U.S. patent application number 15/487951 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for systems and methods for monitoring athletic performance.
The applicant listed for this patent is New Balance Athletics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kim B. Blair, Jean-Francois Fullum, Sean B. Murphy, Ethan Pease, Katherine Petrecca, Klaus Renner, Gordon Row, Trampas Tenbroek, Christopher Wawrousek.
Application Number | 20170239551 15/487951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45607828 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170239551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pease; Ethan ; et
al. |
August 24, 2017 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Abstract
The invention relates to devices and methods for monitoring one
or more athletic performance characteristic of a user. An example
apparatus includes a sensing unit adapted to be attachable to a
shoe of a user, the sensing unit including a first sensor adapted
to monitor an movement of a foot of the user while the user is in
motion, the first sensor comprising a gyroscopic sensor, processing
means for determining a first performance characteristic of the
user based upon an output from the first sensor, the first
performance characteristic comprising a foot strike location of a
foot of the user upon striking a ground surface, and transmitting
means for transmitting a data package representative of the
performance characteristic to a remote receiver.
Inventors: |
Pease; Ethan; (Concord,
MA) ; Renner; Klaus; (Hollis, NH) ; Row;
Gordon; (Groton, MA) ; Blair; Kim B.;
(Arlington, MA) ; Wawrousek; Christopher;
(Somerville, MA) ; Murphy; Sean B.; (North
Andover, MA) ; Fullum; Jean-Francois; (North Reading,
MA) ; Petrecca; Katherine; (Waltham, MA) ;
Tenbroek; Trampas; (North Andover, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
New Balance Athletics, Inc. |
Boston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45607828 |
Appl. No.: |
15/487951 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13368084 |
Feb 7, 2012 |
9642415 |
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15487951 |
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61440243 |
Feb 7, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0062 20130101;
A61B 5/0816 20130101; A63B 2220/72 20130101; A61B 5/0476 20130101;
A63B 2230/06 20130101; A43B 3/0005 20130101; A61B 5/1038 20130101;
A61B 5/02416 20130101; A61B 5/1112 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101;
A63B 2220/34 20130101; A63B 2220/20 20130101; A61B 5/02055
20130101; G06K 9/00342 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A61B 5/1123
20130101; A43B 3/0031 20130101; A61B 5/02438 20130101; A61B 5/1118
20130101; A61B 5/112 20130101; A63B 2220/56 20130101; A63B 2220/836
20130101; A61B 5/1116 20130101; A63B 2071/0625 20130101; G01C
22/006 20130101; A61B 5/7405 20130101; A61B 5/002 20130101; A63B
2071/0655 20130101; A61B 5/486 20130101; A61B 2503/10 20130101;
A61B 2562/0219 20130101; A61B 2562/0247 20130101; A61B 5/7455
20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A61B 5/742 20130101; G09B 19/0038
20130101; A61B 5/01 20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A61B 5/0402
20130101; A61B 5/6807 20130101; A63B 2220/13 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A43B 3/00 20060101 A43B003/00; G09B 19/00 20060101
G09B019/00; G01C 22/00 20060101 G01C022/00; A61B 5/11 20060101
A61B005/11; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00; A63B 24/00 20060101 A63B024/00; A61B 5/024 20060101
A61B005/024 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. A system for monitoring at least one athletic performance
characteristic of a user, the system comprising: at least one first
sensing unit adapted to be at least one of releasably attachable
to, fixedly attachable to, and embeddable in a shoe worn by the
user during an athletic activity; at least one second sensing unit
adapted to be positionable on an upper body of the user; and a
processor in communication with each first sensing unit and each
second sensing unit, wherein the athletic performance
characteristic comprises at least one of a posture and a body lean
of the user during the athletic activity, and wherein the processor
is adapted to process data from each of the first sensing unit and
the second sensing unit to evaluate the at least one athletic
performance characteristic of the user.
25. The system of claim 24 further comprising a transmitter for
communicating data to the processor via a remote receiver.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein each second sensing unit is at
least one of positionable on and removably affixed to at least one
of a wrist, an arm, and a chest of the user.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein each second sensing unit is
removably affixed to the user by at least one of an adhesive, a
tape, a skin sensitive adhesive, and a skin sensitive tape.
28. The system of claim 24, wherein each second sensing unit is at
least one of embeddable within, releasably attachable to, and
removable placed into an item of apparel wearable by the user.
29. The system of claim 24, wherein each second sensing unit is
mounted on a strap wearable by the user.
30. The system of claim 24, wherein each of the first sensing unit
and the second sensing unit is selected from the group consisting
of: a mechanical feedback device, an accelerometer, a pressure
sensor, a force sensor, a global positioning system, a
piezoelectric sensor, a rotary position sensor, a gyroscopic
sensor, a goniometer, and combinations thereof.
31. The system of claim 24, wherein the athletic performance
characteristic further comprises at least one of a cadence and a
foot strike of the user.
32. The system of claim 24, wherein the first sensing unit is
adapted to sense at least one of the cadence and the foot strike of
the user and the second sensing unit is adapted to sense at least
one of a posture and body lean information.
33. A method for monitoring at least one athletic performance
characteristic of a user during an athletic activity, the method
comprising: sensing, by at least one first sensing unit adapted to
be at least one of attachable to and embedded in a shoe worn by the
user, at least one of location, movement, and placement of a foot
of the user during the athletic activity; sensing, by at least one
second sensing unit adapted to be positionable on an upper body of
the user, an attitude of the user during the athletic activity;
evaluating, using sensed information, each athletic performance
characteristic; and identifying, based on each evaluated athletic
performance characteristic, at least one parameter that can be
adjusted by the user during future athletic activity.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the attitude comprises at least
one of a posture and a body lean of the user during the athletic
activity, wherein identifying at least one parameter comprises:
evaluating, by a processor receiving information from each of the
first sensing unit and the second sensing unit, at least one of the
posture and the body lean of the user.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein evaluating each athletic
performance characteristic comprises determining whether the user's
upper body carriage is up-right.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one identified
parameter is selected from the group consisting of standing tall,
running with the user's head up, and directing the user's gaze
straight ahead.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein evaluating each athletic
performance characteristic comprises determining a state of the
user's body lean.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one identified
parameter comprises at least one of a forward lean over an entire
length of the user's upper body and an angle of bend at the user's
waist.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one identified
parameter further comprises a flex at at least one of the user's
ankles.
40. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one sensing step
comprises transmitting sensed information to a processor for
evaluation.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein transmitting comprises
communicating sensed information to the processor via a remote
receiver.
42. The method of claim 33 further comprising communicating
biofeedback information as to each evaluated athletic performance
characteristic to the user.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein communicating biofeedback
information comprises communicating with the user using at least
one of an auditory, an optical, a haptic, and a tactile signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/368,084, filed Feb. 7, 2012, which claims
priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/440,243, filed Feb. 7, 2011, the disclosure of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
athletic equipment, and more particularly to systems and methods
for providing training information to a runner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A number of devices exist for providing a runner with basic
training information. For example, systems for measuring and
recording the heart rate, speed, distance, and/or stride rate of a
runner using a sensor that may be clipped, for example, to workout
apparel has been manufactured by adidas AG of Herzogenaurach,
Germany. Similarly, Nike Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg., has produced
devices that measure and record the distance and pace of a walk or
run. Such devices often consist of small accelerometers attached to
or embedded in a shoe, which communicate with a receiving device
(e.g., a sportband or a receiver plugged into of embedded within a
mobile phone). The device and receiver allow a user to track the
distance, time, and pace of a training run, with the information
provided to a user through audio feedback during the training run
and/or recorded for later analysis. Systems also exist for
measuring and recording training information such as distance,
time, and pace of a training run through utilization of a mobile
phone of GPS ("Global Positioning System") device without the need
for a sensor in a shoe.
[0004] However, these systems only provide basic training
information related, for example, to the speed and distance
travelled by a runner, and cannot provide any detailed biofeedback
information that may be used to improve the actual running form and
technique of the runner. As a result, there still exists a need for
a system and method capable of providing detailed training
information to an athlete during and after a training session to
assist in improving their running form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed towards novel systems,
methods and devices for monitoring one or more athletic performance
characteristic of a user and/or providing biofeedback information
to the user to assist in training the user to run with better form
and, for example, with an improved foot strike.
[0006] One aspect of the invention includes an apparatus for
monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristic of a
user, the apparatus including a sensing unit adapted to be
attachable to a shoe of a user. The sensing unit includes a first
sensor, such as a gyroscopic sensor, that is adapted to monitor a
movement of a foot of the user while the user is in motion,
processing means for determining a first performance characteristic
of the user, such as a foot strike location of a foot of the user
upon striking a ground surface, and transmitting means for
transmitting a data package representative of the performance
characteristic to a remote receiver. The gyroscopic sensor may be
adapted to measure an angular velocity of the foot of the user. The
means for determining a performance characteristic of the user may
include a microprocessor.
[0007] In one embodiment the apparatus also includes receiving
means for receiving the data package transmitted from the sensing
unit and communicating information representative of the
performance characteristic to the user. The means for communicating
information to the user may include, or consist essentially of, at
least one of a visual signal, an auditory signal, and/or a tactile
signal (e.g., a vibration). The information may be communicated to
the user in substantially real-time and/or be stored, for example
within the sensing unit and/or the receiving means, for
communicating to the user at a later time and/or for further
analysis.
[0008] The receiving means may include one or more remote user
feedback devices, such as, but not limited to, a watch, a
detachable strap, a mobile phone, an earpiece, a hand-held feedback
device, a laptop computer, head-mounted feedback device (e.g., a
visor or hat), and/or a desktop personal computer. Alternatively,
or in addition, the receiving means may include a software
application and/or hardware (e.g., a dongle) for controlling at
least one function of a remote user feedback device, such as a
mobile phone.
[0009] In one embodiment, the sensing unit includes a housing unit
adapted to house the first sensor, the processing means, and the
transmitting means. The housing unit may be adapted to be
releasably attachable to a sole and/or upper of the shoe of the
user, or be fixedly attached to, or embedded within, an upper
and/or sole of the shoe. In one embodiment the housing unit is
releasably attachable to at least one of a fastening portion (e.g.,
the lacing portion) of a shoe or a heel portion of the shoe.
[0010] The apparatus may include means for determining at least one
second performance characteristic of the user, which can be based
upon an output from the first sensor and/or be based upon an output
from one or more second sensor(s). The second sensor(s) may
include, or consist essentially of, one or more accelerometers,
pressure sensors, force sensors, temperature sensors, chemical
sensors, global positioning systems, piezoelectric sensors, rotary
position sensors, gyroscopic sensors, heart-rate sensors, and/or
goniometers. Other sensors, such as, but not limited to,
electrocardiograph sensors, electrodermograph sensors,
electroencephalograph sensors, electromyography sensors, feedback
thermometer sensors, photoplethysmograph sensors, and/or
pneumograph sensors may also be utilized in various embodiments of
the invention. The at least one second performance characteristic
may include, or consist essentially of, at least one of a cadence,
a posture, a lean, a speed, a distance travelled, and/or a heart
rate of the user.
[0011] In one embodiment, the processing means includes a
comparison of a localized maximum angular velocity measurement and
a localized minimum angular velocity measurement during a foot
strike event (e.g., during a brief period immediately before, at,
and/or after initial contact between a foot and the ground). For
example, processing the measured data may include, or consist
essentially of, dividing the localized minimum angular velocity
measurement during a foot strike event by the localized maximum
angular velocity measurement during a foot strike event, and
comparing the resulting calculated value with at least one
predetermined comparison value to determine whether a heel strike,
a midfoot strike, or a forefoot strike has occurred. Alternatively,
or in addition, the processing means may include integration of
measured angular velocity data during a foot strike event and
comparison of the integrated positive angular velocity results and
the integrated negative angular velocity results during a foot
strike event.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention includes a method for
monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristic of a
user, the method including providing a sensing unit adapted to be
attachable to a shoe of a user. The sensing unit may include a
first sensor, such as a gyroscopic sensor, that is adapted to
monitor a movement of a foot of the user while the user is in
motion, processing means for determining a first performance
characteristic of the user, such as a foot strike location of a
foot of the user upon striking a ground surface, and transmitting
means for transmitting a data package representative of the
performance characteristic to a remote receiver. The method further
includes providing receiving means for receiving a data package
transmitted from the sensing unit and communicating information
representative of the performance characteristic to the user. In
one embodiment, the method allows for the communication of the
information to the user in substantially real-time.
[0013] These and other objects, along with advantages and features
of the present invention herein disclosed, will become more
apparent through reference to the following description, the
accompanying drawings, and the claims. Furthermore, it is to be
understood that the features of the various embodiments described
herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various
combinations and permutations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer
to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally
being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In
the following description, various embodiments of the present
invention are described with reference to the following drawings,
in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a biofeedback
system as worn by a runner, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a shoe with forefoot and
heel sensors embedded therein, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a shoe with a midfoot
sensor embedded therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a shoe with a plurality
of sensors embedded therein, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a shoe with an array of
sensors embedded therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of another shoe with an
array of sensors embedded therein, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a shoe with an sensor
holding insert inserted within the sole, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a shoe sole having
midfoot and heel sensor pads, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a shoe sole having
forefoot, midfoot, and heel sensor pads, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a shoe with a sensor
holding insert coupled to the shoe at a lacing portion, in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a shoe with a sensor
coupled to the upper, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a system for providing
biofeedback information for an athlete, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of another system for providing
biofeedback information for an athlete, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of yet another system for
providing biofeedback information for an athlete, in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIGS. 15 to 19 are schematic views of various biofeedback
systems as worn by a runner, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0030] FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a hand held
feedback device for a biofeedback system, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of a sensor pod for a
biofeedback system positioned on a lacing portion of a shoe, in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the pod of FIG. 21;
[0033] FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of a sensor pod for a
biofeedback system positioned on a heel portion of a shoe, in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the pod of FIG. 23;
[0035] FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of axes of
orientation for a gyroscopic sensor for a biofeedback system, in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 26 is a graph of angular velocity data from a
gyroscopic sensor for a heel striking running style, in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 27 is a graph of angular velocity data from a
gyroscopic sensor for a midfoot striking running style, in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 28 is a graph of data for a reset trigger for a
gyroscopic sensor, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0039] FIG. 29 is a schematic representation of various data
presentation means for foot strike location of a runner, in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIGS. 30a to 30g are schematic views of various attachment
mechanisms for a sensor pod for a biofeedback system, in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIGS. 31a to 31b are schematic views of various attachment
mechanisms for a sensor pod for a biofeedback system, in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIGS. 32a and 32b are schematic views of various attachment
mechanisms for a sensor pod for a biofeedback system, in accordance
with a further embodiment of the invention; and
[0043] FIGS. 33a to 33c are schematic views of various attachment
mechanisms for a sensor pod for a biofeedback system, in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] The invention described herein relates generally to improved
biofeedback systems, and related methods, for use in training users
(e.g., runners or other athletes) to run with an improved running
form or technique. The invention may be utilized by runners or
other athletes of all levels of skill from professional athletes
through to beginners and occasional joggers. By placing one or more
sensors on the body of a runner (e.g., on or in one or more shoe
and/or piece of apparel), the systems and methods described herein
may be used as a coaching tool to provide substantially
instantaneous feedback and coaching during athletic activity, and
also store information for evaluation and further processing after
the run.
[0045] Promoting better running form may be beneficial to a runner
for a number of reasons such as, but not limited to, improving
running efficiency (thereby increasing performance) and reducing
the risk of injury. In general, coaching can be an important way to
promote proper running form and keep runners injury free. However
the majority of runners (including many collegiate and even some
elite runners) have never been given any or significant training on
how to run with proper form. As a result, many runners are unaware
of problems with their running form (e.g., an improper foot strike
position or a running style wherein a runner's right foot contacts
the ground differently than their left foot) that may significantly
affect their running efficiency and leave them more prone to
injury.
[0046] The utilization of high-speed cameras during coaching may
provide a runner with some feedback to assist in improving running
form. However, not only do the majority of athletes not have
sufficient access to professional coaching utilizing such
technology to provide any substantive guidance to train them to run
with an improved running form, but such coaching, even if
available, can be expensive and time consuming. In addition,
watching video of an athlete running does not provide instantaneous
feedback that can be used by the athlete during a run. While
technology has been utilized to provide some instantaneous feedback
to a runner, such as the speed, distance travelled, heart rate, and
calories burned during a run, the information provided by these
systems does not produce biofeedback information that may be used
to give a runner substantive training on proper running form. The
inventions described herein address this issue by providing
improved systems, and related methods, for measuring, transmitting,
storing, analyzing, and/or communicating substantive biofeedback
data that may be utilized instantaneously, or substantially
instantaneously, to promote good running form in an athlete during
and/or after a run.
[0047] Biofeedback information of use in training an athlete to run
with proper running form includes, but is not limited to, foot
strike position, cadence, posture, and lean information. Such
information may be used to analyze a runner's technique and running
traits, and identify parameters that can be adjusted by a runner
during training to improve one or more performance characteristic.
Good running form for an athlete may include elements such as, but
not limited to, quick strides, a midfoot foot strike location, and
good posture. These elements may increase the efficiency and ease
of running while reducing stresses on the runner that could result
in strains and other injuries. In contrast, poor running form,
which is common in untrained athletes, may include elements such as
overstriding, aggressive heel-striking, and bad posture. These poor
running elements may, for example, produce excessive stresses to
the knee, potentially resulting in Runner's Knee/Petellofemoral
Pain Syndrome or other injuries.
[0048] The posture of a runner relates to the carriage of the body
of the runner during running. Good posture (generally an up-right
posture) may be achieved, for example, by standing tall and running
with your head up and with your gaze directed straight ahead.
[0049] The cadence of a runner (i.e., the number of foot strikes
per minute) may be important in ensuring good running form. In one
embodiment, a cadence of about 180 foot strikes per minute may be
optimal to prevent over-striding and to ensure proper running form
regardless of the pace of the runner. In alternative embodiments
higher or lower cadences may be used depending, for example, on the
specific physiology, age, and/or goals of the user.
[0050] The lean of a runner may be utilized to reduce the need for
excessive muscle force by advantageously utilizing gravity to
assist in forward motion. In one embodiment, improved lean may be
achieved by utilizing a running style including a forward lean over
the whole length of the body without bending at the waist and by
flexing at the ankle to reduce unnecessary muscle strain caused by
toeing-off.
[0051] The foot strike location (i.e., the location, on the sole of
the foot, of initial impact with a ground surface during each step)
can be extremely important in promoting a good running form.
Runners with a midfoot striking gait distribute pressure across the
foot during a running gait cycle differently than runners employing
a heel striking gait. In addition, the mechanical work performed by
the lower extremity of a runner using a midfoot striking gait is
distributed across the joints differently than a runner employing a
heel striking gait. Runners with a midfoot striking gait primarily
have pressure distributed in the lateral midfoot and forefoot
region of the foot at initial impact and exhibit more ankle flexion
(dorsiflexion) subsequent to the initial impact. Runners with a
heel striking gait primarily have pressure distributed in the
lateral heel at initial impact and generally do not exhibit as much
ankle flexion after impact. As a result, heel strikers tend to have
larger stresses placed on their knee which can lead to injuries
such as Runner's Knee/Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Consequently,
rearfoot/heel strikers potentially have a less efficient running
gait than midfoot strikers, with heel striking and overstriding
often causing braking. An example shoe conducive to a midfoot
striking gait is described in U.S. Patent Publication No.
2009-0145005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. In addition, a midfoot striking gait may
provide a superior running form than a pronounced forefoot running
gait (which may, for example, cause calf-strain and Achilles
strain). One embodiment of the invention may include the use of one
or more sensors to determine the location, on the sole of the foot,
of initial impact with a ground surface during each step, and/or
determine that angle of the foot with respect to the ground surface
at initial impact (which may be used to determine foot strike
location).
[0052] One embodiment of the invention includes a system 100 for
providing biofeedback information to a runner 115 for use in
improving running form. The system 100, as shown in FIG. 1,
includes one or more sensors 105 attached to (e.g., embedded
within, fixedly coupled to, or releasably coupled to) a portion of
a shoe 110 of a runner 115 to measure one or more data
conditions/performance characteristics during athletic activity
(e.g., a run). The system 100 also includes one or more remote
receiving systems 120 for receiving data from the sensor(s) 105 and
communicating information to the runner based on an analysis of the
gathered data. The analysis of the gathered data may be carried out
in a processor located in the shoe 110, the remote receiving system
120, and/or a separate analyzing unit (e.g., a personal computer).
One or more sensors 105 can be placed in each shoe 110 of the
runner 115, or in only a single shoe 110 of the runner 115.
[0053] The sensor(s) may be integrally embedded within the shoe
and, for example, within one or more portions of a sole (e.g., an
outsole, midsole, or insole) of a shoe. One or more sensors may
also be integrally embedded within one or more portions of an upper
of a shoe. In another embodiment, one or more sensors may be
releasably attachable to a portion of the sole and/or upper of a
shoe. For example, a sensor unit may be adapted to clip to a
portion of an upper of a shoe (e.g., an outer mesh layer of the
shoe or a lacing section of the shoe), and/or be releasably
attached to a portion of a sole of the shoe. The sensor(s) may be
releasably attached through any appropriate attaching elements
including, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastening (e.g.,
Velcro.RTM.), a clip, a pin, lacing, magnetic elements, and/or an
adhesive.
[0054] Various sensors may be utilized to measure one or more data
conditions during athletic activity. Example sensors include, but
are not limited to, mechanical feedback devices (e.g., retractable
pins that retract upon contact with the ground to measure and
indicate a ground contact and/or a force associated therewith, or
pins or other structures that provide a tactile sensation to a user
during foot strike), accelerometers, piezoelectric sensors, rotary
position sensors, gyroscopic sensors, temperature sensors, chemical
sensors (e.g., sensors for measuring oxygen levels), GPS devices,
pressure sensors (e.g., pressure transducers), force sensors (e.g.,
load cells, force transducers, or stress/strain sensors), and/or
goniometers. Example pressure/force sensors include, but are not
limited to, resistive, capacitive, impedance based, and/or
piezoelectric sensors. The sensors may measure data conditions at a
localized position or be strips or pads adapted to measure data
conditions (e.g., pressure and/or force) over an extended area. In
various embodiments other electromagnetic, mechanical, and/or
optical sensors may be used in addition to, or in place of, the
sensors listed above.
[0055] One or more sensors may be placed at any appropriate
location on the shoe and, for example, within a forefoot portion, a
midfoot portion, and/or a heel portion of a shoe sole and/or upper.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a shoe 110 includes a
forefoot sensor 105 located in a forefoot portion 117 of the shoe
110, and a heel sensor 105 located within a heel portion 122 of the
shoe 110. Sensors may be placed at other locations on the shoe 110
in addition to, or in place of, the forefoot portion 117 and heel
portion 122. For example, one or more midfoot sensors 105 may be
located at a midfoot portion 125 of a shoe 110, as shown in FIG. 3.
The various sensors 105 may be positioned within or above a sole
130 of the shoe 110 (e.g., within a cavity in the midsole of the
shoe or in an insole place within the shoe) and/or be positioned
within or on an upper 135 of a shoe 110.
[0056] In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors 105 (i.e., a
sensor array) are positioned at various locations along a length of
the shoe 110, or a portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. These
sensors 105 may be positioned at a number of locations
substantially along a central axis 140 of the sole 130, as shown in
FIG. 5, or at a number of locations along a medial side 145 and/or
a lateral side 150 of the sole 130, as shown in FIG. 6. Any
appropriate number of sensors 105 may be positioned at any
appropriate locations over the length and width of the sole 130 of
the shoe 110, with the sensors 105 embedded within, or releasably
attached to, an outsole, midsole, and/or insole of the sole 130,
depending upon the specific data and running traits being measured.
In one embodiment, one or more of the sensors 105 may be exposed on
an outer surface of the sole 130. Alternatively, or in addition,
one or more of the sensors 105 may be embedded within the sole
130.
[0057] In one embodiment, one or more sensors 105 may be placed in
a removable insert that may be positioned inside a shoe, for
example as a removable insole or as an insert adapted to fit within
a cavity or pocket formed within a portion of the shoe sole or
upper (e.g., in a heel pocket of tongue pocket). For example, a
shoe 110 may be formed with a sole portion 130 having a cavity 170
adapted to releasably receive an insert 175 holding one or more
sensors 105 therein, as shown in FIG. 7. The cavity may include a
covering portion adapted to cover and protect the insert during
operation. The cavity 170, or cavities, may be placed at any
location within the forefoot portion 117, midfoot portion 125,
and/or heel portion 122 of the shoe 110. In various embodiments the
cavity 170 may be accessed from the interior of the shoe, as shown
in FIG. 7, or through an opening in an outer surface of the outsole
130 of the shoe 110.
[0058] In one embodiment, one or more sensor pads or strips may be
affixed to, or embedded in, a sole 130 of a shoe 110. For example,
FIG. 8 shows a sole 130 having a heel sensor pad 180 located at a
heel portion 122 along a lateral side 150 of the sole 130, with a
midfoot sensor pad 185 located at a midfoot portion 125 along the
lateral side 150 of the sole 130. Sensor pads or strips can be
positioned along a medial side, lateral side, and/or central
portion of the sole, or span across a width of the shoe, or a
portion thereof. For example, FIG. 9 shows a sole 130 having a
midfoot sensor pad 185 located at a midfoot portion 125 along the
lateral side 150 of the sole 130, but also having a heel sensor pad
190 spanning across the width of the heel portion 122 and a
forefoot sensor pad 195 spanning across the width of forefoot
portion 117.
[0059] In various embodiments sensor pads and/or strips may be
positioned on any portion of the shoe sole. The sensor pads or
strips can be embedded within an outsole, midsole, and/or insole,
or be positioned between adjoining layers of the sole.
Alternatively, the sensor pads or strips can be located in a
removable insert (e.g., a removable insole) that can be placed into
the shoe, or attached to an exterior, ground contacting, surface of
the sole.
[0060] Alternatively, one or more sensors 105 may be placed within
an insert 160 that may be releasably attached to the shoe 110 at a
lacing portion 165, as shown in FIG. 10, or on one or more portions
of an upper 135 of the shoe 110, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0061] The sensors 105 may be used to measure the location and
distribution of each foot strike of each foot on the ground during
running and/or the force and/or pressure applied to various
portions of the foot during running. The measured data may be
processed to produce biofeedback information that may be used to
train a runner to run with a more efficient and safer foot strike
location, such as with a midfoot strike. The data may be processed
and communicated to a runner instantaneously, or substantially
instantaneously, to give the runner immediate feedback during a
run. The data may also be stored and used to generate both mean and
time dependent results after the run is completed, thereby
providing a runner and/or a coach with a full analysis of the
runner's performance over the course of the run.
[0062] The sensors 105 may also be used to measure the cadence of
the runner during a run, in addition to, or instead of, the foot
strike information, by recording the time between each foot strike.
Again, the measured data may be processed and communicated to a
runner instantaneously, or substantially instantaneously, to give
the runner immediate feedback during a run and/or be stored and
used to generate both mean and time dependent results after the run
is completed.
[0063] In one example embodiment, a shoe 110 may include a sensor
105 comprising a mechanical feedback device (e.g., a pin) located
in a sole of a shoe 110 and, for example at the heel portion. Data
measured and transmitted from the sensor 105 can be used to
determine when a runners heel is in contact with the ground,
thereby producing information that can be used to provide the
runner with a better awareness of their gait.
[0064] One embodiment of the invention includes one or more sensors
205 positioned either in or on the upper 135 or sole 130 of a shoe
110 (as described hereinabove for the sensors 105) to measure data
that can be utilized to determine a runner's posture and/or lean
during a run. For example, one or more sensors 205 (e.g.,
goniometers) can be fixedly embedded or releasably attached to an
upper 135 of a shoe 110 to measure data that can be processed to
provide biofeedback information related to a runners posture and/or
lean, as shown in FIG. 11. The sensors 205 may operate
independently from, or in concert with, sensors 105 for measuring
foot strike and/or cadence. In one embodiment, the sensors 205 can
communicate data to a remote receiver using the same transmitter as
utilized by the sensors 105. Alternatively, the sensors 205 may
utilize a separate transmitter. In an alternative embodiment,
sensors for measuring the posture and/or lean of the user may be
positioned at other locations on a body of a user (e.g., on an
ankle, leg, waist, arm, or chest of the user).
[0065] In one embodiment, one or more sensors can be embedded
within, or releasably attachable to, an item of apparel wearable by
a runner. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more sensors can be
mounted on a strap that may be worn by a runner, or removably
affixed to a portion of a runner by a skin sensitive adhesive or
tape. These sensors can be used in addition to, or in place of,
sensors on a shoe to provide biofeedback information related to a
performance characteristic of a runner.
[0066] In addition to providing biofeedback information related to
a runners proper running form (e.g., foot strike, cadence, posture,
and/or lean information), the systems described herein may include
sensors for measuring other parameters related to a runners
performance including, but not limited to, distance, pace, time,
calories burned, heart rate, breaths per minute, blood lactate
level, and/or muscle activity (EMG). For example, measuring blood
lactate levels may be of use in determining lactate threshold data
in long-distance runners and other athletes.
[0067] In various embodiments, the sensors 105, 205 may be powered
by one or more battery elements coupled to the sensors 105, 205.
The batteries may be single use, replaceable batteries or be
rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries may be recharged
by any appropriate means. Alternatively, the sensors 105, 205 may
utilize the biomechanical action of a runner for power.
[0068] The sensors 105, 205 may be coupled to one or more
transmitters for transmitting measured data to a remote receiver.
The transmitter may include, or consist essentially of, a wireless
transmitter and, more particularly, a radio frequency transmitter
and/or an infrared transmitter. For example, the transmitter may be
a radio transmitter adapted to transmit short wavelength radio
transmissions via Bluetooth.RTM., Bluetooth.RTM. Low Energy, and/or
ANT or ANT+protocols. In one embodiment the system may include a
transmitting system capable of transmitting over a plurality of
transmission protocols, thereby allowing the device to communicate
with multiple different receiving systems. The transmitter may
also, in one embodiment, be capable of receiving information
transmitted from a remote source. This information may be utilized,
for example, to turn on/off the sensors, calibrate the sensors,
and/or control one or more function of the sensing system.
[0069] The data measured by the sensors in or on the shoe(s) can be
transmitted to a remote receiving system for recording and/or
analysis. An example system 300 for providing biofeedback
information including both a sensing unit 305 and a
receiving/analyzing unit 310 is shown in FIG. 12. The sensing unit
305 can include elements such as, but not limited to, one or more
sensors 315, a power source 320, and a transmitting/receiving
element 325. The sensing unit 305 can be positioned in or on a shoe
and/or piece of apparel (as described herein). The remote receiving
unit 310 can include elements such as, but not limited to, a
transmitting/receiving element 330 for receiving the transmitted
data from the sensing unit 305, a remote user feedback element 335
for receiving the data, a storage unit 340 for storing raw and/or
analyzed data, a communication element 345 (e.g., a visual display
such as a graphical user interface (GUI), an auditory communication
element, and/or a tactile user interface) for communicating
biofeedback information determined from the analyzed data to an
athlete, and a power source 350. The transmitting/receiving element
330 can also be used to communicate with a remote database, such as
an online database for an online running/coaching community,
thereby allowing biofeedback information to be transmitted to the
remote database and allowing biofeedback information, training
instructions, software updates, or other digital information to be
transmitted from the remote database to the receiving/analyzing
unit 310.
[0070] Another example system 300 for providing biofeedback
information is shown in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the sensing
unit 305 additionally includes an analyzing element 355 and a
storage unit 360. Including an analyzing element 355 and a storage
unit 360 in the sensing unit 305 allows for initial processing of
the raw data from the one or more sensors 315 to be carried out in
the sensing unit 305, with the raw and/or analyzed data stored in
the storage 360 within the sensing unit 305. As a result, only the
processed data, or a small package of information representative of
the processed data, need be transmitted from the sensing unit 305
to the remote user feedback element 355, thereby reducing the
quantity of information that needs to be transmitted between
devices in order to provide real-time feedback to a user. This in
turn reduces the drain on the power sources 320, 350, thereby
extending the run-time and efficiency of the system 300. In
addition, storing raw and/or processed data within the sensing unit
305 allows the data to be downloaded into an analyzing device
(e.g., a computer) for further processing after the run is
completed, regardless of whether the data was received by a remote
user feedback element 355 during the run.
[0071] The remote receiving unit 310 may, for example, be a watch,
a portable media player (such as, but not limited to, an Apple Inc.
iPod.RTM.), a customized receiving unit adapted to be worn by the
user (e.g., attached to a detachable strap or adapted to fit in a
pocket of the user's garments), a mobile phone or smart phone (such
as, but not limited to, an Apple Inc. iPhone.RTM. or a Research In
Motion Ltd. Blackberry.RTM.), a portable GPS device, an earpiece,
and/or an item of headgear (e.g., a hat, visor, sunglasses, etc).
Alternatively, or in addition, the remote receiver may be a laptop
computer, a tablet computer, a desktop personal computer, and/or an
athletic training system (e.g., a treadmill). In one embodiment the
transmitting/receiving element 330 can be a separate unit (for
example, a dongle--i.e., a hardware or software "key" allowing two
remote devices to communicate) that is adapted to plug into a smart
phone or computer to allow communication between the sensing unit
305 and receiving/analyzing unit 310.
[0072] The biofeedback information could be communicated to the
runner through an auditory, optical, and/or tactile (e.g.,
vibratory) signal. Auditory signals can, for example, be
communicated through a speaker (e.g., a small speaker within the
shoe, the sensing unit, and/or receiving device) and/or in an
earpiece or headphones worn by the athlete. Optical signals can,
for example, be communicated through a visual display on a
receiving device (e.g., a visual display on a smart phone screen)
or through one or more optical transmitters such as, but not
limited to, a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, coupled to
the runners shoe and/or to an optical transmitter attached to a
piece of apparel or strap worn by the runner. Vibratory signals may
be communicated to the runner through a vibration inducing element
within the receiver and/or within or attached to the shoe.
[0073] The biofeedback information generated through analysis of
the measured data from the sensor(s) can be relayed back to the
athlete either in any appropriate auditory form such as, but not
limited to, a voice command and/or a warning signal. For example,
the information may be communicated via a software generated spoken
communication providing information and/or instructions to a runner
(e.g., "You are now running on your heel"; "Your cadence is too
low"; etc). Alternatively, or in addition, the auditory signal may
include a click, beep, or other simple signal that can provide a
runner with a warning if their running form does not meet a certain
requirement and/or provide a positive signal if their running form
does meet the required parameters. Such simple auditory signals can
also be used to provide timing information (similar to a metronome)
to give a runner a target cadence during a run. In addition, or
alternatively, the auditory signal may include a change in a pitch,
or speed of a musical composition being played to a user depending
upon the actual cadence of a user with respect to a target
cadence). By providing this practically real- time feedback, the
athlete is able to make quick adjustments to their gait during the
run.
[0074] In various embodiments the biofeedback information may be
automatically communicated to the athlete, be communicated upon
prompting from the runner (e.g., by initiating a communication
command in the receiver), and/or be communicated as a summarized
report at set periods (e.g., at the end of a set distance or period
covered the athlete could receive summarized biofeedback
information relating to his/her performance over the last mile
covered and/or the entire distance covered--e.g. "You spent 20% of
your time on your heel over the last mile").
[0075] One embodiment of the invention can include a system having
one or more sensors that are placed inside a shoe of a runner to
record foot strike. This information is converted to an auditory
signal that is made through a small speaker embedded within, or
attached to, the shoe of the runner. As a result, in this
embodiment a separate receiving/communicating unit would not be
needed to provide feedback to the runner.
[0076] In addition to, or instead of, providing real-time
biofeedback information, the information may be stored by the
system for later analysis by the athlete and/or a coach. This
information may be used, for example, to provide an athlete with a
history of their runs and their performance during each run. In one
embodiment the biofeedback system merely stores data from the
sensor(s) as simple raw data, with the processing and analysis of
the data being performed by a processing unit upon completion of
the run by downloading the raw data to the processing unit. This
may be advantageous, for example, in minimizing the size, weight,
and/or cost of the actual biofeedback system being carried by the
athlete during a run, while still allowing for detailed analysis of
the data to be communicated to the athlete and/or coach upon
completion of the run.
[0077] The processed data may also be uploaded to a shared computer
drive or a storage drive (e.g., a cloud computing system) for an
online community, thereby allowing the information, or portions
thereof, to be reviewed remotely by a coach and/or fellow athlete.
In one embodiment, processing and analysis of the data transmitted
from the sensors can be carried out by one or more application
software programs ("Apps") that may be downloaded onto a smart
phone or other electronic device. Such "Apps" can be programmed to
analyze data and present biofeedback information in any appropriate
way, depending upon the specific training requirements of an
athlete.
[0078] An example system 400 for monitoring one or more athletic
performance characteristic of a user, providing real-time
biofeedback information relating to the performance
characteristic(s), and/or downloading data associated with the
performance characteristic to a computer 455 is shown in FIG. 14.
In this embodiment, a sensing unit 405 is adapted to be releasably
or fixedly attached to a body portion of a user and, for example, a
shoe of a user. The sensing unit 405 can include one or more
sensing elements (e.g., a gyroscopic sensor, an accelerometer, etc)
for monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristics of
the user during an athletic activity such as running. The sensing
unit 405 can also include elements such as, but not limited to, one
or more power sources (e.g., a rechargeable or replaceable
battery), a processing/analyzing unit (e.g., a microprocessor), a
memory, an RF transmitting and/or receiving unit, and/or one or
more dock contacts 460 for allowing the sensing unit 405 to dock
with another device. Docking with another device may, for example,
allow for the transferring of measured data (raw and/or processed)
from the sensing unit 405 to an analyzing device (e.g., a
computer), the transmission of software applications, instructions,
upgrades, or settings (e.g., firmware pushes) to the sensing unit
405 from the analyzing device, and/or the recharging of the power
source of the sensing unit 405. The dock contacts 460 may include a
USB port or other appropriate port for connecting the sensing unit
405 to a receiving/analyzing device.
[0079] Data related to the one or more performance characteristics
can be transmitted 430 from the sensing unit 405 to one or more
remote real-time feedback (RTF) receiving devices 410 and/or to a
remote analyzing and storing device 455 (e.g., a computer) for
later analysis and long-term storage. The RTF unit 410 may be any
of the devices described herein. FIG. 14 shows a system wherein a
smart phone 420 and/or a watch 415 can be used to provide real-time
feedback to the user. The data associated with the performance
characteristic(s) of the user can be transmitted through any
appropriate RF signal such as, but not limited to, Bluetooth.RTM.,
Bluetooth.RTM. Low Energy, and/or ANT or ANT+protocols. In one
embodiment the RTF 410 (e.g., the smart phone 420) can communicate
directly with the sensing unit 405 without the need for any
additional hardware or software. In an alternative embodiment, a
dongle 450 may be used to facilitate communication between the RTF
410 and the sensing unit 405.
[0080] In one embodiment, the RTF 410 can receive and analyze
information from one or more sensing unit 405 and receive and
analyze data from other sensors or sources in addition to the
sensing unit 405 (e.g., one or more sensors embedded within or
directly attached to the RTF 410 and/or one or more additional
remote sensor units communicating wirelessly with the RTF 410),
thereby allowing for the simultaneous processing of information
associated with multiple performance characteristics of the user.
For example, the RTF 410 can include, or can communicate with,
performance measuring devices such as heart-rate monitors, GPS
monitors, speed/distance/time monitors, oxygen level monitors,
breathing rate monitors, energy usage monitors, etc.
[0081] In various embodiments the RTF 410 can communicate remotely
with a computer 455 or other processing/storage device (e.g., a
cloud computing system) through a wireless connection, and/or dock
with a docking port 460 on the processing/storage device to allow
for direct communication therebetween after a run is complete. The
RTF 410 may, for example, be adapted to allow for either one or
two-way wireless or direct "docked" connection between the RTF 410
and the sensing unit 405, thereby allowing the RTF 410 to download
software application, instructions, upgrades, or settings to the
sensing unit 405 and/or upload raw and/or processed data from the
sensing unit 405 after a run is complete. For example, the sensing
unit 405 can send small data packages representative of the
performance characteristic (e.g., a foot strike location of a user)
to the RTF 410 wirelessly during a run, with the raw data being
stored on the sensing unit 405 and downloaded to the RTF 410 and/or
to a remote analyzing receiving device 455 through a physical wired
connection for further processing after the user's run is complete.
The raw and/or processed data can then be stored in the RTF 410
and/or communicated 425 to an analyzing/storage device 455 or
facility from the RTF 410.
[0082] In one embodiment, a software application ("App") can be
provided to an RTF 410 (e.g., a smart phone 420) to control various
functions of the RTF 410 and facilitate the receiving of
performance characteristic information from the sensing unit 405
and the communication of the associate performance information to
the user.
[0083] The RTF 410 device (e.g., the smart phone 410 or the watch
415) can communicate information to the user in a variety of ways
including, but not limited to, through a visual display screen,
through audio signals emitted directly from the RTF 410 or
communicated to the user though a wired or wireless (e.g.,
Bluetooth.RTM.) headphone connection, and/or through a vibration
emitted by the RTF 410. Such information can be communicated
constantly in real-time or at selected intervals. In one embodiment
foot strike location information (e.g., a heel strike, a midfoot
strike, or a forefoot strike) is communicated to the user, while
additional performance characteristics information (e.g., cadence,
heart rate, speed, distance travelled, time, etc) can be
communicated at the same time, or substantially at the same time,
as the foot strike information, or be communicated independently
from the foot strike information.
[0084] The sensing unit 405 and RTF 410 may be attached to the user
in various manners, depending upon the particular performance
characteristics being monitored, the particular RTF 410 being used,
and the particular real-time feedback being provided to the user.
For example, one or more RTFs 410 can be mounted to a wrist, arm,
waist, hip, shoulder, head, chest, or leg of a user 435, or be
placed in a pocket of a garment of the user 435 or in a bag carried
by the user 435. Example configurations of sensing unit 405 and RTF
410 can be seen in FIGS. 15-19. In FIGS. 15-19 the sensing unit 405
is mounted on a fastening portion of the shoe (e.g., releasably
attached to the laces of a laced shoe). The biofeedback system 400
may utilize a single sensing unit 405 attached to only one foot of
a user, as shown in FIGS. 15-16 and 18-19, or utilize sensing units
405 attached to both feet of the user, as shown in FIG. 17.
[0085] Using a sensing unit 405 on both feet allows the system 400
to accurately monitor performance characteristics such as foot
strike location on both feet during a run. However, as running gait
is often reasonably symmetric (i.e., it is rare for a runner to
heel-strike with one foot while midfoot striking with the other
foot), valuable training information and biofeedback can be
obtained from the use of only one sensing unit pod 405, with the
user able to switch the foot on which the sensing unit 405 is
mounted between runs (or even during a break in a run) to ensure
that feedback relating to the foot strike location on both feet can
be provided over time. In addition, additional performance
characteristics such as cadence can be obtained through use of only
a single sensing unit 405 (as the cadence will be related to twice
the number of foot strikes recorded by the sensing unit 405 on only
one foot).
[0086] In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the RTF 410 is a wrist-based
device 465 (e.g., a watch 415 or other appropriate RTF device such
as a custom device specifically adapted to receiving information
from the sensing unit 405 and communicating that information to a
user) strapped to a wrist of the user 435 by a releasable strap or
band 440. The wrist-based device 465 can include a visual display
to provide a visual indication of the information, include a
tactile device to provide a tactile sensation (e.g., a vibration)
to the wrist if an event (e.g., a heel strike) occurs, and/or
include a speaker to provide an auditory signal if an event (e.g.,
a heel strike) occurs.
[0087] The embodiment of FIG. 16 uses a smart phone 420 including a
software application for controlling functionality of the smart
phone 420 to allow it to act as an RTF 410. The smart phone 420 is
releasably attached to the upper arm of the user 435 by a strap or
band 440. As with the watch 415, the smart phone 420 can
communicate information to the user 435 through a visual display, a
vibration, and/or an auditory signal. For example, the smart phone
420 may output an auditory signal that may be communicated to the
user 435 through a pair of headphones 445, as shown in FIG. 17.
Utilizing an RTF 410 having two-way communication functionality
(such as, but not limited to, a smart phone 420) allows the RTF 410
to both receive information from the sensing unit 405 and transmit
information to another remote device (e.g., a computer 455) and/or
back to the sensing unit 405.
[0088] In various embodiments other devices or garments may be used
as an RTF 410 for receiving information from the sensing unit 405
and communicating information to the user 435. In the embodiment of
FIG. 18, for example, a user 435 may wear a visor 470 that has a
receiving element embedded therein or attached thereto. The
receiving element may then process the data, if necessary, and
communicate information to the user 435 through a visual display
element 475 mounted to the visor 470. The visor can also include an
auditory feedback element (e.g., a speaker or a headphone
connection) and/or a vibratory feedback element in addition to, or
instead of, the visual display 475.
[0089] In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the RTF 410 may include, or
consist essentially of, a hand-held device 480, which can be held
in a hand of a user 435 during a run. An example hand-held device
480 is shown in FIG. 20. As with other RTFs 410, the hand-held
device 480 can include a variety features such as, but not limited
to, user communication elements, controls, and communication ports.
As shown in FIG. 20, the hand-held device 480 can include a visual
display screen 485 to provide visual information to the user 435, a
headphone jack 490 to allow for auditory signals to be sent to the
user 435, and a handle 495 having a vibration element held therein
to provide tactile feedback to the user 435. Alternatively, or in
addition, the hand-held device 480 can include one or more speakers
to communicate an auditory signal to the user 435 without the need
for headphones. The hand-held device 480 can also include control
buttons 500 to allow the user to control one or more function of
the hand-held device 480 and one or more communication ports 505
(e.g., a USB port) to allow for the downloading and uploading of
information between the hand-held device 480 and another device
(e.g., a computer 455), and to provide a charging port for the
hand-held device 480.
[0090] In one embodiment the sensing unit 405 includes a gyroscopic
sensor that is adapted to measure an angular velocity of the shoe
during athletic activity. Analysis of this angular velocity data
can then be used to determine foot strike information relating to
the user's running style, thereby allowing the user to be informed
of whether a particular foot strike was a heel strike, a midfoot
strike, or a forefoot strike. This information can be communicated
to the user in real-time, at set intervals, and/or be stored in the
sensing unit 405 for later analysis and processing. In addition,
data from a gyroscopic sensor can be used to determine when a foot
strike occurs, thereby allowing for the measurement of cadence
(i.e., number of foot strikes per minute) information for the user.
For example, foot strike location information (e.g., a heel strike,
a midfoot strike, or a forefoot strike), cadence information,
and/or other performance characteristic information can be
communicated to the user upon every foot strike. Alternatively, or
in addition, compiled and/or averaged performance characteristic
information can be communicated to the user upon the completion of
a preset or user selected number of foot strikes, upon the
completion of a preset or user selected distance travelled or time
travelled, upon request from the user, and/or at the end of a
run.
[0091] In one embodiment, a sensing unit including a gyroscopic
sensor can be releasably mounted to an upper of a shoe at a
fastening portion (such as a lacing portion or hook-and-loop
fastening portion) located centrally, or substantially centrally,
on the top of the shoe. An example gyroscopic sensor unit 510
mounted to the lacing portion 520 of a shoe 515 is shown in FIGS.
21 and 22. Alternatively, the gyroscopic sensor unit 510 can be
mounted to a heel portion 525 of a shoe 515, as shown in FIGS. 23
and 24, or to any other appropriate location on the upper or sole
of the shoe 515, depending upon the shoe, the specific mounting
arrangement required, and/or the measurement and calibration
requirements of the sensor.
[0092] The gyroscopic sensor may be a one-axis sensor, a two-axis
sensor, or even a three-axis sensor, allowing for the measurement
of angular velocity (x', y', z') about any axis (X,Y,Z), as shown
in FIG. 25, and thereby allowing for the measurement of a variety
of performance parameters associate with a foot strike. For
example, careful analysis of an angular velocity measurement z'
about the Z-axis allows for the identification of a foot strike
location (i.e., a heel strike, a midfoot strike, or a forefoot
strike) of a user during a stride, and thereby also provides
information as to whether a user's foot is dorsiflexed (heel
strike), plantarflexed (forefoot strike), or neutral (midfoot
strike) upon impact with a ground surface. Similarly, careful
analysis of an angular velocity measurement x' about the X-axis
allows the system to identify whether a user's foot is pronating
(wherein the ankle caves inwards towards the other foot) or
supinating (wherein the ankle caves outwards away from the other
foot) at impact with a ground surface. In addition, analysis of an
angular velocity measurement y' about the Y-axis allows the system
to identify whether a user's foot is abducting (wherein the
forefoot rotates outwards away from the other foot) or adducting
(wherein the forefoot rotates inwards towards the other foot) at
impact with a ground surface.
[0093] In general, the goal of an algorithm processing raw z'
angular velocity data from the gyroscopic sensor(s) is to
accurately detect the direction and speed of the foot's rotation at
the moment of impact with a ground surface, and to determine from
this the type of foot strike (i.e., forefoot, midfoot, or heel
strike) and the severity of the foot strike (e.g., severe heel
strike, intermediate heel strike, mild heel strike, midfoot strike
at rear of midfoot, midfoot strike at center of midfoot, midfoot
strike at front of midfoot, mild forefoot strike, intermediate
forefoot strike, or sever forefoot strike). An example method of
calculating foot strike location information from a gyroscopic
sensor reading is discussed below. In this embodiment, only data
from one single-axis of a gyroscopic sensor is required to measure
foot strike location and cadence.
[0094] The data recorded from the gyroscopic sensor may be
considered to be periodic, with each gait cycle being one period.
During a normal gait cycle, the foot often has a positive rotation
just before the foot strike (see, for example, FIGS. 26 and 27).
After the foot strike, during the stance phase of the gait, the
foot is flat on the ground and is relatively motionless.
[0095] The foot strike occurs during a short time period (e.g.,
between about 10 ms to 50 ms and, for example, about 30 ms or so)
between the end of the swing phase and the start of the stance
phase, with the angular velocity data (z') about the Z-axis during
that period providing information that can be analyzed to determine
the type of foot strike.
[0096] During a heel striking event the heel touches the ground
first, followed by a rapid rotation of the foot forwards until the
sole is flat against the ground. As a result, a large positive
rotational velocity during a foot strike event, accompanied by
little or no negative rotational velocity, is measured for a heel
strike. In contrast, midfoot striking is indicated by a smaller
positive rotational velocity followed by a clearly defined negative
rotational velocity, while a forefoot strike shows a larger
negative velocity than that observed for a midfoot strike. Thus,
there is a clear qualitative difference in the gyroscopic sensor
data about the Z-axis between heel striking and forefoot/midfoot
striking. It is often found that the maximum localized rotational
velocity occurs close to, but slightly after, the initial impact
during a foot strike event.
[0097] In one embodiment, raw data from the gyroscopic sensor can
be analyzed to determine foot strike location for a foot strike
event. In an alternative embodiment, pre-processing of the data
(for example through amplification and/ or low-pass, high-pass,
band-pass, band-stop, and/or Butterworth filtering) may be carried
out prior to analyzing the data to determine foot strike
information. The sample rate of the gyroscopic sensor can also be
set at any appropriate rate to ensure that the sample rate is
sufficient to obtain accurate information without sampling at a
rate that would draw too much power and/or take up too much storage
space. The sample rate may be set, for example, at between 500 to
5000 Hz or between 500 and 2000 Hz or, more particularly, between
800 and 1500 Hz and, for example, at about 900 Hz. In one
embodiment, a sample rate of about 900 Hz may be set to ensure that
at least about 300 samples are taken per stride.
[0098] Example gyroscopic sensor data for a heel strike is shown in
FIG. 26, while example raw gyroscopic sensor data for a midfoot
strike is shown in FIG. 27. Three foot strike events are shown in
each graph. As shown, the midfoot strike exhibits a positive spike
550 followed by a negative spike 555, with the negative component
showing that the foot is rotating "backwards" (i.e., the heel is
coming down relative to the toe) after initial impact. Conversely,
the heel strike has a positive spike 550 but does not have a
negative component (i.e., the local minimum 575 is never less than
zero), showing that the foot is rotating "forwards" (i.e., the toe
is moving down relative to the heel). A forefoot strike is
characterized by having a small positive peak 550 relative to the
negative peak 555, showing that the foot is rotating backwards more
severely than for a midfoot strike. Cadence can be determined
simply by counting the number of foot strike events over a
specified time.
[0099] In one embodiment, a microprocessor analyzes each angular
velocity sample from the gyroscopic sensor and determines whether
or not a foot strike has occurred. To find the moment of foot
strike, the microprocessor first needs to distinguish one stride
from another with a periodic trigger, as shown in FIG. 28. When the
foot is swinging forward, the toe is moving up and the rotational
velocity is negative. When the rotational velocity is negative, the
microprocessor adds each sample to a sum. When the sum reaches a
preset level, a flag is set and the sum resets 560. This happens
once for each stride, just before the moment of the foot strike.
After the flag is set, the microprocessor starts looking for a
maximum value 550. Once found, it finds the minimum value 555
within a set window. It is the ratio of this maximum and minimum
value that determines the rating for the foot strike.
[0100] The window during which the maximum and minimum angular
velocity measurements are taken for the foot strike location
analysis may be set to any appropriate size and starting point to
ensure that the required maximum and minimum peaks are captured
without additional, non-relevant, data contaminating the
calculation. For example, the window may be set to capture and
analyze data starting at, and/or ending at, a particular
identifying event during the periodic data cycle or a specific time
period or specific number of samples prior to or after a particular
identifying event during the periodic data cycle, and/or be set to
cover a specific time period or a specific number or samples from a
set starting point, as appropriate.
[0101] In one embodiment the window may begin from the moment of
initial impact, or the moment of the first local maximum angular
velocity after the initial impact, and continue until a point at or
after a first local minimum angular velocity measurement is
observed. Alternatively, the window may be set to review data
captured within a specific time window (e.g., between 10 ms to 50
ms and, for example, about 30 ms) or sample size starting at the
moment of initial impact, or at the moment of the first maximum
rotational value peak after initial impact, or at any other
appropriate time prior to, at, or after the instant of initial
impact. In another embodiment, the window for analysis may open at
the time at which the angular velocity is zero prior to initial
impact, and close at the time at which the angular velocity
transitions from negative to positive after the local minimum
angular velocity is observed.
[0102] In one embodiment, a determination of the foot strike
location can be calculated by comparing the maximum value with the
minimum value within the sample window in accordance with the
following equation:
Foot strike Location Rating (F)=|(Local Minimum value*100)/Local
Maximum Value)|
The results of this calculation produce a non-dimensional value
from F.sub.min to F.sub.max (for example, a value of between
F.sub.min=0 and F.sub.max=100), with F.sub.min indicating a severe
heel strike, F.sub.max indicating a severe forefoot strike, and
values in the middle of the range indicating a midfoot strike. The
specific values identifying each range may, for one example user,
be: X.sub.1 to X.sub.2=heel strike (with "X.sub.1" indicating a
sever heel strike and values closer to X.sub.2 indicating a more
mild heel strike) X.sub.2 to X.sub.3=midfoot strike X.sub.3 to
X.sub.4=forefoot strike (with "X.sub.4" indicating a sever forefoot
strike and values closer to X.sub.3 indicating a more mild forefoot
strike)
[0103] The values for X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 may be either preset or
be calibrated and/or selected to ensure accuracy for a specific
user. Example ranges for the values of X.sub.2 may be about 15-40
or, more particularly, about 20-30 or 20-25 or, more particularly,
about 20. Example ranges for the values of X.sub.3 may be about
60-80 or, more particularly, about 65-75 or 65-70 or, more
particularly, about 70.
[0104] Additional processing may be carried out to provide accurate
foot strike position information, if appropriate. For example, a
Gaussian multiplier or other appropriate 2.sup.nd order multiplier
may be applied to assist in analyzing the results. Additionally, or
in the alternative, results outside a set results window (e.g.,
outside the ranges F.sub.min to F.sub.max) may be either discarded
or shifted to a preset default value. For example, any result
greater than F.sub.max can either be shifted to indicate a value
"F.sub.max" or be discarded entirely.
[0105] In an alternative embodiment, a ratio of the integral of the
negative portion of the curve 565 against the integral of the
positive portion of the curve 570 (i.e., from calculations of the
area under the negative portion of the curve 565 and the positive
portion of the curve 570) may be utilized to produce the foot
strike location rating, rather than ratios of the absolute values
of the minimum and maximum local peaks. The data to be integrated
may be taken over any appropriate window size. Utilization of
integrated results may be useful, for example, in producing
accurate readings in situations where the sample rate of the
gyroscopic sensor is insufficient to ensure that accurate local
maximum and minimum peak values can be obtained. In addition, the
integral of rotational velocity relates to a change in angle of the
foot, which may produce valuable performance characteristic
information relating to the foot strike of a user. Where
beneficial, various other embodiments may utilize other appropriate
algorithms for processing the data to determine the foot strike
information.
[0106] In one embodiment, the sensor unit may be set to go into a
"sleep-mode" (i.e., a reduced power consumption mode) during
periods of inactivity. This sleep-mode may be set to turn on (when
a sensor remains at rest for a given period) and off (when the
sensor is moved) automatically. Alternatively, or in addition, the
sensor unit may include a user interface (e.g., a hardware switch
or a software "switch" initiated by a wireless signal from an RTF)
allowing a user to turn the power to the sensor on and off
manually.
[0107] In one embodiment, the gyroscopic sensor takes data
continuously throughout an entire gait cycle. However, in an
alternative embodiment, the gyroscopic sensor can be turned on and
off during a gait cycle so that it only takes data during the foot
strike event phase of the gait cycle. This may, for example, reduce
power consumption by the sensor unit and/or reduce the amount of
raw data being stored and/or processed by the sensor unit. For
example, a separate sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) may be used in
the sensor unit in addition to the gyroscopic sensor, with the
accelerometer being used to indicate when a foot strike event is
taking place and the gyroscopic sensor only capturing angular
velocity data upon triggering by the system when the accelerometer
data indicates that a foot strike event is occurring. Additionally,
or alternatively, the accelerometer data may be used to calculate
the cadence information (with the gyroscopic sensor data only being
used for foot strike location calculations), and/or the
accelerometer may be used to determine whether a user is standing
still, walking, or running, with the gyroscopic sensor only being
activated when the user is running. The accelerometer can, for
example, determine whether a foot strike event is a walking foot
strike or running foot strike based on the magnitude of the
acceleration measured at impact (with, for example, a running foot
strike indicated by a higher magnitude acceleration
measurement).
[0108] The performance characteristic information (e.g., the foot
strike location information) can be processed and communicated to
the user in a number of ways. For example, in one embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 29(A), the raw data can be processed to produce a
foot strike location rating value of between F.sub.min and
F.sub.max (e.g., between 0 and 100), with that value being stored
and communicated to the user. In this example, the user would be
provided with an accurate calculation of exactly where on the foot
the center of the initial foot strike impact occurred, with a
further indication of whether this value represented a heel strike,
a midfoot strike, or a forefoot strike being calculated based on
the set values for X.sub.2 and X.sub.3.
[0109] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29(B), the foot strike
location rating value can be placed into one of a number of "bins",
with the system communicating to the user which bin a particular
foot strike (or an average foot strike) fell. In the embodiment of
FIG. 29(B) the foot strike information is divided into nine bins
(severe heel strike 605, intermediate heel strike 610, mild heel
strike 615, midfoot strike at rear of midfoot 620, midfoot strike
at center of midfoot 625, midfoot strike at front of midfoot 630,
mild forefoot strike 635, intermediate forefoot strike 640, or
sever forefoot strike 645), although a greater or lesser number of
bins may be used where appropriate. In a further alternative
embodiment, the foot strike location rating value can be used to
merely indicate whether a heel strike 650, a midfoot strike 655, or
a forefoot strike 660 has occurred, as shown in FIG. 29(C).
[0110] By performing the analysis described hereinabove with a
microprocessor within the sensor unit the performance
characteristic data transmitted to a receiving unit can be limited
to merely a small package or data representing the foot strike
location rating value or the appropriate "bin" into which a given
value falls. The cadence information can also be transmitted along
with the foot strike information, or may be determined inherently
from the time at which each foot strike value is transmitted.
Minimizing the data that needs to be sent from the sensing unit to
the RTF can reduce the power required by the system and thereby
extend the running time of the system.
[0111] In various embodiments this information may be communicated
to the user through a visual signal, an auditory signal, and/or a
tactile signal. For example, an RTF could generate a sound (e.g., a
buzz), cause a vibration, and/or flash a visual indicator only when
a certain event occurs (e.g., a heel strike). Alternatively,
different sounds, visual signals, and/or vibrations could be
assigned to different events, thereby providing a different
indicator to the user depending upon the event occurring. The
severity of an event (e.g., a severe, intermediate, or mild heel
strike) may be indicated, for example, by different sounds or by
changes in the volume, pitch, tone, or other acoustic parameter of
a given sound. Similarly, variations in the intensity or color
and/or variations in the intensity of a vibration can be used to
differentiate between different severities of a given foot strike
event. In one embodiment the auditory, visual, and/or tactile
signals associated with a specific foot strike position may be
preset, or be selected by the user depending upon his/her
particular preferences and the functionality of the RTF being
used.
[0112] The sensing unit can, in one embodiment, include a housing
unit adapted to house the sensor, a power source, a processor,
and/or a transmitter. The housing unit may, for example, provide a
protective casing for the sensor and other electronics and/or
provide a mounting means by which the sensor can be mounted to the
shoe of the user. The housing unit may be adapted to be releasably
attachable to a sole and/or upper of the shoe of the user, or be
fixedly attached to, or embedded within an upper and/or sole of the
shoe. In one embodiment the housing unit is releasably attachable
to at least one of a fastening portion (e.g., the lacing portion or
a hook-and-loop fastening portion) of a shoe or a heel portion of
the shoe. The housing unit may have an integrated mounting element
for mounting the device to a shoe. Alternatively, the housing unit
and mounting unit may be separate, attachable, elements that can be
coupled together to mount the sensor package to the shoe. Example
housing units 700 and mounting elements 705 are shown in FIGS. 30a
to 33c.
[0113] The embodiment shown in FIG. 30a includes a housing unit 700
that is either fixedly or detachably attached to an elastic or
inelastic mounting element 705 that includes hooked ends 710 for
engaging the laces of a shoe. FIG. 30b includes a housing unit 700
having a plurality of elastic or inelastic hooks 715 extending from
the housing unit 700 for engaging the laces or the eyelets of a
shoe. FIG. 30c includes a housing unit 700 having a flexible or
inflexible base unit 720 that can be placed under the laces of a
shoe and be fixedly or detachably connected to the housing unit
700.
[0114] FIGS. 30d and 30e include a flexible or inflexible base unit
725 that can be slid over the heel of a shoe or slid into a pocket
on the heel of the shoe (as shown in FIG. 30d), or slid under the
laces of a shoe (a shown in FIG. 30e). The base unit 725 may
include pins for pinning the base unit 725 into one or more layers
of the upper the shoe. Again, the base unit 725 can be fixedly or
detachably attached to the housing unit 700. FIGS. 30f and 30g show
a similar configuration but with a latching element 730 allowing
the end of the base unit 725 to latch onto the housing unit 700 to
lock it in place when mounted to the shoe.
[0115] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31a, magnetic elements
730 can be used to releasably attach a housing unit 700 to the
upper of a shoe 735, while in FIG. 31b pins 740 may be inserted
through the upper of the shoe 735 to releasably or fixedly hold the
housing unit 700 thereto. In another embodiment a detachable
mounting unit 745 having a plurality of latching elements 750 can
be placed below the laces 755 of a shoe, as shown in FIGS. 32a and
32b, thereby allowing the housing unit 700 to be detachably mounted
to the lacing portion of the shoe.
[0116] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33a, a housing unit 700
can be slideably connectable with a mounting unit 760. The mounting
unit 760 may include flexible arms 765, that can be pinched in to
allow the ends 770 of the arms 765 to be hooked under the laces of
the shoe or the sides of the lacing portion of the upper of the
shoe. The arms 765 may alternatively be fixedly mounted to the
housing unit 700. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33b, the
housing unit 700 may be formed from a flexible elongate length of
material with the sensor, a power source, a processor, and/or a
transmitter held within. This flexible housing could, for example,
be slid below the laces and held in place by the closing force
applied by the laces to the shoe. In yet another embodiment a
housing unit 700 may be releasably or fixedly mounted to a clip 775
that can be clipped onto the upper of a shoe at a heel portion (as
shown in FIG. 33c) or over a lacing portion of a shoe, or be
attached to the upper of a shoe through an adhesive attachment, a
hook-and-loop attachment, a pinned attachment, or any other
appropriate attachment means.
[0117] In one embodiment data from a gyroscopic sensor coupled, for
example, to an upper body of a user can be used to provide posture
and/or lean information during a run. For example, a gyroscopic
sensor in a smart phone or other RTF strapped to the upper body of
the user (e.g., on the torso or upper arm of the user) can be used
to measure posture and/or lean information that can be coupled with
the foot strike and cadence information to provide the runner with
a more complete analysis of their running form. The smart phone may
then act as both a sensor unit and an RTF. In one embodiment, the
user can calibrate the gyroscopic sensor within the smart phone or
other RTF prior to use, for example by simply strapping the smart
phone to their person and then standing upright (e.g., against a
wall) to "zero" the sensor prior to the run.
[0118] In one embodiment, the foot strike position information may
be supported by GPS data, or other appropriate data, that can be
used to determine the altitude, and more particularly the change in
altitude, of the user for a particular foot strike. More
particularly, the altitude data can be used to determine whether a
runner was running on a flat or substantially flat stretch of
ground, or was running uphill or downhill, for each foot strike.
This may be beneficial in providing context for each foot strike to
ensure that accurate data and instructions are communicated to the
runner, as even runners with good running for will tend to heel
strike when running down a substantial incline and forefoot strike
when running up a substantial incline.
[0119] In one embodiment, a shoe may have one or more control
elements embedded therein to adjust an element of the shoe. For
example, control elements may be embedded in the sole of a shoe to
adjust a stiffness, flexibility, and/or thickness of the sole in
response to a signal received from a remote source. As such, a
biofeedback system can be adapted to send biofeedback information
measured by one or more sensors in a shoe to a remote receiver,
analyze the data to determine one or more performance
characteristic of the runner during a run, and send a control
signal to control elements in the shoe to adjust a characteristic
of the shoe to compensate for shortcomings in the runners technique
and/or to assist in training the runner to run with proper form. In
an alternative embodiment the analyzing and controlling steps may
be carried out by a control element embedded within, or attached
to, the shoe, without the need for a remote receiver.
[0120] While the discussions hereinabove relate to the use of
sensors to measure an provide feedback relating to a runners form
during jogging or running, in alternative embodiments the systems
and methods described herein may be used to measure one or more
performance characteristics related to athletic activities other
than running. For example, the systems and methods described herein
may be useful for training purposes in sports that require an
athlete to make rapid changes of direction (e.g., soccer, football,
basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, squash, badminton,
volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey, ultimate Frisbee, etc), where
analysis of the athlete's foot striking during a turn or "cut" may
provide valuable performance information. Similarly, sports that
require good jumping form when jumping (e.g., hurdling, basketball,
volleyball, etc) may also benefit from devices and methods that
provide accurate information relating to the position of the
athlete's foot during push of and/or landing. In addition, devices
that provide accurate information about the position and rotation
of the feet of a user may provide valuable training information for
a golfer during a swing, for a bowler during a throwing action, for
a baseball pitcher during a throw, or for other athletic motions
requiring a high degree of repeatability.
[0121] It should be understood that alternative embodiments, and/or
materials used in the construction of embodiments, or alternative
embodiments, are applicable to all other embodiments described
herein.
[0122] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The foregoing embodiments, therefore, are to be considered
in all respects illustrative rather than limiting the invention
described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the
appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all
changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *