EP3576852A1

EP3576852A1 - Strike detection equipment

Info

Publication number: EP3576852A1
Application number: EP18702244.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frédéric Marciano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-31
Filing date: 2018-01-26
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-26
Also published as: WO2018141650A1; EP3576852B1; KR20190111046A; US20190388756A1; FR3062315B1; FR3062315A1; US11344780B2

Abstract

The present invention concerns a piece of strike detection equipment, that can be used by a combatant and an opponent for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, comprising a central apparatus (7), a valid surface, for example a shirt (1) and/or a helmet (2), and at least one enabled surface (8), for example a glove (4) and/or a shoe (5). Said valid surface comprises at least one conductive surface (3) and said enabled surface comprises two conductive structures (6) insulated from each other, nested one within the other over the whole of said enabled surface, and each connected to an electric terminal (9), and configured such that contact between said enabled surface and a conductive surface creates a short circuit between the two conductive structures. The present invention further concerns a method for detecting when a combatant strikes an opponent, for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, each being equipped with a piece of equipment according to the invention.

Description

Shot detection equipment

The present invention is in the field of combat sports such as taekwondo, karate or boxing. It relates more particularly to a blast detection equipment.

The present invention relates to sports such as taekwondo, karate, boxing, but is not limited to these examples and applies to any combat sport that can benefit from a blast detection equipment. In such sports, determining the number of valid strikes brought to the opponent can be a judgment criterion to determine the winner of a fight. In order for a stroke to be valid, several rules may apply depending on the sport concerned.

The blow may have to be carried on a so-called valid surface of the body of the opponent. Valid surfaces may be bounded by accessories or well-defined areas, such as a plastron or taekwondo colored helmet.

Only certain well-defined surfaces can be authorized to carry a valid blow. It may be for example the end of gloves, fists or feet.

Two conditions must then be verified for a blow to be declared valid. The first condition is the contact between a surface capable of striking and a so-called valid surface of the opponent. The second condition is a sufficient intensity of the shot. Thus a simple contact may not be enough to assign a point.

A blast detection system must therefore take into account these two factors and be able to detect a contact, as well as the intensity of the blow carried.

Finally the detected shots must then be signaled, either directly on the fighters, or on a display.

Detection systems exist, especially for taekwondo. In order to detect contact, some systems use a plastron lined with Hall effect sensors able to detect the proximity of magnets placed in the slippers and gloves of the opponent. Other systems use RFID sensors. A rigid chest pad with piezoelectric sensors on the inside is used to measure the intensity of the blows.

But these systems do not provide sufficiently reliable detection. Indeed Hall effect contact is not always well detected, while the use of RFID chips is very random. The piezoelectric sensors of the plastron are unreliable after repeated blows on the same surface, and inactive areas appear quickly. According to the statistics of the Olympic Games, the combination of these technologies leads to detection devices that do not detect up to 30% of hits.

In addition, such a rigid breastplate hinders the movements of the fighter by its heaviness and rigidity.

These systems are also very expensive, which prevents an important diffusion among the practitioners of the sports concerned. Finally, the information concerning the detected hits is sent by radio waves in order to be displayed on a screen located near the combat area. These waves, usually sent on standard public frequency bands, for example 430 MHz, 860 MHz, 2.4 GHz or 5.6 GHz in Europe, are easily scrambled, further decreasing the efficiency of the detection system.

In addition, some martial arts have rules relating to key discrimination. In karate for example, a valid stroke results in the impossibility of a valid opponent's blow during a specific time interval. The lack of stability of the radio waves makes it difficult to properly apply this type of rule by existing detection systems.

Document JP2000042162 proposes an equipment for detecting blows comprising a plastron or a helmet equipped with two electrodes, and a glove or sock provided with a conductive surface. When the glove hits the plastron, the conductive surface comes into contact with the electrodes and causes a short circuit that is detected. The two electrodes are arranged in the form of nested combs, so that the blow can be detected on the entire surface of the breastplate or helmet. Deformable protruding elements may be arranged between the two electrodes. A blow must then be struck hard enough to deform the protruding elements and cause the short circuit, and the low intensity shots are not detected. The detection information is transmitted by radio for display on a screen.

However with such a solution, the equipment detects indifferently the blows carried by the opponent and the blows carried by the fighter himself. In addition, the plastron is always rigid and hinders the movements of the fighter.

WO2010041304 provides similar strike detection equipment having a pair of electrodes on the striking surface, as well as on the receiving surface. Such electrodes do not constitute a surface, but rather wires, laid in series and / or in parallel. It can happen during a hit that each electrode on the striking surface comes into contact with one of the electrodes on the surface that receives the blow, and so the blow will not be detected.

The present invention aims to overcome at least in part these disadvantages. For this purpose, it proposes a blast detection equipment, usable by a fighter and an opponent for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, comprising a central apparatus, a valid surface, for example a jersey and / or a helmet. , and at least one authorized surface, for example a glove and / or a slipper. This striking detection equipment is particular in that said valid surface comprises at least one conductive surface and in that said authorized surface comprises two conductive structures insulated from one another, nested one inside the other on the other. together said enabled surface, and each connected to an electrical terminal, and configured so that a contact of said surface enabled on a conductive surface creates a short circuit between the two conductive structures.

With these features, reliable hit detection can be achieved by means of simple, inexpensive and lightweight sensing equipment, which makes it more comfortable and convenient for sports practice. Because of its surface area, the presence of a conductive surface allows a detection reliability much higher than the presence of son, even nested, but separated by an insulator, of the state of the art.

According to other characteristics:

said central apparatus may comprise a signal transmitter capable of being transmitted between a combatant and his opponent by means of the contact between said authorized surface of said fighter and said conductive surface of said opponent. Thus the blast detection information can be exchanged in a simple and reliable manner between the blast detection equipment of the combatant and his opponent, without vulnerability to jamming,

said signals may be low-frequency signals, typically of the order of 100 kHz, which allows the transfer by contact,

said conductive structures may be arranged in the form of two combs or two spirals, nested one inside the other, these simple embodiments making it possible to detect a blow on all of the surfaces enabled by short circuit between the conductive structures, said conductive surface may comprise woven or knitted conductive yarns, in particular silver-coated polyamide or stainless steel conductive yarns, which makes it possible to obtain effective conductive surfaces, with appearance and comfort equivalent to the textiles usually used for the practice of sport,

the blast detection equipment may furthermore comprise at least one shock sensor, preferably an accelerometer, making it possible to measure the impact of the blows and to dissociate, for example, blows of insufficient intensity from the valid blows,

the blast detection equipment may furthermore comprise a gyroscope, capable of detecting a rotation of 180 °, this making it possible in certain sports to detect special blows, for example kicks in rotation with taekwondo,

the blast detection equipment may further comprise at least one visual transmitter, such as a led, capable of receiving an ignition command from said central unit, this making it possible to display in real time on the fighters the information of shots given and / or received, a plurality of transmitters that can distinguish different types of shots; these provisions allow the referees to count shots reliably without having to rely on an information transmission between the detection equipment and a point counting system located outside the combat area. The present invention also relates to a method for detecting a blow carried by a fighter on an opponent, for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, each equipped with equipment according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps following:

establishing contact between an authorized surface of said fighter and a valid surface of said opponent,

detecting a short circuit between the two conductive structures of said authorized surface,

creating at the level of the equipment of said fighter a low frequency signal characteristic of the blow carried,

sending, during said contact, said low frequency signal to the central apparatus of the adversary, by means of the contact between the authorized surface of said fighter and the valid surface of said adversary,

sending, if necessary, an ignition command to visual transmitters such as LEDs of the opponent's equipment.

With these features, reliable hit detection can be achieved by means of simple, inexpensive and lightweight sensing equipment, which makes it more comfortable and convenient for sports practice. In addition, the signaling blows provided by the visual means can allow a reliable accounting of the points without having to rely on an information transmission between the detection equipment and a point counting system located outside the combat area.

According to other characteristics:

said method may further comprise at the level of the equipment of the adversary at the time of receiving a signal, and depending on the nature of the signal received, the neutralization of the creation of signals for a predetermined duration, this allowing to discriminate shots in the sports concerned by such rules, that is to say, not to count shots given within a certain period of time after a hit.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fighter practicing taekwondo, equipped with a blast detection equipment according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a fighter practicing boxing, equipped with a blast detection equipment according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a view of a detail of the boot of fig. 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view of a detail of the boot of fig. 1, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view from above of the glove of FIG. 2, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of the glove of FIG. 5.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of a shot detected with the blast detection equipment according to the invention.

- Figure 8 is a schematic view of the communication between a central unit and a receiver according to the invention.

The blast detection equipment according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, is intended to be worn by a fighter practicing a martial art such as for example taekwondo, karate or boxing. The detection equipment comprises valid surfaces, for example a jersey 1 and / or a helmet 2 provided with a conductive surface 3 as a valid surface, a glove 4 and / or a liner 5 provided with two conductive structures 6, and a central apparatus 7.

The conductive structures 6 are nested one inside the other over the whole of the authorized surface 8 of the glove 4 and / or the liner 5. The authorized surface 8 is the set of surfaces authorized to carry blows according to the rules. practiced sport. The authorized surface 8 is not necessarily limited to the gloves 4 and slippers 5. If for example the knee or elbow was entitled to carry blows, then the knee, respectively the elbow, would also be equipped with two conductive structures 6. The structures Conductors 6 may for example be arranged in the form of nested combs, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or in the form of interlocking spirals, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Other arrangements allowing the interlocking of the two conductive structures 6 on all the Authorized surfaces 8 are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The two conductive structures 6 are isolated from each other, so that direct contact between them is impossible. On the other hand, if the two conductive structures 6 touch the same conducting body, this establishes a short circuit between them, which can be detected by the central unit 7.

The conductive structures 6 may consist of conducting wires, made for example of silver or stainless steel. These conductive threads can be embroidered on the surface of the glove 4, the shoe 5 or any other authorized surface 8.

The conductive surface 3 may extend over all of the surfaces on which a blow is worn according to the rules of the sport practiced, for example the helmet 2 and / or the jersey 1. The distribution of conductive surfaces 3 on the fighter is not necessarily limited to the helmet 2 and the jersey 1. The conductive surface 3 can be made of conductive textiles, for example a woven with lines at regular intervals in a chained and / or weft, made of polyamide coated with silver, or stainless steel son. It is also possible to make the conductive surface 3 by a knit made of conductive threads. The conductive surfaces 3 may also be covered with a conductive material or molded of conductive rubber. Such an embodiment may especially be suitable for a helmet 2 made of a rigid material. In particular it is possible to provide a molded helmet 2 made of polyurethane, and then overmould it with a thin layer of conductive rubber.

In the present application, the conductive surface 3 designates a set of points defining a geometric shape that extends significantly in two dimensions. The conductive surface 3 can not therefore be constituted by a set of two mainly one-dimensional elements separated by an insulator, such as that of the state of the art described in the introduction, and one of whose dimensions is much smaller than the other, so you can not be sure of detecting shots. For example, it suffices for one of the electrodes of the authorized surface 8 to touch an insulating part between the two electrodes so that the blow is not detected.

Detection of the blow is much more reliable with a conductive surface 3 in the sense of the present invention. In addition, the conductive surface 3 is a conductive surface in the sense that it is conductive over its entire surface. It is therefore at the same electrical potential over its entire surface, we can say that it is a potential mono conductive surface. This allows the reliability of the detection; when an authorized surface 8 comes into contact with such a conductive surface, the two electrodes of said authorized surface are necessarily electrically connected, regardless of the locations of the surface where each electrode has touched, and the blow is detected.

The conductive surface 3 can be connected by wire to the central unit 7, for example by a simple electric wire terminated by a crocodile-type plug, in order to transmit information received for example during a blow-worn .

As illustrated in figs. 5 and 6, each conductive structure 6 of a nested pair of conductive structures 6 of a capacitated surface 8 is connected to an electrical terminal 9. On contact between two interleaved conductive structures 6 and a conductive surface 3, the electrical terminals 9 are therefore in short circuit. To do this, the distance between the conductive structures 6 must be sufficiently small so that a shot of an authorized surface 8 on a valid surface inevitably causes a short circuit, while ensuring that the two conductive structures 6 are well isolated from each other .

The two electrical terminals 9 are part of an end sensor 10, for example a foot end sensor or a glove end sensor. The end sensor 10 can be connected by wire to the central unit 7 in order to be supplied with electrical energy, and to exchange information with said central unit 7.

The central unit 7 may be attached to the back of the jersey 1. The end sensor 10 may comprise a wired interface for connection to the central unit 7. The end sensor may also include a mechanical and electrical attachment This fastener can for example be a Velcro (registered trademark) conductor type fastener. It can thus be two fasteners of this type, materializing the electrical terminals 9. This provision makes it easy to remove the gloves 4 and / or slippers 5 after a fight, without these being always connected to the end sensor 10. In this embodiment, prior to a fight, the Fighter preparation is simplified and can include the following steps:

donning gloves 4 and / or slippers 5 and / or other equipment having authorized surfaces,

- Fixing the central unit 7 and the various electrical circuits on the fighters,

connection of the authorized surfaces 8 to the corresponding electrical circuits at the level of the end sensors 10.

The end sensor 10 constantly monitors the state of short circuit between the two electrical terminals 9. When a short circuit is detected at a level of a permitted surface 8, the end sensor 10 sends a signal, preferably a low frequency signal, directly from said authorized surface 8 to the affected effective surface of the adversary. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said signal has a frequency of between 50 and 300 kHz, typically of the order of 100 kHz. The signal is then transmitted using the wire connecting the conductive surface 3 to the central unit 7, finally to be detected by the central unit 7.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blast detection equipment comprises a shock sensor 14, which can be arranged at the forearm and / or heel, and able to determine the intensity of a stroke. The shock sensor may be an accelerometer, and may be connected to the end sensor 10. Upon detection of a short-circuit contact between the electrical terminals 9, the shock sensor makes it possible to determine whether the intensity of the blow is enough for the blow to be valid. The transmitted signal can then have a different frequency depending on whether the shot is valid or not.

It can also be provided that the detection of the contact by a short circuit of an authorized surface, as well as the information of the intensity of the blow, are transmitted to the central unit 7. This then determines the type of blow carried for example a kick, if the short-circuit contact detection information comes from an authorized surface of a shoe 5, of sufficient or insufficient intensity according to the value measured by the shock sensor. Depending on the type of blow carried, the central unit 7 determines the frequency of the signal to be transmitted. This signal is transmitted during the contact of the blow, directly to the valid surface of the opponent, from where it is transmitted to the central unit 7 of the opponent. The blast detection equipment may also comprise a gyroscope, capable of detecting a rotation of for example 180 ° or 360 °. Such an arrangement can be used in some sports, for example at taekwondo extra points are awarded for a spinning kick. The information transmitted by the signal, in particular the choice of its frequency, to the central unit 7 of the adversary can then include these additional details required for the calculation of the points.

The signal sent by the conductive structures 6 to the central unit 7 of the opponent can then carry different information, distinguished for example by the use of different frequencies. The central unit 7 of the opponent can be informed of a valid stroke, a shot of insufficient intensity, a special shot bringing more points according to the data of the gyroscope. The central apparatus 7 of the opponent can also be informed if the blow is a kick or a punch. He can himself determine on which area of the body he has been worn, for example on the head or chest, according to the authorized surface from where the information reaches him.

As shown in fig. 8, the blast detection equipment may also include a visual transmitter 1 1, consisting for example of one or more LEDs. The visual transmitter 1 1 may for example be arranged on the helmet 2 and / or the uniform of the combatant, and connected by wire to the central unit 7. When the central unit 7 is informed of a hit received, it can to control the visual transmitter 1 1 associated with the valid surface having received the blow, a certain display. It is conceivable that the central unit 7 controls the visual transmitter 1 1 a different display, for example by the activation of leds of different colors, when detecting a contact of insufficient intensity. The display can also differentiate between kicks and punches, and special moves like a spinning kick. One can foresee that if the blow was received at the level of the helmet 2, it is the led of the helmet 2 which lights, whereas if the blow was carried at the level of the chest, it is a LED at the level chest that lights up; depending on the importance of the location of the shot, and its accuracy, we can subdivide the conductive surfaces 3 to detect the location of shots with more or less precision. This can be used for counting points if a rule says so, but also for training assistance, indicating to the that he is more vulnerable in certain areas, and thus inciting him to further his defense in this area.

As illustrated in fig. 8, the information relating to the shots received can also be sent by the central unit 7 to an external screen 12 in the era of combat, for example by sending a radio wave. The screen 12 can be seen by the referees and the public and allow them to follow the evolution of the score. In case of radio problem, the presence of the visual transmitter 1 1 makes sure that the shots are correctly counted by the referees.

The blow detection equipment makes it possible to implement a detection method comprising the following steps:

blow carried by a fighter to his opponent, by contact of an authorized surface of said fighter and a valid area of said opponent short circuit between the two conductive structures 6 of said authorized surface of said fighter, for example a glove 4 or a slipper 5, by contact with the conductive surface 3 of a valid surface of the equipment of the adversary,

creation at the level of said fighter, for example in his central unit 7, a low frequency signal characteristic of the blow carried, sending said low frequency signal to the central unit 7 of the opponent, via the authorized surface of the fighting towards the opponent's valuable surface during the contact,

sending if necessary an ignition command to a visual transmitter 1 1 such as LEDs disposed on said fighter.

As illustrated in fig. 8, the blasting detection equipment may further comprise a display 13 for displaying on each fighter, the points he has acquired. This allows additional verification of the score at the end of the fight.

The central unit can store the recorded data for operation for targeted training. For example, we can learn from these data that the fighter is more effective with the right foot, or left fist, or more vulnerable in certain areas, and therefore provide targeted training to reduce weaknesses and / or accentuate strengths. The power supply necessary for the operation of the blast detection equipment may be included in the central unit 7. For example, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery may be placed therein.

The invention allows key discrimination in real time. Indeed, the central unit 7 can centralize at any time the information of shots received and worn, and order not to detect the blows carried in a specific time interval after receiving a shot. It suffices to neutralize the creation of signals in a time interval of predetermined duration after receiving a signal from the opponent, indicating a received hit of sufficient intensity.

The sending of signals by contact, allows a reliable transmission of information and a precise application of the rules of discrimination of keys present in certain martial arts.

The striking detection surfaces and in particular the conductive surface 3 u jersey 1 can be made in textile materials, the invention avoids fighters having to wear a plastron upholstered sensors. Such a plastron is heavy, rigid and expensive. Traditional outfits can be used as long as they are made at least in part of conductive materials, with the possible addition of protections under the outfit.

Although the description above is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting to the scope of the invention, and modifications may be made, in particular by substitution of technical equivalents or by a different combination of all or some of the features developed above.

Claims

1. Blasting detection equipment, usable by a fighter and an opponent for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, comprising a central apparatus, a valid surface, for example a jersey and / or a helmet, and at least one an authorized surface, for example a glove and / or a liner, characterized in that said valid surface comprises at least one conductive surface and in that said authorized surface comprises two conductive structures insulated from one another, nested one in the other on the whole of said authorized surface, and each connected to an electrical terminal, and configured so that contact of said authorized surface on a conductive surface creates a short circuit between the two conductive structures.

2. Equipment according to the preceding claim, wherein said central apparatus comprises a transmitter signals capable of being transmitted between a fighter and his opponent by means of contact between said authorized surface of said fighter and said conductive surface of said opponent.

3. Equipment according to the preceding claim, wherein said signals are low frequency signals, typically of the order of 100 kHz.

4. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said conductive structures are arranged in the form of two combs or two spirals, nested one inside the other.

5. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said conductive surface comprises woven or knitted conductive son, in particular lead son of polyamide coated with silver, or stainless steel.

6. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one shock sensor, preferably an accelerometer.

7. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gyro, capable of detecting a rotation of 180 °.

8. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one visual transmitter, such as a led, adapted to receive an ignition command from said central unit.

9. A method of detecting a blow carried by a fighter on an opponent, for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, each equipped with equipment according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

- sending if necessary an ignition sequence to visual transmitters such as LEDs of the equipment of the opponent.

10. Method according to the preceding claim, further comprising at the level of the equipment of the adversary at the time of receiving a signal, and depending on the nature of the signal received, the neutralization of the signal creation during a predetermined duration.