GR1010031B - Electronic system for the training and evaluation of the strength, speed and reglexes in martial sports - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic system meant for the training and evaluation of the strength, speed and reflexes of martial sports. The force of the blows is evaluated through pressure / acceleration sensors while - in collaboration with audiovisual stimuli- the execution time and reflexes are also evaluated. The invention relies on the electronic support of an arduino microcontroller responsible for all functions. An acceleration sensor is adjusted according to a programming code so that the smallest possible excitation is perceived only on the axis of the sensor with the direction of the blow and the sum of the values ??of the three axes (per recording) being rejected when it is less than a value defined by the user as sensor sensitivity. A lowest force threshold is also set for an acceptable successful blow. This is the logic of categories expressing different degrees of difficulty, different body weights or ages or experience. Furthermore, the microcontroller calculates the execution speed of the blow by calculating the time elapsed from the moment the optical stimulus signal was switched on until the moment it received the blow signal back from the acceleration sensor located in the bag. The time between two turns on of the visual / acoustic stimulation may change randomly.

Description

Description

Electronic training and evaluation system for strength, speed and reflex combat sports

The present invention relates to an electronic system for training and evaluating martial arts strikes in a punching bag and other training instruments of the trade. It is based on electronic intervention via source code on commercial sensors (accelerators and pressure sensors) to introduce innovative functions during training. In the electronic system additionally functions of audio-visual stimuli are combined and evaluation calculations and statistical data listing are performed.

Power and speed measurement systems have been introduced in recent years in the field of martial arts and contact sports (taekwondo, boxing, etc.), to replace with electronic support, the traditional training of positioning the athlete against a bag or a person and performing strikes by order of the coach. In general, however, there are disadvantages and shortcomings for the performance of training realism in these systems due to a) the reduced possibilities of electronic support, b) the absence of understanding of training principles and c) the limitation of the possibility of these systems in individual trainings.

Until now, an electronic system is usually accompanied by standardized exercise programs and audio-visual stimuli that have the sole purpose of determining the moment of impact and/or the point of impact on the target. Then by analyzing the readings, usually of acceleration sensors and less often of pressure sensors, the force and speed of the blows are approximately determined. The programs cannot be adapted to the needs and capabilities of each athlete-user. They are not characterized by variety as multiple factors are not taken into account for a hit to be considered successful such as minimum force limit, minimum reaction time, variable waiting time until the next hit and a combination of these. By extension, audio-visual stimuli do not satisfy the above factors and cannot be used as a valuable tool to improve the athlete's reflexes. But also the determination of force and speed cannot correspond to real values as the execution of the blows is not done realistically i.e. at random times, at random points but most importantly with a random waiting time between the blows.

Current electronic systems are mainly concerned with training at the individual level. However, it is important for the sake of competition that more than one athlete can train at the same time with the same programs and that there is a possibility of selecting a winner. There is no electronic system of joint-group training in multiple stations with the selection of a winner by visual and audio means based on a comparison of the performances of each athlete and in fact when the degree of difficulty in each station is adapted to the weight of each athlete.

Finally, there is no electronic training system with the help of which the coach can change the level of difficulty or manage the valuable tools of audio-visual stimuli live while the athlete is training.

The first goal set with the present invention is that athletes of different weight and strength categories can be trained in a system, so that the system can manage the minimum force limit for a hit to be considered successful. The system should be able to manage sensor readings and process them according to training requirements. Another goal is to integrate audio-visual stimuli into the system's processing logic to assess reaction time and speed. Of course, the big innovation lies in the reflex improvement method. It was observed that when the rate at which the execution commands are given is constant, be it visual or auditory stimuli, the human brain tends to tune in after a small number of executions. Practically the athlete works automatically, he starts to perform before the lighting of the visual stimulation because as it has been observed he has determined the frequency at which this is done. The real evaluation and by extension improvement of an athlete's reflexes can only be done in conditions of variable waiting time and variable reaction time.

It is very important that, with the present invention, the logic of the electronic systems for measuring force and speed finds application in trainings at many stations at the same time where the competition is promoted. The training stations, which can be punching bags, target shields, etc., are connected by common control in a central brain and at the end of each set, the station with the best performance emerges. But the most important thing is that at each station the degree of difficulty can be adjusted separately depending on the weight of the athlete. This is achieved by using both pressure sensors as described above and accelerometer sensors.

Brief description of the plans

Figure 1 shows the electronic circuit of the system as well as a schematic representation of the acceleration sensor placed on top of a training bag.

Figure 2 shows the system of visual stimuli and the logic of fitting the sensors on the athlete to calculate reaction time and speed.

In Figure 3 it is graphically shown how the reaction time and execution time are calculated through the duration of the visual stimuli.

The following invention relates to an electronic martial arts training system with a microcontroller responsible for all functions of the system based on programming code for the evaluation of strikes and audio-visual stimulations whose operation depends on the microcontroller.

Figure 1A shows the electronic circuit of the system and its application to a punching bag. The electronic circuit in principle consists of an arduino 2560 microcontroller (central brain) 1.1, which is responsible for all the functions of the system. The programming language is C<++>(C plus plus). The brain provides the user with the digital training programs. The settings and selection of the digital programs are carried out from the microcontroller keyboard 1.2. Depending on the program selected, it activates the three-axis acceleration sensor 1.3 and/or the pressure sensor 1.4 as well as the optical stimulation lights 1.5. It then translates the responses from the sensors into force and velocity data which is presented in real time on the results display 1.6. At the end of each training set it processes this data, calculates statistics such as average power, average speed, percentage of successful hits, etc. The acceleration sensor 1.3 is attached to the top of the punching bag 1.7. A 1.8 buzzer can also be connected to the system for acoustic stimulation/applause. The brain's communication with force sensors and visual stimuli can be wired or wireless. Figure 1 shows the wired communication.

The operation of the system is initially based on the calibration of the sensors by entering code into the microcontroller. Thus, a) the sensor output values are zeroed when the bag is stationary, and b) the new values output from the sensor never have a negative sign. The negative sign indicates the direction the bag takes after hitting and is not needed. The above calibration step is an automatic function upon opening the machine and does not require user intervention. The above process is shown with an example in the following tables (Table 1, Table 2).

Table 1. Accelerometer axis values before calibration

Table 2. Accelerometer axis values after calibration

After the above calibration, the microcontroller adds the values indicated by the functions that will be described below. All functions result from programming code. It should be noted that for each hit the sensor gives a number of rows of values (output values), usually 5-7 rows. The procedure for getting a hit count is to first add the output values of the axes for each output and then add the previous sums together to give the microcontroller the hit count.

The first function is to define resolution of the x, y, z axes for each axis separately. Discretability expresses the smallest possible stimulus that can be perceived by each axis. The higher the value set, the less stimulation data the brain collects from the sensor. So it became possible to adapt the sensor to hits on a punching bag that give direction to the bag in both x and y axes right-left-straight, taking reliable measurements. This was achieved by changing the resolution of the z-axis so that its values are not included in the hit measurement (the z-axis gives values for up-down displacement). Otherwise, only the z-axis would give an error. Conversely, when the sensor is used in a waterbag for uppercuts, then the z-axis must have a completely different discrimination in order to its measurements from the microcontroller are included. So what was achieved through the code, is that the end user can enter the desired resolution values per axis from the settings menu.

The example below shows how different the impact force result is before and after applying the Discrimination code (Table 3 and Table 4, respectively). In Table 3 the metric has a value of 445 units. In Table 4, however, the value of 20 for x, 25 for y, and 30 for z are chosen as discrimination values for x. It seems that all values of the z axis are rejected as less than 30. After rejecting some values and from the other axes the strike measurement is 262 units.

Table 3. Hit count before application of Discrimination code (Count =445)

Table 4. Hit count after applying the Discrimination code for x=20, y=25, z=30 (Count=262)

Another function via code is to set the sensor sensitivity (LS). OL sensors, depending on their technical characteristics (g specifications), have different excitation ranges. Of course, sensors with a wide range of recording capabilities are of interest in the present case, so that both a very strong and a weak blow can be measured, with the corresponding settings always.

So in order to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor, the microcontroller in this phase calculates the sum of the values of the three axes per record and discards the sums that are less than the LS value set by the user. Of course this is done if the values per axis are greater than the resolution set. The result is the minimization of errors, both systematic and random due to various environmental factors, signal transmission method, etc. For example, noise refers to signals that enter the measurement process but do not convey information, altering the reliability of the measurements . Sensor LS sensitivity values are entered by the user in the settings menu and can also be modified during training.

The logic is also shown in Table 5 below, as a continuation of the same example as Table 4. The LS sensitivity is chosen to be equal to 35. As can be seen, in addition to the values rejected by the axes resolution, the values y=30 and x=22 as less than 35.

Table 5. Hit count after application of LS >=35 (Count=210)

Of course, the sensitivity can be chosen to be high (small LS value) and the system can thus measure both strong and weak hits. Changing the level of difficulty (an important feature of the system) in this case is done with the following function, that of creating categories per kilogram of athlete (or age, strength and experience).

As mentioned, in the system there is the possibility to practice athletes of different levels simply by changing the degree of difficulty in order for the system to accept a hit as successful. This is achieved by setting the minimum values (threshold) from the sensor readings that will be accepted by the microcontroller (LM). In this mode, the sensor measurements as defined in the previous modes are not of interest, i.e. the collection and recording of the sensor data with those that satisfy the LS condition accepted as measurements. Here a further evaluation of these measurements is made and those that satisfy one more condition are accepted. The minimum measurement (LM) above which the microcontroller considers the hit as successful is determined, i.e. practically the minimum force of a hit.

This process is important because it introduces as an innovation the weight categories of the athletes that will practice in the system. The categories, the number of which can be whatever the manufacturer decides, can be stored by default in the microcontroller or changed manually by the user from the keyboard menu and during training.

In other words with a small LS value but a large LM value the sensor can be excited (by the low LS) by a hit but the system not accept it as successful (less force than the LM). Of course, a setting with very low LM but high LS would not make sense (the sensor will not be excited).

In the example of Table 6 the LM has been chosen to be 150, so with the given measurements (continuation of the same example from Tables 4 and 5), the 140 measurement (total from all three axes) of the hit is rejected as less than the minimum measurement limit for the hit to be acceptable.

Table 6. Hit count after applying LM=150 (Count= 0)

But in Table 7 where LM is chosen to be 100, the count is accepted and the hit is considered successful.

Table 7. Hit measurement after the application of LM=100 (Measurement=140) The system is further able to calculate the Reaction Time and the Execution Time by using audio-visual stimulations by combining all three functions above. The name of the function refers to handling with the tokens LEVEL - SHOOT. Reaction time is the time that elapses between a stimulus (visual or auditory) and the start - from reaction to self- movement by the athlete. The execution time is calculated by the microcontroller from the difference of the time that elapsed from the moment the stimulus was given to the user to the moment the bag sensor was activated, i.e. when the hit took place. That is, it is the reaction time plus the athlete's movement time until the moment of execution.

For these functions, code was created for the microcontroller to turn on the light of the optical stimulation 2.1. (Figure 2) for a certain duration and receiving the two successive signals of the sensors (2.3 or 2.4 and 2.2, Figure 2) from the moment the lamp was lit, to translate these data into Reaction Time and Execution Time.

The above operation is achieved either by using 1) accelerometer as sensor (2.3 or 3.3., Figure 2 or Figure 3 respectively) or by 2) pressure sensor (2.4 or 3.4., Figure 2 or Figure 3 respectively). In the case of the accelerator, high resolution values are chosen on the right-left and up-down axes so that no useless signals are received, while on the axis related to forward motion, resolution values are chosen at normal levels. In the case of the pressure sensor, it is placed on the athlete's soles 2.4. When the athlete moves forward to hit the bag, the sensor on their feet gives the change in resistance to the microcontroller. Here the sensor works as a switch and not for force measurement.

The total time the light will stay on is one of the lengths in Table 3. When the microcontroller commands the visual stimulus 2.1 or 3.1 to turn on, its input simultaneously opens to receive the athlete's body movement signal from the sensor placed on the athlete (acceleration or pressure sensor). The signal will be recognized by the microcontroller from a gradient shown in the Table of Figure 3 as an example. So if for example the athlete jumps when the time length of the lamp in the Table was at 3 then the athlete's reaction time is 3sec.

Below is described how the execution time is calculated. When the microcontroller gives the lamp on command (2.1 or 3.1), it opens an input to receive the shock signal from the acceleration sensor located in the bag (sensor 2.2 or 3.2, Figure 2 or 3, respectively). When the athlete hits it the signal will be recognized by the microcontroller in a gradation of the Table of Figure 3. For example if the athlete hits the bag when the time of the Table lamp was at 9 then the athlete's run time is 9sec.

It becomes apparent that the shorter the time the lamp stays on, the higher the degree of operation.

Another function of visual stimuli is to change the time that elapses between two successive lights of the lamp. This solves the issue of the constant rate at which the beat stimuli are given, which the human brain tends to tune into easily.

This technology (Rest) that was created concerns the time gap that exists between two consecutive visual stimuli. It is the time that elapses from the end of the first visual stimulus to the beginning of the second visual stimulus. The microcontroller intervenes (via programming code) in this gap and randomly changes the time as shown in the example below.

Rest 1

On-time duration of 1<th>optical stimulation

Rest 2

Duration of ignition of 2nd visual stimulus

Rest 3

Time or duration of 3rd optical stimulation

Rest 4

Duration of ignition of 4th or etic stimulation

From the above example it can be seen that the first visual stimulus was given after 3 sec, the second after 15 sec, the third after 7 sec and the fourth after 11 sec.

Based on the above, the digital capability of the system is configured in programs. The parameters set in each program are a) x, y, z axis resolution, b) sensor sensitivity (LS) and c) minimum input values (LM). If it is a program with visual stimuli (or auditory for the same reason) set a) the level of difficulty LEVEL-SHOOT to calculate the time and speed of reaction and b) the level of difficulty REST to disable the prediction time by the athlete . From there on, a) the required number of hits, b) the desired zones, c) the time of each round/set and d) the number of points to be collected by the trainee are selected according to the program. A hit when successful lights up the success light (red light) and sounds a beat sound. In order to do this, a) it must be accurate, i.e. the sensor must be activated in the zone indicated by the visual stimulation, b) the force must be greater than the defined limits and c) it must be carried out within the permissible reaction time given by the system (practically for as long as the visual stimulus remains bright). The unlimited combinations of the above parameters give a lot of training options with rotations. In addition, the system is aimed at different ages and all levels from beginners to advanced, with different levels of difficulty.

All the elements of the training are visible to the athlete through a screen that can be connected to the electronic system. In live time are listed:

> The force of the blow

> The number of points achieved so far

> The number of strokes performed so far > The weight class

> The time that has passed

> The execution (or reaction) time of a hit

> Points remaining

> The points that have been programmed

When a set is completed the results are listed on each screen titled Final Result:

> The number of points scored in the set

> The average force

> The time the set lasted

> The number of shots taken in the set

> The average value of the execution time of the hits

> The success rate (%)

Claims (10)

1. Electronic system for training blows and measuring them in terms of force and speed, consisting of an arduino microcontroller (1.1), acceleration and pressure sensors (1.3, 1.4) and audio-visual stimuli (1.5, 1.8) (Figure 1), characterized by that for a hit to be successful in terms of force the microcontroller based on programming code adjusts an accelerometer so that a) the smallest possible excitation is sensed only on the sensor axis (or axes) with the direction of the hit and b) the sum of of three-axis values per record to be rejected when it is less than a user-defined value as the sensor sensitivity. 2. An electronic training system according to claim 1 characterized in that, for a hit to be successful, the microcontroller is set to accept values of acceleration sensor readings that verify the conditions of claim 1 that are greater than a force threshold (minimum acceptable value). 3. An electronic training system according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that there are categories with a different degree of difficulty each for athletes of different weights or ages or experience, which is determined by selecting a different minimum acceptable value for each category. 4. Electronic training system according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that OL categories of degree of difficulty can be a) registered in the menu by the manufacturer and/or b) set by the user through the menu according to own requirements by changing the sensitivity and minimum acceptable value before a set and/or c) change the sensitivity and minimum acceptable value in a selected category during a set. 5. An electronic training system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that for a stroke to be successful not only in terms of force but also in terms of speed, the microcontroller first turns on an optical stimulation lamp (2.1) so that the athlete hits, then it receives a signal from the acceleration sensor (2.4) that the hit triggered and finally calculates whether the hit was above the sensitivity and the minimum acceptable value of the sensor but also within the total time that the light remains on ( Figure 3) beyond which the beat is rejected as slow. 6. Electronic training system according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the microcontroller calculates the performance time of the athlete by essentially calculating the time elapsed from the moment he signaled to turn on the visual stimulation (3.1) until the moment he received back the impact signal from the acceleration sensor located in the bag (3.2). 7. Electronic training system according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the microcontroller calculates the athlete's reaction time by calculating the time that passed from the moment he gave the signal to turn on the visual stimulation (3.1) until the moment he received back the athlete's ejection signal from the acceleration sensor (3.3) located on his body or from the pressure sensor (3.4), which here works as a switch, when the athlete's leg detached from him. 8. Electronic training system according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the microcontroller intervenes by means of programming code in the time gap that exists between the end of the first visual stimulation and the beginning of the second and randomly changes this time, making the athlete not can tune in to visual stimuli. 9. An electronic training system according to claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized in that the microcontroller performs calculations and gives as statistics the average force, the average speed and the percentage of successful hits for each set. 10. An electronic training system according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the electronic brain for each successful hit stimulates the visual applause which are blue in the inactive state to turn red on each successful hit.