EP2016425B1

EP2016425B1 - Smart communicating sports equipment

Info

Publication number: EP2016425B1
Application number: EP06759359A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pierre-Yves c/o Microsoft Corp. SAINTOYANT; Petri c/o Microsoft Corporation MAHONEN
Original assignee: Microsoft Corp
Current assignee: Microsoft Corp
Priority date: 2006-05-09
Filing date: 2006-05-09
Publication date: 2011-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-09
Also published as: CN101589313A; EP2016425A1; WO2007130057A1; ATE514953T1

Abstract

Mobile communication devices are interfaced with sports equipment that include at least one embedded sensor. The sensor may be a variety of different sensors, including, but not limited to: 3D acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors; humidity sensors; wind speed sensors; pressure sensors; and the like. Data that relates to the sensor measurements are transmitted wirelessly from the sports equipment to another device that may analyze the data. This device may be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, or a wired device, such as a desktop computer. The data may be transmitted through one or more networks.

Description

The sport equipment market continues to expand. Over the past several years, equipment has been developed to analyze the performance of a user with sports equipment. Some of this equipment includes golf devices to measure the speed of a golf swing, as well as the launch angle, backspin, and sidespin of a golf ball. Other sports equipment has been developed to measure the speed of baseball bats, baseball pitches, as well as equipment to determine the location of a ball within a strike zone or near a foul line. This equipment is typically located in close proximity to the user while they are participating or practicing in their sport. For example, a person measuring the speed of their golf swing may place the measuring device within a short distance from their swing plane. Once the person has swung the club, the device outputs the swing speed. This equipment, however, may be very costly and/or cumbersome to use.
WO 2004/056425 A2 discloses a method and apparatus for determining orientation and position of a movable object, such as a golf club, which utilizes motion sensors and real-time wireless data transmission of the orientation and position information for analysis and display. In one embodiment, the sensors include multiple angular rate sensors, such as three-axis vibration and rotational gyroscopes. The data transmission system comprises a transmitter circuit and an antenna for wireless transmission of data to a data reception system, such as a PC, a PDA, a cellular phone or a network. The data is further processed and displayed to a user by means of an interface device, such as a PC, PDA, cellular phone, or network.
US 6-157-898 A discloses a device for measuring a movable object, such as a golf ball, using multiple sensor types. The device comprises an accelerometer network and a radio transmitter for sending the data to a monitor unit in order to display the measured motion characteristics of the movable object.
WO2005/094953 A2 discloses a self contained instrumented golf club comprising two accelerometer modules mounted in a head and in a shaft of the golf club.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a smart communicating sports apparatus for producing sensor data that provides an improved communication capability of wirelessly transmitting the measured sensor data.
This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.
Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Equipment, such as sports equipment, has at least one embedded sensor within it that wirelessly transmits data to another device. The embedded sensor may be a variety of different sensors, including, but not limited to: 3D acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors; humidity sensors; wind speed sensors; pressure sensors; and the like. The data that relates to the embedded sensor measurements are transmitted wirelessly from the equipment to another device, such as a mobile device, that may analyze the data and display the data to the user. The data may also be transmitted through one or more networks to the user and/or other computing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary computing devices;
FIGURE 3 is a functional block diagram generally illustrating a smart communicating sports equipment system;
FIGURE 4 illustrates a system diagram of a smart communicating golf club;
FIGURE 5 shows a system diagram of a smart communicating sports ball;
FIGURE 6 illustrates a system diagram of a smart communicating tee base;
FIGURE 7 illustrates a system diagram of a base station; and
FIGURE 8 illustrates exemplary mobile device screen shots relating to sensor data received from smart communicating sports equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, various embodiment will be described.
FIGURE 3 is a functional block diagram generally illustrating a smart communicating sports equipment system 300, in accordance with aspects of the invention. Computing device 330 is a computing device such as the one described in conjunction with FIGURE 1 and mobile device 320 is a mobile computing device such as the one described in conjunction with FIGURE 2.
Typically a user will perform analysis of the sensor data received from the sports equipment using a sports application, such as sports application 322 and sports application 332. The sports applications are configured to receive sensor data either through a base station (308, 310), through a network coupled to the sports equipment, or directly from the sporting equipment. Application 332 may be configured to communicate with other applications, such as application 322 on mobile device 320. Once the data is received from the smart communicating sports equipment the user may interact with the data on their device using the sports application. Using a mobile device, the user may interact with the data in almost any location. For example, the user may interact with the golf club sensor data while practicing on the golf course.
Many different types of equipment may be interfaced to mobile device 320 and computing device 330. For explanatory purposes, only a few explicit types of sports equipment has been illustrated within FIGURE 3. Club 312, ball 314, and tee base 315 are coupled to mobile computing device 320 through base station 308. Equipment 1-N (316-318) are coupled to computing device 330 through base station 308. The equipment may also be coupled to other devices (mobile or fixed) through a network connection. Each piece of equipment includes a node that includes one or more embedded sensors. At least one of the embedded sensors is configured to wirelessly transmit sensor data. According to one embodiment, each embedded sensor is coupled wirelessly and each node includes the capability to directly communicate wirelessly with other nodes as well as conform to certain network protocols. According to one embodiment, nodes from Crossbow Technology, Inc. are embedded within the smart communicating equipment. According to one embodiment, the sensor data produced by the equipment is received by a base station and then provided to the device.
Generally a node can sense, perform limited computations and wirelessly communicate with other nodes or devices. A node typically includes a microprocessor, a sensor, such as a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor, and a radio (transceiver) controlled by a small operating system. The microprocessor processes the sensor data, the MEMS sensor(s) provide an array of sensor inputs, and the radio enables the node to wirelessly transmit their sensor readings throughout the network.
A node is typically powered by a small battery, such as a 3V battery. Typically, the node may be powered for around six months to a year using a battery. Some nodes may last much longer using a battery. Some nodes are being developed that run on solar power, or that get power from an outside source. To conserve power, the node may be put to sleep and only wake up when a sensor reading is needed.
According to the invention, each node includes an operating system ("TinyOS") which is an open-source operating system designed for wireless embedded sensor networks. TinyOS includes a scheduler, a database, a wireless radio stack, mesh networking software, power management, and encryption technology. TinyOS's component library includes network protocols, distributed services, sensor drivers, and data acquisition tools. TinyOS is an event-driven execution model which enables fine-grained power management yet allows the scheduling flexibility made necessary by the unpredictable nature of wireless communication and physical world interfaces.
Cellular/pager network 350 is a network responsible for delivering messages to and receiving messages from wireless devices. The cellular/pager network 350 may include both wireless and wired components. For example, cellular/pager network may include a cellular tower that is linked to a wired telephone network. Typically, the cellular tower carries communication to and from cell phones, long-distance communication links, and the like. The wireless devices can also connect directly to WAN's, LANs, etc, using hardware such as Wi-Fi cards that are becoming increasingly available for mobile devices.
Gateway 360 routes messages between cellular/pager network 850 and WAN/LAN 340. For example, a computer user may send a message that is addressed to a cellular phone. Gateway 360 provides a means for transporting the message from the WAN/LAN 340 to cellular/pager network 350. Conversely, a user with a device connected to a cellular network may be browsing the Web. Gateway 360 allows hyperlink text protocol (HTTP) messages to be transferred between WAN/LAN 340 and cellular/pager network 350.
FIGURE 4 illustrates a system diagram of a smart communicating golf club, in accordance with aspects of the invention. As illustrated, smart communicating golf club 312 includes head 450, shaft 460 and grip 470. Head 450 includes embedded 3-D acceleration sensor 410. Shaft 450 includes wireless processor module 420 powered by battery 430. Antenna 440 is coupled to wireless processor module 420.
More than one sensor may be embedded within golf club 312. For instance, a pressure sensor (not shown) may be placed in grip 490 to measure the pressure exerted on the golf club during a swing.
Each wireless processor module is coupled to a sensor and data acquisition board. In this example, the sensor and data acquisition board includes 3-D acceleration sensor 410. The nodes formed by the sensor and the wireless processor module may communicate with other similar nodes and may form their own network. To connect with a Host PC, LAN, or the Internet the processor/radio board is coupled with a gateway and network interface (See FIGURE 3).
The gateway may connect to the RS-232 port, an Ethernet port, or wirelessly using 802.11 a/b protocols. Sample sensors that may be coupled to the wireless processor module include, accelerometers, barometers, light, sound, magnetometer, photo-sensitive light, relative humidity and temperature sensors.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the wireless module is a Mica2Dot produced by Crossbow Technology. 3-D acceleration sensor 410 is model number ACH04-08-05 produced by Measurement Specialties.
Club 312 may be used to provide the user with 3-D acceleration data. Many uses of this data may be determined. For example, the user may review this data to see the speed of their club as well as whether their club is on of off of the target line.
An example will be used to clarify the use of the smart communicating sports equipment. A golf application may be running on the smart phone that is enhanced with low-power local radio technology. The golf club and tee base (See FIGURE 6) includes several sensors for environmental data (such as temperature, humidity) and sporting data (such as 3D-acceleration information) that can be sent in near real-time to a mobile device for post-processing and viewing. Other data may also be sent by the golf club. For instance, the wind-speed and direction, humidity at the ground level etc. Also the a practice golf ball (See FIGURE 5 for an exemplary smart ball) could include sensors for speed, acceleration, or even locality of the ball. The same is applicable, e.g. to tennis and squash, where monitor the spin of ball could be monitored, and locality information (e.g. is the ball was within or outside of the playing area).
FIGURE 5 shows a system diagram of a smart communicating sports ball, in accordance with aspects of the invention. As illustrated, smart ball 314 includes 3-D acceleration sensor 510, wireless processor module 520, and battery 530. 3-D acceleration sensor 510 is coupled to wireless module 520 and battery 530. Wireless Module is coupled to antenna 540, 3-D acceleration sensor 510, and battery 530.
The components illustrated in FIGURE 5 may be included in many different types of balls. For example, the components may be included in a golf ball, a tennis ball, a basketball, a baseball, a tennis ball, a soccer, a football, and the like. When the ball is caused to move, 3-D acceleration sensor 510 senses the 3-D acceleration and provides the sensor measurements to wireless module 520. Wireless module 520 may then transmit the sensor data using antenna 540 to some other device on the network.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the wireless module is a Mica2Dot produced by Crossbow Technology. 3-D acceleration sensor 410 is model number ACH04-08-05 produced by Measurement Specialties.
FIGURE 6 illustrates a system diagram of a smart communicating tee base, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As illustrated, smart tee base 315 includes humidity sensor 610, sensor board 620, wireless module 630, battery 640, and antenna 650.
Sensor board 620 is coupled to humidity sensor 610 and wireless module 630. Wireless module 630 is coupled to battery 640 and antenna 650. Smart tee base 315 is configured to measure the relative humidity and temperature of the environment.
According to one embodiment, the humidity sensor is a C5M3 by Sensorbase Technologic; the wireless module is a Mica2 by Crossbow Technology; and the sensor board is a MTS310CA sensor board by Crossbow Technology.
FIGURE 7 illustrates a system diagram of a base station, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As illustrated, base station 700 includes wireless processor module 710, interface board 720, gateway 730, battery 740, and antenna 750.
Base station 700 is configured to receive sensor data from smart communicating sports equipment and then pass the data to a host computing device. According to embodiments of the invention, the interface board is a Mica2 by Crossbow Technology, and the wireless module is an MIB510CA or MIB500CA interface/programming board by Crossbow Technology, and the gateway can be a computing device such as the mobile device or computing device illustrated in FIGURE 3.
Interface board 720 may couple to gateway device 730 either wirelessly or through a wired connection. For example, an RS-232 serial interface could be used, a hardwired Ethernet connection, or a wireless network connection may be used.
FIGURE 8 illustrates exemplary mobile device screen shots relating to sensor data received from smart communicating sports equipment, in accordance with aspects of the invention. Screen shot 810 illustrates the radial component of a golf club. Screen shot 820 illustrates a tangential component of a golf club. The radial component and tangential component were received from an accelerometer sensor. Screen shot 830 shows the temperature and relative humidity as measured by the tee base as described in FIGURE 6, and the speed of the ball and speed of the club. In this particular embodiment, the golf club is a putter. The speed of the ball is measured as discussed in relation to the smart ball as described in FIGURE 5. Many types of displays may be configured to show the user sensor data in a meaningful way.
FIGURES 1 and 2 and the corresponding discussions are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which embodiments may be implemented.
With reference to FIGURE 1, one exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a computing device, such as computing device 100. In a very basic configuration, computing device 100 typically includes at least one processing unit 102 and system memory 104. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, system memory 104 may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or some combination of the two. System memory 104 typically includes an operating system 105, one or more applications 106, and may include program data 107. In one embodiment, application 106 may include a sports application 120 that is used in processing and displaying sensor data received from smart communicating sports equipment. This basic configuration is illustrated in FIGURE 1 by those components within dashed line 108.
Computing device 100 may have additional features or functionality. For example, computing device 100 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIGURE 1 by removable storage 109 and non-removable storage 110. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. System memory 104, removable storage 109 and non-removable storage 110 are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device 100. Any such computer storage media may be part of device 100. Computing device 100 may also have input device(s) 112 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 114 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included.
Computing device 100 may also contain communication connections 116 that allow the device to communicate with other computing devices 118, such as over a network. Communication connection 116 is one example of communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein includes both storage media and communication media.
FIGURE 2 illustrates a mobile computing device that may be used in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIGURE 2, one exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a mobile computing device, such as mobile computing device 200. Mobile computing device 200 includes processor 260, memory 262, display 228, and keypad 232. Memory 262 generally includes both volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, Flash Memory, or the like). Mobile computing device 200 includes operating system 264, such as the Windows CE operating system from Microsoft Corporation, or another operating system, which is resident in memory 262 and executes on processor 260. Keypad 232 may be a push button numeric dialing pad (such as on a typical telephone), a multi-key keyboard (such as a conventional keyboard). Display 228 may be a liquid crystal display, or any other type of display commonly used in mobile computing devices. Display 228 may be touch-sensitive, and would then also act as an input device.
One or more application programs, such as sports application 266, are loaded into memory 262 and run on the operating system 264. Sports application 266 on mobile computing device 200 is programmed to process sensor data received from smart communicating sports equipment. The sports application may reside in the hardware or software of the device. Mobile computing device 200 may also include volatile and non-volatile storage within memory 262. Memory 262 also includes sports data store 268 that is used to store sensor data and data related to the sports application. Data store 268 may be a global facility for storing sports related data for applications on the device.
Mobile computing device 200 includes power supply 270, which may be implemented as one or more batteries. Power supply 270 might further include an external power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements or recharges the batteries.
Mobile computing device 200 is shown with two types of optional external notification mechanisms: LED 240 and audio interface 274. These devices may be directly coupled to power supply 270 so that when activated, they remain on for a duration dictated by the notification mechanism even though processor 260 and other components might shut down to conserve battery power. Audio interface 274 is used to provide audible signals to and receive audible signals from the user. For example, audio interface 274 may be coupled to a speaker for providing audible output and to a microphone for receiving audible input, such as to facilitate a telephone conversation.
Mobile computing device 200 also includes communications connection(s), such as a wireless interface layer, that performs the function of transmitting and receiving communications. Communications connection 272 facilitates wireless connectivity between the mobile computing device 200 and the outside world. According to one embodiment, transmissions to and from communications connection 272 are conducted under control of the operating system 264.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

A smart communicating sports apparatus (312, 314, 315), comprising: an embedded sensor (410; 510; 610) that is configured to produce sensor data; wherein the embedded sensor (410; 510; 610) is configured to measure at least one of the following:
acceleration; light; sound; temperature; humidity; spin; location; wind; and pressure;

an embedded wireless processor module (420; 520; 620) coupled to the embedded sensor that is configured to receive the sensor data and send data relating to the sensor data over a wireless link;

an antenna (440; 540; 650) that is coupled to the embedded wireless processor module; and

a power source (430; 530; 640) configured to provide power to the embedded sensor and wireless processor module;

wherein the embedded wireless processor module (420; 520; 620) is further configured to send the data over the wireless link to a base station (308, 310; 700) that is configured to receive the data over the wireless link and provide the data to a computing device (330; 320);

characterised in that
the embedded wireless processor module (420; 520; 620) includes an operating system that includes a wireless radio stack and a scheduler and that is configured to perform operations relating to the sensor data.
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the embedded sensor (410; 510; 610) is selected from an accelerometer; a barometer, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a magnetometer, a humidity sensor; a temperature sensor, and a wind sensor.
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the smart communicating sports apparatus is configured to be one of: a club (312), a ball (314), and a tee base (315).
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the embedded sensor (410; 510; 610) comprises a 3-D acceleration sensor and a pressure sensor that is coupled to the embedded wireless processor module (420; 520; 620).
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the embedded sensor (410; 510; 610) comprises a 3-D acceleration sensor and a location sensor that is coupled to the embedded wireless processor module (420; 520; 620).
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the embedded sensor (410; 510; 610)comprises an environmental sensor that is configured measure temperature; humidity and wind speed and that is coupled to the embedded wireless processor module (420; 520; 620)