FR3115468A1 - Connected breastplate for combat sports - Google Patents

Abstract

Breastplate (100) connected for combat sports The invention relates to a chest protector (100) for combat sports, comprising: - protective padding, - an electronic circuit (110), - a set of mechanical energy sensors, connected to said electronic circuit (110). It is essentially characterized in that the electronic circuit (110) comprises: - an electronic threshold detection module, - an electronic slope detection module. Abstract Figure: Fig. 2

Description

Connected breastplate for combat sports

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of breastplates for combat sports, in particular those for which blows are struck, in particular martial arts, and in particular Taekwondo.

For brevity, only Taekwondo will be described here. However, the breastplate according to the invention can also be used in other sports, for example fencing and all its variations.

During a fight, it is useful, even necessary, on the one hand that each fighter is protected against the blows of his opponent; and on the other hand that the blows delivered are correctly counted.

As such, the fighters are equipped with breastplates, which may even be mandatory. A breastplate is a piece of protection worn by fighters on the chest which covers the chest, shoulders, sides and back, and which protects at least the chest, if not all of these parts of the torso .

Whether in training or in competition, to limit recourse to a third party who determines whether a blow has been struck, in particular a referee, it is known to have connected breastplates, that is to say breastplates equipped with sensors.

Such connected chest protectors are disclosed for example at the following Internet address: https://www.knghub.com/taekwondo/gen2-e-trunk-protectors-without-transmitter-2306.html

However, such breastplates are expensive, and require each fighter to wear a set of sensors.

The present invention solves this problem.

More specifically, according to a first of its objects, the invention relates to a breastplate for combat sports, comprising:

- protective padding,

- an electronic circuit,

- a set of mechanical energy sensors, connected to said electronic circuit.

It is essentially characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises:

- an electronic threshold detection module,

- an electronic slope detection module.

In one embodiment, the mechanical energy sensors are piezoresistive or piezoelectric sensors.

In one embodiment, the protective padding comprises two superimposed layers of padding, at least the mechanical energy sensors being inserted between the two layers of padding.

Provision can be made for the electronic circuit to also be inserted between the two layers of padding. Alternatively, provision may be made for the electronic circuit to be inserted into the breastplate at the level of the neck, in an area in which there is no padding.

In one embodiment, said breastplate is reversible.

In one embodiment, the faceplate further comprises a set of LEDs electrically connected to said electronic circuit.

In one embodiment, the mechanical energy sensors are configured to communicate by wire with a wireless communication module of the electronic circuit; and said wireless communication module is further configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote programmable computer.

As an alternative, provision can be made for the mechanical energy sensors to be configured to communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication module of the electronic circuit.

In one embodiment, the faceplate further comprises a set of rechargeable batteries to supply electrical energy to at least said electronic circuit.

According to another of its objects, the invention relates to a stroke counting system, comprising:

- an electronic communication device, comprising

- a remote programmable computer,

- a display screen connected to the remote programmable computer,

- a user interface;

- means of wireless communication,

- a plurality of faceplates according to the invention, the electronic circuit of which is configured to be able to be networked with the electronic communication device.

The programmable computer of the electronic communication device is called "remote" to distinguish it from the so-called "integrated" programmable computer of the faceplate.

According to another of its objects, the invention relates to a method of counting blows in a combat sport, for a set of at least two fighters, at least one fighter of which is equipped with a breastplate according to the invention, the method comprising steps of:

- transmit an output signal, comprising a rising edge and a falling edge, from a mechanical energy sensor to the electronic circuit, by wire or radio frequency,

- emit a signal representative of a shot when:

o when the slope of the rising edge of the output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value,

o when the slope of the falling edge of the output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and

o the time interval between the rising edge and the falling edge of the output signal is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Provision can be made for the step consisting in emitting a signal representative of a stroke to be implemented when, in addition, the time interval between a rising edge and a falling edge of the output signal is less than a predetermined threshold value .

Finally, the invention relates according to another of its objects, a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention, when said program is executed on a computer.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended figures.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

illustrates a graphical interface implemented using a faceplate according to the invention,

illustrates an electronic diagram of the faceplate according to the invention, in communication, and

illustrates an embodiment of a faceplate according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The faceplate 100 according to the invention is a so-called "connected" faceplate 100 in that it comprises a set of electronic devices, and that it is configured to communicate the output signals of these sensors, in this case by wireless thread.

It is intended for sporting, recreational, training or competition applications.

In this case, the faceplate 100 comprises a plurality of mechanical energy sensors 101, 102, 103. More precisely, the mechanical energy sensors are force sensors, in this case piezoresistive sensors or piezoelectric sensors.

Other types of sensors, for example force sensors, have been tested but are not satisfactory for the reasons explained later.

Piezoresistive sensors or piezoelectric sensors have the advantage of being reliable, robust, inexpensive and can be in the form of a strip comprising a plurality of sensors.

Such bands, known per se, are advantageously implemented in the breastplate 100 in particular in the form of undulations or zig-zags, in order to best cover the combatant's torso. On the , the dotted lines represent the area of the faceplate 100 in which the mechanical energy sensors 101, 102, 103 are arranged.

The breastplate 100 also includes an electronic circuit 110, to which said mechanical energy sensors are connected. It is possible to provide a wired connection, or a wireless connection, preferably according to the BTLE protocol, between said mechanical energy sensors and the electronic circuit 110.

In this case, the electronic circuit 110 is a miniature module configured to send data via Bluetooth, the sensors are connected by wire to the electronic circuit 110.

The electric power supply of the electronic devices is preferably ensured by a set of at least one electric battery 120, integrated in the chest plate 100 and preferably at the level of the neck.

Thanks to this configuration, the faceplate 100 can be self-sufficient in energy.

Preferably, batteries 120 are rechargeable. In this case, the 120 batteries are rechargeable via a standard USB interface.

Preferably, the electronic circuit 110 is programmed to allow a standby mode which allows it to be kept under voltage permanently for more than six months without use.

An actuator, in this case a push-button (not illustrated), allows exiting from standby mode. When in use, the autonomy of the batteries 120 is several hours, in this case 24 hours.

The integrated electronic circuit 110 advantageously allows the real-time processing of the signals coming from the mechanical energy sensors. For this purpose, the electronic circuit 110 preferably comprises an integrated programmable computer, in this case an on-board processor.

Like any 100 breastplate, the 100 breastplate offered here includes protective padding.

Provision can be made for the protective padding to take the form of at least two superposed foam layers.

In this case, the mechanical energy sensors 101, 102, 103 are integrated into the protective padding, between two superimposed layers of foam. Thus, the breastplate 100 can be reversible, without risking damaging the mechanical energy sensors 101, 102, 103 regardless of the direction in which it is worn.

The electronic circuit 110 is positioned in the breastplate 100, for example, at neck level, in an area for which there is no padding.

It is also possible to further provide a set of LEDs 131, 132 electrically connected to said electronic circuit 110, and supplied with electrical energy by said set of at least one electric battery 120. For example, the LEDs are positioned on the shoulders of the front plate 100, in this case according to 2 semicircular arcs, as illustrated in the . In this case, a set of LEDs 131 is provided on one side of the faceplate 100, and a set of LEDs 132 on the other side of the faceplate 100.

Preferably, the electronic circuit 110 is configured to send a signal to turn on the LEDs in the event of hit detection, as described later.

In a similar way to the LEDs, it is possible to provide for the breastplate 100 to include a sound device 140, in this case a buzzer, which can operate simultaneously or as a replacement for the LEDs, which can allow the fighters and/or their entourage to be notified of a blow even in the absence of a remote programmable computer 200 described below.

The electronic circuit 110 preferably comprises a communication module.

The communication module is configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote programmable computer 200, in this case a personal computer equipped with a display screen, a tablet or a smartphone.

The communication module is also configured to communicate wirelessly with the set of mechanical energy sensors, when these are operating wirelessly. In this case, the communication module is wired to the mechanical energy sensors.

The electronic circuit 110 advantageously comprises:

- an electronic threshold detection module, and

- an electronic slope detection module.

The integration of these two modules into the electronic circuit 110 makes it possible to make the faceplate 100 autonomous, which avoids deporting the calculations to the remote programmable computer 200. Of course, provision can however be made to send the output signals of the electronic module threshold detection and the output signals of the electronic slope detection module to a remote programmable computer 200 so that the calculations are performed there.

The threshold detection electronic module and the slope detection electronic module operate as follows.

A fighter is equipped with a breastplate 100 according to the invention.

When an attacker carries out an attack on the breastplate 100, at least one mechanical energy sensor emits an output signal representative of this attack to the electronic circuit 110.

In this case, the output signal is transmitted by wire to the wireless communication module.

The output signal comprises a rising edge and a falling edge, between which the intensity of said signal passes through a maximum.

The slope detection electronic module is configured to compare the slope of the rising edge of the output signal to a predetermined threshold value and to emit a signal (or a digital value) when the intensity is greater than the threshold value. This means that the blow is delivered with a certain speed, it is a blow and not a slow pressure.

Similarly, for a hit to be counted, it must be landed, i.e. the contact between the assailant and the 100 chest protector remains brief.

To this end, the slope detection electronic module is also configured to compare the slope of the falling edge of the output signal with a predetermined threshold value and to emit a signal (or a digital value) when the intensity is greater than the threshold value. This means that the blow is delivered with a certain speed, it is a blow and not a slow pressure.

The notion of speed is ensured by measuring the time interval between a rising edge and a falling edge of the output signal.

To this end, the electronic threshold detection module is configured to compare this time interval with a predetermined threshold value and a signal (or a digital value) is transmitted when the time interval is less than the threshold value, which means that the blow is delivered with a certain speed, it is a blow and not a slow pressure.

By the combination of these 3 aspects: rising edge, falling edge and short interval between the two, the faceplate 100 according to the invention makes it possible to detect and count blows whose application on the faceplate 100 generates by the energy sensors mechanics a signal whose form is globally impulsive.

By virtue of this combination, a hit can be determined, and counted, in a signal which has significant noise.

It is also possible to plan to use the intensity of the output signal. For example, provision is made to compare the intensity of the output signal with a predetermined threshold value and to emit a signal (or a digital value) when, in addition, the intensity is greater than the threshold value. This means that the blow reaches a certain force, more than a pressure point.

Thus, thanks to the invention, when a fighter is equipped with a 100 breastplate, a hit is counted if it is actually applied.

That is to say that if the intensity of the signal is too low, for example because the wearer of the 100 breastplate touches himself or the opponent does not carry out his attack sufficiently, then no hit is counted.

Similarly, if the slope of the rising edge of the output signal is too low, that is to say less than a predetermined threshold value, for example because the wearer of the breastplate 100 is touching or the adversary is not attacking in a sufficiently incisive way, then no blow is counted.

When a stroke is counted by the electronic circuit 110, provision can be made for it to send an activation signal to the LEDs and to the buzzer 140. Provision can also be made for the electronic circuit 110 to include a counter which is incremented at each stroke.

Provision can also be made for the position of each mechanical energy sensor in the faceplate 100 to be known and for the activation of each individual sensor to be recorded, so that the location of the point of impact can be determined subsequently or in real time. with each blow.

Provision can also be made to produce a mesh of linear sensors, the position of each sensor of which is known, and to cross-check the data output from each sensor.

Finally, a network of several faceplates 100 according to the invention can be provided.

To this end, provision is made for the electronic circuit 110 to be configured to be able to be networked with an electronic communication device.

The electronic communication device includes:

- a remote programmable computer 200,

- a display screen connected to the remote programmable computer 200,

- a user interface;

- means of wireless communication.

For example, the electronic communication device is a smartphone or a tablet whose memory includes software allowing the calculation of moves as described previously.

Preferably, the threshold values, which correspond to the time interval and slope value detection thresholds, can be parameterized.

In this case, an Android application is used and an example of a graphical interface during a fight is illustrated on the .

Each faceplate 100 is detected and identified. Preferably, each faceplate 100 has threshold values which are specific to it and which can be modified.

We can thus create teams and for example carry out fights in a predefined time, with any number of players / fighters.

The electronic circuit 110 of the faceplate 100 according to the invention allows continuous digitization and real-time processing of the output signals from the mechanical energy sensors.

Claims (10)

Breastplate (100) for combat sports, comprising:

• protective padding,
• an electronic circuit (110),
• a set of mechanical energy sensors (101, 102, 103), connected to said electronic circuit (110),

characterized in that the electronic circuit (110) comprises:

• an electronic threshold detection module,
• an electronic slope detection module.

The breastplate (100) according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical energy sensors (101, 102, 103) are piezoresistive or piezoelectric sensors. Chest protector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protective padding comprises two superimposed layers of padding, at least the mechanical energy sensors (101, 102, 103) being inserted between the two layers of padding. Breastplate (100) according to claim 3, wherein said breastplate (100) is reversible. Faceplate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an assembly of LEDs (131, 132) electrically connected to said electronic circuit (110). Breastplate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mechanical energy sensors are configured to communicate by wire with a wireless communication module of the electronic circuit (110), and in which
Said wireless communication module is further configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote programmable computer (200). Breastplate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a set of rechargeable batteries (120) for supplying electrical energy to at least said electronic circuit (110). Stroke counting system, comprising:
- an electronic communication device, comprising
- a remote programmable computer (200),
- a display screen connected to the remote programmable computer (200),
- a user interface;
- means of wireless communication,
- a plurality of faceplates (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the electronic circuit (110) of which is configured to be able to be networked with the electronic communication device. 9. A method of counting blows in a combat sport, for a set of at least two fighters, at least one fighter of which is equipped with a breastplate (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising steps consisting of:

• transmitting an output signal, comprising a rising edge and a falling edge, from a mechanical energy sensor to the electronic circuit (110), by wire or radio frequency,
• emit a signal representative of a shot when:
  • the slope of the rising edge of the output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value,
  • the slope of the falling edge of the output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and
  • the time interval between the rising edge and the falling edge of the output signal is less than a predetermined threshold value.

10. Computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to claim 9, when said program is executed on a computer.