GB2486773A

GB2486773A - Handheld data recording and monitoring apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2486773A
Application number: GB201121331A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lyall Timmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2011-12-12
Publication date: 2012-06-27
Also published as: GB201121331D0; GB2486710A; GB201021851D0

Abstract

A portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus comprises a body 9 having a form adapted to fit into the palm of a hand, with the fingers of the hand fitting around said body 9 and the thumb of the hand locatable adjacent to said body 9; input buttons 10, 11 operable by a finger of the hand to record an item of data in real-time; a display screen 13 able to display in real-time the inputs or information about the inputs; a controller to control the operation of said apparatus; a memory accessible by the controller to record the inputs and the information about said inputs; and a power source. The monitor may be used in the training of athletes or sports men/women or monitoring human or animal traffic. The monitor may store performance data relating to past events or training sessions, such as a race time or a number of double faults, for immediate comparison with present performance data. Wired or wireless communication means may be provided to download data from the apparatus to an external device and upload programs to the apparatus. Each input button 10, 11 may have its own display 13.

Description

MONITORING APPARATUS

This specification relates to apparatus and a method of using it for monitoring activities. It is particularly suitable for use in monitoring sporting activities, such as training athletes, but has a wide range of other applications, e.g. monitoring road traffic flows, movement of people in shopping malls or in and out of night clubs, etc. in order to create modern facilities, it is necessary to have information on which the designer can base his / her plans. For example, measurement of traffic numbers flowing along a road at peak times will indicate whether it needs to be widened to a dual carriageway, or if a separate turning lane needs to be provided. Here this would be a simple count of the numbers of vehicles going in either a single direction or in both directions and could be accomplished by a single person with one, or two, hand-operated counter(s)1 similar to those used to count passengers embarking on or disembarking off a ferry or pleasure steamer.

If more detailed information is required, e.g. numbers lorries, buses, cars and two-wheeled vehicles, etc., on a road or the numbers of vehicles leaving on each of the four exits from a roundabout, the monitoring becomes more complicated. This may require than one person to record the numbers or a single person with a multiple counter.

in athletics, evermore specialised training techniques are required to shave fractions of a second off performance times, e.g. in races, or to correct inherent faults, e.g. in racquet sports, such as tennis, badminton or squash. In this latter case, a trainer, watching his player in, say, a practice tennis match, might want to record the numbers of some I all of aces, double faults, forehand shots, backhand shots, volleys, half volleys, net winners, baseline winners, etc. Clearly, with a clipboard or electronic counter, it would be possible for the trainer to record some, or all, of these for a single player but he I she would be so busy recording that little, or no, sideline tuition could be given.

Similarly, if the trainer was coaching four players at the same time, e.g. in a tennis doubles match, he / she could not simultaneously record data on all four players while giving instructions from the side unless the data recording was done more or less independently.

In an actual doubles match, the trainer might want to record, say, the number of forehand shots for each player in the first set, backhands in the second set and double faults in the third. An independent hand-held device would make this possible and permit coaching.

I

A number of electronic timing devices are available, e.g. wearable devices, such as taught in USP 4 993 004, USP 4 117 662, JPA 56 048 562, USP 5 088 072 and EPA 0459443 or static devices, such as USP 4 823 367 or built into a ski pole, such as USP 4 731 766. All these are timers, measuring lap, or whole, race times. Other wearable devices can record S heart rates or estimate distance covered. Static lap timers, such as USP 4 823 367, are known. All of these are basically timing or distance measuring devices and would be no use in monitoring numbers of shots from, say, four different players.

Also known are portable, hand-held devices, such as USA 2008 / 0 192 881, which can record inputs and the times when they occur but this would be practicable only for the actions of a single player. Further, the trainer would have to take his / her eyes off the player to input some of the data thus, potentially, missing some of the action.

There is clearly an urgent need for an electronic monitor, applicable to more than one is player / athlete, which can be operated by a trainer independently of his / her watching and coaching those players.

According to the invention, there is provided portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus for data gathering purposes comprising:-i) a body having a form adapted to fit into the palm of a hand, with the fingers of the hand fitting around said body and the thumb of the hand locatable adjacent to said body; ii) an input means, operable by a finger of the hand, to record an item of data as and when it takes place; iii) a display screen, able to display in real time the input(s) and / or information about the input(s); iv) a control means, to control the operation of said apparatus and means to operate the control means; v) a memory, accessible by the control means to record the inputs and / or the information about said inputs; and vi) a power source able to operate the various control means, the memory and the microelectronics to record and display the inputs and information about said inputs; characterised in that the body fits comfortably into the hand between palm, fingers and thumb so that a finger can operate the input(s) to record in real time an item of data andf or details relating to that item of data, said input(s) and / or its details being displayable and / or recordable in the memory and said memory subsequently being accessible.

According to a first variation of the apparatus of the invention, the body is of a size to fit the hand when it is partly-clenched.

According to a second variation of the apparatus of the invention, the input means is a S button operable by a finger.

According to a third variation of the apparatus of the invention, four input buttons are provided, each operable by one of the four fingers of the hand.

According to a fourth variation of the apparatus of the invention, a display screen is provided for the I each of the inputs.

According to a fifth variation of the apparatus of the invention, each display screen is located adjacent to the input for which it displays information, the arrangement being such that it is obvious which display screen relates to which of the inputs.

According to a sixth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the information displayed on a display screen is the total number of inputs made to that input button during that particular data gathering session.

According to a seventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the information displayed on the display screen is a time when that particular input was made, i.e. data is recorded in reaLtime.

According to an eighth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to operate the control means includes turning the apparatus of the invention on and off.

According to a ninth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to operate the control means includes means to select specific programs loaded into the apparatus of the invention.

According to a tenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to operate the control means includes selecting and / or accessing a rnemory(ies) in the apparatus of the invention.

According to an eleventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to operate the control means includes provision for downloading data from the memory(ies) within the apparatus of the invention and for uploading programs into the apparatus of the invention.

According to a twelfth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to operate all I part of the control means can be activated by the thumb of the hand holding the apparatus of the invention.

According to a thirteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to operate the control means includes provision for displaying the accumulated data acquired in a data gathering session for examination during the session or after the end of the session.

According to a fourteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, a means for a hard wired connection is provided to allow programs and I or data to be uploaded into the apparatus of the invention or records in the memory(ies) to be downloaded.

According to a fifteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, a wireless connection is provided to allow programs and I or data to be uploaded into the apparatus of the invention or records in the memory(ies) to be downloaded.

According to a sixteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the finger-operated inputs may be operated in a particular way to close the existing memory and commence a new memory to record a different type of input, i.e. the finger operated inputs have multiple functions.

According to a seventeenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, a means is provided for attaching a wristband to the apparatus of the invention.

According to an eighteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the power source is a replaceable battery.

According to a nineteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the power source is a rechargeable cell.

According to a twentieth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus has the general form of a tick'.

According to a twenty first variation of the apparatus of the invention, space is provided on the body of the apparatus for a logo or advertisement.

According to a twenty second variation of the apparatus of the invention, different versions S of the apparatus are provided for use by either left-handed or right handed people.

According to a twenty third variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus is provided in different sizes for use by people with different sizes of hand, e.g. children and adults.

According to a twenty fourth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus of the invention is used for monitoring the actions of an athlete(s) I player(s) / competitor(s) in a sporting event or sports training session.

According to a twenty fifth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus of the invention is used for monitoring human, animal or vehicular traffic.

According to a twenty sixth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus of the invention is used to comply with Health and Safety legislation by monitoring the numbers of people entering and leaving selected locations, e.g. nightclubs, theatres, etc., so that, in the event of an emergency, the exact number of people inside the location is immediately known.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of using a portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus for data gathering purposes comprising:-i) providing a body having a form adapted to fit into the palm of a hand, with the fingers of the hand fitting around said body and the thumb of the hand locatable adjacent to said body; ii) providing an input means, operable by a finger of the hand, to record an item of data as and when it takes place; iii) providing a display screen, able to display in real time the input(s) andior information about the input(s); iv) providing a control means, to control the operation of said apparatus and means to operate the control means; v) providing a memory, accessible by the control means to record the inputs and / or the information about said inputs; and vi) providing a power source able to operate the various control means, the memory and the microelectronics to record and display the inputs and information about said inputs; characterised in that the body fits comfortably into the hand between palm, fingers and S thumb and is used by a finger(s) operating the input(s) to record in real time an item of data and / or details relating to that item of data, said input(s) and / or its detailsbeing displayable and / or recordable in the memory and said memory subsequently being accessible.

According to a first variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to monitor a single aspect or feature of an athlete's / player's performance, technique or play or the like.

According to a second variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to is monitor a plurality of aspects or features of an athlete's I player's performance, technique or play or the like.

According to a third variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to monitor a single aspect or feature of a plurality of athletes' / players' performances, techniques or plays or the like.

According to a fourth variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to monitor a plurality of aspects or features of a plurality of athletes' I players' performances, techniques or plays or the like.

According to a fifth variation of the method of the invention, a trainer uses the apparatus to monitor a selected aspect(s) I feature(s) of an athlete's I player's I athletes' I players' performance(s), technique(s) or play(s) or the like while simultaneously coaching him I her Ithem. * 30

According to a sixth variation of the method of the invention, a memory switching feature is used to monitor additional features of an athlete's I player's I athletes' / players' performance(s), technique(s) or play(s) or the like.

According to a seventh variation of the method of the invention, a trainer uses two items of the apparatus to monitor a selected aspect(s) I feature(s) of an athlete's I player's performance(s), technique(s) or play(s) or the like on the one item and the time of the occurrence on the other.

According to an eighth variation of the method of the invention, a trainer records.an aspect(s) I feature(s) of an athlete's / player's performance, technique or play and subsequently uses the display facilities to show a particular part(s) of the performance, technique or play to the athlete I player as part of the coaching process.

According to a ninth variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to upload previous performance data for use in training / coaching an athlete I player.

According to a tenth variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to download performance data for record keeping and use in future training / coaching.

According to an eleventh variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used for monitoring human, animal or vehicular traffic.

According to a twelfth variation of the method of the invention, the apparatus is used to comply with Health and Safety legislation by monitoring the numbers of people entering and leaving selected locations, e.g. nightclubs, theatres, etc., so that, in the event of an emergency, the exact number of people inside the location is immediately known.

In a preferred application of the invention, the apparatus of the invention has a has a main body which fits neatly into the palm of a hand when in the form of a partly-clenched fist, with a portion extending between the thumb and index finger so that the apparatus has the general form S a tick'. Four input buttons are provided, each operable by one of the four fingers of the hand. Each finger can be allocated to a particular player or item of data required to be gathered and the finger used to depress the appropriate button as and when * . .. the player performs a particular action or to record the lime when the item of data takes place.

Individual display screens show the cumulative totals of each input. Alternatively, the time at which each input takes place can be recorded, i.e. recording events in real time. When a recording session is complete, or partway through it, the data on the individual display screens can be accessed for immediate consideration. Additionally, the data in the apparatus' memory(ies) may include data from a previous recording session(s), allowing immediate comparisons to be made between the twasets of data by cycling between the appropriate,memories. When the recording session is complete, the data can be downloaded, e.g. either by a hardwired connection or by wireless means, for permanent storage.

The finger-operated buttons and other control buttons may have multiple functions to increase the versatility of the apparatus when used by a skilled person, e.g. by holding the button for a period of time may close one memory and open another. The apparatus of the invention may be used to keep running totals, e.g. people entering and leaving a given location.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is another perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figs. I and 2, showing the control buttons and display screens; and Figure 4 is yet another perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 showing a Logo or advertising feature.

In the following description, the same reference numeral is used for the same component in different Figures or for different components, fulfilling identical functions.

Referring to all the Figures, a hand holdable monitor 1 has a body 9, formed from a rounded portion 2, with faired sides 3, a tick' portion 5, faired into portion 2 via curved.

section 6. The underside is formed by front 7 and rear 8 lobes with four separate curvature parts 4. Monitor 1 is designed to fit snugly into a partly-clenched hand (not shown) when tick portion 5 will project through the gap between thumb and index finger; the particular monitor 1, shown in the Figures, is preferably designed for use in a right hand, i.e. by a right-handed person.

(The design of the invention may be modified for use by a left-handed person, as will be explained later. The apparatus of the invention 1 may be produced in different sizes for use by both children and adults.) S Rounded portion 2, 3 fits into the cup of the palm with the four fingers (not shown) extending over Logo 16 and underneath, resting in the four curvatures 4. The thumb (not shown), rests along the side of body 9 against potion 9A of the side of tick 5. The firm grip provided by the palm (around portions 2 and 3), the fingers (in curvatures 4) and the thumb (9A alongside tick 5) provide a firm grip on monitor body 9. As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the general form of apparatus I is that of a tick'.

Built in to finger curvatures 4 are four buttons 10, each of which may be operated by the appropriate finger, i.e. referring to Fig. 3, the button furthest to the left would be operated by the index finger,the next (second) button (to the right) along would be operated by the second finger, the third by the third finger and the fourth by the little finger. Four mini display screens 13, one in line with each button 10, are provided to show the total number of input(s) of each appropriate button 10. Clearly, the location of each screen 13 immediately adjacent to a button 10 shows to which button each screen refers.

Separate control buttons 11 are provided, to switch monitor 1 on and off and select the individual programs loaded into monitor 1, as displayed on control screen 12. When held normally in a right hand, as described, thumb (not shown) may be used to operate one of the control buttons, e.g. I 1C (Fig. 3) or a special dedicated button 110 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3).

Lobes 7 and 8 allow monitor 1 to be placed on a flat surface, without resting on buttons 10.

A USB port 14 is provided to upload programs and download readings from screens 13 or the memories (not shown), via control buttons 11, which may have multifunctional capabilities. A wireless uploading and downloading facility, controlled by one / more of buttons 11, may be provided, e.g. via the Bluetooth® technology. Attachment 15 is provided for a wrist band (not shown).

To understand one preferred application of how monitor 1 would be used, it is necessary to understand how a trainer works with either a single athlete or a group of, say, four athletes.

Fitness is critically important in most sports and the trainer might start with them running 400m. Before starting them, he / she would switch monitor I on, e.g. by pressing button 1 1A (Fig. 2) and selecting a timer program 11 B. When starting them, the trainer would press all four buttons 10 simultaneously. As each athlete crossed the finishing line, the appropriate button 10 would be pressed again to stop the clock and show his / her time 13.

After completing the run, the four times on the four individual screens 13 would be shown to the athletes. The trainer would place these times in four separate locations in a memory in monitor 1, via an appropriate button(s) 11. Then, he I she would recall the equivalent times from the previous training session (previously saved in the memory of monitor 1) and display them on the appropriate screens 13, so that each athlete could compare that day's time with his / her previous effort(s). After the run, each will want to view all the times for all the athletes to see who has improved the most. It is beneficial to train athletes in small groups. By so doing, the athletes gain a rapport with each other and will offer encouragement to each other as well as developing a competitive ethos. With such a technique, the trainer can generate camaraderie, within a group, and between groups, which will usually result in improved performances compared to those of athletes not being trained in groups.

Though the previous session's times have been cited, any appropriate datum time(s) could be used, as required... -Three buttons I IA-C only are shown on the outside face of tick portion 5 but as many as are required may be provided, with additional programs accessible by pressing combinations of buttons II together. A dedicated thumb button(s) 11 D is also provided.

Button 110 is ideally placed for cycling between current, and previously recorded, times for comparison purposes. This is especially important for athletes, who usually have highly developed competitive instincts.

Because monitor 1 is designed to be hand holdable, batteries or rechargeable cells (not shown) will be provided inside body 9 to operate all the microelectronics (not shown) and display screens 12, 13. Body 9 is sized to fit comfortably in an adult's hand but be large enough to allow four, easily-readable screens 13 and control screen 12 to be incorporated.

(Smaller versions may be provided for use by children.) It has been found that a form, similar to that of a tick' provides both a monitor 1 which is easy to hold and operate and has enough internal volume for all the electronic components and batteries. The hand holdable feature is important as it allows the trainer to stand right on the touchline or even run around on the pitch, e.g. while refereeing (a football match), as well as data gathering and coaching. A wrist strap (not shown) may be attached 15 to protect monitor 1 frombeing dropped, e.g. in accidental collisions.

An important feature of apparatus 1 is that, in its data gathering mode, it is operable by only one hand. Apparatus 1 is provided with space for a brand name or advertising slogan 16.

To demonstrate the full versatility of the invention, assume that the trainer is coaching tennis players and that four are playing together in a doubles practice match. Monitor 1 has four inputs 10, so that a particular feature(s) of the play can be recorded for each one of the players. For example, if the trainer wants to record the numbers of double faults, he can allocate one finger (not shown), i.e. one button 10, to each player and click with that finger each time that player serves a double fault; this allows the data for each player to be recorded independently. As the trainer has an independent monitor I in his hand, he I she is free to call instructions to the players as and when appropriate, while simultaneously recording data; this would not be so convenient, or sometimes not even possible, if the trainer had to look down to mark a clip board or key into an electronic palm computer and so take his / her eyes off the players.

After the game, or during it (e.g. between sets), the quantitative information 13, i.e. numbers of double faults, is used to examine the actual play with the athlete(s) actively participating to identify weak aspects, needing further attention. As taught above, during these feedback' sessions, the trainer can use the comparison facility' 11 D to show to the players, say, how the numbers of double faults have changed in that training session compared to that of the previous (or datum) session(s). Feedback given immediately after the occurrence has much more effect than the same information provided at a later time, when memories have begun to fade. Information 13 may be downloaded 14 onto the * trainer's computer (not shown) for long term monitoring of progress and detailed record keeping. This is important if the trainer works with a large number of athletes in a season.

Downloading may be via a hardwired connection 14 or wireless means (not shown). Inputs may be used to record the absolute numbers of items of events or the times at which each occurs, i.e. in real time.

Similarly, lithe trainer is watching only one of two players playing each other, he I she may use all the four buttons 10 to monitor four separate features of that player's game, e.g. double faults, aces, forehand winners and backhand winners, Again the instant feedback comparison feature 11 D allows the trainer to provide immediate advice on the players strengths and weaknesses at convenient breaks in the play. The skilled trainer will find a wide range of uses for monitor I adapting its uses to the particular athlete(s) being trained and sport(s) being undertaken or played.

In the example given above, the trainer might want to record, say, double faults in the first set, aces in the second set and volleyed winners in the third set. Once, the trainer has become fully conversant with monitor 1, he I she might be able to record two aspects of each players play simultaneously. For example, if two sets of memories were controlled by button 11 D, operable by the thumb (not shown), the trainer could press 11 D once, to get the double faults memories, and a second time, to get the aces memories. Screen 12 would show which set of memories was in use at any particular time. Once competent with the use of monitor 1, the trainer could record much data rapidly and accurately, while simultaneously coaching as many as four players. Buttons 10 would record the inputs into whichever of the two memories had been selected.

After the game, the trainer would hold down the four buttons 10 for a few seconds to transfer the data in the four working memories to longer term memories for subsequent downloading. Thus, the buttons 10 would each have more than one function.

The monitor 1, shown in the Figures, is intended for use in a right hand. The location of screens 13 allows the trainer to see the cumulative inputs on screens 13, i.e. the number of times each button 10 has been pressed (for each memory, controlled by button 11 D), during the actual play, without taking monitor I from his hand. For left-handed people, the locations of screens 13, button 11 D and logo 16 would be reversed. Similarly, the functions of buttons 11 could be reversed, i.e. I 1A in Fig. 2 would be II C. Thus, skilled trainers could use one monitor I to record two sets of data for each player. It would be possible for a very skilled trainer to hold a right-hand monitor 1 in the right hand and a left-handed monitor I in the left hand and use them simultaneously to record up to eight separate items of information for up to four individual players.

The principle of the invention is applicable to many other types of sport. For example, a trainer could monitor certain actions of four particular players in a rugby or football match, or of eight players, if using the twin memory feature 11 D. Monitoring eight players might be easier with two separate monitors 1, i.e. one in each hand. If monitor 1 had a timer feature s 11, the trainer could monitor times for four separate parts of the course for the same runner or skier or particular times for four different athletes. Thus, for most sports, whether dependent on speed or not, monitors 1, according to the invention, could play an important part in improving performance standards. If the trainer had two monitors 1, one in each hand, it would be possible to monitor a feature of a player's play by clicking a button 10 with the right hand and the time at which it occurred via the left hand.

Other cases where the apparatus of the invention could be used might be for monitoring the flow of people, i.e. men, women and children, in shopping malls, or attending sporting events, etc., or the passage of different species of animals on farms, in the wild, at auctions or in abattoirs, or monitoring traffic flows, i.e. cars, coaches, lorries, on roads, round islands or onto or off ferries, pleasure craft, etc. One legal H & S requirement is to know how many people are in specific locations, e.g. in a night club or an auditorium. Here, as people entered, they could be clicked' in using an additive program, and clicked' out via a subtractive program, so that the memory would always retain an accurate running total. Button 11 D would shift between the two programs.

It is often part of children's education to organise' events, e.g. end of term dances or concerts, with their concomitant H & S requirements (as above). Here, a smaller version of monitor 1, sized to fit into a child's hand, could be used to monitor the numbers entering and exiting the event. Similarly, competitive children in the House Teams' of their school might want to train separately for their intra-school Sports Days / Events and, thus, want to replicate the techniques and methods of their professional trainers. Here, smaller-sized versions of monitor 1 would be invaluable.

The skilled person will appreciate the advantages of the invention and will understand where multiple counting or timing are important parts of data gathering and where the apparatus of the invention will make a positive contribution to the speed or accuracy with which data may be collected or by reducing the cost of such data collection. He / she will S appreciate how the principle of the invention may be adapted to specific requirements, all falling within the scope of the invention. The comparison feature 11 D provides an unique means by which improvements in performance can be monitored in real time, which many athletes find is the key developing record breaking achievements.

Claims

Claims:- 1. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus for data gathering purposes corn prising:-S I) a body having a form adapted to fit into the palm of a hand, with the fingers of the hand fitting around said body and the thumb of the hand locatabie adjacent to said body: ii) an input means, operable by a finger of the hand, to record an item of data as and when it takes place; iii) a display screen, able to display in real time the input(s) and I or information about the input(s): iv) a control means, to control the operation of said apparatus and means to operate the control means; v) a memory, accessible by the control means to record the inputs and / or the information about said inputs; and vi) a power source able to operate the various control means, the memory and the microelectronics to record and display the inputs and information about said inputs; characterised in that the body fits comfortably into the hand between palm, fingers and thumb so that a finger can operate the input(s) to record in real time an item of data and / or details relating to that item of data, said input(s) and / or its details being displayable and / or recordable in the memory and said memory subsequently being accessible.
2. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in clairn 1, wherein the body is of a size to fit the hand when it is partly-clenched.
3. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claimS wherein, the input means is a button operable by a finger.
4. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein, four input buttons are provided, each operable by one of the four fingers of the hand.
5. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, a display screen is provided for the I each of the inputs.
6. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein, each display screen is located adjacent to the input for which it displays information, the arrangement being such that it is obvious which display screen relates to which of the inputs.S
7. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claims 5 or 6 wherein the information displayed on a display screen is the total number of inputs made to that input button during that particular data gathering session.
8. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the information displayed on the display screen is a time when that particular input was made, i.e. data is recorded in real time.
9. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the means to operate the control means includes turning the apparatus of the invention on and off.
10. Portable, hand-holciable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein, the means to operate the control means includes means to select specific programs loaded into the apparatus of the invention.
11. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claims 9 and 10 wherein, the means to operate the control means includes selecting and / or accessing a meniory(ies) in the apparatus of the invention.
12. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claims 9-11 wherein, the means to operate the control means includes provision for downloading data from the memory(ies) within the apparatus of the invention and for uploading programs into the apparatus of the invention.
13. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claims 9-12 wherein, the means to operate all / part of the control means can be activated by the thumb of the hand holding the apparatus of the invention.
14. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claims 9-13 wherein, the means to operate the control means includes provision for displaying the accumulated data acquired in a data gathering session for examination during the session or after the end of the session.S
15. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, a means for a hard wired connection is provided to allow programs and I or data to be uploaded into the apparatus of the invention or records in the memory(ies) to be downloaded.
16. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, a wireless connection is provided to allow programs and I or data to be uploaded into the apparatus of the invention or records in the memory(ies) to be downloaded.
17. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the finger-operated inputs may be operated in a particular way to close the existing memory and commence a new memory to record a different type of input, i.e. the finger operated inputs have multiple functions.
18. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a means is provided for attaching a wristband to the apparatus of the invention.
19. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the power source is a replaceable battery.
20. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the power source is a rechargeable cell.
21. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein apparatus has the general form of a tick'.
22. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein space is provided on the body of the apparatus for a logo or advertisement.
23. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein different versions of the apparatus are provided for use by either left-handed or right handed people.
24. Portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the apparatus is provided in different sizes for use by people with different sizes of hand, e.g. children and adults.
25. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus for data gathering purposes comprising:-i) providing a body having a form adapted to fit into the palm of a hand, with the fingers of the hand fitting around said body and the thumb of the hand locatable adjacent to said body; ii) providing an input means, operable by a finger of the hand, to record an item of data as and when it takes place; iii) providing a display screen, able to display in real time the input(s) and / or information about the input(s); iv) providing a control means, to control the operation of said apparatus and means to operate the control means; v) providing a memory, accessible by the control means to record the inputs and I or the information about said inputs; and vi) providing a power source able to operate the various control means, the memory and the microelectronics to record and display the inputs and information about said inputs; characterised in that the body fits comfortably into the hand between palm, fingers and thumb and is used by a finger(s) operating the input(s) to record in real time an item of data and / or details relating to that item of data, said input(s) and / or its details being displayable and / or recordable in the memory and said memory subsequently being accessible.
26. A method of using.portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the apparatus is used to monitor a single aspect or feature of an athlete's I player's performance, technique or play or the like. 3S
27. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the apparatus is used to monitor a plurality of aspects or features of an athlete's I player's performance, technique or play or the like.
28. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the.apparatus is used to monitor a single aspect or feature of.a plurality of athletes' / players' performances, techniques or plays or the like.
29. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the apparatus is used to monitor a plurality of aspects or features of a plurality of athletes' / players' performances, techniques or plays or the like.
30. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 26-29, wherein a trainer uses the apparatus to monitor a selected aspect(s) I feature(s) of an athlete's / player's I athletes' I players' performance(s), technique(s) or play(s) or the like while simultaneously coaching him / her / them.
31. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein a memory switching feature is used to monitor additional features of an athlete's / player's / athletes' / players' performance(s), technique(s) or play(s) or the like.
32. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in claims 30 or 31, wherein a trainer uses two items of the apparatus to monitor a selected aspect(s) / feature(s) of an athlete's / player's performance(s), technique(s) or play(s) or the like on the one item and the time of the occurrence on the other.
33. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any of claims 25-32, wherein a trainer records an aspect(s) / feature(s) of an athlete's / player's performance, technique or play and subsequently uses the display facilities to show a particular part(s) of the performance, technique or play to the athlete / player as part of the coaching process.
34. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoñng apparatus as claimed in any of claims 25-32, wherein the apparatus is used to upload previous performance data for use in training / coaching an athlete I player.
35. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any of claims 25-33, wherein the apparatus is used to download performance data for record keeping and use in future training / coaching.
36. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any of claims 25-35, wherein the apparatus is used for monitoring human, animal or vehicular traffic.
37. A method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as claimed in any of claims 25-36, wherein the apparatus is used to comply with Health and Safety legislation by monitoring the numbers of people entering and leaving selected locations, e.g. nightclubs, theatres, etc., so that, in the event of an emergency, the exact number of people inside the location is immediately known.37. Apparatus and method of using portable, hand-holdable, monitoring apparatus as described in and by the above description with reference to the accompanying drawings.