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed analysis
system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other
aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the
art from consideration of the specification and practice of the
disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification
and examples be considered as exemplary only. The following
disclosure identifies some other exemplary aspects.
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