EE01360U1 - Sport pole with sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sport pole that measures the driving generated by the upper body, which is applied to the ground through poles during the natural performance of nordic walking or any other sport, where poles are used to drive/propel the body forward. An inclination sensor along with a pole length sensor (pole length constant in a fixed length pole) has been placed into the pole for the achievement of the most suitable biomechanical performance, i.e. proper technique. The sport stick uses the Global Positioning System along with a topographical map to ensure that the slope of terrain does not affect the measurements of an inclination sensor. All collected data is analyzed by a control centre, wherein correct usage models have been saved along with a collection of the user's anthropometric and fitness levels.

Description

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present invention relates to sports poles, more specifically to poles related to walking, skiing or some other sport, where the poles are used to achieve body balance and propel the body during movement. More specifically, it is intended to assist the user in achieving the correct technique, setting the intensity of the exercise and meeting the exercise goals based on real-time collected and recorded information during this type of movement, and to provide detailed information about the user's upper body work and the balance of strength between the body halves, in order to analyze the development of the pole user both in the context of training, but in some cases also in the context of rehabilitation.

STATE OF THE ART

Poles used in Nordic walking (for training and rehabilitation), skiing, roller skating, etc., have been repeatedly developed with sensors from the perspective of both training analysis and user comfort. An example of such a development that simplifies training analysis can be seen in patent document WO 2003002218 A1. A force sensor is added to a conventional walking or skiing pole to measure the force generated by a person's hand work, which is transmitted to the ground. As a result, it is also possible to measure the estimated calories burned and the distribution of force between the upper body halves. An example of a development that promotes both training analysis and user comfort can be seen in patent application EP 1908499 A1, filed in Europe. A set of sensors is added to the pole, which includes, but is not limited to, an inclination sensor and a speed sensor. The purpose of the sensor set is to record the correct technique according to the area of use of the sticks and compare it with the technique of the stick user, and to warn the user if the given technique deviates too much from the recorded model.

A disadvantage of the sports sticks described in the aforementioned patent documents is that they do not allow the user to determine the appropriate stick length based on the user's training. They also lack a stick length sensor through which the stick receives information about its own length.

The poles described in the previous documents also lack a GPS device to determine the angle of inclination of the pole relative to the ground, in conjunction with topographic maps, which in turn changes the technical performance of the sports.

The poles described in the previous documents also lack the ability to record the necessary anthropometric and physiological user information and a methodology that protects the user's health and optimizes the measurement of technical performance.

The sports sticks described in the previous documents also lack the ability to store the necessary anthropometric (arm, leg, body length, weight, etc.) and physiological (strength, age, injuries, etc.) user information and a methodology that protects the user's health and optimizes technical performance in order to measure the user's actual technical performance and direct it towards more optimal technique with the sports stick's signals.

The present invention is directed to solving all of these shortcomings.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a sports stick that takes into account human biomechanics and individual differences, and collects information about performance in real time. Such a sports stick equipped with multiple sensors must also be able to take into account environmental factors that affect the measurement results of these sensors, such as the angle of inclination of the ground.

One of the goals of the invention is to accurately measure the force applied to the ground through the poles during the performance and pushing the person forward, which also takes into account the person's height, weight, maximum force, age, trauma mark and training level (hereinafter also known as user information), in addition to the slope of the ground and the length of the pole itself. These characteristics are important, because otherwise the control center installed in the sports pole, which analyzes the information collected from the sensors and generates a parameter model, cannot take into account the differences arising from the user information, the length of the pole and the slope of the ground, and the angle of force application depending on the latter.

For example, adjustable poles often used in Nordic walking or hiking may be adjusted to different lengths, which means that the force applied to them is significantly different and potentially damaging to the body's muscular structure and joints. Due to the lack of information, the control center analyzing the data interprets this as a significant difference in the distribution of force in the upper limbs and signals the user accordingly, but the actual difference resulting from the correct model is actually caused by the different lengths of the poles.

Another objective of the invention is to assess the correct technique during the performance, which means comparing the measured inclination range of the inclination sensor, which takes into account the slope of the ground, and the force applied to the stick with a given model. However, if, for example, in Nordic walking, the control center does not know that the stick used by the person is too long for his body dimensions, then the user can only be in the correct inclination range if he brings his hands forward of his body. However, this contradicts the correct Nordic walking technique, which imitates normal walking, and causes stress on the person's shoulder and back muscles and the ligaments of the joints of the upper limbs.

From a technological point of view, a sports stick has been developed that includes a force and tilt sensor, a stick length sensor, and a Global Positioning System (hereinafter GPS) receiver that works in conjunction with topographic maps and user information stored by the user. All results are analyzed and communicated with by a control center.

The control center is configured so that, based on the data received from the tilt sensor, which takes into account the slope of the ground, the range of the swing angle, it directs the user to adjust the sports stick longer or shorter after analyzing the information in relation to the user's height and trauma mark. When the optimal swing angle range is reached, the control center provides the user with data on the work done by their upper body and the balance of strength between the left and right sides, taking into account their body mass index and maximum strength and the individual differences in the usage pattern resulting from them.

These and other features, features, aspects and advantages of the present sports stick will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken together with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments, in which

Figure 1 shows a graphical representation of a preferred embodiment of the invention, together with the elements used in the invention;

Figure 2 shows a diagram of the elements and their functions in the invention;

Figure 3 shows an exemplary diagram of a user feedback system based on indicator lights used in the invention;

Figure 4 shows an example of the control center workflow using a stick; and

Figure 5 shows a sample solution to problems that arise when sharing sticks, which arise from different user information between users.

EXAMPLE

The following describes possible embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. It will be clear to those skilled in the art from this statement that the following descriptions of embodiments of the invention are intended for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

Figure 1 shows a sports stick 1 according to the invention, in which a control center 2 is installed that analyzes the technique and performance of the sport using the stick, and sensors that measure physical and geodetic quantities measured during the performance of the corresponding sport, together with indicator lights 3 and 4, all of which receive energy from a battery 5 located in the handle of the sports stick 1. The sports stick 1 can be either adjustable or non-adjustable, i.e. one-piece, as is known to those skilled in the art.

The sensors measuring the aforementioned physical and geodetic quantities are the tilt sensor 6, which is located at the handle of the sports stick, the length sensor 7, which is located in the middle of the sports stick, the force sensor 8, which is located at the bottom of the sports stick and is in contact either directly with the ground or via a tip, and the GPS receiver, which is located either in the sports stick or in the control center.

Figure 2 shows the collection of data by the control center 2 inside the sports stick 1, analysis and transmission of the results obtained from them to the user with indicator lights. The control center 2 is expected to use standard additional parts such as information input and output interfaces and ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing information. The information storage elements store programs and user information that the control center 2 uses and the results that the control center 2 reaches. Through the input interface, the sports stick 1 also has access to GPS 9 and topographic maps. It is clear to those skilled in the art that there are many precise structures, algorithms, hardware and software combinations to achieve such a result.

In the following explanations, the use of sports poles 1 for Nordic walking is taken as an example. The control center 2 starts collecting information from the length sensor of the pole 1. The pole length sensor is presumably a digital sensor, due to which manual entry of the pole length is not required, but it can be a combination of a measuring scale on the pole and an input where the user manually enters the pole length into the control center 2 system (just as a person enters data into a computer using a keyboard) or any other solution that serves the same purpose.

Next, the tilt sensor 6 is used, which detects the angle of inclination of the stick relative to the ground. The tilt sensor 6 may be, for example, an accelerometer tilt sensor or any other suitable tilt sensor. Using GPS 9, the control center 2 first compares the angle of inclination of the stick with a topographic map in order to understand how the slope of the ground affects the data measured by the tilt sensor. Next, the control center 2 compares the average tilt range of the stick, i.e. the tilt of the stick relative to the ground from the start of the push to the end of the push, with the existing usage model in it. If the user's activity model differs significantly from the model available in the control center, the control center compares the user's entered height, age and trauma mark with the length of the stick and indicates to the user the need and direction (shorter or longer) of the stick adjustment with the indicator lights 3, 4. Instead of the warning lights 3, 4, the same function can be performed by vibrations, sounds, a small display (LCD, hologram, etc.) on the stick, a real-time wirelessly connected image on a smart device, as well as combinations of the previous feedback systems or other systems that fulfill the same ultimate goal.

The force sensor 8 comes into operation only when the previous indicators are correct, otherwise the measured results of the force sensor 8 will be incorrect, either due to incorrect length of the sticks, unequal length of the sticks, or incorrect technique.

The control center 2 contacts the force sensor 8 after preparing a force application model corresponding to the user's information. During walking, the control center 2 can learn from the measurement results of the force sensor the average force applied by the user, which he uses to push his body forward. Depending on the user's information, he must push 5-40% of his body weight forward during training. At the same time, the force sensor 8 also allows you to measure the force balance of the upper body halves, i.e. compare the work of the left torso and left arm with the work of the right torso and right arm. This in turn opens up the possibility of adjusting the sports poles 1 individually in order to harmonize the force balance and so-called train the weaker side of the body. Such a feature is especially important when talking about Nordic walking as a rehabilitation procedure, where a person's movement is affected either temporarily or permanently by physical traumas.

Since the sports stick 1 uses several electronic devices for measuring, analyzing data and communicating with the user, it is natural that the invention also certainly includes an element that supplies the devices with electricity, such as a battery 5 and the possibility of charging it (for example, USB, but also all other solutions that fulfill the same purpose). However, considering that this is a mobile training tool that is mostly used outdoors, there are a number of possibilities to connect this invention with various elements that produce electricity, such as solar cells or elements that convert physical energy, such as friction/compression force, into electricity. A combination of the above elements can also be used to fully or partially cover the energy needs of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a table showing the meanings of the combinations of warning lights shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a logic diagram that reflects one possible example of the operation of the invention in repeated use. This means that the user has already entered and saved the user information 10 earlier. The operation of the control center 2, communication with other sensors and communication with the user using the indicator lights 3, 4 are depicted. In this example, the work process starts with the result of the length sensor 7 of the sports stick 1, where the control center 2 has started, because the user has indicated the imminent use of the sports sticks 1 by pressing the start button. Alternatively, the start button can also be replaced by a jolt of the sticks or some other solution, such as a voice-based command. In terms of energy saving, the control center 2 checks whether the sports sticks are adjusted for operation at all. If the adjustment of the sports sticks 1 has not been started within a certain period of time, the control center 2 automatically ends the session 1.5.

When the sports poles are adjusted in place or already in use in Fig. 4 1.1 to 1.2, the control center 2 can analyze the average inclination range of the poles 1 1.3 to 1.4 and 6.0 via the signal from the inclination sensor 6. At the same time, the control center 2 continuously monitors the user's location 9.0 using GPS 9 and can use the topographic map to take into account the factors affecting the inclination range of the user's sports pole resulting from the inclination angle of the ground. If the inclination range differs significantly from the optimal usage model, the control center 2 requests the person's height, trauma mark and age from the memory, which it compares with the length of the pole obtained from the pole length sensor 7. During this analysis 7.0, 7.1.1 to 7.2.6, the control center can understand whether the user's training equipment corresponds to his body dimensions. If, for example, the sports pole 1 is too long 7.1.1, it signals this to the user, as in Fig. 3 is shown by lighting the indicator light 4 at the end of the stick, LED 3 in Figure 4 7.1.2, and calculating the new stick length. The new stick length is indicated by the sports stick 1 to the user on the adjustment scale of the sports stick 1 by lighting the indicator light 3, 4 on the LED 4 light strip, which corresponds to the length of the sports stick 1 obtained as a result of the calculation.

Figure 4 shows that only after checking the length and inclination range of the stick, steps 6.0, 7.0, 7.1.1 to 7.2.6, 7.3, 6.1.1 to 6.2.4, the control center 2 contacts the force sensor 8, steps 8.1.1 to 8.2.4. This is because this guarantees unambiguously interpretable measurement results that are no longer influenced by incorrect technique, the optimal force application angle range of the stick, a displaced sports stick 1 or unequal lengths of the sports sticks 1. It is important to note that the checking of the inclination range and the associated ground inclination is not interrupted, but continues continuously during further analysis. Subsequently, the control center 2 continuously sends queries to the force sensor 8 about the average force applied by the user, steps 2.1 to 2.6, and at the same time also queries the memory about the user information of the person. By analyzing the average applied force and user information, the control center 2 determines whether the user should apply more or less force to propel himself forward, so that the exercise is stimulating for the body, but also with minimal risk of overload and taking into account traumas affecting the person. If the force application is normal, the sports stick 1 informs the user of this by lighting the indicator light 3, 4 LED 7. As before, the measurement and analysis of the results of the force sensor 8 continues uninterruptedly until a discrepancy occurs between the slope range usage model and the activity model or the use of the sports sticks ends.

It is important to understand that the communication between the elements in the sports stick 1 is not limited to using a wireless connection, but is expected to work using a wireless connection, for example, Blue Tooth. This reduces the unnecessary wiring and the resulting problems with the weight and durability of the stick. However, it also allows the control center 2 to be moved either to only one of the sports sticks 1 or to the sports stick 1 altogether, for example to a smart device or a computer.

The problem of different users of the same training equipment, profiles A to Y in Figure 5 and consequently completely different user information 10 and area of use, is solved by the so-called new player system. Just as in computer games, where a new player can create a new account or character, each user creates a new profile for himself at the beginning of using the sports sticks 1. When creating a profile, the necessary user information 10 and area of use 12 are entered, so the user and area of use of the sports sticks 1 can be easily changed. In schools, rehabilitation or training centers and other institutions where one pair of sticks potentially has several users, the same system can be expanded as much as possible, as explained in Figure 5. The user profiles are stored in a central system 11 and the sports sticks 1 are given unique digital identification codes. In the given example, the X profile ID-1 (1) is loaded for the sports sticks, the Y profile ID-2 (1) for the sports sticks and the Z profile ID-3 (1) for the sports sticks. After use, the data recorded during use is uploaded to the central system 11 and the sports sticks 1 are ready for use again, but the data recorded in the profiles can be displayed and analyzed independently of the central system.

Claims (3)

1. A sports stick with sensors (1), which includes an inclination angle sensor (6) and a force sensor (8), which are connected for information exchange with a control center (2), in which information is stored about the technique and performance of the sports field using the sports stick (1), an optimal use model for performing an analysis based on the indicators received from the inclination angle sensor (6) and the force sensor (7), and signal lights (3 and 4) for transmitting the information obtained in the analysis to the user, where the control center (2), inclination angle sensor (6), force sensor (8) and signal lights (3 and 4) are powered by a battery (5), which differs in that the sports stick (1) includes a length sensor (7) and user information (10) stored in the control center (2), where the length sensor (7) is intended to transmit information about the length of the sports stick to the control center (2); where, based on all the data received by the control center (2), a suitable length and a suitable applied force for the user of the sports stick (1) are determined; where the control center (2) stores information about the optimal usage model of the technique and performance of the sport using the sports stick (1); where the tilt sensor (6) is intended to transmit information about the average tilt range of the sports stick (1) to the control center (2), the control center (2) is intended to monitor information received from the GPS (9) about the user's location, using the user's location and a topographic map, the control center (2) is intended to calculate the actual tilt range of the sports stick (1) and compare it with the user information (10) to determine the length of the sports stick (1) corresponding to the user; when the length and average tilt range of the sports stick (1) are determined, the control center (2) is intended to communicate with the force sensor (8) to determine by analyzing the user information (10) in the memory whether the force used is optimal for obtaining the user's training result, the results of the analysis are provided for notifications by means of indicator lights (3, 4). 2. A sports stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sports stick (1) is an adjustable sports stick (1) 3. Sports stick (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the user information (10) includes information about the user's fitness level, age, weight, height and, if necessary, traumas.