CA2787216C - Performance monitoring brush, methods and systems for the sport of curling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an instrument for assessing the effectiveness of sweeping in the game of curling. A curling brush includes a shaft which is grasped by a sweeper, attached to a brush head which consists of a plastic receptacle holding a foam pad covered by a synthetic material. The sweeper uses the brush to clean, polish, and heat the ice in front of the curling rock in order to influence the rock's trajectory. Sweeping effectiveness is a function of the force applied to the brush head through the shaft and the number of brush strokes. The present invention includes a brush head in which is embedded an array of capacitive sensors. A continuous display of the force applied to the brush head is displayed on a digital display unit mounted on the brush head and transmitted wirelessly to a computer.

Description

PERFORMANCE MONITORING BRUSH, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THE
SPORT OF CURLING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a curling brush which measures brushing effectiveness by electronically measuring and recording the force exerted on the brush and the number of brushing strokes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Curlers use brushes to influence the trajectory of a curling rock. The rock typically rotates as it slides down the ice. The amount of rotation influences the distance the rock travels and the amount that it curls or curves. The brush is used to "sweep" the ice in front of the rock, reducing the friction between the rock and ice by polishing and heating the ice surface. The more effective the sweeping, the further the rock travels and the less it curls. Effective sweeping is determined by the amount of downward force applied to the brush and the number of brush strokes.
So more force and more strokes will generate more heat and will make a rock travel straighter and further.
The curling brush typically consists of a shaft which is gripped by the sweeper, a receptacle, and a replaceable head consisting of a foam pad and a fabric cover. This fabric is usually made of nylon or synthetic materials and it contacts the ice surface. The shaft is typically made of plastic or carbon fibre and the receptacle is typically made of plastic or wood, although other materials might be used in the present invention. The head is typically rectangular or ovoid in shape, although other shapes (e.g., round) are used.

2 Several factors influence the effectiveness of sweeping and therefore the influence on the rock's trajectory. These include; the size, strength, and fitness of the sweeper, the posture and technique used by the sweeper to apply force to the brush, and the construction of the brush shaft and head.
A brush previously designed in Scotland to assess sweeping effectiveness is described in the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications (2006, pp.

205), and uses strain gauges to measure resistance. More specifically, the strain gauges in the prior art were attached to a steel axle implanted in the brush head receptacle and attached to the brush handle shaft.
The present invention uses a distinctly different kind and configuration of sensors, and presents numerous advantages over the prior art, as outlined herein below in further detail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a performance monitoring curling brush comprising:
an elongated handle;
a brush head receptacle mounted at a lower end of said elongated handle and adapted for removable mounting of a brush head to said brush head receptacle from an underside of said brush head receptacle facing downwardly away from said elongated handle;
at least one tactile sensor mounted on the underside of said brush head receptacle to reside between the brush head receptacle and the brush head,

3 the at least one tactile sensor being arranged to provide output signals according to exertion of pressure against said at least one tactile sensor, whereby the output signals vary with changes in pressure exerted between the brush head and an ice surface during use of the curling brush by an operator; and a monitoring system communicably linked to said at least one tactile sensor to receive the output signals from the tactile sensor and, based on said output signals, convey information to at least one party concerning said use of the curling brush.
Preferably the at least one tactile sensor comprises an array of sensors.
Preferably each tactile sensor is a capacitive tactile sensor.
The monitoring system may comprise a user feedback device mounted on the curling brush for conveying information to said operator, in which instance the monitoring system is preferably configured to convey the information to said operator in real time.
Said user feedback device preferably comprises a visual indicator for conveying said information to said operator.
Preferably said visual indicator comprises a visual display screen.
The monitoring system may also or alternatively comprise a wireless transmitter mounted on the curling brush and a wireless receiver operable to receive wireless signals from said wireless transmitter at locations remote from said curling brush.

4 Preferably said wireless receiver comprises an output port configured for connection to an input port of a general purpose computer to communicate data to said general purpose computer based on said wireless signals for conversion of said data by said general purpose computer into an output format conveyable to said party.
When the brush is used in combination with the general purpose computer, preferably there is provided computer readable memory having software encoded thereon for execution by said general purpose computer to visually convey the information to the party through a visual display of, or connected to, said general purpose computer.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a curling brush for monitoring performance of a sweeper, the curling brush comprising:
an elongated handle;
a brush head mounted at a lower end of said elongated handle;
an array of tactile sensors inserted into the brush head which measure the force with which the brush head contacts the ice;
a digital display unit attached to the upper side of the brush head, facing the sweeper, which is connected to the sensor array by leads and which displays the force being exerted;
an interface module mounted on the brush, connected by leads to the sensor array and comprising a transmitter for transmitting digital output via a wireless connection to a computer;

a receiver unit plugged into the computer which receives the digital output;
and computer readable memory having recorded thereon a software program executable by the computer to display the force applied to the brush head

5 overtime.
The software program may be further configured to display of the number of brush strokes used.
Preferably there is provided a rechargeable power supply for powering the interface module, the digital display and the array of tactile sensors The receiver unit may comprise a USB connector for connection to the computer via a USB port thereof.
The interface module and the receiver unit may be configured to establish a Bluetooth wireless connection therebetween.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of evaluating a sweeping performance of a curler, the method comprising:
while a sweeper conducts a sweeping performance in which the sweeper travels in a longitudinal direction along a sheet of ice and uses a sensor equipped curling brush to perform back and forth sweeping strokes on the sheet of ice in a transverse direction lying cross-wise to said longitudinal direction, recording data readings based on signals from the sensor-equipped curling brush, and simultaneously recording video of the sweeping performance; and

6 storing the data readings and the video in a manner associating each of the data readings with at least one image from the video that was taken during a same time respective frame as said recorded data reading;
whereby each recorded data reading is automatically linked to a visual recording of at least one of the brush and the sweeper at the time frame at which said data reading was taken.
The method preferably includes providing simultaneous on-screen display of content from the recorded video and an on-screen indicator reflecting a value of a one of said recorded data readings recorded at the same time frame as said content.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for evaluating a sweeping performance of a curler, the system comprising:
a curling brush for use by the curler during the sweeping performance and having one or more sensors;
video capture equipment for capturing video of at least one of the curler and the curling brush during the sweeping performance; and a computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements and instructions for execution by a computer to perform the steps of:
receiving brush data readings based on output signals from the one or more sensors during the sweeping performance;
receiving video data of the sweeping performance from the video capture equipment; and

7 storing the brush data readings and the video data in a manner associating each brush data reading with at least one image of the video that was taken during a same respective time frame as said recorded data reading;
whereby each brush data reading is automatically linked to a visual recording of at least one of the brush and the sweeper at the respective time frame at which said brush data reading was taken.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a Prior Art brush head which used resistive pressure sensing technology;
Figure 2 shows an exploded elevational view of a curling brush of the present invention, including a handle shaft, a brush head receptacle, a sensory array, a foam pad brush head, and a data transmission unit;
Figure 3 shows a bottom plan view of the brush head receptacle illustrating the sensory array unit attached to the bottom thereof; and Figure 4 schematically shows details of the sensory array unit in plan view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The systems described herein are directed to a device designed to assess sweeping effectiveness by measuring the forces applied to a curling brush head. As required, particular embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, and it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in various and alternative forms.

8 The figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. For purposes of teaching and not limitation, the illustrated embodiments are directed to the device designed to measure sweeping performance.
Figure 1 schematically shows a Prior Art brush head consisting of a handle shaft 10 attached to a plastic brush head receptacle 14. Attached to the lower end of the handle shaft 10 is a steel axle 12 lying horizontally perpendicular to the shaft, and on which there are mounted two strain gauges 11 and an accelerometer 13. This brush uses resistive sensing to measure the force placed on the axle 12 by the sweeper's downward exertion on the handle shaft 10.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a curling brush 20 of the present invention. It is comprised of a shaft 10 which is attached to a plastic brush receptacle 14 that lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10 at the bottom end thereof. The shaft is gripped by the sweeper, thereby forming a handle of the brush, which may alternatively be provided in forms or shapes other than a purely linear shaft. In one particular embodiment, the receptacle 14 is approximately 220 mm x 65 mm, although the size may vary in other embodiments. A sensor array 21 is affixed to the receptacle to reside at an underside thereof that faces away from the handle projecting upward from the top side of the receptacle . A foam pad

9 covered by nylon material 22 is mounted on a plastic backing or base to form a brush head, which is attached to the receptacle by two bolts 23 which pass through the receptacle 14 and thread into the base of the pad 22, thereby sandwiching the sensor array 21 between the top side of the brush head and the underside of the receptacle.
The tactile sensory array is thus inserted in, or placed on, and fixed to the receptacle to reside directly behind the foam pad and plastic backing of brush head. Figure 3 shows a view of the sensory array 21 attached to the bottom of the receptacle 14. Figure 4 shows a more detailed view of the sensory array, which in one embodiment may be comprised of twenty-four capacitive sensors 41 each measuring approximately 11 mm. x 11 mm, and a connector 42 to the leads to digital display and data transmission units, as described in more detail below.
In one particular embodiment, the sensor array measures approximately 83 mm x 45 mm, not including the connection unit 42, and features 24 capacitive sensors, although the dimensions of the array and number of sensors therein may be varied. Unlike other sensor types (e.g., resistive), capacitive sensors do not have significant internal wear and tear under load. Since the scale of deflections experienced by the sensors is small, there is little chance for "set" in the material, thus reducing the frequency with which capacitive sensors must be calibrated. Compared to resistive sensors such as strain gauges, capacitive sensors provide superior sensitivity and repeatability. This repeatability, or reliability, is essential for use of this brush to compare different sweepers, for comparing different sweeping techniques, and for assessing decay due to sweeper fatigue.

The sensors are wired to the connection unit to send output signals from the sensors to the connection unit, to which leads 30 are attached for connection of the array and attached connection unit to other electronic components of the brush. In one embodiment, the connection unit measures 41 mm. x 24 mm.
5 As shown in Figure 3, the connection unit 42 may project outward to the front or rear side of the brush at a generally central position thereacross, thus aligning generally with the handle shaft 10 and jutting outward from between the receptacle and the brush head to place the leads 30 at a readily accessible location.
A digital display screen, for example an LCD screen, is mounted at the

10 topside of the brush head receptacle to face upward therefrom at position visible to the sweeper during use of the brush, for example offset to one side from the center of the receptacle where the handle shaft 10 connects thereto. The sensor array is connected to the digital display 26 via the connection unit 42 by a cable connection between the digital display and a respective lead of the connection unit 42. The sensor array 21 is also connected, via the connection unit 42, to a data transmission unit 24 mounted on the handle shaft 10 via by a second cable 25.
That is, the cables to the display unit and data transmission device attach to the sensory array at the leads 30 of the connecting unit 42 that is attached to the sensor array.
The plastic-backed foam pad brush head is attached to the receptacle in a position overlying the sensor array, for example by two bolts which pass through the receptacle via two holes 31 located on opposite sides of the sensor array. It will be understood that the brush receptacle and head do not need to be ovoid in shape, as shown in Figure 2, but could be other shapes such as rectangular or round.

11 The brush may employ a single controller, for example a single microcontroller, that receives input in the form of output signals from the sensor array and uses analog-to-digital conversion to convert the signals into data suitable for transmission onward to both the digital display and the transmission unit through the respective cables. The microcontroller may accordingly be embodied within the connection unit 40, which may also incorporate a suitable battery-type power supply for powering of the microcontroller, sensors, digital display, and transmission unit.
The battery or batteries providing such power supply may be rechargeable, either by removal for charging in a separate external charger, or via a connection port by which a charger or AC/DC adapter can be connected. Although such centralized control and powering of all components is employed in preferred embodiments, other configurations are possible within the scope of the present invention.
While the illustrated embodiment has the controller, digital display and transmitter mounted within separate housings at different locations on the brush, it will be appreciated that any two or more of these components may be combined into a single unit. For example, where all three are combined, this unit could be mounted at the illustrated position of the digital display atop the brush receptacle, with the sensor array being wired to the single unit through one or more suitable conduits or cavities in the brush head receptacle. Alternate mounting positions are also possible, for example by providing a suitable support projecting slightly from the handle somewhere suitably far down from the handle's upper end to still have the digital display facing upward at a position readily viewable by the sweeper.

12 The controller and digital display may be configured to provide a simple readout reflecting the total force exerted at the brush head, as calculated by a sum of the individual force measurements taken by all the sensors, with the controller thus scanning the sensors at high enough frequency to update the readout of the digital display in real time (i.e. sufficiently fast to avoid perceivable delay to the sweeper).
More in depth analysis of the sweeper's performance may rely on transmission of the digital data on the sensor readings to a receiver unit that is compatible with a general use computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.) to perform further operations on the data through software loaded on the computer. For example, the receiver unit may be a Bluetooth/USB adapter that plugs into the USB
port of a computer, communicates wirelessly with the transmission unit on the curling broom via a Bluetooth connection, and converts the received Bluetooth data to a USB-friendly data format for communication of the data to the computer through the USB port.
From the incoming data, software on the computer can cause the data to be stored in memory in a useful format from which various calculations or operations can be employed to provide different useful output to the sweeper, or their coach or teammates. This can include graphs or charts showing changes in the applied sweeping force over time, whether during an individual sweeping run down the sheet of ice, or in a more historical context showing changes in applied force over multiple runs. Before any data capture, the software user can enter a sweeper identifier (e.g. a name, number, or team position), so that the recorded data

13 is associated with a particular sweeper, whereby multiple sweepers (e.g.
different members of the same team, or members of different teams) can be stored and compared.
In addition to data on total brush force at any given time, the monitoring system may be configured so that the software can display information concerning force or pressure readings from individual sensors within the array. That is, while the system may be configured so that the on-brush digital display 26 is only operable to show a total force reading, the data transmitted to the computer preferably includes individual sensor values, so that the computer is not merely receiving a total force value for any given single sample reading of the sensor array.
The software may provide an on-screen pressure map of the brush head, illustrating whether the sweeper's applied force is being evenly distributed over the brush head or concentrated on one or more areas more than others, which may be helpful in analyzing whether a sweeper is holding their brush in an optimal position and orientation, or whether a brush head may need replacement. The pressure mapping ability may also be helpful in brush head or overall brush design by brush manufacturers.
Furthermore, the software may be used in combination with video capture equipment to record a sweeper's pass down the ice in a manner matching up the sampled brush readings with corresponding time frames within the video sequence. This way, the video can be played back with an on-screen display of the brush pressure, showing the changes in pressure value as the video is played back.
The video controls preferably include options for full-speed normal playback, one or

14 more rates of slow motion playback, and paused or freeze-frame still shots during playback. With the tie-in of video to the brush pressure monitoring function, coaches, trainers and curlers can visually detect particular aspects of one's sweeping practice or technique that have notable effects on the applied brush force, thereby making it easier to identify potential problems and to implement appropriate corrections.
The curling brush and software may additionally be configured to monitor the number of brush strokes made over a period of time, either using the prior art solution of an accelerometer for monitoring motion of the brush head, or by having the software analyze the pressure readings to detect each stroke on the basis of peaks and valleys of the monitored pressure readings. That is, a sweeper typically exerts greater pressure on the ice when pushing the brush away from his or her body than when pulling it back toward himself or herself, thus creating alternating peaks and valleys in the pressure readings as the strokes are repeated.
Plus, the brush may lift somewhat from the ice surface when changing directions.
Accordingly, an algorithm in the software may be configured to count the number of back and forth strokes by monitoring such changes in pressure to determine each time a stroke is completed, and accordingly increment a stroke counter.
The present invention provides a means to assess sweeping effectiveness by measuring and recording the force applied to the brush head, and possibly also the number of sweeping strokes. The benefits of such assessment include, but are not limited to, teaching of effective biomechanical technique, development of strength and stamina training, and the construction of new brush shafts and heads.
The digital display unit is a handy training tool because it allows sweepers to see how much downward force they are applying to the ice via the 5 brush head as they try various techniques (e.g., posture and grip positions). The computer output allows the coach to compare sweepers, assess the effects of biomechanical instruction, and assess the fitness of sweepers by observing the reduction in force over time. For instance, a sweeper may sweep a rock for up to 25 seconds 48 times during the course of one game.
10 This technology is very different from and has several advantages over, the aforementioned prior art brush previously designed to assess sweeping effectiveness. That brush used strain gauges to measure resistance. The present invention uses capacitive sensors which provide superior sensitivity and repeatability. The strain gauges in the prior art were attached to a steel axle

15 implanted in the receptacle and attached to the brush shaft. The present invention uses sensors embedded in the brush head and directly measures the force applied to the ice surface. Unlike the previous art, the present invention consists of an array of sensors which map the variations in force applied to multiple areas in the face of the brush head, allowing for the development of more effective brush head configurations. Unlike the previous art the present invention includes a display unit which will show the sweeper the force being applied.
Different versions of the brush may be marketed. For example, a simplified introductory level model may incorporate only the onboard digital display,

16 without the option of wired or wireless computer connectivity and associated software, thereby providing a lower cost option to individual curlers versus the full system, which may be more catered to coaches, trainers, clubs, teams, etc.
Another option for coaching or training purposes may include the computer connectivity and associated software, but forgo the onboard display visible to the sweeper during use.
Coaching or training packages may be offered in different levels as well, for example a lower level model without video functionality, and a higher level complete package including the aforementioned video capabilities.
As used herein, the terms "comprised" and "comprising" are to be construed as being inclusive and open-ended and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including claims, "comprised" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean the specific features or components included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features or components.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS:

1. A performance monitoring curling brush comprising:
an elongated handle;
a brush head receptacle mounted at a lower end of said elongated handle and adapted for removable mounting of a brush head to said brush head receptacle from an underside of said brush head receptacle facing downwardly away from said elongated handle;
at least one tactile sensor mounted on the underside of said brush head receptacle to reside between the brush head receptacle and the brush head, the at least one tactile sensor being arranged to provide output signals according to exertion of pressure against said at least one tactile sensor, whereby the output signals vary with changes in pressure exerted between the brush head and an ice surface during use of the curling brush by an operator; and a monitoring system communicably linked to said at least one tactile sensor to receive the output signals from the tactile sensor and, based on said output signals, convey information to at least one party concerning said use of the curling brush.

2. The curling brush of claim 1 wherein the at least one tactile sensor comprises an array of sensors.

3. The curling brush of claim 1 or 2 where each tactile sensor is a capacitive tactile sensor.

4. The curling brush of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the monitoring system comprises a user feedback device mounted on the curling brush for conveying information to said operator.

5. The curling brush of claim 4 wherein the monitoring system is configured to convey the information to said operator in real time.

6. The curling brush of claim 4 or 5 wherein said user feedback device comprises a visual indicator for conveying said information to said operator.

7. The curling brush of claim 5 or 6 wherein said visual indicator comprises a visual display screen.

8. The curling brush of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the monitoring system comprises a wireless transmitter mounted on the curling brush and a wireless receiver operable to receive wireless signals from said wireless transmitter at locations remote from said curling brush.

9. The curling brush of claim 8 wherein said wireless receiver comprises an output port configured for connection to an input port of a general purpose computer to communicate data to said general purpose computer based on said wireless signals for conversion of said data by said general purpose computer into an output format conveyable to said party.

10. The curling brush of claim 8 in combination with computer readable memory having software encoded thereon for execution by said general purpose computer to visually convey the information to the party through a visual display of, or connected to, said general purpose computer.

11. A curling brush for monitoring performance of a sweeper, the curling brush comprising.
an elongated handle;
a brush head mounted at a lower end of said elongated handle;
an array of tactile sensors inserted into the brush head which measure the force with which the brush head contacts the ice;
a digital display unit attached to the upper side of the brush head, facing the sweeper, which is connected to the sensor array by leads and which displays the force being exerted;
an interface module mounted on the brush, connected by leads to the sensor array and comprising a transmitter for transmitting digital output via a wireless connection to a computer;
a receiver unit plugged into the computer which receives the digital output;
and computer readable memory having recorded thereon a software program executable by the computer to display the force applied to the brush head over time.

12. A system for evaluating a sweeping performance of a curler, the system comprising.
a curling brush for use by the curler during the sweeping performance and having one or more sensors;
video capture equipment for capturing video of at least one of the curler and the curling brush during the sweeping performance; and a computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements and instructions for execution by a computer to perform the steps of:
receiving brush data readings based on output signals from the one or more sensors during the sweeping performance;
receiving video data of the sweeping performance from the video capture equipment; and storing the brush data readings and the video data in a manner associating each brush data reading with at least one image of the video that was taken during a same respective time frame as said recorded data reading;
whereby each brush data reading is automatically linked to a visual recording of at least one of the brush and the sweeper at the respective time frame at which said brush data reading was taken.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the statements and instructions are further configured to perform the additional step of providing simultaneous on-screen display of content from the recorded video and an on-screen indicator reflecting a value of a one of said recorded data readings recorded at the same time frame as said content.