METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING AND ENHANCING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to methods of athletic training, and is particularly directed to methods and apparatuses for tracking and improving athletic performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many athletic endeavors involve timing, repetition, and cognitive skills that are responsible for aspects such as planning and sequencing activities, focusing attention, selecting between environmental aspects, switching and dividing attention between different actions, mental rotation, peripheral vision and perception, pattern recognition, etc. Such skills are involved in every decision and move of an athlete, and the level of such skills greatly affects the performance of the athlete or any other individual performing a task. Training can significantly improve the timing and level of cognitive skills for an athlete, and various training programs are used to achieve such an improvement.

Studies have shown that response to stimuli and psychomotor skills in particular can be improved in laboratory settings using various electronic devices and interfaces and transferred to real-life job or task settings.

The problem with many training devices and systems is that the devices used to track, monitor, or induce athletic performance are specific to a particular sport. For example, there are many golf swing improvement devices that are useful only for golf and no other sport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for tracking and enhancing athletic performance is provided. The apparatus includes a device for attachment to a body part or to athletic equipment used in the sport for which enhancement is sought. The device uses a microprocessor controlled timer to generate audible, visual, or tactile stimuli to initiate a specific action on the part of the user. The specific action typically is one action in a series of actions to be taken by the user to complete the athletic activity. The device is attachable to any body part or athletic equipment with only minor modifications. The timing and type of stimuli may be varied according to the athletic endeavor, and once a pattern of alerting stimuli is set it can be revised over time to present different timing intervals.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and device for enhancing athletic performance.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and device for enhancing athletic performance that uses a series of programmable alerts at predetermined intervals to initiate a specific athletic action.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and device for enhancing athletic performance where the intervals between programmable alerts is adjustable.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and device for enhancing athletic performance where the programmable alerts can be audible, visual, or tactile.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and device for enhancing athletic performance where the alerting device is adaptable to any sport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the device used for enhancing athletic performance.

FIG. 2. shows a plan view of the components of the device of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the device without a wristband.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a wrist/arm band used with the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a screen capture of the device in interval setting mode.

FIG. 6 shows a screen capture of the device when in fitness tracking mode.

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of a vest that can be used to position the device.

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a torso strap assembly that can be used to position the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The system and method of the present invention are suitable for enhancing the cognitive processes relevant to a wide range of sports and sport-related activities, and other types of activities that require cognitive skills. Such activities may include the following non-limiting examples: basketball, baseball, soccer, American football, ice hockey, field hockey, rugby, lacrosse, cricket, golf, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, car racing, motorcycle racing, bicycle racing, polo, boxing, skiing, snowboarding, fencing, windsurfing, sailing, kite surfing, hang-gliding, martial arts (including but not limited to, kick boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, sumo, Jujitsu, Aikido, taekwondo, Kung-Fu). The attachments or fastening members of the inventive device preferably vary according to the particular activity, such as a sport or game, to which it is applied.

The training system of the present invention may optionally be presented to the subject through a computer-based interface communicating with the inventive device, optionally and preferably featuring a combination of hardware operated by the subject or a trainer, and a plurality of instructions for operating the hardware. The instructions may optionally be implemented as software.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for tracking and enhancing athletic performance. The apparatus or device, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The device 10 is relatively small or watch sized so that it can be fastened by way of a strap via slots 20 and worn as a watch or an upper arm band. Slots 20 can be used to attach a number of different fastening members such as velcro straps 21, hooks, etc., with the fastening member particularly adaptable to the body part or sports equipment it is attached to. As a pair of non limiting examples, the device 10 can be worn as a wristwatch, an upper arm band, or attached inside a football helmet. The device 10 may also be attached to the user's torso by way of a vest or other wearable apparel as will be explained in more detail later. The device housing 22 may be made of plastic or metal or any rigid, durable, non-allergenic material. The housing 22 is preferably waterproof or water resistant so that the device 10 can be used in water or where heavy perspiration may occur.

In a preferred embodiment, the device 10 is worn in pairs on the arms above the elbow. In this manner, there is one alerting transducer for each side (left or right) of the user's body, positioning on the upper arm places the transducer closer to the user's ear so the device is useful in noisy environments. However, for some uses a vest or other torso attachment of the device is preferable.

The device 10 has two main components; a microprocessor, associated circuitry, and components 30 and at least one mechanical transducer such as one or more loudspeaker/vibrating elements 32. A flashing light 31 may also be used to supplement element 32. A power source such as a watch battery 34 is used to power the device 10. Preferably, the device 10 includes a transceiver 40 to allow for programming the device via bluetooth or RF transmission in the well known manner. A display 42 can be used to display information such as timing intervals or an identification of the particular routine being run. The circuitry and components of the device 10 includes an accelerometer 44 to detect movement. The device 10 may further include GPS so that the user can be tracked while performing the athletic routine.

In accordance with the inventive method, the device 10 operates by providing stimulus to an athlete, the athletes response to the stimulus being a single step in a particular athletic process. For example, an American football quarterback may have to take 5 steps backward, look right, look left, look middle, cock arm, and throw, in that order for a total of 10 steps. The interval between the steps is variable as it is in many athletic processes. Accordingly, microprocessor 30 is programmed with three sets of intervals. Each of the 5 steps backwards occurs with an interval of, for example ¼ seconds, the visualization steps may have a ½ second interval, and cocking and throwing may again be ¼ seconds. These intervals are based on the pace of actual play but also the age and skill of the athlete. For younger athletes the intervals would be longer.

In an aspect of the invention, the device 10 improves the skill level of users by improving their visualization skills and techniques. In many sports, the direction of visual focus (e.g., look up, look down, look side) or gaze of the player is affected by the energetic and dynamic environment of the particular endeavor. In order to compete at a high level, it is necessary for the athlete, as often as is possible, to perform processes “in rhythm” or with the proper sequence. Going back to the football example above, a quarterback must typically retreat a few steps, scan the field, cock and throw. This is not always possible as there are other players trying to interfere with this process. The problem is that many athletes will quickly abandon the process in the face of the exigent danger of a bad outcome like being hit or sacked, which reduces efficiency and therefore lowers the quality of play. The present invention can be used to improve the user's athletic performance by ingraining the visualization process to the point that the user can perform the specific athletic task with minimal mental effort. This allows the user to spend less mental energy on basic visualization and process steps, and more energy on the dynamic environment.

As is well known in the field of developing cognitive skills, a user may become acclimated to the stimulus, the intervals, or both. Accordingly, the device 10 can be programmed to vary the intervals as well as the specific stimulus. For example, the ½ second intervals can be extended or decreased, or the intervals can still be very short but randomized so the user is not anticipating but rather responding to the stimulus. Also, the stimulus itself may be varied. For example, the stimulus may start as a buzzer, and then be changed to a beeper, a vibrator, or the voice of a trainer.

Programming the device would preferably be done by an electronic device such as a smartphone or computer, which interfaces with the device 10 via bluetooth to allow for programming. The software for operating the device 10 is preloaded on the microprocessor, and the software for programming or operating the device 10 may be downloaded from the internet onto the users smartphone or computer.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 the operation of the device can be explained. The device 10 is powered on by a switch 50 on the housing, which switch 50 is rotatable to allow for controlling the volume of transducer 32. The initialization screen 52 displays GUIs (graphical icons) corresponding to all of the functions of the device 10, the screen 52 also displaying indications of battery status and operational mode. Screen 52 is a touchscreen with, e.g., capacitive sensing so that touching GUIs allows users to initiate the various functions of the device in the well known manner. GUI 60 allows the user to select a desired stimulus tone or signal (audible or visual) by presenting a screen with tone options that can be sampled by the user. For example, the user may decide to use a beeping sound, a coaches voice, vibration of the device itself, or a flash of light, or any or all of the above in a randomized manner. Player mode, that is, the operational mode of the device 10 where the interval alerts are provided, is toggled on/off via GUI 62. When player mode is on, the device continuously provides interval alerts at intervals determined by the user. Heart rate monitoring/fitness tracking modes are initialized by GUIs 64 and 66, with hardware and software provided to perform these functions as is well known in the art. The interval setting screen 72 is shown in FIG. 5, with icons 74 for toggling the interval time.

A screen 70 for fitness tracking mode is shown in FIG. 6, which screen includes GUIs 73 for accessing screens associated with fitness, such as screens showing distance traveled, steps taken, calories consumed, etc. A user clicks on the appropriate GUI 73 so that the device can monitor heart rate, total distance traveled, maximum speed, total steps, and body temperature.

• • Player alert/reminder with vibration
  • Heart rate monitoring
  • Total miles/km GPS
  • Max speed
  • Total steps
  • Body temperature

Referring now to FIG. 7, a vest 100 useful for positioning the device 10 is shown. The vest 100 has a pair of straps 102, with a main body 104 having a device 10 receiving receptacle 106 formed therein. The vest 100 is suitable for male or female use and may include size adjusting fastening means. The receptacle 104 is sized for frictional fit of the device 10, and may be additionally restrained by any mechanical arrangement apparent to one of skill in the arc. The vest 100 may also include a battery that can be charged so as to provide long term power or recharging of the device. The vest 100 may be made of polymer plastic, cloth, rubber, or other flexible material, and should include interior padding to avoid chafing or abrasion injury to users.

FIG. 8 shows a torso attachment 200 useful for positioning the device 10 which has a series of straps 202. The straps 202 include a abdominal/waist strap 204 and torso/shoulder straps 206. The device 10 can be positioned anywhere on straps 204 and 206, affording the user the ability to position the device 10 according to the activity performed.

Any variations and any combinations of the above teachings are also intended to be covered by this patent application.