CN118056116A

CN118056116A - Impact device with real-time feedback

Info

Publication number: CN118056116A
Application number: CN202280067063.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·J·梅雷尔; T·E·克里斯滕森; J·D·桑德特; I·M·詹森; M·特里
Original assignee: Nano Composite Materials Co
Current assignee: Nano Composite Materials Co
Priority date: 2021-10-05
Filing date: 2022-10-05
Publication date: 2024-05-17

Abstract

A percussion device and computing system provides real-time feedback regarding a particular activity performed using the percussion device. In one general aspect, a method includes providing a user interface displaying a plurality of impact regions corresponding to a plurality of impact regions on an impact device configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact. Embodiments may include determining a hit impact location and velocity of an object for an impact event, and updating a user interface with the hit location and velocity. Embodiments may include determining a response time for an impact event. Embodiments may include determining the location and size of the impact event. Some implementations may include determining whether a location is a target location. Embodiments may score impacts according to their size, location, and/or response time.

Description

Impact device with real-time feedback

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/262,121 entitled "smart sports object" filed on day 10, 2021, and U.S. provisional application No. 63/266,805 entitled "smart sports object" filed on day 1, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present specification relates to a device having multiple impact regions, and methods and systems for using the device to analyze detected impact events and provide activity-specific feedback.

Background

Impact devices, such as targets, bags, plates, pads, etc., are used to enhance specific skills in various activities. For example, a bowling target may be used to increase the level of bowling, a bag may be used in martial arts and boxing to practice kicks and/or boxing, and combinations of these strokes, a padded plate may be used in soccer to practice a shovel, and the like. These impact devices do not provide any type of feedback themselves, but rather act as recipients of the impact event.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems including improved impact devices and computing systems in communication with the impact devices to provide real-time feedback regarding specific activities performed using the impact devices. In other words, systems and methods are disclosed that can receive, analyze, and provide feedback regarding impact location and scale in a variety of configurations. Embodiments of the present disclosure may use a sensor in the impact region that generates a voltage (creates an electrical potential) when impacted. The voltage is generated without a current generating device. The sensor generates a voltage proportional to the impact scale (impact energy). The impact device and/or the computing system are configured to determine an impact location on the impact device. In response to an impact event, the system detects, records, and analyzes the voltage response recorded by the impact device to determine the impact location. In some embodiments, the impact location (e.g., hit impact area) is determined by the impact area measuring the maximum voltage response. In some embodiments, any impact area where the voltage response is measured is considered to be a hit impact area. In some embodiments, the system may determine the impact scale. The impact scale is determined by the impact analysis application. The impact analysis application is configured to evaluate many different characteristics of the voltage response, such as integration, maximum and minimum of the voltage over time. The evaluation performed by the impact analysis application may be activity specific. As described herein, the impact analysis application may include a user interface that enables a user to select a target impact region, assign different points/weights to different impact regions, communicate a desired impact sequence to the user, and provide feedback regarding the impact sequence.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram illustrating an example of a system including an impact device and a computing apparatus configured to provide a user interface that interacts with the impact device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example impact region of an impact device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example impact device having multiple impact regions, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate an example user interface interacting with the impact device of fig. 3, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for determining the velocity of an object striking the impact area of an impact device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an example impact device having multiple impact regions, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates a schematic view of the impact device of FIG. 6A secured to a punching bag, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example process of scoring an impact of an impact device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example user interface, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for scoring impacts of an impact device based on an impact profile, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example process of scoring repeated impacts of an impact device, according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to analyzing and providing a specific activity analysis of impact events detected by a device having multiple impact regions. The disclosed embodiments include an impact device and an impact analysis application in communication with each other. In some implementations, the user may select one or more target impact regions using an interface generated by the impact analysis application. The user interface may be configured to provide feedback to the impact device regarding the impact, such as which impact region or regions generated the voltage, the size of the impact, etc. The user interface may be configured to record session data and/or provide a historical analysis of impact events.

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram illustrating an example of a system 100, the system 100 including an impact device 110 and a computing apparatus 150 configured to provide a user interface for interacting with the impact device 110, according to one embodiment. The system 100 may include an impact device 110. The impingement device 110 may include a plurality of impingement areas 105. Each impact region 105 (e.g., impact regions 105a, 105b, …,105 n) defines an area of the impact device 110. Each impact region 105 may include a sensor that generates a voltage (generates a potential) when deformed, the voltage being generated without a current generating device (e.g., a battery). The sensor may be a polymer foam, with the conductive element disposed on or in the polymer foam. The sensor may be a foam sensor as described in U.S. patent 10,260,968 or U.S. patent 8,984,954, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, each impact region 105 may include a separate sensor that produces a voltage response proportional to the impact energy when impacted (deformed). In some embodiments, each impact region 105 may be defined by the location of a conductive electrode on a single sensor. An exemplary impact region is also described in more detail with respect to fig. 2.

One or more of the impact regions 105 may have a feedback device 107 associated with the impact region 105. The feedback device 107 may be a device that changes appearance, such as a tactile feedback or sound in the form of vibration on an LED light strip, the feedback device 107, or the computing device 150. In some embodiments, the feedback device 107 surrounds its impact region 105. In some embodiments, feedback device 107 may be or may further include a device that provides sound (e.g., play. Wav,. Mp3, etc. files) when impact region 105 experiences an impact event or when the exercise program begins and ends. In some embodiments, each impact region 105a, 105b, …, 105n may have a respective feedback device 107a, 107b, …, 107n. In some embodiments, not every impact zone 105 has a feedback device 107a. For example, in some embodiments, the system 100 may include an extension of the impact device 110, such as the impact device 110'. The impact device 110' may include all of the elements of the impact device 110, including the microcontroller and related elements shown in the microcontroller 120, in addition to the one or more impact regions 105. In some embodiments, one or more impact regions 105 of the impact device 110' may not have an associated feedback apparatus 107. For example, in a system 100 designed for American football, the impact device 110 may be a football board and the impact device 110' may be a pad worn by an athlete. In another example, the impact device 110' may be a soccer ball and the impact device 110 may be the target of a soccer ball kick. Thus, the impact device 110' is one example of a second impact device 110 that may be used with the system 100. Thus, both the impact device 110 and the impact device 110 'are in communication with the computing device 150, and may provide the voltage information 130' to the computing device 150.

Each impact region 105 of the impact device 110 will generate a voltage due to deformation. The voltage generated is directly related to the magnitude of the deformation (i.e., the energy of the impact event) and is repeatable over time without significant drift. The percussion device 110 comprises a microcontroller 120. The microcontroller 120 is configured with a voltage detector 128. The voltage detector 128 is operably coupled to the impact region 105, for example, via a wire connected to an electrode in contact with (disposed in, adhered to, disposed in) the polymer foam region of the impact region 105. The impact device 110 may include a voltage detector 128 operatively coupled to the impact region 105. In some implementations, the microcontroller 120 can include a plurality of voltage detectors 128, each operatively coupled to the impact region 105. The voltage detector 128 is capable of detecting a voltage generated by the impact region 105 when the impact region 105 is deformed, for example, due to an impact. The voltage detector 128 may be any device that detects a voltage or generates a value representative of a voltage that may be stored, for example, in the memory 122. In some embodiments (not shown), the voltage detector 128 may be separate from, but in communication with, the microcontroller 120.

The impact device 110 may include a microcontroller 120. The microcontroller 120 may be a wireless microcontroller. Non-limiting examples of the microcontroller 120 include Adafruit Feather and NRF452840. The microcontroller 120 may enable the impact device 110 to have a small form factor while still being able to transmit voltage data to the computing device 150, the computing device 150 having greater capability to analyze the voltage data. The small form factor of the voltage detector 128, memory 122, and transmitter/receiver 126 allows existing products to be assembled/designed as the impact device 110 without requiring significant redesign. The small form factor also makes the impact device 110 highly portable.

The microcontroller 120 is operably connected to (including) a memory 122 and/or a transmitter/receiver 126. Memory 122 may be any type of volatile or non-volatile memory capable of storing data. In some implementations, the microcontroller 120 can convert the detected voltage to a value stored in the memory 122. In some implementations, the microcontroller 120 is configured to associate the detected voltage and/or a value representative of the detected voltage with the impact region 105 that generated the voltage. Thus, in some embodiments, the memory 122 may store voltage data per impact area. In some implementations, the memory 122 may store additional information having a voltage value, such as a date and/or time the value was detected. Memory 122 may also store other information having voltage values. The voltage value of the impact area and additional information (if any) are regarded as voltage data. Thus, the memory 122 may store voltage data detected after an impact event. In some implementations, the memory 122 may store voltage data for two or more impact events (e.g., a series of impact events). Memory 122 may store voltage data for the impact event until the voltage data is transmitted to computing device 150, for example, via a wireless or wired connection.

In some implementations, the microcontroller 120 includes a transmitter/receiver 126. The memory 122 may thus be operatively coupled to a transmitter/receiver 126. The transmitter/receiver 126 is capable of wirelessly transmitting and/or receiving data, for example, via short-range communications such as bluetooth, zigbee, Z-Wave, 6LoWPAN, or WiFi. It may also be transmitted over a long-range wireless network such as LTE or 5G. The transmitter/receiver 126 is capable of transmitting data over a wired connection, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. In some implementations, the transmitter/receiver 126 may transmit the voltage data 130 from memory in response to a command from a computing device (e.g., computing device 150). In some implementations, the transmitter/receiver 126 may be configured to transmit the voltage data 130 in response to data stored in the memory 122. In some implementations, the microcontroller 120 can include logic to format the voltage data 130 (e.g., correlate the impact region 105 with the voltage measured at the impact region 105 during the impact event) and cause the transmitter/receiver 126 to transmit the voltage data 130.

In some implementations, the microcontroller 120 includes impact analysis logic 124. The impact analysis logic 124 may be, for example, code stored in the memory 122 configured to determine whether an impact has occurred, for example, by setting a flag when any impact region reaches a voltage threshold. In some implementations, the impact analysis logic 124 may determine a scale of the impact based on the voltage data sampled from the impact region 105, the scale being directly related to the impact energy. In such an embodiment, the scale may be included in the voltage data 130 sent to the computing device 150. In some implementations, the computation may be performed by, for example, impact analysis logic 164 running on computing device 150.

The system 100 includes a computing device 150. The transmitter/receiver 126 may transmit the voltage data 130 to the computing device 150. In some embodiments, the computing device 150 is an external computing device separate from the impact apparatus 110. Computing device 150 may include a transmitter/receiver 154. The transmitter/receiver 154 is any device configured to operatively communicate with the transmitter/receiver 126. In some implementations (not shown), the computing device 150 may be incorporated into the impact apparatus 110. Computing device 150 may be any type of computing device, tablet, notebook, smartphone, netbook, desktop, server, screen with processor, wearable device (watch, fitness tracker, glasses), etc. Computing device 150 may include impact analysis application 160. Impact analysis application 160 may be a local application, a web application, a progressive web application, or any type of application compatible with operating system 156 of computing device 150.

The impact analysis application 160 may be configured to provide a user interface (or various user interfaces) for interacting with the impact device 110. For example, the impact analysis application 160 may be configured to provide a user interface including a plurality of virtual impact areas. The virtual impact area is a graphical representation of one of the impact areas 105. Thus, the virtual impact area corresponds to the impact area 105 of the impact device 110, i.e. the physical impact area, and is representative of the impact area 105. As used herein, an impact region may refer to a virtual impact region and/or its corresponding physical impact region. When used in the context of a user interface (e.g., a user interface generated by the impact analysis application 160), the impact region is a virtual impact region. When used in the context of an impact device, such as impact device 110, the impact region is a physical impact region. Each virtual impact area corresponds to one physical impact area, so reference to "impact area" may refer to a virtual impact area, a physical impact area, or a physical impact area and virtual representations thereof.

The impact analysis application 160 may be configured to analyze the voltage data 130 received from the impact device 110, for example using the impact analysis logic 164. Analysis of the voltage data may include determining an impact energy of the impact event. Analysis of the voltage data may include determining a location (or locations) of the impact event. Analysis of the voltage data may include calculating a score of the impact event using the determined impact energy and/or location. Where the voltage data 130 includes voltage data for a series of impact events, the analysis of the voltage data 130 may include analysis of the series. Some analysis may be performed in conjunction with the impact analysis logic 124, and the impact analysis logic 124 may provide the analysis results as part of the voltage data 130. Analysis of the voltage data is described in more detail herein with respect to different activities performed in connection with the impact device 110.

In some embodiments, the impact analysis application 160 may access the calibration data 166. The calibration data 166 may enable the impact analysis application 160 to convert voltage data into impact energy, impact force, peak force, impact velocity, impact mass, and the like. The impact region 105 is configured to generate a voltage proportional to the impact scale when impacted. For example, the impact region 105 may be a polymer foam with a conductive filler. The composition of the foam (e.g., amount/type of conductive filler, foam substrate used, method of curing the foam, etc.) affects the ratio. The calibration data 166 includes data representing the ratio (e.g., voltage response determined and recorded from controlled impact events of known impact energy). In other words, the calibration data 166 includes data that enables the impact analysis application 160 to convert voltage data into impact energy, impact force, peak force, impact velocity, impact mass, and the like. In some implementations, the calibration data 166 may be provided to the computing device 150. In some implementations, the computing device 150 may include a module (not shown) that collects and stores the calibration data 166. The impact device 110 manufactured outside of the controlled environment (e.g., outside of an established manufacturing process) may require calibration after each manufacturing. However, the impact device 110 manufactured in a controlled environment may not require calibration after each manufacturing.

In some embodiments, the impact region 105 may include regions having different foam characteristics. In such embodiments, the calibration data 166 may include calibration data for a particular impact region. In some embodiments, the calibration data 166 may also include information about the object used to strike the impact device 110. The information about the object may include its mass. Thus, the user may be able to select an object of known quality, for example using a user interface generated by the impact analysis application 160. Using the known mass, the impact analysis application 160 may calculate the velocity of the object based on the determined impact energy of the impact event. In other applications, the velocity of the impacting object may be known and the mass of the object may be calculated.

Impact analysis application 160 can include session record 162. Session record 162 may be record information of the impact event history. In other words, analysis of impact events may be recorded in session record 162. In this manner, the impact analysis application 160 may provide a historical analysis of impact events occurring on the impact device 110. In some implementations, the session record 162 can be associated with a particular user. For example, session record 162 may be associated with different members of a sports team (e.g., a baseball team, soccer team, hockey team, etc.). And is thus associated with the athlete/athlete (i.e., user) identifier. In such an embodiment, session records (also referred to as history data) may be associated with a particular user. In some implementations, the session record 162 can be associated with an object identifier. Thus, for example, different histories may be associated with different objects projected (e.g., throw, kick, strike, etc.). Impact device 110. These object histories may also be associated with specific user identifiers. In some implementations, the session is associated with a session identifier. Such an embodiment enables a user to have multiple sessions. Multiple sessions may occur on different dates, at different times, etc. In some implementations, the user may choose to continue the session the previous day or to start a new session. In some implementations, the session record 162 is deleted when a new session begins. The content and/or lifecycle of the session record 162 is implementation dependent, e.g., determined by the activities intended for the impact device 110 and/or the user interface generated by the impact analysis application 160.

Impact analysis application 160 can include profile data 168. The profile data 168 may include information for scoring impact events representing exercises on the impact device 110. In some embodiments, profile data 168 includes weights assigned to impact region 105. As a non-exhaustive example, the impact device 110 may be a plate, dummy, or pad worn by an adversary. The profile data 168 may reflect a preferred impact area 105 for a particular type of workout, such as a particular block, disassembly, stroke, or combination of strokes. In other words, profile data 168 may reflect weights indicating whether the athlete is exercising with the correct technique (e.g., the hands/shoulders/limbs are placed correctly and the helmet/head is not touching the dummy). The impact area on the impact device 110 that is expected to be impacted by a suitable technique is referred to as the preferred impact area or the target impact area. These target impact areas may be identified in the exercise profile in profile data 168.

In some embodiments, the profile of the workout may identify a target impact area and a non-target impact area. In some embodiments, the profile of the workout may identify the target impact zone by an identifier. In some embodiments, the profile of the workout may identify the target impact zone with a flag. In some embodiments, the profile of the workout may identify target impact zones by assigning a weight of one (1) to these zones, and non-target impact zones by assigning a weight of zero (0) to these zones. In some embodiments, the profile of the workout may identify target impact zones and non-target impact zones by weights assigned to the impact zones. For example, target impact regions may be assigned positive respective weight values, while non-target impact regions may be assigned negative respective weight values. In some embodiments, the profile of the workout may identify the target impact zone and the non-target impact zone by a flag or identifier, and assign a respective weight to each impact zone. In some embodiments, the profile may define target and non-target impact regions and have two or more expertise levels, where the expertise levels determine the respective weights. In some embodiments, a first profile may define/identify target areas and weights for the beginning expertise level of an activity, and a second profile may define/identify target areas and weights for the expertise or expertise level of the same activity. The target area of the first distribution may be different from the target area of the second distribution. The weight of the first profile may be different from the weight of the second profile.

In some embodiments, the archives in archival data 168 can be used for objects of known quality and can include impact scoring information based on the determined size of the impact event and/or the type of impact determined for the impact event. For example, where the impact device is a pad worn by a user and the various discharge devices fire, etc., objects (e.g., guns that fire non-lethal projectiles) may all be of similar mass, but the firing device may fire projectiles at different rates to the impact device. Different velocities are recorded as different impact energies (as described herein) and may be used to classify or determine which discharge device is used. In addition to which impact zone is hit, scoring may also be based on the type of device used. For example, the profile may indicate different weights for different discharge devices. The profile may indicate different weights for different discharge devices for different impact areas. As disclosed herein, a side impact may indicate a different weight than a direct impact.

Whether the impact event is a side-impact or a direct impact may be determined by impact analysis logic 124, impact analysis logic 164, and/or impact analysis application 160. For example, a larger launching device may launch projectiles at a higher velocity, but be larger in volume, and thus more suitable for remote use, where a smaller, lighter launching device is easier to operate in close proximity, but launches objects at a lower velocity. Thus, a first discharge device may be associated with a first speed and a second discharge device may be associated with a second speed. In some implementations, the voltage data may be analyzed using a classifier (e.g., a machine learning model) to determine whether the impact event is due to the first discharge device or the second discharge device based on the size of the impact event (impact energy). Furthermore, the farther the projectile is from the projectile apparatus, the lower its velocity. If a projectile apparatus is used and the mass is constant, the system can determine the distance of the projectile apparatus from the target by the impact velocity.

In some implementations, the system may determine whether the impact event is a direct impact or an indirect impact. For example, in the impact device just described, although the projectile has a known mass and the launching device projects the mass at a predictable velocity, the velocity may be related to a direct hit. In other words, the voltage data generated during an impact event that is a direct impact can be used to calculate the velocity correctly (as disclosed herein). But an impact event that is not a direct impact event (e.g., representing a side-strike or side-strike) may have voltage data with a different characteristic voltage trace shape. In this regard, the system may use the voltage profile information to first determine the impact type of the impact event, such as whether the impact event is a direct impact or a side-impact. For example, if the voltage data conforms to a first profile (e.g., short spikes during an impact), it may be classified as a direct impact, but if the voltage data conforms to a second profile (e.g., voltage data during an impact more like a broad hill in an impact event), the impact event may be classified as a side-impact. The magnitude of the edge-wiping impact from the first discharge device may still be different from the magnitude of the edge-wiping impact from the second discharge device due to the difference in velocity. Thus, the system 100 may categorize the impact type before determining which type of discharge device is due to the impact event. The classifier may also be used to analyze the voltage data and determine the type of impact. In some embodiments, the system may use a combined classifier, such as a classifier that takes voltage data of an impact event as input and provides a predictive discharge device as output.

In some implementations, the impact analysis application 160 can include a user interface that enables a user of the impact analysis application 160 to define a new profile that is added to the profile data 168. In some embodiments, the activity represented by the archive may be a series of impact events, such as a boxing combination. In such an embodiment, the profile may include a series of target/non-target impact areas. Thus, the impact region may be identified as the target impact region for the first impact event in the series, but as the non-target impact region for the second impact event in the series. Impact analysis application 160 may score an impact (or a series of impacts) using profile data 168, as described herein.

In addition to storing profiles of particular exercises, profile data 168 may also temporarily store target impact regions selected by a user of computing device 150. For example, the user may select one or more impact regions 105 as the preferred target region for the next impact event. In some embodiments, the user may select the secondary impact region as the target region. In such an embodiment, the secondary impact region may have a lower weight than the primary target region. In some implementations, the target area (and, if selected, the secondary area) selected by the user may be communicated to the impact device 110, for example, via the target area data 140. The impact device 110 (e.g., the microcontroller 120) may be configured to receive the target zone data 140, determine which impact zone(s) 105 are identified in the target zone data 140, and change the appearance of those zones. For example, as described above, the impact device 110 may be configured to change the appearance of the impact region 105 using a feedback device 107 associated with the target impact region 105. The change in appearance may reflect the primary and secondary target areas. For example, the primary target area may have a first color and the secondary target area may have a second color, where the person using the system 100 understands that the first color represents the primary target. Such an arrangement may require the user to decide which of the two target areas to attack (hit/target). This change in appearance may continue until the microcontroller 120 detects a shock event. This change in appearance may last for a predetermined period of time if no impact event is detected before the end of the period of time. In some embodiments, in response to an impact event, the impact device 110 may be configured to change the appearance of the impact region 105 (or regions) that generate a voltage in response to the impact event. In some implementations, the impact region 105 that produces the highest detected voltage may receive the change in appearance (e.g., by activating a feedback device 107 associated with the impact region). In some implementations, two or more impact regions 105 that generate the detection voltage may receive the appearance change (e.g., by activating feedback devices 107 associated with the impact regions). Such a change in appearance (in response to an impact event) may be temporary, for example, for a predetermined period of time after the impact event. In some embodiments, two or more impact regions 105 that generate a detection voltage may receive an appearance change indicative of the impact event size.

Components (e.g., modules, processors) of computing device 150 may be configured to operate based on one or more platforms (e.g., one or more similar or different platforms), which may include one or more types of hardware, software, firmware, operating systems, runtime libraries, etc. In some implementations, components of computing device 150 may be configured to operate within a cluster of devices (e.g., a server farm). In such an implementation, the functionality and processing of the components of computing device 150 may be distributed to several devices of a device cluster.

The components of computing device 150 (e.g., impact analysis application 160 of computing device 150) may be or include any type of hardware and/or software configured to analyze voltage data. For example, in some embodiments, one or more portions of the impact analysis application 160 in fig. 1 may be or include hardware-based modules (e.g., a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), memory), firmware modules, and/or software-based modules (e.g., a computer code module, a set of computer-readable instructions executable on a computer). For example, in some implementations, one or more portions of the components of computing device 150 may be or may include software modules configured to be executed by at least one processor (not shown). In some embodiments, the functionality of the components may be included in different modules and/or different components than illustrated in fig. 1.

In some embodiments, one or more components of computing device 150 may be or include a processor configured to process instructions stored in memory. For example, the impact analysis application 160 (and/or portions thereof) may be or include a combination of a processor and a memory configured to execute instructions related to a process that implements one or more functions.

Although not shown, in some implementations, components of computing device 150 (e.g., impact analysis application 160 of computing device 150) may be configured to operate within, for example, a data center, a cloud computing environment, a computer system, one or more server/host devices, etc., although such implementations may delay feedback response times. In some implementations, components of computing device 150 may be configured to operate within a network. Accordingly, the components of the computing device 150 or the impact apparatus 110 may be configured to operate in various types of network environments, which may include one or more apparatuses and/or one or more server apparatuses. For example, the network may be or include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the like. The network may be or include a wireless network and/or a wireless network implemented using, for example, gateway devices, bridges, switches, etc. The network may include one or more segments and/or may have portions based on various protocols, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) and/or proprietary protocols. The network may comprise at least a portion of the internet.

In some implementations, memory 122 and/or memory 458 may be any type of memory such as random access memory, disk drive memory, flash memory, and the like. In some implementations, the memory 122 and/or the memory 458 may be implemented as more than one memory component (e.g., more than one RAM component or disk drive memory) associated with the components of the impact device 110 or the computing apparatus 150. In some embodiments, the calibration data 166, custom archive data 168, or session record 162 (or a portion thereof) may be a remote database, a local database, a distributed database, a relational database, a hierarchical database, or the like. As shown in fig. 1, at least some portions of the calibration data 166 and/or the transmission voltage data 130 may be stored in a memory (e.g., local memory, remote memory) of the computing device 150. In some embodiments, the memory may be or include memory shared by multiple devices, such as computing device 150.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example impact region 205 of an impact device according to one embodiment. Impact region 205 is an example of any of impact regions 105 of fig. 1. Impact region 205 includes foam board 202, conductive adhesive 204, electrodes 206, and wires 203. The wire 203 conducts the voltage generated by the foam deck 202 in response to the impact event to the microcontroller 220. Microcontroller 220 is an example of microcontroller 120 of fig. 1. In some embodiments, the impact region 205 may include a separate foam board 202, which foam board 202 produces a voltage response proportional to the impact energy when impacted (deformed). Foam deck 202 comprises a polymer foam. The foam may be any polymer foam, such as an elastomeric polymer foam, silicone-based foam, polyurethane foam, thermoset foam, or other foam-like material. The foam may retain its shape after deformation, e.g., the foam is capable of undergoing significant deformation while substantially retaining its shape. In other words, the foam has elasticity, porosity and high breaking strain, typically 50% to 100% strain. In some embodiments, the adhesive, electrodes, and wires may be combined by applying a conductive paint, conductive ink, or other conductive coating that transmits voltage data to the microcontroller 220.

In some embodiments, the foam deck 202 may include conductive filler dispersed in the foam. Thus, in some embodiments, the foam board 202 may be a composite material including conductive elements dispersed throughout the foam. For example, microscopic conductive elements, such as conductive fibers and/or nanoparticles, may be included in the foam prior to curing to create the foam board 202. These conductive fillers may be a small portion of the foam board 202, for example, constituting less than 25% by weight. In some embodiments, the conductive filler may comprise a very small proportion of the foam board 202, such as less than 1% by weight, including 0.1% by weight. Some embodiments do not have any conductive filler added to the foam board 202.

In some embodiments, the impact region 205 may be determined by the location of the wires 203 on the single foam deck 202. The impact region may be operably coupled to a voltage detector, for example, in the microcontroller 220, via the wire 203, the conductive adhesive 204, and the electrode 206 or conductive coating. The wire 203, the adhesive 204, and the electrode 206 or the conductive coating may be collectively referred to as a conductive element. As used herein, conductive elements include conductive films, metals, printed circuits, or wires adhered to foam board 202. Thus, the conductive element conducts the voltage generated by the foam board 202 upon impact to the microcontroller 220. The wire 203, electrode 206, and conductive adhesive 204 may be made of any conductive material, i.e., any conductive material. The conductive material may include metal, carbon, or other conductive materials. The conductive element is thus in contact with the foam board 202 and is configured to transmit the generated voltage to the microcontroller 220. In some embodiments, the electrode 206 may be a metal coated film, sheet, or fabric that may be shaped to increase or decrease the material properties (i.e., increase stiffness in one direction) of the foam board 202.

The conductive element conducts the voltage generated when the foam deck 202 is impacted to a voltage detector, such as the voltage detector in the microcontroller 220. Within the microcontroller 220, the voltage detector is operatively coupled to the memory such that voltage data (potential information) generated in response to a shock event on or near the sensor is recorded in the memory. Voltage data for the impact event may be recorded. A shock event is a period of time that the detectable voltage is measured. For example, when the foam deck 202 is impacted, the foam deck 202 generates a small voltage. The voltage may be sent to the microcontroller 220 via a conductive element. The microcontroller 220 may include components such as an inverting operational amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. The generated voltage may be sent through an inverting operational amplifier and then read by an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter may be configured to sample the voltage data at a sampling rate. In some implementations, the sampling rate may be 1000 samples per second. The sampling rate may be adjusted faster or slower depending on the required accuracy and data transfer limitations. In some implementations, the microcontroller 220 may be configured to compress the samples. For example, 1000Hz measurements may be downsampled to a lower frequency, such as 200Hz, using a moving average or other compression method, for faster broadcast to bluetooth connected devices. In some embodiments, microcontroller 220 may also be equipped with flash memory to allow raw data to be recorded for post-hoc analysis or post-hoc activity synchronization. The voltage data (e.g., sampled at 1000Hz or compressed to 200Hz, etc.) may be transmitted to a computing device with greater processing power for further analysis. This allows the form factor of the percussion device to be kept small. For each impact device, receiving an application on the computing device will allow the user to view the results of each impact through immediate feedback. In other words, the overall system is configured for real-time feedback, e.g., less than 1 second between detection of the impact event and providing feedback to the user (e.g., in the form of the location of the impact and/or the scale of the impact). Impact region 205 is one non-limiting example of impact region 105, but embodiments may include an impact region that includes any sensor that generates a voltage proportional to impact energy in response to an impact.

The impact region 205 may include a feedback device 207. The feedback device 207 may be any device that gives a visual cue to a user conveying information about the impact region 205. The information may indicate that the impact region 205 is a target impact region. The information may indicate that the impact region 205 is a hit impact region. The information may indicate that the impact region 205 is a second target impact region. The information may indicate that the impact region 205 is a missed impact region (e.g., a target impact region that is not a hit impact region). The feedback device 207 may include an LED light strip, an LED backlight, or any other means that can/is configured to change the appearance of the impact region 205.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example impact device 310 having multiple impact regions 305 according to one embodiment. The impact device 310 is one example of the impact device 110 of fig. 1. The example impact device 310 of fig. 3 is described as a pitch target, but this is for illustrative purposes only. The impact device 310 may be adapted to represent other types of moving objects, such as hockey goals, soccer goals, golf tee, tennis tee, mats covering one side of a volleyball pitch, and the like.

In the example of fig. 3, the impingement device 310 includes a single foam deck 302. In one example embodiment, foam deck 302 is placed over several different conductive electrodes that are adhered to a strong backing. The electrodes are arranged such that each electrode will measure the impact in a specific impact zone 305. Figure 3 shows the profile of the electrode. Each individual electrode connected to foam board 302 (e.g., by a conductive adhesive) has a single conductive trace connected to microcontroller 320 to allow data acquisition (i.e., voltage generated in response to an impact). Such conductive traces may generate noise signals if electrostatic interference is not considered. These noise signals produce unreliable data, resulting in inaccurate measurements. Properly designed wires can reduce noise and enable more accurate sensor measurements. Shielded wires (insulated wires) have proven to significantly reduce noise.

In the example of fig. 3, the impact region 305 is divided into a striking region and a region outside the striking region (striking region). The ball region is shown in fig. 3 as impact region 305 (8). In some embodiments, the striking area may be divided into a plurality of impact areas. The impact areas may have equal areas. For example, the striking area may be divided into three columns (or three rows). These portions may be further divided, for example, each column may include three impact regions. The impact regions 305 may have equal areas or one or more may have different areas, depending on the configuration. For example, the impact device 310 includes seven impact regions 305, such as impact region 305 (1) through impact region 305 (7). In the example of fig. 3, the left and right columns each have three electrodes (the left column corresponding to impact regions 305 (1) through 305 (3), the right column corresponding to impact regions 305 (5) through 305 (7)), and the middle column (corresponding to impact region 305 (4)) has a single electrode that stretches the entire height of the impact region. Thus, the impact area 305 is defined by the area sensed by the conductive element (electrode/wire/conductive film). In the example of fig. 3, a ball region, such as impact region 305 (8), surrounds the striking region (e.g., the column defined by impact regions 305 (1) through 305 (7)). Other embodiments may have more or fewer regions, but increasing the region increases the cost of the target, while decreasing the region decreases the spatial resolution accuracy (i.e., decreases the accuracy with which the system can determine the impact location; if the spatial resolution is low enough, in some embodiments, this may also affect the system's ability to determine the impact energy). Thus, the number of regions is a balance between accuracy and cost. The configuration of the impact area of the impact device may be adapted to the activity (sport, exercise, etc.). Simulated or performed using an impact device. The impact device 310 may determine whether an impact has occurred by setting a flag when a voltage threshold is reached on any electrode of the impact region 305. The setting of the flag may define the start of the impact event. In some embodiments, the impact event lasts for a predetermined amount of time, referred to as an impact cycle.

In some embodiments, the impact region 305 may have a corresponding feedback device 307. In some embodiments, not every impact region 305 has a corresponding feedback device 307. For example, the impact regions 305 (8) (ball regions) may be devoid of the corresponding feedback devices 307, while the impact regions 305 (1) through 305 (8) (impact regions) may each have a corresponding feedback device 307, such as feedback devices 307 (1) through 307 (7). Some embodiments do not include a feedback device.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate an example user interface configured to interact with and provide feedback to the impact device 310 of fig. 3, according to one embodiment. The user interfaces of fig. 4A and 4B may be generated by an impact analysis application (e.g., impact analysis application 160) of a computing device (e.g., computing device 150) in communication with impact device 310. The user interface 400, 410, 420, 430 includes a plurality of impact areas, such as virtual impact areas corresponding to impact areas (e.g., physical impact areas) of an impact device. In the example interfaces of fig. 4A and 4B, virtual impact regions 405 (1) through 405 (8) correspond to impact regions 305 (1) through 305 (8) of fig. 3.

Once the system records an impact (e.g., a threshold voltage detected at an impact area on the impact device), the voltage information may be analyzed, see FIG. 5 for details. The impact analysis application may update the user interface as a result of the analysis, for example, as shown in user interface 400. For example, the user interface may be updated to display the impact area of the hit, such as impact area 405 (2). The hit impact area is the area showing the highest voltage. In the example of fig. 4A, the hit impact region is impact region 405 (2), which may have the appearance of a hit impact region indicating that this is an impact event. Any difference in appearance may be used to indicate a hit to the impact area. In some embodiments, the impact device itself may also update the appearance of the hit impact area (e.g., physical impact area), as described elsewhere. The user interface 400 may also be updated to show the speed 412 of the object that caused the impact if the object mass is known. The impact analysis application may include a user interface (e.g., setting options, not shown) for selecting known objects, such as a conventional baseball, a conventional softball, a conventional hockey puck, a conventional volleyball, and the like.

In addition to displaying which impact zone was hit and the speed of impact 412, embodiments may also enable a user (e.g., a coach or catcher) to "call" a zone, or in other words, signal the pitcher which impact zone should be attempted to be impacted. In some embodiments, the coach or catcher may select the called zone through the user interface (e.g., select the impact zone displayed in the user interface). Thus, in some embodiments, the impact region 405 may be optional. In other words, in some implementations, the user may select an impact region in the impact regions 405 as the called or target impact region. The user interface 410 illustrates an example user interface having a selected impact region, such as the target impact region 405 (4). The user may select the impact region as the target impact region by touching (e.g., touching the impact region on the user interface 400) or selecting with a mouse or other input device. In some implementations, the system (e.g., the impact analysis application and/or the impact analysis logic) may be configured to receive the target area via a voice command. In some implementations, the user interface may be configured to change the appearance of the selected impact region, for example, as shown by the cross-fill of impact region 405 (4) of user interface 410. Feedback of which impact area is the target change in appearance. In an example user interface, the target area may be changed to a first color (represented by a first color), such as blue. Confirmation of the target area may also be accompanied by feedback from other feedback devices, such as a played audio signal. In some embodiments, the target impact area selected by the user is transmitted to an impact device, which may be configured to change the appearance of the target impact area, e.g., temporarily change the appearance of the target impact area on the impact device. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to flash a first color in a called area of the impact device. For example, instead of the coach verbally communicating the called area, the coach may select the called area via the user interface 410, and the impact analysis application may communicate the target impact area to the impact device, which may temporarily change the appearance of the target area. The identification of the target impact region is optional and the user interface may be used to provide output of the impact event without receiving the target impact region.

If the next impact event occurs in the target impact zone, the system may record that the correct zone was hit, i.e., the hit impact zone matches the target impact zone. For example, a second color may be used to indicate that the hit impact region matches the target impact region, while a third color may be used to indicate that the hit impact region is different from the target impact region. In some implementations, if the target area is hit, the user interface may display or flash a second color. For example, the user interface may display or flash green when the hit region matches the target region. In some implementations, the hit area is displayed green in the user interface. The user interface 420 shows a target impact area (405) that is both a hit impact area and a target impact area (e.g., target area 405 (4) of the user interface 410).

If the next impact is not within the target area (i.e., the target impact area does not match the hit impact area), the system may display or flash a third color, such as red. In some embodiments, the third color may be displayed in a target impact area or hit impact area. The user interface 430 illustrates an example user interface in which the impact region 405 (8) that is hit is not a target impact region (e.g., impact region 405 (4) and the appearance of the impact region 405 (8) that is hit is changed with a third color, embodiments that change the appearance of the target impact region that is missed appear similar to the user interface 420 but have a third color, in some embodiments, the target impact region may have an appearance that is different from the impact region if it is different from the impact region.

Some implementations may save and display session statistics. For example, analysis of impact event history may be maintained and may be used to provide session statistics. These session statistics may include the number of impact events 416 in the session. The session statistics may include an average speed 414 of a plurality of impact events 416. User interfaces 420 and 430 also show updating average speed 414 and impact event 416 with the most recent impact event.

For a session that includes a called or target impact area, session statistics may include hits 417 and/or misses 418. The number of hits 417 represents the total number of times (counts) the hit impact region matches the target impact region during the session. Miss 418 represents the total number of times (counts) that the hit impact region does not match the target region. In some implementations, the session statistics may include hit rates 419. The hit rate 419 may be calculated based on the total number of impact events 416 and the hit 417 or miss 418. In some implementations, the total number of impact events 416 may be used to calculate a hit 417 or miss 418. In some implementations, the impact event 416 may be calculated from the hit 417 and miss 418. In other words, the system may store only two of the hits 417, misses 418, and impact events 416, as one of these values may be calculated from the other two, and the hit rate 419 may be calculated from any two of the three. The user may start a new session (thereby initializing stored session data) by user command, selecting another object having a different known quality, etc.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 500 for determining a velocity of an object striking an impact region of an impact device, according to one embodiment. The system performing the process may be the system 100 of fig. 1. For example, the steps of process 500 may be performed by any of impact analysis logic 124, impact analysis logic 164, and/or impact analysis application 160. The process 500 of fig. 5 may be performed to provide a speed at which an object of the impact device is struck.

Although the impact device of fig. 3 and the user interfaces of fig. 4A and 4B are described with respect to a bowling target, the user interfaces may be adapted for other activities. For example, in one embodiment, the impact device may be a firing target. A projectile of known mass may be selected through a user interface. The impact means may consist of several impact areas, for example an electrode interface placed between two pieces of piezoelectric foam. This arrangement can then be placed between two metal plates adapted to withstand penetration by large caliber bullets. The conductive interfaces between the foams each have conductive traces connected to a microcontroller for data acquisition. When the impact device is hit, the foam deck will generate a voltage that will be sent to the microcontroller, allowing the user to know the hit location immediately (e.g., in real time) when using a bluetooth (or other wireless) device and application. Furthermore, if the mass of the projectile is known, the velocity may also be provided through the user interface.

Other embodiments include targets that measure volleyball smash or serve speed and position, softball bowling targets that measure bowling position and speed, hockey targets that fit goal size and give hit position and speed, soccer targets that give kick position and speed, golf targets that give hit position and speed, etc. In general, embodiments may include an impact device having a piezoelectric foam substrate with optimally configured electrodes attached to the foam. This arrangement allows for accurate detection and measurement of the impact and, when the mass of the projectile is known, the speed at which the projectile impacts.

The process 500 may begin by providing a user interface displaying a virtual impact region corresponding to a plurality of physical impact regions on an impact device (505). For an embodiment of calculating speed, the system receives a selection of an object having a known mass (510). In some embodiments, this may be a fixed value (e.g., an application of volleyball targets, where it is assumed that the volleyball is a regular volleyball of known quality). In some implementations, the system may provide a setup or selection menu for selecting an object. For example, a pitching application may allow selection of a baseball or softball. In some implementations, the system may enable a user to provide the quality of the object.

In some implementations, the system may receive a selection of a target impact region through a user interface (515). As used herein, the target impact regions are selected from the virtual impact regions, but because each virtual impact region directly corresponds to a physical impact region, references to the target impact regions include physical impact regions corresponding to the virtual impact regions selected as the target impact regions. Thus, transmitting the target impact area to the impact device is understood to mean transmitting an identifier to the impact device, which is configured to convert the identifier into a physical impact area (e.g., an electrode corresponding to the impact area, an area of the impact device corresponding to the impact area, etc.). Likewise, transmitting a series of target impact areas is understood as transmitting identifiers of these areas, the impact device being configured to convert/map these identifiers to physical impact areas (strain sensors).

The system then receives voltage information from the impact device generated in response to the impact event (520). In some embodiments, the voltage information is generated (in whole or in part) by the impact analysis logic. The impact analysis logic may be included in a microcontroller of the impact device. The impact analysis logic may be included in a computing device communicatively coupled to the impact device.

In some embodiments, the location of the impact is determined by the location of the impact region (e.g., the electrode of the impact region) where the maximum voltage response is recorded. The determination may be made at the impact device (e.g., by impact analysis logic 124) and communicated to an impact analysis application or computing device (e.g., impact analysis logic 164). In either case, the hit impact area is determined (525). The impact zone is the place where the impact event occurs. Similarly, the speed of the object may be determined from the voltage information (530).

The speed may be determined after the impact scale is determined. The scale is directly related to the impact energy (e.g., using calibration data 166) because the impact region produces a voltage that is directly related to the impact energy. When the piezoelectric foam of the impact region is impacted, it produces a quantifiable voltage that changes scale over time during the impact. The impact time is short, e.g., less than one second. In some embodiments, the impact period may be a 0.2 second period or a 0.15 second period. The length of the impact cycle may be determined by a number of factors, including the thickness and hardness of the foam and/or the characteristics of the intended projectile. Typically, the impact cycle is determined during the manufacture of the impact device by observing the test impact under expected conditions. Generally, the impact period reflects the expected time span of the voltage response observed under the expected use conditions.

To quantify the impact energy, the system may be configured to measure the peak voltage at impact and the voltage trace integral at several different points before and after the peak voltage. For example, the system may determine the peak voltage for the strike period (e.g., 0.15 second period) and align the peak voltage with a 0.05 second timestamp. With this alignment, the system can determine the integral from 0 seconds to 0.05 seconds, the integral from 0.05 seconds to 0.06 seconds, the integral from 0.05 seconds to 0.07 seconds, the integral from 0.05 seconds to 0.08 seconds, the integral from 0.05 seconds to 0.09 seconds, the integral from 0.05 seconds to 0.1 seconds, and the integral from 0.05 seconds to 0.15 seconds. Based on the values of all these variables, the system can accurately predict the impact energy (size) of the impact event. In some embodiments, a regression model may be used to analyze the voltage data and provide the impact energy of the impact event. The impact energy is a direct conversion of kinetic energy and the system can determine the velocity of the object by rearranging the following equation: Wherein/> Where m is the known mass of the object and E _t is the impact energy. If the impact event is recorded on more than one impact region (e.g., more than one impact region has a voltage response that meets a threshold), the scale of each impact region measurement may be calculated and summed to determine the scale of the impact event. In this case, the impact zone of the highest scale is considered to be the hit impact zone. If only one impact is expected, the system may sum the signals of two or more adjacent impact regions to determine the total impact across the multiple regions. In some embodiments, the total impact is used to determine impact energy/velocity, etc. In some embodiments, any impact region (or all impact regions) with a attributable voltage may be considered a hit impact region.

In some implementations, the system may be configured to determine session statistics based on the velocity and/or the determined hit impact area (535). The session statistics may include a total number of impact events that occurred during the session. The session statistics may include average speed during the session. Session statistics may include average speed of the session or other statistical operations (quartiles, etc.). Applied to session data. The user may define a session. In some implementations, selecting a new object triggers a new session. In some embodiments, the session data may be associated with a time period (e.g., all impacts of an hour, day, etc., in some embodiments, the session data may also be associated with a user (e.g., a particular athlete).

The system may update the user interface to display the velocity and/or hit the impact area (540). Updating the user interface with the hit impact region may include providing an indication of whether the hit impact region matches the target impact region. In an embodiment, the system updates the user interface with updated session statistics. It should be appreciated that steps 520 through 540 may be repeated several times. In embodiments that include selecting a target impact area, steps 515 through 540 may be repeated several times.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an example impact device 610 having multiple impact regions, according to one embodiment. The impact device 610 is one example of the impact device 110 of fig. 1. The example impact device 610 of fig. 6A is depicted as a boxing bag, but this is for illustrative purposes only. In the example of fig. 6A, the impact device 610 is a removable sleeve configured to fit around a boxing bag. The impingement device 610 may include several impingement areas 605. In the example of fig. 6A, the impact device 610 includes seven impact regions, such as impact region 605 (1) through impact region 605 (7). However, embodiments may include more or less depending on the size (perimeter and/or length) of the pouch, among other factors. The illustrated impingement device 610 is configured for use with bags having a circumference of about 36 inches. As shown, the impingement device 610 has a height of 26 inches. However, these measurements are exemplary measurements, and embodiments are not limited to these specifications.

The impact device 610 may include a piezoelectric foam plate 602. The impact device 610 may include a plurality (e.g., five, seven, nine, fifteen, etc., depending on the size of the pouch) of conductive membrane electrodes adhered to the foam using a conductive adhesive, thereby defining a plurality of impact zones 605. Fig. 6A shows an example spacing of the impact regions 605, although embodiments are not limited to the spacing. The interval may be configured for a particular activity, for example, so that the impact area is accessible from the front of the bag. In some embodiments, the spacing may provide sufficient distance between the pads to prevent multiple pads from being impacted simultaneously in an accident, where such separation is desirable. Each electrode may have a single conductive trace connected to a microcontroller (not shown). As with the other described embodiments, the conductive traces may be insulated wires, which mitigates the situation of receiving unreliable data. The foam board 602 and electrodes (defining the impact area 605) are placed inside the punching bag sleeve with insulated wires leading to the microcontroller outside the sleeve. The microcontroller may be an example of the microcontroller 120 of fig. 1. The microcontroller may control signal processing and data flow. The microcontroller may be configured to determine the location and size of the impact. When one of the impact zones 605 is impacted, the microcontroller may be configured to determine the time of the peak voltage and calculate the impact energy, as described above with reference to fig. 5.

In some embodiments, the boxing bag sleeve may have an adjustable strap for securing around the bag, and an adjustable strap attached to the top of the sleeve. This allows the punching device 610 to be used with any existing punching bag by strapping the punching device 610 around the punching bag and on top of the bag. It also allows the impact device 610 to be positioned along the length of the bag as desired, for example for kicking as opposed to boxing or to accommodate the height of a boxer.

Fig. 6B is a schematic view of the impact device 610 of fig. 6A secured to a boxing bag in accordance with one embodiment. The surface of the impact device 610 (e.g., the sleeve into which the foam deck 602 and electrodes are inserted) may include indicia identifying the impact zone 605. In some embodiments, the indicia may include one or more feedback devices (not shown), for example, to cause the impact region to change appearance as described herein. In some embodiments, recessed light emitting diodes may surround the impact area to provide feedback or signals to the user without affecting the function of the pad. In some embodiments, the impact zone 605 may be identified using an identification, such as a number, letter, or symbol, printed on the sleeve.

The connected application (e.g., impact analysis application 160) may track the progress of the user over time, determine whether the impact force of his exercise is increasing, whether the accuracy is increasing, whether the response time is decreasing, etc. In some embodiments, the connected application may enable a user (e.g., a trainer) to select a target impact area, as described herein. In such embodiments, the impact device 610 may be configured to provide a visual indication (e.g., a light blink) for a particular impact area (e.g., using a feedback device corresponding to the area). In some embodiments, the system may record the target impact zone hit speed. The response time may be determined by measuring the time elapsed between the start time and the stop time. The start time may be the time at which the coach provides the start signal-e.g., by an audible command, by providing visual feedback on the bag, and/or by a second sensor system. The stop time may be the time the dummy is impacted by the participant. For example, the system may be configured to start a timer (recording start time) in response to selection of the target area or in conjunction with activation of a feedback device of the target area. In response to receiving an impact to the target impact area, the timer may stop (record a stop time). In such an embodiment, the stop time may not be recorded until an impact event is determined that hits the impact zone with the target impact zone. In some embodiments, when the next impact event is detected, the stop time (timer stopped) may be recorded regardless of the area. In such an embodiment, the impact event has no score (e.g., zero score) because the target impact region is not the impact region of the hit. Further, the system may determine the size of the impact and/or the impact energy of the impact.

In some implementations, the application of the connection may enable the user to select the primary target area and the secondary target area. In such an embodiment, the user may be expected to select between two impact areas. In some embodiments, where the impact event is scored, the primary impact region may be weighted more than the secondary impact region. The impact region may be communicated by a feedback device associated with the impact region or an audible indication configured to inform the boxer of the identification of the selected target impact region (or the primary impact region and the target impact region). In some embodiments, the audible indication may be an identification of a symbol printed on the sleeve. In embodiments where the response time is determined, the timer may be started in response to or with an audible indication. The time at which the audible indication is recorded may be considered to be the start of a timer. In some embodiments, the user of the connected application may start a timer (record start time) and give the target area/primary and secondary target areas.

In some implementations, a user of the connected application can select a profile, such as from profile data 168. The profile may represent a series of target impact areas. Thus, the profile may represent a series of impact zone identifiers. For example, the archive may represent a punch (or kick punch, or punch/kick punch) combination completed by the boxer. In some implementations, the system may be configured to change the target impact area after each detected impact event, e.g., to the next target impact area in the series. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to wait until the target impact zone is the impact zone of the hit before moving to the next target impact zone in the series. In some embodiments, the timer may be configured to determine the response time of each target impact area in the series, e.g., to determine how long it takes a boxer to impact the correct target impact area.

In one embodiment, the sensors may be placed in an array that may be used for reflectance training. The system may indicate the location to be impacted and calculate a score based on the response time (e.g., between indicating the location and contacting the location) and the size of the contact. This may be repeated for a desired duration or number of events depending on the user input. Although discussed with respect to a boxing bag, the impact device 610 may be adapted to be placed on any surface, including, but not limited to, a boxing bag, martial arts training dummies, walls, floors, and/or ceilings to train hand and foot reflexes. In some embodiments, the impact region may be configured to flash a different color, some colors representing the location of higher points. As previously mentioned, these colors may appear simultaneously, so the user must choose between two different impact areas before striking.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 700 of scoring an impact of an impact device according to one embodiment. The system performing the process may be the system 100 of fig. 1. For example, the steps of process 700 may be performed by any of impact analysis logic 124, impact analysis logic 164, and/or impact analysis application 160. The process 700 of fig. 7 may be performed to provide response time and impact scale for an object striking an impact device. As a non-limiting example, the process 700 may be used with impact devices used in various activities, such as football, hockey, bowling, and the like.

The process 700 may begin by providing a user interface displaying a virtual impact region corresponding to a plurality of physical impact regions on an impact device (705). The system may also receive a selection of a target impact area through a user interface (710). The target impact region may be selected by selecting a virtual impact region displayed on the user interface. The target impact area may be selected by selecting a profile, i.e. a series of target impact areas. The selection of the target impact region may include receiving a primary target impact region and a secondary target impact region. In some embodiments, the profile may include a primary target impact area and a secondary target impact area. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more stages in the series may include two or more target regions. In some implementations, the profile can include weights applied to the identified target impact regions. In some embodiments, the primary target impact region may have a higher weight than the secondary target impact region. In the profile, impact regions that are not target impact regions may have zero or negative weight.

The system may start a timer 715. The system may start a timer in response to selection of the target impact zone. The system may start a timer in response to user commands, including audible commands. The system may initiate a timer in response to (or in conjunction with) a change in the appearance of the target impact zone. The system may receive voltage information (720) from the impact device generated in response to the impact event. In some embodiments, the voltage information is generated (in whole or in part) by the impact analysis logic. The impact analysis logic may be included in a microcontroller of the impact device. The impact analysis logic may be included in a computing device communicatively coupled to the impact device. The voltage information may include a sampled voltage as described herein.

In some embodiments, voltage information is received in response to an impact event, wherein a target impact region is determined to be an impact location. The location may be determined as the location of the impact area where the maximum voltage response is recorded. The determination may be made at the impact device (e.g., by impact analysis logic 124) and communicated to an impact analysis application or computing device (e.g., impact analysis logic 164). In either case, the timer may be stopped in conjunction with the impact event on the target impact zone and the response time of the impact event calculated (725). In some embodiments, the size of the impact event is determined (730). The scale is directly related to the impact energy (e.g., using calibration data 166) because the impact region produces a voltage that is directly related to the impact energy, as described with respect to fig. 5. Scale may be expressed as average force, peak force, or impact energy.

In some implementations, the system may be configured to determine session statistics based on scale, response time, etc. (735). The session statistics may include a total number of impact events that occurred during the session. The session statistics may include an average response time during the session. Session statistics may include average response times during the session or other statistical operations (quartiles, etc.). The response time applied in the session data. Session statistics may include averages (and/or averages and/or quartiles) of impact event sizes during a session. As with fig. 5, the session may be defined by a user. In some implementations, session data may be associated with (defined by) a time period (e.g., all impacts for a certain hour, a certain day, etc.). In some implementations, the session data can also be associated with a user (e.g., a particular boxer). When a new session is initiated, the session data calculates the total impact event from zero, so all other statistics are zero. In other words, session statistics are initialized at the beginning of a new session.

The system may update the user interface to display the response time and/or impact scale (740). In some implementations, the system may score impact events, for example, based on response time (e.g., faster response represents a higher score) and/or based on scale (e.g., higher scale represents a higher score). In some implementations, for example, where a target region is assigned a weight, the method may include determining which target impact region is a hit impact region, and using the weight of the hit impact region to determine a score. The system may update the user interface (and/or session data) with the score. In some implementations, the user interface may plot session data, e.g., display trends in response time and/or scale. It should be appreciated that steps 710 through 740 may be repeated several times. In embodiments where the user selects a profile (e.g., a series of target impact regions), the system may automatically repeat steps 710 through 735 and update the user interface 740 once the sequence is complete (e.g., receive and analyze impact events for a series of target impact regions). In such an embodiment, the response time of the entire sequence may also be calculated.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example user interface 800 according to one embodiment. In the example of fig. 8, the impact device includes a training dummy. The training dummy of fig. 8 includes three impact areas, such as impact areas 805 (1), 805 (2), and 805 (3). The embodiments are not limited to the number or configuration but are provided as examples. In some embodiments, the impact device may further include an impact region located in a cushion worn by the participant. For example, one or more impact regions included in the system may be placed in a football training pad, a helmet, or the like. Further, while the user interface 800 is described as representing a striking device of a board, the striking device may be configured as any athletic training dummy and may include a striking area located in a boxing training pad, martial arts training pad, or the like.

In embodiments where the impact device represents a training dummy, the system may include multiple impact areas to indicate whether the athlete is handling/striking/impacting with the correct technique (e.g., the hands are properly placed, the helmet/head is not touching the dummy). Further, the system may be configured to determine the size of each impact event. In some implementations, the system may determine a response time for each impact event (e.g., a bump/impact). The response time may be determined by measuring the elapsed time between the coach providing the start signal (e.g., by an audible command and/or by the second sensor system) and the participant striking the dummy. For example, the coach may provide an audible command such as "walk" or another selected command that the system recognizes as a start signal. In some embodiments, the system may include a instrumented ball, such as a motion sensor connected to a soccer ball, or an instrumented stem connected to a ball. When the motion sensor measures motion associated with a predetermined/predefined motion (e.g., a "walking" motion), the sensor system may interpret the motion as a start signal and start a timer. In some embodiments, the sensor system may transmit an activation signal to the system, such as triggering the activation of a timer. In some embodiments, the instrumented exercise pad may be configured to transmit an end signal to the system. Instrumented training pads may be similar to impact areas, but may be located on the pad and not used for scoring of impact events. The instrumented exercise mat may be an impact region, for example, such that any detected impact event on the impact region provides a stop signal to the system.

The system may then calculate the response time, for example, as the difference between the start time (start signal) and the stop time (stop signal or time of contact with the instrumented exercise pad). The system may provide a response time, such as response time 812, to the participant through user interface 800. In some embodiments, the system may also calculate the impact scale for each impact zone. For example, impact zone 805 (1) is shown to have a scale of 14 lbs, impact zone 805 (2) has a scale of 141 lbs, and impact zone 805 (3) has a scale of 158 lbs. In some implementations, the system can calculate and the user interface can display the impact score 814. Impact score 814 may be a combination of scales determined for the impact region.

In some implementations, the system can provide a combined score 816 of the response time and the impact score 814. Impact scores may be based on impact size and correct form. The impact score may be calculated based on the "good" and "bad" impact regions. The "good" impact region is the target impact region that increases the combined score 816 when impacted. The "bad" impact region is a non-target impact region that reduces the combined score 806 when impacted. Each region may have a different scale, e.g., positive or negative weight, to adjust/contribute the score according to the level of the "good/bad" form they represent. The good and bad impact regions and their scalers may be stored as archives, for example, in archival data 168. Thus, the combined score 806 may represent a weighted combination of scores from the various impact regions. The system may have different patterns/impact profiles to accommodate different types of impacts/treatments (e.g., training for different positions or roles in a team). The system (including the scaler) may be tuned for different professional level games 840, for example, from teenagers to professional athletes.

The connected application, such as impact analysis application 160, may track the user's progress over time (e.g., during a session or sessions) to determine if its response time, form, and processing/impact are increasing. Session data may be accessed through the impact history link 830. Some or all of the session data may be displayed as part of user interface 800 (not shown in fig. 8). The data for each athlete may be tracked over time by any proximity sensor (e.g., RFID, etc.) tracking which user is using the system. In the example of fig. 8, user interface 800 shows automatic player detection 820 and connection event detection 825 in a soccer ball. The application of the connection is shown in attack mode 835, where it is not desired to strike the top strike area 805 (1), making the strike area 805 (1) a non-target area. The scale of the impact event due to the top impact region 805 (1) may be provided in the user interface 800 with an appearance indicating that the impact region 805 (1) is a non-target region, such as displaying a scale of 14 pounds using a first color (e.g., red font) or a background using a virtual impact region of the first color. The non-target impact area may decrease the combined score 816. In the example of fig. 8, the impact area 805 (1) may have a negative scale, e.g., a recorded impact force of 14 pounds contributes to a lower combined impact score. In contrast, the left impact region 805 (2) and the right impact region 805 (3) are target impact regions. The appearance of these areas may reflect their status as target areas, e.g., they record an impact of 141 lbs. and 158 lbs. respectively, are displayed using a second color (e.g., green font), or the background of the target area is represented by the second color.

Using the example of fig. 8, the system may calculate the combined score in the attack line mode as combined score = 1/response time (left force + right force-top force). The left force is the scale measured at the left impact area 805 (2), the right force is the scale of the right impact area 805 (3), and the top force is the scale of the top impact area 805 (1). The inverse of the response time can be used to increase the fraction of shorter response times. For another mode/impact profile, it may be desirable to have a higher recorded impact force for either the right impact zone 805 (3) or the left impact zone 805 (4) than the other impact zones. This can be done using a scalar (weight) applied to the scale. In this case, the combined score may be expressed as combined score = 1/response time (w ₁ left force + w ₂ right force-w ₃ top force), where w ₁ is the weight (scalar) given to the left impact area 805 (2), w ₂ is the weight (scalar) given to the right impact area 805 (3), and w ₃ is the weight given to the top impact area 805 (1). In some implementations, each weight may be customizable, such as by a user of the application creating or customizing a pattern/profile. For example, an open field shovel profile may not have a response time associated with a score, and the combined score may be calculated as: combining the fractional = Σtotal forces.

In another mode/impact profile, it may be advantageous that only one impact zone positively affects the combined score, while the other impact zones decrease the combined score. In some implementations, the combined impact score may include logic to compare recorded impact forces between sensors, e.g., the combined score may be based on differences between left and right side forces depending on the pattern/impact profile. For example, the profile/pattern may indicate that the smaller the difference between the left and right forces, the higher the contribution to the combined score. In some embodiments, the time between the start signal and the first impact may be factored into the combined impact score. In some embodiments, the response time may not be a factor.

In some embodiments, the athlete may wear the sensor, for example, at a helmet, shoulder pad, or the like. The impact force recorded on the wearable sensor may contribute to the combined impact score (e.g., the helmet may have a negative potential high weight scalar while the shoulder pad may have a positive scalar; the left shoulder pad may have a negative scalar while the right shoulder pad has a positive scalar and vice versa, depending on the mode/impact profile).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 900 for scoring impacts of an impact device based on an impact profile, according to one embodiment. The system performing the process may be the system 100 of fig. 1. For example, the steps of process 900 may be performed by any of impact analysis logic 124, impact analysis logic 164, and/or impact analysis application 160. The process 900 of fig. 9 may be performed to provide a composite score based on the profile of the impact event.

The process 900 may begin by providing a user interface displaying a virtual impact region corresponding to a plurality of physical impact regions on an impact device (905). The system may also receive a selection of a profile identifying at least two target impact areas through a user interface (910). The profile may include a series of target impact regions, two target impact regions being identified in the series. The profile may include an identifier of the target impact areas, while the non-target impact areas are those impact areas in the profile that are not identified. The profile may include weights of impact regions of the impact device, wherein positive weights of the impact regions represent target impact regions and negative weights of the impact regions represent non-target impact regions. In some implementations, the profile may include a primary target impact region and a secondary target impact region, the profile assigning a higher weight to the primary target impact region than the secondary target impact region. In some embodiments, the archival impact region that is not the target impact region may have zero weight.

The system may start a timer 915. The system may start a timer in response to a user command (e.g., an audible signal detected by the system). The system may initiate a timer in response to (or in conjunction with) a connected device (e.g., a piece of instrumentation). An instrument may be any motion device that is modified to send an activation signal to the system. For example, the instrument device may be a ball comprising a motion detector (gyroscope, accelerometer, etc.). And is configured to transmit a start signal in response to a particular action. In some embodiments, the system may start a timer by recording the time of the start event.

The system may receive voltage information generated in response to an impact event from an impact device (920). In some embodiments, the voltage information is generated (in whole or in part) by the impact analysis logic. The impact analysis logic may be included in a microcontroller of the impact device. The impact analysis logic may be included in a computing device communicatively coupled to the impact device. The voltage information may include a sampled voltage as described herein.

In some embodiments, voltage information is received in response to an impact event detected at an impact region. In some embodiments, the system may send a stop signal, such as a stop timer, in response to an impact event. The time at which the stop signal is recorded may be considered as a stop timer. The system may determine a response time for the impact event (925). This may be the difference between the recorded start time and stop time. The system may calculate (determine) the size of the impact event due to each target impact zone (930). The scale may be calculated as discussed elsewhere, for example with respect to fig. 5. The scale may be expressed as force. In some embodiments, the system may calculate the size of the impact event for each impact region for which a detectable voltage is determined. Thus, for example, each impact region, whether identified by the profile as a target impact region or a non-target impact region, may have a calculated size that represents the portion of the impact event attributable to the impact region.

The system may determine a combined impact score for the impact event based on the scale (935). The combined impact score may be calculated according to a formula associated with the profile. For example, some profiles may not be dependent on response time. The combined score independent of (independent of) response time may be calculated as combined score = Σdesired force Σundesired force, where the scale due to the target impact area is the desired force, and the scale due to the non-target impact area is the undesired force. In some implementations, only the desired force is considered, e.g., the combined fraction = Σdesiredforce. Some profiles may depend on response time. In embodiments where the profile indicates that a shorter response time is desired, the combined score may be calculated as Also, in some embodiments, the undesired forces may be removed (eliminated/ignored) from the calculation.

In some embodiments, one or more target impact regions may be weighted more or less than other target impact regions, and/or one or more non-target impact regions may be weighted more or less than other non-target impact regions. In such an embodiment, the equation may be calculated as Where n is the number of target impact regions (e.g., desired force), m is the number of non-target regions (undesired force), and w is the weight assigned to each respective impact region. In some implementations, the response time may also have a weight. The weights may also be customized, for example, by a user of the application.

In some implementations, the system can be configured to determine session statistics based on scale, response time, combined score, and the like. (940) The session statistics may include the total number (count) of impact events that occurred during the session. The session statistics may include an average combined fractional time during the session. Session statistics may include average response times during the session or other statistical operations (quartiles, etc.). The response time applied in the session data. The session statistics may include an average (and/or mean and/or quartile) of the combined scores of the impact events during the session. As with fig. 7, the session may be defined by a user. In some implementations, a session may be defined as a dossier, e.g., such that a new dossier defines a new session. In some implementations, session data may be associated with (defined by) a time period (e.g., all impacts performed on a profile within an hour, a day, etc.). In some implementations, session data may also be associated with a user (e.g., a particular athlete). Automatic athlete detection may be used to identify the athlete. Detecting a new athlete may begin a new session or switch to a session associated with the newly detected athlete.

The system may update the user interface to display the combined score and impact scale (945). In some implementations, the system may also update the user interface with the response time of the impact event. In some implementations, updating the user interface includes changing an appearance of one or more impact areas in the user interface. In some implementations, the update user interface can update session information. In some implementations, the user interface may include a chart of session data, e.g., showing how trend the response time, combined score, and/or scale is. It should be appreciated that steps 910 through 945 may be repeated several times, e.g., starting from 910, 915, or 920, depending on the implementation. In embodiments where the profile represents a series of target impact regions, the system may automatically repeat steps 920 through 940 and update the user interface 945 once the sequence is complete (e.g., receive and analyze impact events for a series of target impact regions). In such an embodiment, the response time of the entire sequence may also be calculated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 1000 for scoring repeated impacts of an impact device, according to one embodiment. The system performing the process may be the system 100 of fig. 1. For example, the steps of process 1000 may be performed by any of impact analysis logic 124, impact analysis logic 164, and/or impact analysis application 160. Process 1000 of fig. 10 may be performed to provide response time and impact scale for an object striking an impact device.

Process 1000 may include providing a user interface (1005) that displays an illustration of the impact device. The display may include representations of a plurality of impact devices. Each impact device may include an impact region. For example, the impact device may be a pad worn by an athlete, such as a vest. In some embodiments, the vest may be a single impact region. In some embodiments, the vest may include multiple impact regions. In some implementations, a user interface may be used to start a session. In some implementations, the system can be configured to start a new session in response to a voice command. During a session, the impact device may receive a plurality of impact events. For example, the impact device may be worn by a player in a simulated combat event, e.g., a player attempting to fire other players using a non-lethal projectile (e.g., a paintball, a chalk ball, obzon (orbeez), an air gun BB, or a foam object emitted from a firing device). During the session, the impact on the impact device may be tracked and scored. Thus, the system receives voltage information for a plurality of impact events from an impact device (1010) during a session. The system may determine and record session data for each impact event 1015. The session data is determined in real time, for example, when an impact event occurs.

Determining session data may include determining a scale of the impact (1020). Some embodiments may also determine the type of impact. For example, the type may be a side impact or a direct impact. This can be determined by analyzing the voltage data during the impact. As described above with respect to calculating the scale of the impact event, the system may determine various characteristics of the impact event (the integral of various time periods during the impact event). These same features can be used as inputs to a classifier that determines whether the voltage data represents a direct impact or an indirect impact. In some embodiments, the system may analyze the frequency comprising the voltage signal using a fast fourier transform to determine the properties of the projectile. In some embodiments, the combined model may determine the impact type and impact energy (scale) of the impact event. The system may use the information, such as the size of the impact event and/or the size and type of the impact event, to determine a discharge device (1025) for the impact event. In other words, the system may attribute the impact event to one type of discharge device. The system may do this in the case where different types (at least two different types) of launching devices launch projectiles at different rates and where the projectiles all have similar mass.

In embodiments where the impact device has multiple impact regions, the system may also determine which impact region is the hitting impact region (1030). In such an embodiment, different impact regions may be valued for different scores (e.g., may be weighted differently) such that the impact events occurring in the first impact region are weighted higher than the impact events occurring in the second impact region. The system updates session data for the impact event of the impact device (1035). The session data may include data for determining one or more of: the number of impact events (i.e., the count of impact events) of the impact device; due to the number of impact events per type of discharge device; for a particular discharge device: the number of direct impact events, the number of edge-rub impact events, and the impact area; for each impact zone: the number of direct impact events, the number of edge rub impact events, the number of discharge device direct impact events, the number of discharge device edge rub impact events.

The system may determine (calculate) a score (1040) for the impact device (e.g., the athlete wearing the impact device) based on the time period statistics. In some embodiments, the score may be a continuous score calculated and displayed in real time. In some implementations, the score can be calculated after the session ends (e.g., after a predetermined time has elapsed from the session start time). In some implementations, the sessions can be scored according to the profile selected (e.g., the mode selected prior to the session). In such embodiments, the profile may include the weight of the discharge device, the impact area, the impact type, etc. In some implementations, the weights may be fixed (not archive-based). In some embodiments, the discharge devices may have the same weight. In some embodiments, the discharge devices may have different weights. In some embodiments, different impact regions may have different weights. In some embodiments, two or more (or all) impact regions may have the same weight. In some embodiments, the impact types may have the same weight. In some embodiments, the impact types may have different weights. In some embodiments, no weights are used.

The impact score may be calculated based on a number of factors, including the type of discharge device, the impact area of the impact, the type of impact, and the weight (or lack of weight) assigned to these factors. In some embodiments, the weights may vary according to the level of expertise. The following are some non-limiting examples, although embodiments may include variations not explicitly disclosed. In embodiments where the impact device has n different discharge apparatuses, the system may calculate the score according to the following equation: Where w _i is the weight assigned to the ith discharge device and c _i is the number of impact events caused by the discharge device. In such an embodiment, the type of impact (e.g., direct or glancing) may be used to determine the number of impacts due to the discharge device, but may be weighted equally. In embodiments where the impingement device has n different discharge apparatuses and m different impingement areas, the score may be calculated as/> Where s _j is the weight assigned to the impact region j. In some embodiments, the type of impact (e.g., direct impact versus glancing impact) may be weighted differently, e.g., per device and/or per impact zone.

The system may display the score through a user interface (1045). In some implementations, the user interface may display some or all of the session data. In some implementations, the user interface may display the scores of multiple impact devices (e.g., all players in a combat simulation). Thus, the system may perform steps 1010 through 1040 for each impact device included in the session. Process 1000 then ends, but may repeat for another session.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: receiving voltage information generated in response to a plurality of impact events from an impact device, the impact device comprising at least one impact region configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact without a current generating apparatus; for each of a plurality of impact events: determining a discharge device attributable to the impact event based on at least one of the scale or the impact type determined from the voltage information, the discharge device being one of at least a first discharge device and a second discharge device, and updating session data of the impact device, including updating an impact count attributable to the discharge device; calculating a score based on the session data; and providing a user interface displaying the score.

These and other aspects may include one or more of the following, alone or in combination. For example, the method may further comprise, for each of a plurality of impact events: a hit impact region of the impact event is determined, wherein a score is calculated based on the hit impact region. As another example, the first discharge device may have a higher weight than the second discharge device. As another example, the impact device has at least two impact regions, and the session data includes an impact region count for each of the at least two impact regions, the impact region count reflecting a total number of impact events, wherein the impact region is a hit impact region. In some such embodiments, the impact zone count includes a number of impact events attributable to the first discharge device and a number of impact events attributable to the second discharge device. As another example, the impact type may be determined based on an analysis of a voltage profile of the impact event. In some such examples, the impact type is one of a side impact and a direct impact, and the side impact event has a lower weight in determining the score than the direct impact event.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: providing a user interface displaying a plurality of virtual impact areas, the plurality of virtual impact areas corresponding to a plurality of physical impact areas on the impact device, each impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact; receiving, via a user interface, a selection of a target impact region from a plurality of virtual impact regions; transmitting the target impact area to an impact device and recording a start time, wherein the impact device changes an appearance of the target impact area in response to receiving the target impact area; receiving voltage information from an impact device, the voltage information generated in response to an impact event, the impact event being an impact of an object on the impact device; and in response to receiving voltage information generated in response to the impact event: recording a stop time and calculating a response time based on an elapsed time measured between the start time and the stop time; determining a size of an impact event of the target impact zone based on the voltage information attributed to the target impact zone; calculating a score for the impact event based on the response time and the inverse of the scale; and updating the user interface to reflect the score.

These and other aspects may include one or more of the following, alone or in combination. For example, for at least one physical impact region, the voltage information may include a voltage measured during an impact lasting less than half a second. As another example, the target impact area is a first target impact area, and the method may further include: receiving, via the user interface, a selection of a second target impact region of the plurality of virtual impact regions, wherein the first target impact region is assigned a first weight and the second target impact region is assigned a second weight; and transmitting the first target impact region and the second target impact region to an impact device, wherein the impact device further changes the appearance of the second target impact region, wherein the changed appearance of the first target impact region is different from the changed appearance of the second target impact region. In some such examples, in response to receiving voltage information generated in response to an impact event, the method may further include: determining a size of an impact event of the second target impact zone based on the related voltage information attributed to the second target impact zone; calculating a first weighted scale by applying a first weight to the scale of the impact event calculated for the first target impact region; calculating a second weighted scale by applying the second weight to the scale of the impact event calculated for the second target impact region; and calculating a combined score of the impact event as a score by combining the inverse of the response time with the first weighted scale and the second weighted scale. As another example, the start time is recorded in response to identifying a voice command of the user. As another example, a start time is recorded in response to identifying a predefined motion of the secondary sensor.

As another example, the method may further comprise: receiving a target region sequence through a user interface, the target impact region being contained in the target region sequence; and transmitting the sequence of target areas to an impact device, wherein the impact device is configured to continuously change the appearance of a physical impact area corresponding to a target impact area in the sequence of target areas, the progression through the sequence of target areas being triggered by an impact event to any one of the plurality of physical impact areas. In some such examples, the method may further comprise: receiving, from the impact device, respective voltage information generated in response to each impact event; calculating a respective score for each target impact zone in the sequence of target zones based on the voltage information attributed to the target impact zone; calculating a sequence score using the corresponding scores; and updating the user interface to reflect the sequence score.

As another example, receiving the target impact region includes receiving an activity profile that indicates a target impact region and a non-target impact region, and calculating the score of the impact event may include: determining the scale of the impact event for each impact region according to the voltage information of the impact region; calculating a target scale by combining the scales of the target impact areas; calculating a non-target scale by combining the scales of the non-target impact areas; and calculating the score as a combination of the difference between the target scale and the non-target scale and the inverse of the response time. In some such examples, the activity profile includes a respective weight for each impact region, and wherein for each impact region, the size of the impact event for the impact region is multiplied by the respective weight for the impact region. By using negative weights for non-target areas, the score can be calculated as the difference between the target and non-target scale. In some examples, the weights correspond to a level of expertise. In some examples, at least one physical impact area is located in a pad worn by a user striking the impact device. In some examples, the method further comprises: the user interface is updated to display the impact scale for each impact zone.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: providing a user interface displaying a plurality of virtual impact areas, the plurality of virtual impact areas displayed in the user interface corresponding to a plurality of physical impact areas on the impact device, each impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact; receiving a selection of an object, the object having a known mass; receiving voltage information from an impact device, the voltage information generated in response to an impact event, the impact event being an impact of an object on the impact device; and in response to receiving voltage information generated in response to the impact event: determining a hit impact area according to the voltage information; determining a speed of the object from the voltage information and the known mass; and updating the user interface to identify the hit impact area and display the velocity.

These and other aspects may include one or more of the following, alone or in combination. For example, updating the user interface may occur in real-time. As another example, the method may further include: receiving a selection of a target impact zone of the plurality of virtual impact zones; and in response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact event: determining whether the target impact area matches the hit impact area, and updating the user interface with an indication of whether the target impact area matches the hit impact area. In some examples, the method may further comprise: transmitting the hit impact area to an impact device; and changing the appearance of the impact area upon impact. As another example, in response to receiving voltage information generated in response to an impact, the method may further include updating a session record stored in the memory, the updating the session record including adding a speed of the object to the session record and updating an impact event count in the session record; calculating an average speed based on the session record; and updating the user interface to display the average speed. In some examples, the method further comprises receiving an instruction to start a new session; and initializing session records. The instruction to start a new session may result from selecting a new object having a different known quality.

As another example, the method may further comprise: receiving a selection of a target impact zone of the plurality of virtual impact zones; and in response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact: updating a session record stored in the memory, the updating the session record including adding a velocity of the object to the session record, updating a count of impact events in the session record, and recording in the session record a determination of whether the target impact area matches the hit impact area, calculating an average velocity based on the session record, calculating a hit rate based on the session record, and updating the user interface to display the average velocity, the hit rate, and the count of impact events. The method may further include updating the user interface to display an indication of whether the target impact region matches the hit impact region.

As another example, the plurality of physical impact areas may be arranged in three columns, with one impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas surrounding three columns. In some examples, at least two of the three columns each include three physical impact regions.

As another example, determining the velocity of the object from the voltage information and the known mass includes: determining a peak voltage during an impact period that hits the impact region; determining an impact energy E _t from the peak voltage based on the calibration data, wherein the impact energy E _t has a direct relationship with the peak voltage; according toThe velocity is calculated, where m is the known mass.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: providing a user interface displaying a plurality of virtual impact areas, the plurality of virtual impact areas displayed in the user interface corresponding to a plurality of physical impact areas on the impact device, each impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact; receiving, via a user interface, a profile, the profile comprising identifying at least two impact regions of a plurality of physical impact regions as target impact regions, remaining impact regions of the plurality of physical impact regions being non-target impact regions; receiving voltage information from an impact device, the voltage information generated in response to an impact event, the impact event being an impact of an object on the impact device; and in response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact event: determining a size of an impact event for each target impact zone based on the voltage information associated with the target impact zone; calculating a score for the impact event based on the scale; and updating the user interface to reflect the score.

These and other aspects may include one or more of the following, alone or in combination. For example, receiving the target impact region includes receiving an activity profile indicating a target impact region and a non-target impact region, and wherein calculating the score of the impact event includes: for each impact region, determining a size of the impact event based on voltage information attributed to the impact region; calculating a target scale by combining the scales of the target impact areas; calculating a non-target scale by combining the scales of the non-target impact areas; and calculating the score as the difference between the target scale and the non-target scale.

As another example, the activity profile includes a respective weight for each impact region, wherein for each impact region, the size of the impact event for the impact region is multiplied by the respective weight for the impact region. In some such examples, calculating the score as the difference between the target scale and the non-target scale is accomplished by using negative weights for the non-target regions. In some examples, the weights may correspond to a level of expertise. In some examples, at least one physical impact area is located in a pad worn by a user striking the impact device. In some examples, the user interface is updated to display the impact scale for each impact region.

Another example is shown. The method may further comprise: recording a start time in response to a command from a user; and in response to receiving the voltage information: the stopping time is recorded and the response time is calculated based on the elapsed time measured by the starting time and the stopping time, wherein the calculation score is further based on the inverse of the response time.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system comprising: an impact device having an impact region configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact by an object; at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform the method of any preceding claim.

Implementations of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a non-transitory machine-readable storage device (computer-readable medium), for processing or controlling the operation of the same by data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. A computer program, such as the computer programs described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be processed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

Many of the method steps can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps may also be performed by, and apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the processing of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors formed in the base plate of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disk; a DVD-ROM disc. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, an implementation may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a touch screen, a monitor, a projection, and the like. For displaying information to a user and to an input device, such as a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a finger, stylus, mouse, or trackball), by which the user can provide input to a computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide for interaction with a user; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with an embodiment, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the internet.

Although some features of the implementations have been described as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the embodiments. It is to be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any of the portions of the apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The embodiments described herein may include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components, and/or features of the different embodiments described.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

Receiving voltage information generated in response to a plurality of impact events from an impact device, the impact device comprising at least one impact region configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact without a current generating apparatus;

for each of the plurality of impact events:

Determining a discharge device attributable to the impact event based on at least one of a scale or an impact type determined from the voltage information, the discharge device being one of at least a first discharge device and a second discharge device, and

Updating session data of the impact device, including updating an impact count attributable to the discharge apparatus;

Calculating a score based on the session data; and

A user interface is provided that displays the score.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: for each of the plurality of impact events,

A hit impact area of the impact event is determined,

Wherein the score is calculated based on the hit impact region.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first discharge device has a higher weight than the second discharge device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the impact device has at least two impact regions, and the session data includes an impact region count for each of the at least two impact regions, the impact region count reflecting a total number of impact events, wherein the impact region is a hit impact region.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the impact zone count comprises a number of impact events attributable to the first discharge device and a number of impact events attributable to the second discharge device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the impact type is determined based on an analysis of a voltage profile of the impact event.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the impact type is one of a side-wiping impact and a direct impact, and a side-wiping impact event has a lower weight in determining the score than a direct impact event.

8. A method, comprising:

Providing a user interface displaying a plurality of virtual impact areas, the plurality of virtual impact areas corresponding to a plurality of physical impact areas on the impact device, each impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact;

Receiving, via the user interface, a selection of a target impact region from among the plurality of virtual impact regions;

Transmitting the target impact area to the impact device and recording a start time, wherein the impact device changes an appearance of the target impact area in response to receiving the target impact area;

Receiving voltage information from the impact device generated in response to an impact event, the impact event being an impact of an object on the impact device; and

In response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact event:

Recording a stop time and calculating a response time based on an elapsed time measured between the start time and the stop time;

determining a size of the impact event for the target impact zone based on the voltage information attributed to the target impact zone;

Calculating a score of the impact event based on the response time and the inverse of the scale; and

The user interface is updated to reflect the score.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the voltage information comprises, for at least one physical impact region, a voltage measured during an impact of less than half a second in duration.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the target impact area is a first target impact area, and the method comprises:

Receiving, via the user interface, a selection of a second target impact region of the plurality of virtual impact regions, wherein the first target impact region is assigned a first weight and the second target impact region is assigned a second weight; and

Transmitting the first target impact region and the second target impact region to the impact device, wherein the impact device further changes an appearance of the second target impact region, wherein the changed appearance of the first target impact region is different from the changed appearance of the second target impact region.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein in response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact event, the method further comprises:

Determining a size of the impact event for the second target impact zone based on the voltage information associated due to the second target impact zone;

Calculating a first weighted scale by applying the first weight to the scale of the impact event calculated for the first target impact region;

Calculating a second weighted scale by applying the second weight to the scale of the impact event calculated for the second target impact region; and

A combined score of the impact event is calculated as the score by combining the inverse of the response time with the first weighted scale and the second weighted scale.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, via the user interface, a sequence of target areas, the target impact areas being included in the sequence of target areas; and

Transmitting the sequence of target areas to the impact device, wherein the impact device is configured to continuously change the appearance of the physical impact areas corresponding to the target impact areas in the sequence of target areas, the progression through the sequence of target areas being triggered by an impact event to any one of the plurality of physical impact areas.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

Receiving from the impact device respective voltage information generated in response to each impact event;

calculating a respective score for each target impact zone in the sequence of target zones based on the voltage information attributed to the target impact zone;

calculating a sequence score using the respective scores; and

The user interface is updated to reflect the sequence score.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the target impact region comprises receiving an activity profile indicating a target impact region and a non-target impact region, and wherein calculating the score of the impact event comprises:

determining a size of the impact event for each impact region based on voltage information attributable to the impact region;

calculating a target scale by combining the scales of the target impact regions;

Calculating a non-target scale by combining the scales of the non-target impact regions; and

The score is calculated to combine the difference between the target scale and the non-target scale with the inverse of the response time.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the activity profile includes a respective weight for each impact region, and wherein for each impact region, the scale of the impact event for the impact region is multiplied by the respective weight for the impact region.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein calculating the score as a difference between the target scale and the non-target scale is accomplished by using a negative weight on non-target areas.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the weight corresponds to a level of expertise.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one physical impact area is located in a pad worn by a user striking the impact device.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

updating the user interface to display the scale of the impact for each impact region.

20. The method of claim 8, wherein the start time is recorded in response to a voice command identifying a user.

21. The method of claim 8, wherein the start time is recorded in response to identifying a predefined motion of a secondary sensor.

22. A method, comprising:

providing a user interface displaying a plurality of virtual impact areas, the plurality of virtual impact areas displayed in the user interface corresponding to a plurality of physical impact areas on an impact device, each impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact;

receiving a selection of an object, the object having a known mass;

Receiving voltage information from the impact device generated in response to an impact event, the impact event being an impact of the object on the impact device; and

determining a hit impact area from the voltage information;

Determining a speed of the object from the voltage information and the known mass; and

The user interface is updated to identify the hit impact area and display the velocity.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a target impact zone of the plurality of virtual impact zones; and

determining whether the target impact area matches the hit impact area, and

Updating the user interface with an indication of whether the target impact area matches the hit impact area.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

Transmitting the hit impact region to the impact device; and

The appearance of the hit impact area is changed upon the impact.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising, in response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact:

Updating a session record stored in memory, the updating the session record including adding the velocity of the object to the session record and updating a shock event count in the session record;

Calculating an average speed based on the session record; and

The user interface is updated to display the average speed.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

Receiving an instruction for starting a new session; and

Initializing the session record.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the instruction to initiate the new session originates from selecting a new object having a different known quality.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

In response to receiving the voltage information generated in response to the impact:

updating a session record stored in a memory, the updating the session record including adding the velocity of the object to the session record, updating a count of impact events in the session record, and recording in the session record a determination of whether the target impact area matches the hit impact area,

An average speed is calculated based on the session record,

Calculating hit rate based on the session record, and

Updating the user interface to display the average speed, the hit rate, and the impact event count.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising updating the user interface to display an indication of whether the target impact region matches the hit impact region.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of physical impact areas are arranged in three columns, one impact area of the plurality of physical impact areas surrounding the three columns.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein at least two of the three columns each comprise three physical impact areas.

32. The method of claim 22, wherein determining the speed of the object from the voltage information and the known mass comprises:

Determining a peak voltage of the hit impact region during impact;

Determining an impact energy E _t from the peak voltage based on calibration data, wherein the impact energy E _t has a direct relationship with the peak voltage; and

According toThe velocity is calculated, where m is the known mass.

33. The method of claim 22, wherein updating the user interface occurs in real-time.

34. A method, comprising:

Receiving, via the user interface, a profile, the profile comprising identifying at least two impact regions of the plurality of physical impact regions as target impact regions, remaining impact regions of the plurality of physical impact regions being non-target impact regions;

Determining a size of the impact event for each target impact zone based on the voltage information associated with the target impact zone;

calculating a score of the impact event based on the scale; and

The user interface is updated to reflect the score.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein receiving the target impact region comprises receiving an activity profile indicating a target impact region and a non-target impact region, and wherein calculating the score of the impact event comprises:

The score is calculated as the difference between the target scale and the non-target scale.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the activity profile includes a respective weight for each impact region, and wherein for each impact region, the scale of the impact event for the impact region is multiplied by the respective weight for the impact region.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein calculating the score as a difference between the target scale and the non-target scale is accomplished by using a negative weight on non-target areas.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the weight corresponds to a level of expertise.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one physical impact area is located in a pad worn by a user striking the impact device.

40. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

41. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

Recording a start time in response to a command from a user; and

In response to receiving the voltage information:

Recording the stop time, and

Calculating a response time based on the elapsed time measured by the start time and the stop time,

Wherein calculating the score is further based on an inverse of the response time.

42. A system comprising:

An impact device having an impact region configured to generate a voltage in response to an impact by an object;

at least one processor; and

A memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform the method of any preceding claim.