JP2002516121A - System and method for tracking and evaluating exercise techniques in a multidimensional space - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: To quantify and train performance constructs using sensing electronics to determine player three-dimensional position changes in essentially three or more degrees of freedom (three-dimensional) in essentially real time. Accurate simulation of sports; and computer-controlled sports-specific cues that elicit or encourage sports-specific responses from players that are measured to provide meaningful indicators of performance. The sport-specific cue signaling responds to the player in real time and is characterized as an interacting virtual opponent. The virtual opponent frequently delivers stimuli and / or responds to stimuli to provide realistic motor tasks for the player.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for evaluating athletic and agile skills. In particular, the present invention continually tracks and tracks the player's position while moving in a defined physical space through interaction with tasks generated in a virtual space that is computer generated and specially exchanged. A wireless position tracker for determining and quantifying a player's movement and agility skills based on the time and distance the player has traveled in a defined physical space.

Related Fields Sports-specific techniques can be categorized into two general conditions: 1) techniques involving controlling the body without being affected by other players; and 2 ) A technology that involves reacting to other players in sports activities. The former includes posture and balance control, agility, power and coordination. These techniques are most notable in sports such as volleyball, baseball, gymnastics, and athletics, where high performance is required from each participant who exercises freely without interference from defending players. It is. The latter involves interaction with other player-participants. The latter includes various attack-defense situations, such as occur in football, basketball, soccer, and the like.

[0003] To effectively test and train sports-specific techniques, unplanned cues that encourage players to exercise over distances and directions that are typical of actual game play include: You need to be challenged. The optimal motion path of the player should be selected based on his or her visual assessment of the spatial relationship with the adversary player and / or game objectives. Realistic simulations must include an environment appropriate for sport. A test method that prompts the player to move to a fixed ground position is considered artificial. Test methods using static or single motion cues, such as light or sound, also do not match accurate simulations of actual competition in many sports.

Until now, there has been no accurate real-time model of the complex and constantly changing interaction relationships between attack and defense opponents participating in actual competitions. To accurately and effectively quantify sport-specific athletic performance, simulations with fidelity to real-world events are required.

[0005] Sports such as basketball, football, and soccer, at the rudimentary level, can be characterized by moment-to-moment interactions between players in their respective attack / defense roles. The mission of the player in the defense role is to "contain", "guard", or nullify the attacking opponent by establishing and maintaining a real-time sync relationship with the opponent. For example, in basketball, the defending player continually tries to block the attacking player from aiming at the basket by blocking the path chosen by the attacking player with his or her body, In soccer, the player controlling the ball must manipulate the ball quickly in the vicinity of the opposing player.

[0006] The attacking player's mission is to generate a short non-synchro- nous event, perhaps as short as a few hundred milliseconds, so that the movement of the defending player is no more "same as" The goal is to avoid going into a "phase" state. During this unsynchronized event, the movement of the defending player is no longer reflected, ie no longer synchronized with his or her attacking opponent. At that moment, the defending player is literally "off the defensive position" and thus is in an unstable position, thereby increasing the attacker's chances of scoring. The attacking player may generate a non-sync event in multiple ways. By transmitting intentionally misleading information about his or her direct intent,
"Fool" or deceive his or her enemies. Also, the attacking player may "overpower" the enemy by unexpectedly speeding up the action to a level that exceeds the athletic ability of the defending player.

In order to stay in close proximity to the attacking player, the defending player must continually anticipate or “read” the attacking player's intent. Skilled defending players anticipate the tactics of the attacking player or reduce the options of the attacking player, which tactics can easily be included. This must occur despite the intent of the attacking player to conceal his or her true intentions by deliberate deceptive and unpredictable behavior. In addition to being able to "read", i.e., be able to immediately sense and judge the intent of the attacking player, the defending player also has the desired sync (from the defending player's point of view). To establish and maintain spatial relationships, you must possess the appropriate sport-specific exercise skills.

[0008] The interaction between these players is characterized by the frequent firing of useful and deliberate misleading visual cues provided by the attacking player, and the constant reaction and agile operation of the defending participant. Attached. The defending player must judge the visual cues "offered" by the attacking player, while at the same time the visual cues relate to the defending player's intent, balance, and tactics. The attacking player must also properly judge the visual cues. Each player has the ability to anticipate a defender's response from a repertoire of motor skills, including balance and attitude control, the ability to create powerful, fast and harmonious movements, and a reaction time that exceeds the enemy's reaction time And pull out. These sport-specific techniques are often described as physical or functional, or dynamic.

[0009] Interactions between competitors frequently appear, mostly in disorder, and necessarily staccato, as a result of a "due" for superiority. When intermittent and sudden, unplanned changes occur in direction, the defending player avoids overcommitting by retaining control of his or her center of gravity at all stages of the exercise. It is necessary. As a result, only a fraction of the movement in one step is common to both the defender and the attacking player. Such shortened movements have a maximum or high average speed,
Ensure that it is rarely, if ever, achieved. Thus, the highest acceleration and the highest power are more sensitive measures of performance in the scenarios described above. The highest acceleration of the center of mass can be achieved faster than the highest speed, often in one step or less, while power can be associated with acceleration over that time interval, making comparisons between players more meaningful. I do.

[0010] At the second level, all sports situations include decision-making skills and the ability to focus on the task at hand. In the simulations of the present invention, participants are trained on these important skills. Thus, athletes learn to be "smarter" players because of their increased attention skills, intuition, and reasoning associated with important sports.

The ability to correctly judge and respond to sport-specific visual cues is honed only by actual gameplay or a truly accurate simulation of gameplay. The same requirements apply to improving sport-specific factors of physical fitness that are essential for skilled defense and offensive play. These sport-specific factors include reaction time, balance, stability, agility and first-stage agility.

[0012] Through task-specific exercises, the athlete can identify uncertainties
ainities). Such uncertainties can be as basic as the timing of a starter pistol, or as complex as detecting and determining frequently changing "analog" stimuli presented by an enemy. possible. In order to be task specific, the type of cue that is communicated to the player must stimulate the cue experienced in the player's sport. Propagating task-specific cues can be characterized as both static and dynamic for the purposes of this document.

[0013] Dynamic signaling is responsive and interactive to the player, thereby frequently transmitting "analog" feedback to the player. Dynamic signaling is appropriate for sports where the player must possess the ability to "read" and judge the "signals" of the movement details in his or her enemy activity.
The player must also react to environmental cues, such as predicting the path of the ball or projecting for obstruction and avoidance purposes. In contrast, static signaling is typically a single, unobtrusive event and is appropriate for sports such as athletics or swimming events. Static cues do not contribute to an accurate model of the sport, which requires some distress handling and there is a continuous stream of stimuli that requires a sequential, real-time response by the player. At this level, the relevant functional technique is reaction time, which can be easily improved by the simulation of the present invention.

In sports science and coaching, a vast number of tests for athletic performance and reaction time are used. However, these tests do not allow the player to experience the type and frequency of sport-specific dynamic cues necessary to generate an accurate analog of the actual sporting event described above.

A simple speed scale, such as a 100 meter and 40 yard sprint race, for example, causes a player to experience only one static cue, ie, the sound of a pistol at the starting line. Although this test does measure the combination of reaction time and speed, it is a measure of performance rather than technology, as it applies to only one specific situation (running a truck). . In contrast, players in many other sports, whether attackers or defenders, frequently receive a series of cues that provide useful and intentionally misleading information about the enemy's direct intent. These dynamic cues require constant, real-time changes in the player's motion path and speed; such frequent adjustments in real time require the player to reach the maximum speed as in a 100 meter sprint race. To reach. Successfully responding to dynamic cues imposes constant demands on the player's agility and ability to evaluate or read the intent of the adversary player.

There is another factor in generating an accurate analog of a sports competition. It is common for critical or significant events, such as the generation of non-synchro- nous events, to not occur from a static or stationary position preceded by the player. For example, crucial events occur most frequently while the attacking player is already in motion and accelerating the pace or generating a phase shift due to a sudden turn. As a result, it is possible that the superior performance of an athletic event is displayed with the highest sensitivity during sudden changes in the exercise pace from the vector direction or "preceding exercise". All known test methods are considered to be unable to make meaningful measurements during these periods.

Known in the art are entertainment purposes or physical activities (ph
Various types of virtual or para-virtual reality systems used for measurement of physical extension. Examples of such systems include:
There are the following "Motion-Controlled Video Ent"
U.S. Patent No. 5,616,078, issued to Oh, entitled "Artificial Equipment System";"Virtual Reality Game Met.
US Patent No. 5,423,554 to Davis entitled "Hod and Apparatus";"Golf Swing Analysis S.
US Patent No. 5,638,3, issued to Johnson, entitled "System".
No. 00; “Interactive System for Measureurin
g Physiological Extension ", by Erics
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,637 to "on Interactive".
U.S. Patent No. 5,469,740 to French et al., Entitled "Video Testing and Training System";
teractive Sports Simulation System w
is Physiological Sensing and Psycho
U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,642, issued to Silva et al., entitled "logical Conditioning";"Method and Appara.
tus for Player Interaction with Anim
entitled "Characters and Objects"
U.S. Patent No. 5,239,463 to Ir et al .; and "Image C
U.S. Patent No. 5,229,756 to Kosuki et al., entitled "control Apparatus". These prior arts are not realistic in presentation and / or do not provide a method of measuring physical activity or a suitable method of measurement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for quantifying the physical movement of a player or subject and providing feedback to facilitate training and athletic performance. The preferred system generates an accurate simulation of the sport to quantify and train some novel performance configurations by using: Three-dimensional with three or more degrees of freedom (three-dimensional) of the player Sensing electronics (preferably, optical sensing electronics as discussed below) for determining a target position change in substantially real time; and a computer that evokes or prompts a sport-specific response from the player. Signaling specific to controlled sports.

In some protocols of the present invention, sport-specific cues may be characterized as “virtual opponents”. A "virtual opponent" is preferably-but not necessarily-kinematically and personically accurate in form and behavior. This virtual opponent can take many forms, but for the player,
It is reactive and interactive in real time, without any delay in visual perception. The virtual opponent frequently transmits and / or responds to the stimulus, thereby creating a realistic motor task for the player. Motion tasks typically consist of relatively short, separate motion legs, which can be as little as a few inches of displacement of the player's center of mass. Such athletic elements do not have fixed start and end positions and require frequent tracking of the player's position for meaningful evaluation.

This virtual opponent can play both the role of the attacking or defending player. In the role of the defender, the virtual opponent maintains a synchro relation with the player regarding the movement of the player in the physical world. Because virtual opponents are controlled by the computer to match each individual player's abilities, the virtual opponent will have the player defeat ("survive") the virtual opponent if the player's performance improves. "Rewards" by allowing you to: In the role of the attacker, the virtual opponent generates a non-synchro event, which is set by the computer according to the performance level of the player and which the player must react to within a time frame. In this case, the virtual opponent "punishes" by defeating the player for a delay in the player's performance, i.e., the inability of the player to accurately follow a predetermined path of motion in terms of both pace and accuracy. .

It is important to note that dynamic cues take into account momentarily (immediate) considerations that prompt the player's vector direction, speed of movement, and overall position change.
Dynamic cues, in contrast to static cues, allow for precise adjustment of motor tasks resulting from frequently changing stimuli in real time.

When a virtual opponent is used by the protocol, the motion cue of the virtual opponent becomes “dynamic” regardless of the role (attack or defense) played by the virtual opponent, thereby eliciting a sport-specific response. It is. This includes frequent, sudden and explosive direction changes, and maximum acceleration and deceleration over various vector directions and distances.

To further summarize the broad aspects of the present invention, a testing and training system comprises a continuous tracking system for determining changes in a player's overall physical location in a defined physical space; Updating the virtual position of the player in the virtual space corresponding to the physical position of the player in the physical space in real time, updating the view of the virtual space, and moving the physical space. A computer operatively coupled to the tracking system to provide at least one indicator of the performance of the player in question. Here, the at least one index is a measure of a player's movement parameter or is derived from a measure of the player's movement parameter. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the at least one performance measure, which is a measure of a player's movement parameter or is derived from a measure of the player's movement parameter, is a measure of the work performed by the player. A measure of the player's speed, a measure of the player's power, a measure of the player's ability to maximize the spatial difference between the player and the virtual hero over time, and a time compliance ( time in compliance), a measure of the player's acceleration, a measure of the player's ability to rapidly change the direction of movement, a measure of dynamic reaction time, and an initial movement of the player in response to the cue from presentation of a cue. A measure of the elapsed time to, a measure of the direction of the initial movement with respect to the desired direction of reaction, and the ability to cut
A group consisting of a measure of cutting availability, a measure of phase shift time, a measure of agility in the first stage, a measure of jump or bounding, a measure of cardio-respiratory system status, and a measure of sport posture. Including an indicator selected from:

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for testing and training comprises: tracking an entire physical location of a player in a defined physical space; Updating the corresponding virtual position of the player in real time;
Updating the view of the virtual space; and providing at least one indicator of performance of the player moving through the physical space. The at least one indicator is a measure of the movement parameter of the player or is derived from a measure of the movement parameter of the player.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a game system for two or more players, wherein each of the players has a general physical space of each of the players in a defined physical space. A continuous three-dimensional tracking system for determining a change in physical position; and the tracking system for updating in real time a virtual position of the player in a virtual space corresponding to the physical position of the player. Including a computer operably linked.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a test and training system for assessing a player's ability to complete a task is provided wherein the player moves to take on the task. Tracking means for determining the position of the player in physical space based on at least two Cartesian coordinates; in virtual space, scaled player icons indicating the instantaneous position of the player in virtual space; Display means operatively coupled to the tracking system for displaying, in exchange, for the position of the player in the defined physical space; the display for depicting a hero in the virtual space Means operatively connected to the means; the position of the player, and the hero eye; Means for defining an interactive task between the position of the player in the virtual space and a means for evaluating the player's ability to complete the task based on the amount of distance and time. . Here, the task includes a plurality of segments that require the player to exercise sufficiently in the defined physical space, so that when the player finishes the task, the bi-vector performance Is provided.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a test and training system comprises: a tracking means for tracking a user's position in a three-dimensional physical space; Display means operatively coupled to the tracking means for displaying a user's location in substantially real time; means for defining an interactive protocol for the user; Means for displaying substantially vertical real-time displacement of the user's center of gravity in response to the protocol; substantially the user's exercise speed and / or
Or means for calculating acceleration; and means for assessing the user's performance in performing said physical activity.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a test and training system is provided for exercising a user with three degrees of freedom during the performance of the protocol by the user, including unplanned exercise over various vector distances. Tracking means for tracking the user; display means operatively coupled to the tracking system for displaying the position of the user in the physical space in substantially real time; a body for the user. Means operatively coupled to the display means for defining dynamic activity; and means for calculating acceleration and deceleration of the user's movements in substantially real time; converting each movement element to a particular vector. Means for classifying; and means for displaying bi-performance feedback.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the testing and training system comprises a tracking means for tracking a user's position in a three-dimensional physical space;
Means for displaying in proportion to the dimensions in the physical space; displaying a user icon in the virtual space substantially in real time at a position where the user's position in the physical space is spatially correctly presented. Means for defining physical activity for the user; means operatively coupled to the display means; and for evaluating the performance of the user in performing the physical activity. Including means.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a testing and training system includes a tracking system for providing a set of three-dimensional coordinates of a user in physical space; A computer operably coupled to the tracking system for receiving and displaying the position of the user in the physical space on a display in substantially real-time, wherein the computer comprises: Including a program for defining a physical activity for the user and measuring the performance of the user when the user performs the activity, so that the user's exercise speed and / or during the performance of the protocol. Alternatively, the acceleration is calculated and the dynamic posture of the user is determined.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a testing and training system is provided for a user's tertiary in physical space during the performance of a protocol involving unplanned movements over various vector distances. A tracking system for providing a set of original coordinates; receiving the coordinates from the tracking system, displaying the user's position in the physical space on a display in substantially real time; A computer operably coupled to the tracking system for calculating the user's motion acceleration and deceleration in performing the activity in substantially real time; and means for displaying bi-performance feedback.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a reactive power training system includes a reactive training device that elicits a reactive movement of a moving subject in at least two dimensions by providing cues, and a resistance training device. . These reactive and intensity training devices are used in the training procedure.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a reactive power training method includes a training including a reactive training match on a reactive training device that alternates with training on one or more resistance training devices. Including performing steps.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention includes the features hereinafter described in detail and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. However, these embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the various ways in which the present principles may be used. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Tracking and Display System Reference is now made in detail to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an interactive, virtual reality testing and training system 10 for evaluating motor and agility techniques without restricted areas. The system 10 includes a wireless three-dimensionally defined physical space 12 in which a player moves and a pair of laterally spaced optical sensors 14, 16 coupled to a processor 18. And a position tracking system 13. Processor 18 provides a data signal along a line 20 to a personal computer 22 through a serial port. Computer 22 is under the control of associated software, processes data signals and provides video signals to a large screen video monitor or video display 28. Computer 22 includes a Hewlett Packard D for printing output data related to the testing and training period.
Printer 2 such as esk Jet 540 or other such suitable printer
9 is operably coupled to 9. Computer 22 may be coupled to data input device 24. Such a device may be a mouse, trackpad, keyboard, joystick, trackball, touch-sensitive video screen, and the like. The computer 22 connects to the data input device 2 via a wired or wireless connection.
4 can be combined.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the monitor 28 displays a virtual space 30 generated and defined by a computer. The virtual space 30 defines the defined physical space 12.
Are scaled and exchanged. All positions of the player in the physical space 12 are represented by player icons 32 and are accurately inserted into the virtual space 30. The overall position of the player is understood as the position of the entire body of the player and may be the position of the center of mass of the player or may be the position of some part of the body of the player.

The player icon 32 may represent a person or a part thereof. Alternatively, it may represent an animal or some other real or imagined creature or object. The player icon 32 may interact with a hero icon 34 representing a hero (also called an incarnation or virtual opponent) in various tasks or game performances described below.

The protagonist icon may be a human representation or may be an abstract object such as a representation or shape of another object.

The system 10 assesses and quantifies agility and athletic skills by continuously tracking the player through continuous measurement of Cartesian coordinate positions in a defined physical space 12. . By scaling into the virtual space 30, the player icon 32 can be represented in a spatially correct position and interact with the protagonist icon 34 so that movement related to the actual distance and player 3
6 (also known as an athlete or subject) can be quantified as the time required to move through physical space 12. The player icon 32 is at the virtual position of the player in the virtual space, and the hero icon 34 is at the virtual position of the hero in the virtual space.

The defined physical space 12 can be any available area, indoors or outdoors, of sufficient size, so that the player has a distance related to the player's condition, sports and abilities. In addition, exercise for evaluating and quantifying the time measurement result can be performed. A typical physical space 12 has an area of about 20 feet by 20 feet, such as a basketball or handball court.
About 10 feet of ceiling space can be an indoor facility that can be used exclusively for training and testing. It is understood that the system 10 can be adaptable to different sizes of physical space and can be separated.

Because the system is portable, the system can be transported to multiple locations for specific purposes. In order for a player, such as football or baseball, to perform tests related to sports techniques on the outdoor ground that are most appropriately rated under real playing conditions (ie, lawn surfaces or athletic facilities), the system , Can be transported to an actual playground for use.

The optical sensors 14, 16 and the processor 18 may take the form of a commercially available tracking system. The system 10 preferably comprises a Grand Prairie T
Exa's Origin Instruments, DynaSight
An optical sensing system that is commercially available as a modified version of the system is used. Such a system would be mounted approximately 30 inches apart on a support post that is located laterally centered about the defined physical space 12 at a sufficient distance from the exterior of the front boundary 40. A pair of optical sensors, ie, a tracking device, is used. This allows the sensors 14, 16 to track movement in the desired physical space. The processor 18 transmits the position information to an application program in the host computer through a serial port. The host computer has a driver program available from Origin, which connects the DynaSight system and the application program.

The sensors 14 and 16 are operating in a range close to the infrared frequency,
Interacts with passive or active reflectors or beacons 38 worn by the user. The reflector or beacon 38 (collectively referred to herein as a marker) is preferably located at or near the center of mass of the player 36, but may be located elsewhere with respect to the player. Good. For example, a reflector or beacon may be worn on a belt worn around the player's waist. These sensors record the position of the reflector or beacon 38 in three dimensions relative to the fiducial marks intermediate between the sensors. This fiducial mark is the source of the default coordinate system.

Another suitable tracking system is Qualysys' MacReflex Mot.
It is an ion Measurement System.

As will be apparent, those skilled in the art will recognize that many other suitable tracking systems, in addition to the optical tracking systems described above, may be substituted and used. For example, known electromagnetic, acoustic, and video / optical techniques can be used. Sound waves such as ultrasonic waves or light waves in the visible or infrared spectrum can be propagated through the air between the player and the sensor and used to track the player. Such waves may be transmitted by external sources and may be reflected from passive reflectors worn by the player. It will be appreciated that such waves may reflect from the player or his or her clothing, eliminating the need for the player to wear passive sensors.

Alternatively, the player may wear an active emitter that emits a sound or light wave.
Such an emitter may be battery operated and, when turned on, may emit a continuous sound or light wave. Alternatively, the emitter emits a wave only in response to an external signal or stimulus.

[0047] Multiple reflecting or emitting elements can be combined in a single reflector or emitter. Such elements may be used to assist in tracking the position of the player. In an exemplary embodiment, a triplicated infrared emitting element is incorporated into an emitter worn around the waist of the player. These emitting elements are operated intermittently on a rotating basis of known frequency. The relative timing information of the signals received from the various emitting elements allows the player to be tracked.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above, such elements may be used to track the direction of the player's body as well as his or her position. For example, a player's twisting body can be detected without being affected by the player's movement due to the relative movement of the elements.

It is further understood that one or more cameras or other image acquisition devices can be used to continuously view physical space. Image analysis techniques can be used to determine the position of the player from these images. Such image analysis techniques may include, for example, edge tracking techniques to detect the position of the player relative to the view and track items worn by the player, such as badges colored in a distinct color.

Any such above system should provide an accurate determination of player position in at least two coordinates (preferably three coordinates).

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the tracking means used in the present invention include all such tracking means described above, suitable for use in the present invention.

In certain embodiments, the position-sensing hardware controls the player 36 in a defined physical space 12 to about 432 cubic feet (9 ft.W × 8 ftD ×
6 ft. H) Absolute position accuracy in all dimensions over the tracking volume of H)
cy) is one or more and tracks at a sampling rate of 500 Hz.

In the described embodiment, the player icon 32 is displayed on the monitor 28 with a corresponding width, ie, horizontal x-axis, height, ie, y-axis and depth, ie, longitudinal z-axis, and elapsed time t. Thus, a four-dimensional space-time virtual world is generated. For tasks involving vertical movement, a tracking height, the y-axis, is required. The system 10 includes a player 36 in a defined physical space 12.
Is determined in substantially real time, and the current position is updated without any sensing delay between the actual change and the change in the displayed position in the virtual space 30, preferably at an update rate in excess of about 20 Hz. . At about 30 Hz, a video update rate with a measurement latency of less than 30 ms has been found to serve as a real-time acceptable feedback tool for human movement. However, the update rate is higher, more preferably above about 50 Hz, or even more preferably 70H.
exceeds z.

The monitor 28 should be large enough so that the player can clearly observe the virtual space 30. Virtual space 30 is a representation of a spatially correct physical space generated by computer 22. With a footprint of 20 feet by 20 feet, a 27 inch diagonal screen or larger allows players to perceptually relate to the interrelationship between physical and virtual space. A suitable monitor is a Mitsubishi 27 "Multiscan Mon
Itor. It is understood that other display devices such as projection displays, liquid crystal displays, or virtual reality goggles or headsets may also be used to display a view of virtual reality space.

The computer 22 receives signals from the processor 18 about the coordinates of the player's position in the physical space 12 and sends signals to the monitor 28 to display the player icons in a scaled relationship in the virtual space 30. An acceptable computer is a Compaq Pentium PC. Other computers using a Pemntium processor, a Pentium II processor, or another suitable processor are also acceptable. In other words, the player icons 32 are typically located in the computer generated virtual space 30 at x, y, z coordinates corresponding to the player's actual position in the physical space 12. However, it is understood that the player icons may be located in the virtual space at a position other than the position corresponding to the player's position in the physical space.

When the player 36 changes the position in the physical space 12, the player icon 3
2 are rearranged accordingly in the virtual space 30. This rearrangement is taken into account in the updated view provided to the display 28. In addition, the past position of the player icon 32 may be presented in the display. For example, a "ghost", ie, an image of a player icon with reduced brightness, may be displayed at the position where the player was previously. This indicates the player's recent movement path. Alternatively, recent movements of the player may be indicated by a line trace that decreases in brightness over time. Such an indication may be used for some part of the player's movement-for example, only for jumping or bounding.

The computer 22 may maintain a record of some or all of the data regarding the position of the player on a data storage device such as a hard disk or a writable optical disk. This retained data can be in raw form, with a record containing the actual position of the player at a given time. Alternatively, this data may be processed before being recorded, for example, with the acceleration of the player being recorded at various times.

The hero icon 34 is displayed in computer generated virtual space 30 by computer software to create a task that causes the player 36 to undertake some exercise. The protagonist icon 34 includes a test protocol, a training protocol, etc., in the form of an interactive game, which allows for the assessment and quantification of motor and agility techniques related to the actual distance traveled and elapsed time in the physical space 12. Through a variety of tasks, it serves as a guide, facilitator, and guide for player 36 to provide physics-based vector and scalar information.

The hero icon 34 can interact with the player 36. For example, a sabotage task allows the player icon 32 and the protagonist icon 34 to interact until they occupy the same or similar locations, and then the task is finished. On the other hand, the avoidance task includes the interaction between the player icon 32 and the hero icon 34 until the two icons achieve a predetermined separation. As used herein, a hero icon is a graphical display that interacts with a player and defines the purpose of a task. Other icons based on collision, such as obstacles, barriers, walls, etc., may modify the task, but generally assist the purpose defined by the protagonist.

The hero icon 34 can have various attributes. For example, the hero icon
It can be a dynamic icon instead of a static one. This is because the position of the protagonist icon changes over time under software control, which requires the player to determine an ever-changing obstruction or avoidance path and finish the task. is there.

Furthermore, the hero icon can be intelligent because it is programmed to sense the player's position in the computer-generated virtual gateway 30 and to obstruct or avoid depending on the purpose of the task. Such an intellectual protagonist icon can make course corrections in response to changes in the position of the player icon 32, much like a conventional video game where the target is responsive to the icon under the player's control. it can. The present invention differs from conventional video games in that the player's icon actually corresponds to the player's actual position in a defined physical space.

The foregoing provides a system for evaluating athletic and agile skills. Exercise techniques are generally characterized by the shortest time to achieve distance goals. Exercise techniques can be further characterized by the direction of motion with feedback, quantification and evaluation provided in absolute units, ie, distance / time units, or include speed, speed, acceleration, deceleration, and displacement. It can be characterized as a game score indicating the player's athletic ability related to the physical reference information. Agility is generally characterized as the ability to quickly and efficiently change the position and orientation of the body when taking on specific movement patterns. The result is also recorded in absolute units, with the success determined by the elapsed time to complete the task.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show exemplary software flowcharts for the tasks described above. At the start 80 of the evaluation, the player “defines the hero (82
) ". The player may select the protagonist's intelligence level, number, speed and size to be present in the selected routine. The player then defines "obstacles (ie, static or dynamic, number, speed, size and shape) (
84)). The player is then prompted to "define the objectives (ie, obstruction or avoidance, scoring parameters and goals) (86)", thereby ending the setup of the routine.

To begin the task routine, the player is prompted for a starting position for the task, upon which the hero and obstacles for that task are created on the display. In step 90, the hero moves on the display in a trajectory depending on the setting rule. For the obstruction routine, the player moves along a route determined to be the first obstruction point with the hero depending on the ability of the player. While the player is moving, the player icons are generated and continuously updated in a scaled exchange in virtual space relative to the player's instantaneous position in defined physical space. The movement continues until the player contacts the protagonist icon at step 92, resulting in a disturbance at step 94. Alternatively, the movement continues until the protagonist contacts the boundaries of the virtual space that correspond to the boundaries of the defined physical space 96. In the former case, when an obstruction occurs, a new hero appears in a new trajectory (step 97). The player's icon position is recorded (step 98), the velocity vector is calculated and recorded, and the score or rating is recorded on the display. Next, the system determines whether the task objectives have been met (step 100), and if there is one task, the final score and information relating to the time and distance taken to complete the task are calculated and displayed. (Step 102), and the period ends (Step 104).

If the player does not disturb the hero icon before contacting with the virtual space corresponding to the latter defined boundary in the physical space, the direction of the hero is changed according to the setting rule, and Tracking of the hero continues as described above.

Simultaneously with the tracking by the player, if obstacles have been selected in the setting rules, the obstacles are displayed (step 110) and the player must take a movement path to avoid these obstacles. For a single segment task, when the player contacts an obstacle (step 112), the obstacle is highlighted (step 11).
4) The routine ends and scores are scored as described above. When an obstacle collides with a boundary when a mobile obstacle is selected in the setting rule (step 116).
The direction of the obstacle is changed (step 118), and the task continues.

For a task of a plurality of segments, when an obstacle comes into contact, the direction of the hero changes, and the exercise continues. Similarly, when an obstruction occurs in a multi-segment task, a new hero trajectory is started and the direction of the obstacle is re-directed. The routine then continues until the task objective is satisfied and the period ends.

The task is configured such that the player is required to move back and forth, left and right, and, if necessary, vertically. Player motion is quantified in distance and direction, depending on the sampling rate and update rate of the system. At each sampling period, the change in position is calculated. At the end of the period, these samples for the various motion vectors are summed and displayed.

For the avoidance task whose purpose is to avoid the hero waiting to obstruct the player during the period, the above description is appropriately changed. Thus, if the player is obstructed by the protagonist, the period for a single segment ends, and time and distance related information is calculated and displayed. For multi-segment tasks, the protagonist's trajectory has a new source, and the time period for the defined task continues until it ends or is terminated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional exercise technique test for a standard three-step one-foot jump test. In the figure, the player 36 or the patient stands on one foot, performs three single jumps as far as possible, and lands on the same foot. At this moment, the player icon 32 is displayed in the rear part of the computer-generated virtual space 30 at a position scaled with respect to the position of the player 36 in the defined physical space 12. The three-stage one-foot jump 50, that is, the hero icon, appears on the display while displaying the order of the one-foot jump to be executed by the player. The spacing between one leg jumps can be arbitrarily chosen or can be intelligent based on standard percentile data for such tests or the player's best or average performance.

In one embodiment, player 36 is prompted to go to start position 52. When the player arrives at this position, a three-step single-foot jump 50 appears in the player's classification indicating the 50th percentile's single-foot jump distance, and, after a slight delay, the first single-foot jump indicating the start of the test. Highlighted. The player then performs a first one-foot leap by moving toward a first one-foot leap depicted in real time on the display. If the player lands after finishing the first one-foot jump, the position is recorded and saved on the display until the test is finished. Then, as described above, the second one-foot jump and the third one-foot jump are sequentially highlighted. At the end of these three steps, the jump distance of the player is displayed with reference to standard data.

FIG. 4 shows an agility assessment test for the SEMO Agility Test. In FIG. 4, the generated virtual space 30 is generally within the range of a basketball free throw lane. The four cones 60, 62, 64, 66 are hero icons. Similar to the athletic skill test described above, the player 36 is prompted to go to a start position 68 in the lower right portion. When the player 36 arrives at this starting position in the defined physical space, the lower left cone 62 is highlighted and the player steps towards the display and to the left towards the cone. After clearing the neighborhood of cone 62, a fourth cone 66 diagonally across the front of virtual space 30 is highlighted and the player moves toward cone 66 and
Go around 6. Thereafter, the player moves toward and around the starting cone 60 and then toward the highlighted third cone 64. Cone 64
After turning around, the cone 66 is highlighted and the player moves toward the cone 66, turns around the cone 66, and steps laterally towards the starting position 68, thereby ending the test. . In a conventional test, the elapsed time from the start to the end is used as a test score. However, according to the present invention, each element of the test is:
Individual, and forward, rearward, and lateral motor abilities can also be recorded.

As is evident from the above embodiments, the system provides a unique measure of the player's visual observation power, allowing the player to visually observe a constantly changing spatial relationship with the protagonist. Evaluate techniques in sports simulations that are required to obstruct or avoid the hero by doing so. Further, the excursion in the Y plane can be quantified as a measure of the player's optimal stance during exercise.

With reference to FIG. 5, the foregoing and other capabilities of the system are further described. FIG.
In the middle, the task is to obstruct the targets 70, 71 emerging from the source 72 and moving in straight trajectories T1, T2. The generated virtual space 30 displays a plurality of obstacles 74 that the player has to avoid when establishing an obstruction path with the target 70. In a defined physical space, the player precisely positions scale P (X1, Y1, Z) in the generated virtual space with the physical space.
Take the position represented as 1). As the target 70 moves along the trajectory T1,
The player moves along a personally determined path in physical space (indicated by a dashed line in virtual space), thereby achieving a disturbance field that matches the instantaneous coordinates of the target 70, Task is completed successfully. This achievement prompts the second target 71 to emerge from the source along trajectory T2. To achieve the obstruction field for this task, the player is required to select a movement path that avoids contact or collision with the virtual obstacle 74. Therefore, the path indicated by the broken line is executed in the defined physical space within the ability of the player, and the player sets the hero target at the position P (X3, Y3, Z3) indicating the end of the second task. Is continuously updated and displayed in the virtual space when obstructing in. This evaluation continues according to the parameters selected for the time period. At the end of the period, the player receives feedback indicating success, ie, scoring or critical ratings based on distance, elapsed time for various motion vectors.

Another protocol is the anterior-posterior single jump test. In this exam, the tasks are:
To jump one leg forward and backward on a virtual barrier displayed in a computer-generated virtual space. Relevant information at the end of the period includes the amplitude measured at each single leg jump, indicating that it has acquired enough height to clear the virtual barrier. In addition, the magnitude of limb sway experienced during landing can be evaluated. In this regard, in this protocol, only the vertical distance achieved in one or more vertical jumps may be measured.

The system described above measures the absolute three-dimensional displacement across the center of gravity of the body accurately and substantially in real time when the sensor marker is properly positioned at the center of mass of the player. Measuring the absolute displacement in the vertical plane and the horizontal plane makes it possible to evaluate both the exercise technique and the exercise efficiency.

In many sports, it is considered desirable for the player to keep the center of gravity constant above the playing surface. While performing a test that requires only lateral movement (X), it may not be sufficient to simply observe the movement of the player's body center of gravity in the front-rear direction (Z). For example, the displacement of the player's longitudinal plane (Y) during horizontal movement exceeds some pre-established parameters,
It may indicate that exercise efficiency is not good.

In a further protocol using this information, the protagonist icon functions as an aerobics instructor guiding the player through aerobics routines. The system may also serve as an objective physiological indicator of physical activity or power during free movement of the body in substantially real time. Such information provides three benefits: (1) Interactively computer adjust workout periods by providing custom motor cues depending on the player's current level of physical activity. (2) display valid and unique criteria to advance players in the training program; and (
3) Provide instantaneous, objective feedback during training for motivation, safety, and optimized training. Such immediate and objective feedback of physical activity is lacking in current aerobics programs, especially in homes where there is no mentor.

Quantifying Performance-Related Parameters In some embodiments of the present invention, performance-related physical activity parameters (indicators derived from exercise parameters), including burned calories, are: Monitored and quantified. The monotonous repetition of a conventional stationary exercise device that is currently measuring calories, heart rate, etc., excites three-dimensional movement in an interactive reaction with a virtual reality task presented on the monitor of the system of the present invention. Is replaced. The excitement is partially achieved by the scale change achieved by the present invention. Through this scale exchange, positional changes by the user moving in the real space are presented in a scaled relationship within the virtual reality presented on the monitor.

The performance-related parameters measured and / or quantified according to various embodiments of the present invention include the following: (a) determining an optimal dynamic posture of the user; (b) The relationship between heart rate and physical activity; (c) quantifying the speed of quantification, ie acceleration and deceleration, and (d) energy expenditure during free range activity.

It is particularly important that the user's energy expenditure can be expressed as calories burned, since energy expenditure is the parameter of most interest to many exercisers. One advantage of the present invention is that various environments in a virtual world displayed on a monitor allow physical activity of any desired type and intensity, accomplishing the activity, and in an ever-changing and motivating environment. The energy expenditure goal is to be prompted, so that the user will not be afraid of the exercise, testing or therapy period.

Movement measurements (motion in three planes) are used to quantify work and energy expenditure. Exercise-related quantities (kinetic parameters) such as force, acceleration, work, and power, defined below, depend on the rate of change of more basic quantities, such as body position and velocity (the latter are also exercise parameters). I do. An individual's energy expenditure is associated with an individual's exercise while the protocol of the invention is being implemented.

The notion that complex movements can be thought of as a combination of simple dual movements in any of the three dimensions is convenient. This is because this approach makes it possible to focus on the basic movements by adding the effects of these simple elements subsequently. This concept relates to the ability to continuously monitor an individual's exercise and measure the resulting energy expenditure.

The ability of this embodiment to accurately measure a subject's movement is based on the ability to determine his or her position and velocity at any time. For a given point in time, the position is measured directly. The sampling rate of the location of the individual or player 36 is fast enough to allow accurate measurements to be taken at very short time intervals. By knowing the position of the individual along the point at any point, the speed can be calculated.

In this embodiment, the position can be used to measure the speed along the path of movement: given the position of the individual at various time instants, the speed can be varied in various ways according to this embodiment. Can be obtained. One method is to select one point and calculate the speed of that point as a result of dividing the distance between that point and the next point by the time difference associated with those points. this is,
Finite difference app for actual speed
This is known as roximation. This value will be very accurate if the spacing between points is small.

Assuming that D is the distance between successive points and T is equal to the time to travel the distance D, the velocity V is given by the following formula of the change velocity.

V = D / T, where V is in meters per second, m / s. In a three-dimensional space, D is calculated taking into account the changes in each of the two distinct directions. . Assuming that dX, dY, and dZ represent the position change between successive two directions, the distance D is given by the following formula.

D = sqrt (dX ^* dX + dY ^* dY + dZ ^* dZ) Here, “sqrt” represents a square root operation. The speed may be displayed as positive for one direction along the path and negative for the opposite direction. This, of course, applies separately to each of these directions.

The finite difference approximation procedure can also be used to calculate acceleration along the path of the object. This is achieved by taking the change in velocity between two consecutive points and dividing that change by the time interval between the points. As a result, an approximate value for the acceleration A of the object is obtained. Acceleration A is expressed as a rate of change with respect to time as follows.

A = dV / T, where dV is a change in speed and T is a time interval. Acceleration is expressed in meters per second. The accuracy of the approximation for acceleration depends on making the spacing between points sufficiently small.

As an alternative to using a smaller position increment to improve accuracy, a more accurate finite difference procedure may be used. In this embodiment, accurate position data is obtained within a few centimeters over a time interval of about 0.020 seconds, so that errors are considered negligible.

[0092] In contrast to the finite difference approach, position data is better fitted with a spline curve and is treated as a continuous curve. The velocity at any point is related to the tangent to the individual's path using standard computational guidance procedures. This gives a continuous curve of speed, from which a corresponding curve can be obtained for the acceleration of the individual.

It will be appreciated that other modeling methods may be used to provide an accurate estimate of speed and acceleration.

[0094] In any case, determining the acceleration of an individual depends on the force F
Provide knowledge. This force is related to the mass M and acceleration of the individual and is given in kilograms by the following formula:

F = M ^* A This formula is the formula that results from combining all three components of force with acceleration, one component for each of the three bidirectional directions. The international standard for power is Newton, a one kilogram mass receiving one meter of acceleration per second. In this embodiment, the individual is required to enter his or her body weight before playing (the body weight is related to the mass due to the acceleration of gravity).

The effects of each factor can be considered separately when analyzing an individual's movement. This is easily explained by recognizing that an individual moving horizontally can be accelerated downward due to gravity, even if he or she is decelerated horizontally due to air resistance. . Force effects can be treated separately or as a group. This gives you the option to segregate the effects or to group the effects. This option provides flexibility in the analysis.

Energy and work can be measured in the present invention. The energy consumed by individuals in this new system can be drawn from work. Mechanical work is calculated by multiplying the force exerted on an individual by the distance traveled by the individual while the force is exerted. The formula for work (W) is given by:

W = F ^* d The unit of work is Joules corresponding to Newton meters.

Power P is the speed of work production and is given by the following formula:

The standard unit for P = W / T power is watts, where watts represent one joule of work produced every second.

Different individuals performing the same activity consume different amounts of heat depending on body mass, gender, and other factors. As indicated above, the mechanical work performed in an activity is determined in the system of the present invention by monitoring the motion parameters associated with that activity. Total energy expenditure can be derived from known work-to-calorie ratios.

[0102] A protocol called "Dynamic Posture" represents an athletic stance that is maintained during sport-specific activities and maximizes a player's readiness for a particular task. Examples are a slightly crouched or "ready" position of a soccer goalkeeper or football line backer.

Testing and training the dynamic posture involves having the user initially take the desired position,
It is then achieved by tracking the displacement in the Y (vertical) plane substantially in real time during the interactive protocol. Such displacement in the Y plane accurately reflects the vertical variation of the point on the body where the reflective marker is located, such as the hip line. This point is often the center of gravity (Cen
ter of gravity (CG) points.

In obtaining the optimal dynamic posture, it is desirable to determine the dynamic posture and train the competitor. The optimal dynamic posture during sport-specific activities is determined as follows.

A) A retro-reflection marker is attached to the CG point of the competitor.

B) When an athlete is responding to an interactive sport-specific protocol,
The computer 22 of the present invention measures in real time the vertical displacement of a player's CG (Y-plane travel distance).

C) During the performance of the sport-specific protocol, the computer 22 of the present invention measures the athlete's movement speed and / or acceleration substantially in real time.

D) In accordance with the present invention, the most effective dynamic posture of the competitor is calculated in a sport-specific protocol, defined as the CG altitude that produces the maximum speed and / or acceleration / deceleration for the competitor. You.

E) The present invention provides numerical and graphical feedback of the results.

Once the optimal dynamic posture has been determined, training the optimal dynamic posture is achieved by the following steps.

A) A retro-reflection marker is attached to the CG point of the competitor.

B) Competitor 36 assumes a dynamic position that he or she desires to perform training.

C) At the CG position, the present invention is started.

D) The present invention provides various interactive exercise tasks, including unplanned exercise, over sport-specific distances and directions.

E) When the distance traveled in the Y-plane from the optimal dynamic pose exceeds a preset threshold, real-time feedback of such violations is generated for the user.

F) The present invention provides real-time feedback of compliance during protocol performance to the desired dynamic posture.

The present invention uses unplanned, interactive, game-like athletic tasks that require sport-specific responses. Participants should choose the optimal center of gravity (CG)
When taking and holding altitude, exercise most effectively during stop, start, and cut activities. By minimizing the travel distance of the CG altitude, further exercise efficiency is achieved by the player. In the present invention, by monitoring the displacement in the Y plane, it is possible to track the CG altitude of the participant in substantially real time. During the training phase, the participants are provided with real-time feedback of any distance traveled in any Y plane beyond the target range.

The relationship between the subject's heart rate and physical activity during the performance of the protocol is also quantified by the present invention. The heart rate is measured in substantially real time by a commercially available wireless (telemetry) (FIG. 2) device 36A. Conventional cardiovascular devices attempt to predict caloric expenditure from exercise heart rate.
Monitoring heart rate in real time is an attempt to infer the level of physical activity of the user. However, since heart rate is affected by factors other than physical activity, such as stress, ambient temperature, and the type of muscle contraction, the ratio or relationship between heart rate and energy expenditure is determined by coaches, athletes Or a guide for the clinician. For example, physical activity lowers heart rate when a given energy cost task is being performed.

Prior art applications have attempted to measure these two parameters simultaneously, with the intention of validating one of these measurement configurations as a measure of physical activity. . However, in all such cases, such measurements were not real-time; the measurements were recorded over time, did not use position tracking means, and did not use the interactive protocol used in the system of the present invention. Was also not used.

In another aspect of the invention, synchro assessment and regulation of physical activity and heart rate are achieved as follows.

A) The retroreflective marker is attached to the CG point of the subject 36.

B) The wireless heart rate monitor 36A (FIG. 2) is mounted on the subject 36 and the monitor 3
6A is in communication with the computer 22 in real time.

C) The subject 36 enters a desired target heart rate (this step is optional).

D) The present invention provides interactive, functional planned and unplanned motor tasks (protocols) over various distances and directions.

E) The present invention provides real-time feedback of compliance to selected heart rate zones during the performance of these protocols.

F) The present invention provides a graphical nexus of the relationship or interrelationship between heart rate and free-physical activity at each instant.

The present invention involves evaluating and quantifying exercise techniques, such as acceleration and deceleration, during sport-specific distances during unplanned exercise protocols. Quantification of the acceleration and deceleration of the bivector (how well the subject 36 moves left and right) is achieved as follows.

A) A retro-reflection marker is attached to the CG point of the competitor.

B) According to the present invention, during the performance of a sports-specific protocol, the athlete's 3 degree of freedom movement, including unplanned movement over various vector distances,
Tracked with sufficient sampling rate.

C) According to the invention, the acceleration and deceleration of the competitor's movement is calculated substantially in real time.

D) According to the present invention, each motion element is classified into a specific vector.

E) The present invention provides numerical and graphical feedback of interactive performance.

Quantification of kilocalories per minute, and the intensity of free-range physical activity, as expressed by total energy expended, was collected by subject movement in response to prompts on the monitor. Obtained from exercise data, personal data such as weight entered by the subject, and conventional conversion formulas.

During the performance of the above protocol, the system of the present invention has strength, ie,
The intensity or energy cost of physical activity during free range (functional) activity, expressed in calories per minute, distance traveled per unit of time, can be measured.

Energy expenditure is obtained from the subject's exercise data during the performance of a range of activities. Known laboratory equipment can be used to ascertain the coefficients or conversion factors needed to convert the distance obtained from work or power or exercise data into calories burned. Oxygen intake, expressed in milliliters per kilogram per minute, can determine the caloric expenditure of physical activity, and when evaluating an alternative measure of physical activity, is the "gold standard"
) "Or as a reference. The most accurate laboratory means of determining oxygen uptake is direct gas analysis, where the protocol of the present invention is performed on a representative population of subjects while performing on a metabolic cart that directly measures the amount of oxygen consumed. It is a means of communication. Such populations are categorized by age, gender, and weight.

Software flowcharts for the tasks of the exemplary embodiment are shown in FIGS. After the start 80 of the evaluation, the user is prompted for the player icon rule (81). At this point, other information required to calculate calories, such as the player's body weight and gender, is entered. The player is prompted for “specify the hero” 82. The player may select the protagonist's intellectual level, number, speed and size to be in the selected routine. Thereafter, the player is prompted 84 to "define obstacles" and defines static versus dynamic, number, speed, size, and shape. The player is then prompted 86 to "define a goal" and defines the avoidance or capture, scoring parameters, and goals to complete the set routine. As part of the goal definition (86), the player's reference frame (i.e.,
Dimensional path boundaries should be programmed. The player will then
86A). If yes, an audio / video cue alarm is provided and the change in the icon at the player's location is recorded; otherwise, only the change in the icon at the player's location is recorded. If no, the decision block meeting the goal must point here.

To start the task routine, the player is prompted for the task start position.
Upon reaching this position, the protagonist (s) and the obstacle (s) for the task occur on the display. The hero moves on the display 90 in a trajectory that depends on the setup rules. Regarding the capture routine, the player who exercises the path determined by the player becomes the earliest capture point with the hero depending on the ability of the player. During player motion, player icons are generated and continually updated with a scaled translation of virtual space to the player's instantaneous position in the defined physical space. Movement continues until player contact 92 and capture 94, or the hero contacts a virtual space boundary that corresponds to a defined physical space boundary (96). In the former case, if a seizure occurs, a new hero will appear on a new orbit 97. The icon position of the player is recorded (98).
, The velocity vector is calculated and recorded, and the rating score is noted on the display.
The system then determines whether the task goals have been met (100), and for a single task, the final score is calculated and displayed (102), the calories burned are calculated, and the time and completion of the task are calculated. Information related to the distance traveled is also calculated and the session ends (104).

If the player does not seize the hero icon before subsequent contact with the virtual space boundary corresponding to the defined physical space boundary, the direction of the hero changes depending on the setup rules and the hero by the player. Tracking continues as described above.

If an obstacle is selected in the setup rules, at the same time as tracking the player,
The same is displayed (110), and the player must take an exercise path to avoid these obstacles. For a single task, if the player contacts the obstacle (112), the obstacle is highlighted (114) and the routine is completed and scored as described above. In this case, if a movement disorder is selected in the setup rules and the obstacle hits the boundary (116), the direction of the obstacle changes (118).
, The task continues.

For a multi-segment task, if the obstacle touches, the hero's direction changes and the movement continues. Similarly, upon capture of a multi-segment task, a new hero trajectory begins and obstacles can be re-oriented. Thereafter, the routine continues until the task objectives are met and the session is completed.

The tasks are configured such that the player needs to move forward, backward, left, right, and optionally vertically. Player motion is quantified according to distance and direction depending on the sampling rate and update rate of the system. For each sampling period, the change in position is calculated. At the end of the session, these samples are summed and displayed for various motion vectors.

For the avoidance task, where the purpose of the session is to avoid the protagonist trying to seize the player, the foregoing is modified appropriately. Thus, if the player is seized by the protagonist, the session ends for a single segment task, and time and distance related information is calculated and displayed. For a multi-segment task, the protagonist's trajectory has a new source and the session continues until the specified task is completed or terminated.

Performance Measurement Configuration The present invention provides a unique elaborate computer sports simulator that faithfully replicates the ever-changing interaction between offensive and defensive opponents. This fidelity with the actual competition allows a comprehensive and effective assessment of the functional, sport-specific performance capabilities of the attacking or defensive player. Such evaluation may include using an index that is, or is derived from, the exercise parameter (s). Among the indices derived from these motion parameter (s) are measurement configurations obtained and enabled by several new, interrelated, specialized position-sensing hardware and interactive software protocols. There is.

Feedback can be provided to the player about the measurement configuration. This feedback can take many forms. Feedback may be provided during an interactive session, for example, with some impact on virtual space (and scenery), which is a function of one or more configurations. Alternatively or additionally, feedback may be provided after the end of one or more interactive sessions.

One of the measurement configurations of the present invention is compliance, and a comprehensive measure of a player's central defense is to maintain a synchronized relationship with dynamic cues often represented as offensive virtual opponents. Ability. The ability to faithfully maintain a synchronized relationship with a virtual opponent is either a compliance (variation or deviation from a perfect synchronized relationship with a virtual opponent) and / or an absolute measure of the player's speed, acceleration and power. It is expressed as An essential component of such a synchro relationship is the ability to effectively change the position of the player, ie, the ability to cut, etc., as described below. Referring to FIG. 10, compliance may be determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) At position A, according to the software scaling parameter, virtual opponent 2
Create 10. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 212 in the physical environment.

C) The image of the system shows the movement of the virtual opponent to virtual position B 216 along path 1 (x, y, z, t) 214 in dimensions X, Y, and Z and time (x, y, z).
z, t).

D) In response, the player moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 218 to the corresponding corresponding physical location C 220. The goal of the player is to exercise the same path in the physical environment from start to finish as efficiently as the incarnation exercises in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent typically moves along a random path and the player is generally not as mobile as the virtual opponent, the path of movement of the player is typically some positional error measured at each sample interval. There is.

E) At each sample interval, the system calculates the player's new position, velocity, acceleration, and power, and measures the deviation of the virtual opponent 210 and player 212 at position A from the original distance. Measure the level of compliance of the characterized player.

F) The system feeds back the calculation result of part e using numerical values and graphics in real time.

Another measurement configuration of the present invention, in the case of an offensive role, is an opportunity, which is a quantification of the player's ability to create a non-synchromotor event.
Suddenly change (cut) the direction of his or her motion vector of the player
The ability is an absolute measure of performance as described above, and is one of the parameters indicating the player's ability to create this non-synchro athletic event. Referring to FIG. 11, the opportunity may be determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) Virtual Opponent 2 at position A by software scaling parameter
22 is created. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 224 in the physical environment.

C) The player moves the physical position C22 along the path 2 (x, y, z, t) 226.
Exercise to 8. The goal of the player is to maximize his / her athletic ability to dodge the virtual opponent 222.

D) In response, the video of the system displays the route 1 (x, y, z) of the virtual opponent.
, T) along with the corresponding virtual position B232 along 230. A feature of the virtual opponent's movement is that it is programmable and modulated over time in response to player performance.

E) At each sample interval, the system calculates the player's new position, velocity, acceleration, and power, and modifies the opponent's xy plane to eliminate and avoid collisions with the virtual opponent. To intersect, determine the moment when the player has created enough opportunity to sharply redirect his / her movement along path 3 (x, y, z, t) 234.

F) The system feeds back the calculation results of part e in real time using numerical values and graphics.

A number of performance components are important for good performance of the two generic roles described above. Thus, the system has the following performance components or components: dynamic response time, dynamic phase lag, first step agility,
And assesses dynamic response bounce, dynamic sport posture, functional heart status, and dynamic response cutting. These configurations are described in detail below.

Dynamic response time is a new measure of a player's ability to respond correctly and quickly in response to a sport-specific cue from the player. From the moment the virtual opponent attempts to advance its position (from the presentation of the first indicating stimulus), the player's first correct movement to restore the synchro relation (the first movement along the player's correct vector path). This is the time that has passed.

Dynamic response time is a measure of the ability to respond to strategies that characterize frequently changing and unpredictable stimuli, ie, constant fakes, intermittent movements and game play. The present invention contrasts with systems that uniquely measure this ability and provide only static cues without frequent motion tracking.

The kinetic reaction time consists of four distinct phases. Perception of visual and / or auditory cues, interpretation of visual and / or auditory cues, appropriate neuromuscular activation, and muscular strength generation to produce physical movement. In this protocol, the specifically measured dynamic response time is a separate and distinct factor from the actual rate and efficiency of exercise, depending on factors such as strength, joint integrity, exercise strategy, and agility It is important to keep in mind. The functions associated with these physiological components are:
Tested with other protocols, including phase lag and first step agility.

When an defending player has to establish or maintain a desired sync relationship with an attempt to create an off-sync event for an offensive player, the defending player typically responds to an associated dynamic cue. Must respond within a fraction of a second. The defending player's initial response should typically be correct, with such minimal response time and low tolerance for errors. Players frequently respond to periods, directions and / or speeds of continuous movement, and must repeatedly change directions and / or speeds. Neither significant reaction delays or variations in relative speed, and / or the direction of motion between the player and the virtual opponent, cause the player to be irreversibly out of position.

Relevant tests must be provided for many different paths of movement by the defending player that can satisfy the cues or stimuli. The stimulus may prompt movement from side to side (X-transform), back and forth (Z-transform), or up and down (Y-transform). In many instances, the appropriate response is the direction, i.e., yaw, pitch.
, Or torsion or torque of the player's body, which is a measure of roll.

Referring to FIG. 12, the kinetic reaction time is determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) At position A, according to the software scaling parameter, virtual opponent 2
Create 36. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 238 in the physical environment.

C) The video of the system displays the movement of the virtual opponent to virtual position B242 along path 1 (x, y, z, t) 240.

D) In response, the player moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 244 to a near equivalent physical location C 246. The goal of the player is to move efficiently from the beginning to the end in the same path in the physical environment as the virtual opponent moves in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent typically moves along a random path and the player is generally not as mobile as the virtual opponent, the path of movement of the player is typically some positional error measured at each sample interval. There is.

E) After arriving at position B242, the virtual opponent immediately changes direction and proceeds along route 3 (x, y, z, t) 248 to virtual position D250. The x, y, or z velocity component of the virtual opponent's motion reaches zero at position B242 and path 3 (x, y,
After the movement along (z, t) 248 is started, the dynamic response timer starts.

F) The player perceives and responds to a new movement path due to movement along the virtual opponent's path 4 (x, y, z, t) 252 with the intention of following the new movement path of the virtual opponent. . The dynamic reaction timer indicates that the x, y, or z velocity component of the player's motion reaches zero at position C246 and that his / her motion is in the correct path 4 (x, y, z,
t) Stop at the moment it is redirected along 252.

G) At each sample interval, the system calculates a new position, velocity, acceleration, and power for the player.

H) The system feeds back the result of the calculation of the part g and the dynamic reaction time using numerical values and graphics in real time.

[0174] Dynamic phase lag is defined by the time that a player has spent "out of phase" in response to a signal that elicits a sport-specific response from the player. The time from the end of the dynamic reaction time to the actual restoration of the synchronization relationship with the virtual opponent by the player is the elapsed time. In sports terms, it is the time required for a player to "recover" after "out of position" to guard an opponent.

Referring to FIG. 13, the dynamic delay is determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) At position A, according to the software scaling parameter, virtual opponent 2
Create 54. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 256 in the physical environment.

C) The video of the system displays the movement of the virtual opponent to virtual position B 260 along path 1 (x, y, z, t) 258.

D) In response, the player moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 262 to a corresponding near physical location C 264. The goal of the player is to exercise the same path in the physical environment from start to finish as efficiently as the incarnation exercises in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent typically moves along a random path and the player is generally not as mobile as the virtual opponent 254, the path of movement of the player is typically some position measured at each sample interval. There is an error.

E) After arriving at position B260, the virtual opponent immediately changes direction and proceeds along route 3 (x, y, z, t) 266 to virtual position D268.

F) The player perceives and responds to a new movement path due to movement along the virtual opponent's path 4 (x, y, z, t) 270. The x, y, or z velocity component of the player's motion reaches zero at position C264 and his / her motion is corrected to the correct path 4 (
At the moment directed along (x, y, z, t) 270 to position E272, a phase lag timer is started.

G) If the player's position E eventually matches or passes the virtual opponent at position D268 within an acceptable percentage of the measured error, the phase delay timer is stopped.

H) At each sample interval, the system calculates a new position, velocity, acceleration, and power for the player.

I) The system feeds back the calculation result of the part h and the phase delay time using numerical values and graphics in real time.

The agility of the first step can be measured as the player attempts to establish or restore a synchro relationship with the offensive virtual opponent. Agility in the first step is equally important for aggressive players to create non-synchro-motion events.

Acceleration is defined by the rate of speed increase over time and is a vector quantity. In sports parlance, athletes with the first step agility have the ability to accelerate quickly from a stop, and fast athletes have the ability to reach high speed over long distances. One of the most valuable attributes of a successful athlete in most sports is the agility of the first step.

[0187] This new measurement configuration means that acceleration is a more sensitive measure of "agility" than average speed or speed for short sport specific movement distances. This is especially true since simulation of realistic sports tasks, especially with large variations in distance, does not depend on fixed start and end positions. The second reason that measuring acceleration at sport-specific distances seems to be a more sensitive and reliable measurement is that peak acceleration is achieved at shorter distances, as small as one or two steps. Is Rukoto.

The agility of the first step can be applied to both static and dynamic situations. A static application is the agility associated with stealing. True sport-related agility means that an athlete can quickly change his athletic pattern and accelerate in a new direction towards a goal. A specific example of this type of agility is the ability to cut into Michael Jordan's basket. Jordan can make a quick cut into a powerful basket after a series of misleading motion cues. The success of this cut depends on his agility in the first step. An effective measure of this sporting ability should incorporate the detection and quantification of exercise changes based on previous exercises. Acceleration, power and / or peak speed are the most useful measures of such performance, as the vector distance is significantly reduced and the player is typically already exercising before the "explosion". Such a speed of distance or a measure of speed cannot be reliable and, at best, is an indicator of much lower sensitivity.

A number of tools are available for measuring the average speed of an athlete between two points, and the most commonly used tool is a stopwatch. By knowing the distance between the fixed start and end positions, ie the known distance and the time required to travel in the direction, the average speed of the athlete can be accurately calculated. However, for many car enthusiasts, just as the time from zero to 60 miles per hour of a car, the measure of acceleration, is more important than top speed, the average speed scale is
Failure to satisfy the athlete's interest in quantifying the first step agility.
Any valid test of agility sports in the first step must duplicate the challenges that athletes actually face in the competition.

If the athlete's exercise is performed at distances specific to short sports where the start and end positions are not fixed, attempts to compare speed with various vectors at unequal distances require considerable error. It is easy to be born. For example, a comparison of two vector velocities achieved at different distances is inherently unreliable in that an athlete given a longer distance achieves a higher speed. With conventional testing means, there is no frequent tracking of the player and the average speed alone cannot determine the peak speed.

With only continuous high-speed tracking of athlete position changes in the three planes of exercise, peak speed, acceleration, and / or power can be accurately measured.
For an accurate assessment of the performance of the two, a practical means of normalizing performance data to compensate for unequal distances in changing directions by a measure of force proportional to the product of velocity and acceleration. Provided. This is because peak acceleration is achieved within a few steps, well within the sport-specific playing field. The agility of the first step can be determined as follows.

Referring to FIG. 14, a) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) Virtual Opponent 2 at position A by software scaling parameter
Create 74. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 276 in the physical environment.

C) The video of the system displays the movement of the virtual opponent to virtual position B 280 along path 1 (x, y, z, t) 278.

D) In response, the player moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 282 to a near equivalent physical position C 284. The goal of the player is to effectively move the same path in the physical environment from start to finish as the virtual opponent does in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent typically moves along a random path and the player is generally not as mobile as the virtual opponent, the path of movement of the player is typically some positional error measured at each sample interval. There is.

E) After arriving at position B280, the virtual opponent immediately changes direction and proceeds along route 3 (x, y, z, t) 286 to virtual position D288.

F) The player perceives and responds to a new movement path due to movement along the virtual opponent's path 4 (x, y, z, t) 290 with the intention of following the new movement path of the virtual opponent. .

G) At each sample interval, the system calculates a new position, velocity, acceleration, and force for the player. At a volume 292 having a radius R, either a measure of peak acceleration or a measure of peak force, which is proportional to the product of peak velocity and acceleration, characterizes the agility of the first step.

H) The system feeds back the calculation results of part g in real time using numerical values and graphics.

Dynamic response bouncing is a player's ability to jump or bounce in response to a cue that triggers a response specific to the player's sport. In certain protocols of the present invention, the measured configuration includes the dynamic response time of the player in response to the virtual opponent's jump, as well as the actual jump height and / or bounding distance and trajectory of the player. Static measurements of jumps (maximum vertical jumps) have a poor correlation with athletic performance. The dynamic measures created by the simulations of the present invention provide information related to sports by incorporating time variability for jumps or bouncing.

The jump is a vertical ascent of the body's center of gravity, and specifically, the C
M (center of mass) displacement. Jumps include little, if any, horizontal displacement. In contrast, a bounce is a rise in the center of the body's center of gravity that includes both vertical and parallel elements. The resulting vector produces a horizontal displacement in several vector directions.

Both high jumps and long jumps represent bouncing in athletics.
Sufficient measures currently exist to characterize athlete performance in these athletics. However, in these individual field sports, athletes are not affected by the unpredictable nature of game play.

In many team sports, the athlete needs to raise his or her center of gravity (Y-plane) whether playing on the defender or the attacker during the actual game play. Examples include basketball rebounds, football diving catches, volleyball spikes, and the like. Unlike field sports, the athlete must make his or her response to external cues or stimuli timely and in most cases during the pre-exercise period.
In playing most games, athletes do not know exactly when and where they must jump or bounce to successfully complete the current task.

It is universally known that the ability to jump and bounce is important for success in many sports, and that it is an effective indicator of the power of the whole body. Most sports training programs attempt to quantify the ability to jump, both for assessing and enhancing athletic performance. Many commercially available devices have the ability to measure the peak height of an athlete's jump. If the start and end points are known, the distance obtained by the bounce can be determined. However, no device can measure or capture the peak height (altitude) of a bouncing exercise performed in a sports-related simulation. Peak height can be a sensitive and informative measure of bouncing motion. For a football punt, where the height of the ball, i.e. time in the air, is at least as important as distance, the height of the bounce is often as important as distance.

[0205] The timing of a jump or bounce is as critical as the height for a successful volleyball spike or basketball rebound. In order to accurately simulate playing in a competition, jumps or bounces must be made and measured in response to unpredictable dynamic cues. The required motion vector may be known (volleyball spike) or unknown (soccer goalkeeper, basketball rebound).

This new measurement configuration tracks, in real time, the actual trajectory of a jump or bounce that takes place during attack and defense play. Measuring critical components of a jump or bounce requires continuous sampling at a high rate to track the athlete's movement to detect peak altitude and distance gained during the jump or bounce It is. Real-time measurements of jump performance include the height of the jump, defined as the absolute vertical displacement of the CM during the performance of the vertical jump, and for bouncing, include the peak altitude, distance and direction.

Referring to FIG. 15, the dynamic reaction bound is determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) Virtual Opponent 2 at position A by software scaling parameter
Create 94. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 296 in the physical environment.

C) The video of the system displays the movement of the virtual opponent to virtual position B300 along path 1 (x, y, z, t) 298. The resulting vector path or bounce of the virtual opponent is highlighted to elicit a similar movement from player 296.

D) In response, player 296 moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 302 to a near equivalent physical position C 304. The goal of the player is to effectively move the same path in the physical environment from start to finish as the virtual opponent does in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent typically moves along a random path and the player is generally not as mobile as the virtual opponent, the path of movement of the player is typically some positional error measured at each sample interval. There is.

E) At each sample interval, the system calculates the new position, velocity, acceleration, and power of the player, and furthermore, the components of the player's bounding trajectory, ie, while in the air, the maximum y displacement during Is calculated.

F) The system feeds back the calculation result of the part e using numerical values and graphics in real time. The player's bounding trajectory is highlighted,
Lasts until the next bounce starts.

[0214] Dynamic sport posture is a measurement of the sport posture of a player during the movement of a sport activity. The importance of a player's body posture during sporting activities is universally recognized by coaches, players, and trainers. In an attack or defensive role, the body posture of the player during sport-specific exercises directly affects sport-specific movements.

Effective body posture optimizes such performance capabilities, such as agility, stability, and balance, and minimizes energy consumption. Optimal posture during exercise enhances control of the body's center of gravity during periods of maximum acceleration, deceleration and direction change. For example, body posture during exercises where the center of gravity is "too high" reduces stability and dampens explosive exercise. Conversely, body posture during "too low" exercise reduces mobility. Without a means of quantifying the efficiency of body posture with motion-related parameters, finding the optimal stance or body posture is a real-time feedback, purposeless "hands-on" process.

Through continuous high-speed tracking of the player's CM in relation to the ground during the performance of a typical sport-specific activity, the optimal posture during the exercise can be determined. For each player, at some vertical (Y-plane) CM positions, the functional performance can be optimized. To determine the vertical CM position that produces the largest sport-specific action for each player, continuously track the small CM position changes of the player capturing the relevant CM displacement at a high sampling rate. Means are needed. There is also a need for a sports simulation that encourages the player to exercise with abrupt changes in direction and maximum acceleration and deceleration at varying distances and directions, such that she or he exercises in a real game.

[0217] Optimal posture training during exercise is such that players maintain their CM within a defined range while performing the same exercise as that experienced during actual game play. You need to work for it. During such training, the player is provided with immediate, objective feedback based on compliance with the targeted vertical CM. The recommended range for each player may be either based on pre-established standard data or determined by an actual test to determine a CM pose that produces a higher motion value.

With reference to FIG. 16, during a sport-specific activity, the dynamic sport posture may be determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) At position A, according to the software scaling parameter, virtual opponent 3
06 is created. This is a coordinate value in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 308 in the physical environment.

C) The video of the system displays the movement of the virtual opponent to the virtual position B 312 along the path 1 (x, y, z, t) 310.

D) In response, the player moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 314 to the corresponding near physical location C 316. The goal of the player is to exercise the same path in the physical environment efficiently from start to end and in sync with the virtual opponent, as the incarnation exercises in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent 306 typically moves along a random path, and the player 308 is typically not as mobile as the virtual opponent, the player's path of motion is typically somewhere measured at each sample interval. There is a position error.

E) The system calculates, at each sample interval, the most efficient dynamic pose of the player, defined as a CM rise that produces a motion specific to the optimal sport.

F) The system feeds back the calculation results of part e using numerical values and graphics in real time.

After the optimal dynamic posture has been determined, training of the optimal dynamic posture can be achieved by the following steps.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) Player 308 assumes a dynamic position that he or she desires to train.

C) The system offers changing interactive motor tasks at sport-specific distances and directions, including unexpected movements.

D) Measurements of Y-plane position, velocity, acceleration, and force greater than, less than, or equal to a predetermined threshold or window provide real-time feedback of such disturbances to player 308.

E) The system provides real-time feedback on the desired dynamic posture compliance during the operation of the protocol.

The functional heart condition (fitness) is the player's heart condition during the aforementioned sport-specific activities. In most sports games, there are periods of high physiological demand, alternating with periods of lower demand. Cardiac requirements are also influenced by the situation's performance stress and attention requirements. Cardiac organ performance in sports-related situations is important for efficient exercise.

Currently, room cycles, treadmills and climbers are used to assess the cardiac response to increased levels of physical stress, with the aim of assessing the athlete's cardiac fitness for sporting events. While such gymnastics devices may provide a measure of physical work, in most sports there is no ability to replicate the actual stress and situation experienced by athletes during a match. Thus, these tests are severely limited when attempting to correlate the resulting scale with activities specific to actual sports. It is well known that heart rate is affected by variables such as emotional stress and the type of muscle contraction that can vary dramatically in various sports activities. For example, increased emotional stress and a corresponding increase in cardiac output are often associated with defensive play, as the defensive player is always in a "curled" position that predicts the next response of the attacking player Can be

[0233] For cardiorehabilitation professionals, coaches, or athletes of strict interest, no valid test was found for a physiological measure of cardiovascular fitness specific to objective sports. A valid exam casts a sport-specific gymnastics task,
Circulate the athlete's heart rate to duplicate the levels observed in actual competition. The athlete's ability to determine and perform movement, reaction time, acceleration and deceleration abilities, agility, and other key functional performance variables are tested. The heart response, expressed as heart rate, is tracked continuously, and key performance variables are also tracked. At each moment, the heart rate versus sport-specific performance feedback is calculated and reported.

It is understood that feedback on heart rate can be provided independently of feedback on sports-specific performance.

[0235] Functional cardio-respiratory compatibility is a new measurement configuration that can quantify any net change in sport-specific performance with respect to cardiac organ function.
A functional heart condition can be determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) A wireless heart rate monitor 36A (FIG. 2) is attached to the player. The monitor communicates with the system in real time.

C) The system casts a sport specific gymnastics task and cycles the player's heart rate to replicate the levels observed in actual sporting events.

D) The system provides interactive, functional planned and unplanned motor tasks over varying distances and directions.

E) The system provides real-time feedback on compliance with the selected heart rate zone during the performance of the defined protocol.

F) The system provides a summary of the relationship or correlation between heart rate and free physical activity at each sample of time, using numerical values and graphics in real time.

[0242] Dynamic reaction cutting can be used for rapid changes in position (ie, "cuts" from a few degrees to 9 degrees).
(Which may be a change in direction greater than 0 degrees). Vector changes may require a complete reversal of direction, similar to the transformation of sudden back and forth movements that can occur in soccer, hockey, basketball, and football. Athletes running at their maximum speeds should try to change
Her or his momentum has to be reduced, and this preparatory deceleration is often done during several cycles. After the direction change is over, the athlete accelerates maximally along his or her new vector direction.

An accurate measurement of cutting requires continuous tracking of position changes in three planes of motion. It is to ascertain the angle drawn by the action of cutting and to measure both the deceleration during braking before the change of direction and the acceleration after completing the change of direction.

For a valid test, cues (stimulations) prompting the cutting action should be such that the athlete cannot plan the cut in advance, except under special training situations (eg, practicing a football pass route). Must be unpredictable and interactive. Replicating the types of stimuli that athletes actually experience in competition must be sport specific. Tests of agility using a cone and stopwatch positioned on the ground lack sport-related cues and are of questionable effectiveness. By accelerating and recognizing the weight of the player, the forces generated by the player during the change of direction can also be quantified.

Referring to FIG. 17, vector change and dynamic reaction cutting can be determined as follows.

A) A beacon, a component of the optical tracking system, is attached to the player's waist.

B) At position A, by software scaling parameter, virtual opponent 3
Create 18. This is the coordinate value of the virtual opponent in the virtual environment corresponding to the coordinate value of the player 320 in the physical environment.

C) The video of the system displays the movement of the virtual opponent to the virtual position B 324 along the path 1 (x, y, z, t) 322.

D) In response, player 320 moves along path 2 (x, y, z, t) 326 to a corresponding near physical location C 328. The goal of the player is to exercise the same path in the physical environment from start to finish as efficiently as the virtual opponent 318 exercises in the virtual environment. However, since the virtual opponent typically moves along a random path and the player is generally not as mobile as the virtual opponent, the path of motion of the player usually includes some position measured at each sample interval. There is an error.

E) The virtual opponent 318, once arriving at the position B324, immediately changes direction and follows the route 3 (x, y, z, t) 330 to the virtual position D332.

F) The player moves the physical position E336 along the route 4 (x, y, z, t) 334.
Perceive and respond to a new movement path of the virtual opponent by exercising to.

G) The virtual opponent 318, once arriving at the position D332, immediately changes direction and follows the route 5 (x, y, z, t) 338 to the virtual position F340.

H) The player moves the physical position G344 along the path 6 (x, y, z, t) 342.
Perceive and respond to a new movement path of the virtual opponent by exercising to.

I) Subsequent virtual opponent 318 motion segments include all vector motion categories represented during the performance of a sport-specific protocol, including unplanned motions across various distances and directions. Are generated until sufficient iterative equivalence is established.

J) At each sample interval, the system calculates the player's new position, and / or velocity, and / or acceleration, and / or force and dynamic response cutting.

K) The system feeds back the calculation results of part j in real time using numerical values and graphics.

The components of sports performance and fitness for these exercises, which can be or are derived from athletic parameters, include a harsh working environment,
It should be noted that leisure sports, and safety, success, and / or productivity in many activities of everyday life are equally important.

The components related to performance are often sport-specific, functional,
It is characterized as either performance or a component of physical fitness associated with exercise. These performance-related components are clearly important for safety and success in both athletic and energetic leisure sports activities. These are about safety and productivity in rigorous physical work activities, such as police, fire and military, and unavoidable and dangerous work environments,
It is equally clear that the importance of maintaining the independence of the aging population through enhanced mobility and athletic performance.

(Principal Viewpoint) Another embodiment of the present invention includes a self-viewpoint, also known as a principal view. This viewpoint is a view of the virtual space on the display viewed from the player's viewpoint. This is in contrast to the type of information shown on the display 28 of FIGS. From a third-party perspective, the view of the virtual space is a view from a viewpoint somewhere outside the stadium and is similar to the view that a spectator may have. Although the viewpoint may move as actions in the virtual space move to different parts of the virtual space, the viewpoint is generally fixed. For example, a third-party perspective in a basketball simulation may move between two half courts depending on where the ball and player are in virtual space.

[0260] From the viewpoint of a third party, the movement of the icon in the virtual space is generally represented by the movement of the icon in a fixed scene. Thus, the movement of a player icon to a different location in the virtual space generally results in the movement of the corresponding player icon in a fixed scene.

However, the principal view is a view from the viewpoint in the simulation. A system 360 including a principal view is shown in FIG. Such a viewpoint is generally a viewpoint of a simulation participant such as the player 362. Player 3
62 moves in physical space 366, and such movement is detected by the tracking system described above. As the player 362 moves, for example, to a new location 368, the view on the display 370 changes to show the virtual space from the viewpoint in the virtual space corresponding to the new location 368. Therefore, the viewpoint is a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the player in the physical space, and corresponds to the viewpoint of the virtual existence (corresponding to the player).

[0262] The stationary object 372 in the virtual space changes its position on the display,
Reflect position relative to new viewpoint. A movable object in the virtual space such as the protagonist 376 changes its position on the display 370 in response to the movement of the viewpoint by the movement of the player 362. In addition, the protagonist 376
Can also change its position in virtual space. The position change on the display 370 due to the change in position by the hero.

The system 360 also displays a proxy indication part of the virtual existence corresponding to the player 362, for example, a hand 378 shown on the display 370 in FIG. Such display elements may be used, for example, to indicate items in a virtual space that a virtual entity has, to indicate the position of a player's body part (eg, whether a hand is raised), or to indicate the player's orientation. , Can be used. Deputy is
Similar parts of the human body, for example, hands, feet, etc. Alternatively, the proxy
Other objects may be, for example, wings, abstract shapes, and the like. Delegates may or may not always be displayed in the landscape.

The display of the person's viewpoint increases the fidelity of the simulation in real life activities by creating a scene closer to the scene perceived by the player on the display.

(Multiple Player Competition) It is understood that a simulation or a game using the above system in which a plurality of players participate at one time is possible. Such multiple players may not be displayed together without interaction, or may interact by competing with each other or by cooperating in one or more tasks. .

As shown in FIG. 19, the system 380 has multiple players 382 and 384 participating with the same physical space 386 and display 388. The displayed player icons 390 and 392 correspond to the players 382 and 384, respectively.
Corresponding to the position. It is understood that it is desirable for the tracking system associated with system 380 to have the ability to distinguish players 382 and 384.

It is understood that a system in which players share the same physical space indicates a potential for a collision of the players that can lead to injury. Therefore, FIG. 20 shows another embodiment,
That is, a system 400 is shown in which multiple players 402 and 404 simultaneously participate in separate physical spaces 406 and 408, respectively.

[0268] Physical spaces 406 and 408 may be located in the same room, in which case one tracking system capable of tracking the position of both players may be possible. However, it may be more effective to use a separate tracking system for each of the physical spaces. This is illustrated in the illustrated embodiment having tracking systems 410 and 412 corresponding to physical spaces 406 and 408, respectively.

It will be appreciated that separate tracking systems are generally required where the physical spaces 406 and 408 are in different locations, eg, in different rooms or different buildings.

Tracking systems 410 and 412 are operatively coupled to a computer 416 (consisting of two different computer units in communication with each other and / or with a central computer unit). Next, computer 416 is operatively coupled to displays 418 and 420 corresponding to physical spaces 406 and 408, respectively. Computer 416 and tracking systems 410 and 41
2 and operable connection with displays 418 and 420 are achieved by hard-wired cables between these components. Alternatively, it is understood that the operable connection may use other means such as a modem and telephone line, wireless or infrared signals, or a connection such as the World Wide Web. Thus, such connections can be made over long distances, allowing players separated by long physical distances to participate in simulations in the same virtual space. It is understood that one or more computers or processors can be used, particularly in systems connected over long distances.

The displays 418 and 420 show the same view of the virtual space, such as the same third-party view. Alternatively, preferably, the displays 418 and 420
Different views of the virtual space can be shown. For example, for a simulated tennis match, each display may show a third party perspective from the edge of the court corresponding to the respective physical space. Alternatively, a different personal view of the physical space may be shown on each display. Thus, each display may have a viewpoint in virtual space that corresponds to the position of the player looking at that display.

It is understood that more than two players may be involved in the same simulation, with additional physical space, displays, tracking systems, and / or computers appropriately added. For example, each player may have a separate gaming unit (display, tracking system, and physical space), but all players share one or more computers. It is understood that more than one player will use each physical space, even if more than one physical space is used. For example, a simulated tennis doubles game may include two physical spaces, with two players using each physical space.

It will be appreciated that the performance of more than one player is evaluated simultaneously by the simulation of a plurality of players disclosed above. Furthermore, a more realistic sports simulation can be achieved by using a live player as a virtual opponent. Despite advances in technology and artificial intelligence, it is generally impossible for computers to capture the nuances of human thinking and behavior, especially in sports strategies. Most of the sports performance is governed by a compressed time frame (only milliseconds), in which the attacking and defending opponents are capable of various movements associated with six degrees of freedom.
It is not yet possible for a computer to completely simulate this behavior.

(Performance Scaling) Another embodiment of the present invention that includes performance scaling, also known as handicap, is shown in FIG. FIG. 21 shows a test and training system 440 with performance scaling. One or more scaling factors determine the movement of the player 442 in the physical space 444 and the change in position of the virtual space corresponding to the player 442 (as the position of the player icon 446 in the display of the virtual space 450 shown on the display 452). 21 shown in FIG. 21).

If the player 442 jumps small to a position such as position 442 ', this is shown in virtual space and may be displayed as a much larger jump to position 446'. The scale factor can be used to control the relationship between the actual jump height and the apparent jump height in virtual space. Such scaling may be linear or non-linear.

Similarly, movement along path 456 by player 442 may be indicated by using a scale factor, such as movement at a longer or shorter distance, such as movement along virtual path 458.

The scale factor may be different for different directions of movement. Further, the scale factor may be adjusted to take into account the differences in ability and training levels of different players and different incarnations and protagonists. Thus, the use of scale factors allows children to compete on an equal basis, for example, in a virtual basketball game against a hero having the ability of Michael Jordan.

Scaling can also be used to provide positive feedback that encourages further efforts. For example, a person rehabilitating after an injury may react positively to large apparent results in virtual space of physical effort that produces only small movements. This encourages such otherwise discouraged individuals to continue to exercise and improve their abilities.

[0279] Scaling may be adjusted during an individual protocol or during a series of protocols forming a training session. Such adjustments may be made, for example, in response to increased performance due to the acquisition of a new ability, or decreased performance due to, for example, fatigue or injury.

It will be appreciated that scaling can be integrated into the multi-player system described above, so that one of the opponents has a handicap over the other. This handicap is like a parent and child, or a fan and trained athlete,
Can be used to antagonize the opposition of two opponents of unequal abilities. Scaling allows a skilled, but physically unskilled person, such as a coach, to interact more directly with physically respectable students for teaching purposes.

It will be appreciated that there are many other variations on the handicap and scaling concepts described above. For example, a multi-player tennis match may be handicapped by providing a higher net (perceived only on the player's display) to one of the players. A scaled delay may be added to slow the apparent agility of one of the players. One player may have maximum top speed to change position in virtual space.

Using the system described above, a protocol designed to lead a player or subject through a series of movements can be created. For example, a protocol could be used to train subjects on abilities, such as traversing or jumping on a timely basis,
Can be used. Groups of protocols can be created to have capabilities specific to a particular sport, and groups can be selected for playback, such as for playback by a user. For example, drills related to basketball abilities or baseball abilities may be categorized such that athletes with particular interests or who are training for particular sports develop the appropriate abilities. In order to be able to easily find the position and play the drill.

The present invention allows for modulation of playback of stored protocols over a frequent range. This modulation may be achieved by the speed, altitude, and / or direction of movement by the incarnation or protagonist during playback of the protocol. Such modulation can be used to tailor the gymnastics program to the capabilities of the individual user.
For example, geriatrics rehabilitation is efficiently challenged by playing a given protocol at the recorded 20% speed. However, a healthy elite athlete may need to play the same protocol at the recorded 140% speed. The modulation level specific to the user may be recorded for analysis of the results and for recalling the user's future training sessions. As users evolve, the modulation of the protocol may change to continue to provide new challenges to users.

[0284] The playback of the protocol can also be modulated during a separate protocol or a series of protocols responsive to the performance of the user. For example, a comparison of current performance with past performance may indicate that the user is ready to begin training at a new, higher level of performance. That is, the modulation of the playback of the protocol can be modified accordingly in that training session to provide new challenges. Alternatively, the modulation may be modified, for example, in response to reduced performance due to fatigue or injury.

Modulation of playback of stored protocols allows a single protocol to be used by subjects with different capabilities. Thus, the different results of a single user's training session, and the results of different users at different skill levels, can be compared without difficulty.

(Recording Protocol) Further, according to the present invention, a system 460 capable of recording a protocol for later reproduction is shown in FIG. In system 460, a trainer or protocol creator 462 wearing a beacon or reflector 463 moves in physical space 464, thereby creating a three-dimensional contour pattern. The movement of the trainer 462 is tracked by the tracking system 466 described above. The position data is output from tracking system 466 and transmitted to computer 470. The computer 470 includes a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive,
Includes storage devices such as writable optical drives, tape drives, and the like. Alternatively, the storage device may be separate from the computer.

The storage device records the outline of the motion of trainer 462 for later playback. The position of the trainer 462 can also be represented on the display 472 by the position of the icon in the virtual space, thereby providing feedback to the trainer on his or her movement. Such recording is preferably at a rate of at least 20 Hz, more preferably at a rate of at least 50 Hz, and even more preferably at a rate of at least 50 Hz.
The rate is 0 Hz.

With the system 460, the protocol thus recorded can be played, with the incarnation's movement following the recorded trainer's 462 movement outline. Incarnations that follow this recorded movement outline may be interacted by the player or the subject. For example, the player may be trained to mimic the exercise of a trainer by attempting to maintain synchronization with the incarnation exercise. A measure of compliance can be created between the player's movements and the pre-recorded trainer's movements.

Thus, the system 480 may be used as follows.

A) The protocol creator 462 wears the beacon 463 and “chores” the desired movement pattern while the change in his or her position over time is recorded.
. This record represents the contour pattern of the creator's movement.

B) The user attempts to follow (synchro-measurement configuration) or some interaction with the pre-recorded motion contour pattern at the selected playback rate.

C) The user is fed back in real time about his or her compliance.

It will be appreciated that the recording features of the system 480 can be used to record the subject's movements, which can later be played, reviewed, and / or evaluated by the subject or others.

Orientation Measurements As described above, beacons can be used to measure the orientation of the player or subject's body. Orientation measurements are useful if the appropriate response to the stimulus can simply include torsion or torque of the body. The ability to measure orientation is beneficial in many ways.

Direction can be used to increase simulation fidelity.
The display of the icon representing the player or the subject can be changed depending on the orientation of the player. In the simulation of multiple players, the expression of the orientation is
Strategies such as fake and feint provide useful information to opponents, as they include changes in direction, mostly or entirely, as opposed to changes in position.

Taking into account the orientation of the person's point of view allows the player to modify the view seen based on changes in the player's orientation.

Since orientation is part of the posture, measuring and displaying the orientation is useful in training a correct sports posture. Taking into account the orientation in the display provides the player with better feedback about his or her orientation.

The measurement of the player's orientation can be used in determining certain measurement parameters, such as reaction time and first step agility.

Measurement of the player's orientation allows for the calculation of rotational acceleration. The quick and timely acceleration of the body center (hip) is important in many sports for speed and power development. As is known from martial arts, a quick buttocks twist is important for both effective exercise and force generation. Agility in the first step is again defined as acceleration of the player's hips (translation or rotation) in the right direction.

Measurement of Upper Limb Movement Referring to FIG. 23, a training system 480 that tracks upper limb (arm) movement of a player 482 is shown. The player 482 wears a beacon or reflector 484 as described for many embodiments above to track movement throughout the body. In addition, the player attaches an upper beacon or reflector 488 to each of his or her upper limbs 490. The upper beacon 488 includes an upper arm, a forearm,
It can be attached to the wrist, or the desired location of the hand. Track and display upper limb and whole body movements using a tracking and display system similar to the one described above.

Tracking upper limb movement enhances activities where upper limb movement is important, such as boxing, tennis, handball, and activities involving catching or using a hand to move an object. A simulation is provided.

By using the upper beacon 488 on one or both upper limbs, measurements can be extracted regarding the player's ability to respond and initiate and coordinate his or her upper limb movement. The ability to resolve such performance is beneficial in sports enhancement (football linemen, boxers, handball players, etc.) and physical medicine (such as rehabilitation of shoulder and elbow injuries).

Specific parameters that can be measured or calculated, taking into account upper limb movement, include: Dynamic response time (how quickly the hand responds to cues), vector acceleration (magnitude of hand / arm acceleration), synchro (ability of hand to follow interactive cues), and heart vector (Heart rate relationship of work performed by hand).

The training system 480 uses lower beacons such as legs, feet, buttocks, etc.
In addition or alternatively, it can be modulated to track the lower limb.

Exercise Resistance To enhance the virtual reality experience, feedback is provided by haptics and force, allowing subjects and players to experience the power of simulating the power of activities simulating in virtual reality. It is desirable. For example, if a heavy object is lifted in the physical world, the subject will experience resistance to movement (due to its weight).
Feel

Referring to FIG. 24, a training system 500 is shown, showing a player or subject 5
02 means for providing physical resistance to movement of the subject. The tracking and display components of the training system 500 are similar to the systems further described for other embodiments, and such description will not be repeated for this embodiment.

Player 502 has a belt 504 around his or her waist. 1
One end of each of the one or more adaptation devices 506 is attached to a belt.
Resistive device 506 provides a force that player 502 must pull for the purpose of exercise. As shown, resistive device 506 is an elastic or rubber band that provides the opposite force when stretched. The other end of the resistive device 506 is preferably mounted to a post or stake 510, or on a wall or ceiling, above the floor outside the physical space 512 (as shown). As shown in FIG. 23, the post or stake 510 is free to slide within a slot 516 outside of the physical space 512.

The resistance device 506 thus provides resistance to movement of the player 502. As the player moves through the physical space 512, one or more resistive devices 506 extend. This stretching creates a force on player 502 that opposes his or her movement. This opposing resistance, in each plane of motion,
The subject or player is progressively overloaded, thereby accelerating progress due to well-known principles of exercise training.

Other suitable resistive devices include spring and gas filled cylinders, and cords sold under the trademark SPORTS CORDS.

Preferably, a resistive device can be provided for all three planes of motion (X, Y, Z). A resistive device providing resistance in the Y-direction (resistance for jumping or bouncing) may be fixed to the floor near the player. Anchors for resistive devices can be anchored to the floor.

[0311] It is understood that the resistive device may be attached to a portion of the player other than the waist. For example, resistance devices may be attached to lower and / or upper limbs to provide resistance to movement of certain parts of the body.

Additionally or alternatively, a resistive device with both ends attached to different parts of the body may be used. Such devices, for example, from arm to leg,
It can be attached from the upper arm to the forearm, from the thigh to the leg, from the head to the arm, from the arm to the hip, or from the arm to the other arm.

By using a resistive device coupled with accurate player or subject position measurements, enhanced accuracy of the sport is possible and more sport-related movement patterns are obtained. The system 500 also allows for the quantification of the effect of the applied resistance, both in real time and with continuous time.

A resistive device can also be used to enhance the simulation by simulating the apparent state encountered by a virtual counterpart controlled by the subject. For example, the resistance provided by a resistance device may simulate the resistance experienced by a subject's counterpart when walking in mud, snow, or waist water.
With proper force feedback, a subject not only sees the forces exerted on his or her counterpart, but actually "experiences" these forces in the physical world. Such resistance may be provided by one or more actuators connected to the player, such as a piston-cylinder assembly, a motor, and the like. The force exerted by the actuator (s) is controlled by a system that provides force feedback to the player or provides a consistent force in the virtual reality in which the player resides.

[0315] Resistance devices can also be used to provide handicap in multi-player games, with levels of resistance selected to compensate for differences in capabilities between players.

Tracking of Exercise Related to the Use of Gymnastics Equipment A slide board is a widely used gymnastics equipment that includes lateral exercise,
Used for habituation and rehabilitation to help improve strength, proprioception and endurance. As shown in FIG. 25, a typical slide board 520
Has a flat, slippery sliding surface 524 with stop boards 528 and 530 at either end. For example, the user changes direction by pushing and moving the stopboard 528 with the foot, sliding or sliding across the slip surface 524, and then pushing and moving the stopboard 530 with the other foot. Slide boards are often used to simulate the physical requirements of ice skating.

Another stationary gymnastics device that includes back and forth movement is a ski simulation device 540 shown in FIG. The device 540 has a skate 542 that is tension loaded and that slides laterally across the arcuate platform 546. The skate 542 has a footpad 550 thereon for the user to stand. As the user moves back and forth, the skate 542 moves from side to side, and the device 540 rocks back and forth on the curved or arcuate surface 552 of the platform 546. Such devices are used to improve lower body balance, motor skills, endurance, and strength. An example of such a device is that sold under the trademark PRO-FITTER.

The devices shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 can be used with the tracking and display systems described above. Referring to FIG. 27, a training and simulation system 560 is shown. This system 560 has tracking and display components similar to those described above with respect to other embodiments. The subject 562 interacts with the gymnastic device 564. This gymnastics device 564 is a physical space 568
Exists within. Track and display the subject's movement. The device shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 and described above is an exemplary gymnastics device. Such an indication may include a view of either a first person or a third party, both of which are described above.

A measurement construct, such as the Dynamic Sports Posture construct described above, can be used to analyze the movement of subject 562.

[0320] Using a system such as system 560, the simulation of a sports experience may be enhanced by displaying the appropriate environment while using gymnastics device 564. For example, bumps, tree branches, other skiers, etc. may be displayed during a ski simulation. The apparent speed of movement in the displayed virtual space may be related to the speed of movement of the subject.

Response Power Training A typical gymnastics program incorporates two primary components: isolated limb / joint resistance training (strength training) and cardiovascular cardiovascular (CV) training. Although popular in general, such programs are thought to be inferior to those seeking functional improvement or sport-specific performance with a substantial increase in lean body mass (more muscle). I have.

One reason that such programs are considered inferior is that none of the traditional components has a core functional capacity (eg, sense of equilibrium, reaction time, agility and reaction power). It does not contribute to meaningfulness. The traditional strength training component of the isolated joint / limb training component is the amount of load that can be lifted, rather than to explicitly enhance an individual's ability to adjust his environment efficiently and, if necessary, explosively. It is designed to increase. Strength training does not train the nervous system to work efficiently with muscle fibers that produce optimal functional performance.

In addition, for select sprinters, gymnastics or bodybuilders seeking a lean, muscular, and strong body, traditional aerobic CV components can be counterproductive. The book, Explosive Power & Strong
In th, Dr. Donald Chu wrote: "Aerobic training has become a dominant component of most habituation programs ... but except for the early stages of its experience. Aerobic training for strength and strength athletics is not a problem, and aerobic training can help recover athletes from high intensity gymnastics, but at the expense of speed and strength. Increases the risk of injury and overtraining. Endurance training is important, but be sure that the type of endurance developed is specific to the sport. "

Consequently, the most efficient and effective significance that many fitness club members long for and develop the lean, strong, and functional body required by many athletes and the elderly. Includes training for strength. Briefly, force training consists of multiple, relatively short intervals of time, high intensity gymnastics. For example, sprinters run at the fastest pace possible in a short period of time. The result is significant muscle hypertrophy. In contrast, long-distance athletes compete at a sustainable pace while doing nominal work per unit time. The characteristics of this training are to produce the long, thin thigh muscles, as opposed to marathon runners, and the highly defined large muscles of sprinters.

Referring to FIG. 28, a reactive power training system 600 is shown. Training system 60
0 comprises both a response training device 602 and a strength training device 604.

The reaction training device 602 provides a signal to the subject (also referred to as a user or player) to exercise in response. For example, a response training device may include a subject attempting to imitate the movement of an incarnation on a display screen. This cue is provided for a number of exercises in a short time.

Preferably, these cues include prompts for both a number of planned and unplanned motor tasks. Preferably, the cue should elicit exercise that increases the subject's heart rate relative to the desired target zone. These cues may include audible and / or visual cues.

These cues preferably induce movement in at least two dimensions. Examples of such two-dimensional movements are movement in a rectangular floor area, movement along a straight line in combination with jumping, and movement along a straight line while maintaining a desired posture (eg, sliding). included. It is understood that there are many such other movements in at least two dimensions that can be cueed by the reactive training device.

The reactive exercises directed by the reactive training device may include training scenarios designed to enhance sport-specific skills. For example, soccer skills can be augmented by involving the user in a simulated soccer game.

As shown in FIG. 28, the reactive training devices 602 each include a physical space 610 and a tracking and display system 612. The tracking and display system 612 continuously tracks the position of the subject during training. To facilitate tracking, the subject may wear a marker (eg, a reflector, light emitter, or signal light) whose location is tracked by a reactive power device.

[0331] The marker may emit or transmit a signal so that the response training system may identify a particular subject. For example, the marker may be a sound wave (either acoustic (sonic) or ultrasonic) or a light wave (either visible or invisible)
Which can be associated with a particular subject by the reaction training system. Thus, within a single training session, a user may interrupt a particular response training scenario after a single response training. Here, the reaction training device may later "recognize" the user and continue the scenario from the point of interruption.

Alternatively, or in addition, a particular user's knowledge may be used to invoke a particular response training scenario or sequence for that user.

It will be appreciated that the marker may emit or transmit other information, such as the wearer's heart rate. However, the heart monitor worn by the subject may have a separate telemetry system.

[0334] Some users may use other means (eg, entering an ID number on a keypad or touch screen) or an object with an indicator (eg, a barcode or magnetic media) identifying the user to the device. It will be appreciated that insertion may identify a reactive training device.

[0335] Many of the test and training system embodiments described above are suitable for use as a reactive training device. Many of the features of the testing and training system (eg, providing real-time feedback to a subject or user) are also desirable in a reactive training device.

It will be appreciated that alternative other devices that provide cues to elicit responsive exercise from a subject are suitable for use as a reactive training device in a reactive power training system.

The reactive training device may provide real-time feedback to the subject during use of the reactive power training device. This feedback may relate to one or more of the above constructs. For example, the feedback can be an indication of the subject's reaction power, where the feedback likely includes an indication of the subject's acceleration, velocity, or force.

Although all of the reactive training devices are illustrated in the same manner, it is understood that not all of the reactive training devices need be identical. Further, more or less reaction training devices may be used.

Examples of suitable strength training devices include Total Gym, Cybex or LifeFitness selectable strength equipment, BowFlex, free weight bars and dumbbells, pulleys, elastomeric cables, jaw bars, and the like.
Preferably, the strength training device may train muscles of various users. For example, some of the strength training devices may be directed to exert upper body muscles, while others may be directed to exert lower body muscles.

Referring to FIG. 29, the reactive power training system 600 includes a network management computer 620, which is connected to the reactive training device 602 to form a network 622. This network allows information received by the reactive training device (eg, identification information or performance information) to be stored in storage device 624.
Can be stored. This storage device is part of the network management computer 620. This stored information can be accessed by any of the reaction training devices 602 to provide the user with appropriate cues for the gymnastics desired by the user. Further, the stored information may be used to adjust the cues within and between training sessions based on the progress of the user.

The network management computer 620 includes a data input device 626 for inputting and / or updating information in the storage device 624. Suitable data input devices include a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, disk drive, and CD-ROM drive.

The strength training device 604 may also be connected to the network 622. Thus, information about the intensity training exercises to be performed (eg, number of repetitions, weight, distance traveled, and / or machine settings) may be transferred to storage device 624.

Information may also be transmitted along the network 622 to a suitable display included as part of each of the intensity training devices 604. Such a suitable display may be integrated with the rest of the strength training device. Or,
The display may be near the intensity training device, for example, parallel to the intensity training device. The transmitted information may include information regarding the gymnastics being performed and / or may include other information.

Although the reactive power training system is preferably networked as described above, it is understood that the reactive power training system need not be wholly or partially networked. . For example, information about gymnastics performed on a strength training device can be manually recorded and the information can later be entered into a networked storage device.

During the recommended reaction power training sessions 2-3 times a week, subjects
Follow a training order. This preferably alternates between 30 to 120 seconds of exercise (period) on the response training device 602 and resistance strengthening movements on the intensity training device 604. These highly exciting and participatory (e
ngaging) The training session can be completed in about 35-50 minutes. Resistance strength training is thought to prepare (start) muscle fibers before response training creates a state in which the neuromuscular system is most sensitive to growth.

Thus, the use of the training system 600 transforms the strength and force developed through individual joint / limb training into truly functional reactive power. This develops a form of CV fitness that leads to improving sports performance abilities for sports that require repetitive explosive exercise. In addition, it provides a time-efficient and enjoyable means of building a well-defined, powerful physique.

The response training device 602 directs the task flow over each training session and over a series of user training sessions. For example, after an appropriate timed exercise in a reactive training device, the user may be instructed to proceed to a particular intensity training device. Such prompts may be combined with other information, such as information about the performance of the gymnastics of the round just completed.

The network management computer 620 can be programmed to instruct a user to use the strength training device 604 efficiently. For example, the network management computer may send the unused strength training equipment to the unused training equipment if the equipment not currently used is part of the user's training sequence and has not been used by the user in the current training session. It can be programmed to send a user.

There is a valuable synergy from that of force response training. It is well known that significant benefits to the cardiovascular system come from gymnastics that assess a subject's heart rate against a targeted zone over a period of about 20 to about 40 minutes. Preferably,
The response training round is intense enough to maintain the user's heart rate in the target zone during the resistance strength training that occurs during the reaction training round. As one object of the present invention for developing reactive power, the CV training component (here, the use of a reactive training device) may contribute to the subject's ability to function successfully during aerobic activity. Is desired. Furthermore, CV components ideally create a training environment (situation). This environment repeats the type of muscle contraction and anxiety that the subject actually encounters a competitive or demanding work environment.

Gymnastics scientists and coaches have sought a single variable that can accurately characterize both performance and fitness.

Currently, a subject's overall performance fitness must be characterized by a number of performance variables. These variables may include measures of lower and / or upper body strength, aerobic or anaerobic endurance, speed, and the like. Few of these measures share a common denominator that allows comparisons between all training components.

With reactive power training, there is one variable that is a description of the gymnastics component that includes this program. This single variable, force, is a common denominator that allows subjects to accurately assess the benefits from both isolated limb strength training, and the benefits from sport-specific exercise training.

The current measure of progress does not provide such an overall measure. A measure of isolated joint strength (ie, for example, a bench press or squat) is not a reflection of functional athletic performance. Current core tests for athletes measure the amount of load that can be lifted or how fast they can run. As such, these challenges are:
It is a measure of specialized intensity and speed, and is not a reflection of a subject's ability to move using force and skill in his or her environment. More often, no indication of athletic skills is provided. That is, equilibrium, speed, coordination
), agility, perception, cognition, cognition, etc., all remain unmeasured.

The present invention can quantify the strength of isolated limbs. The power of the limb contributes to the ability to move using technique and force, and to the reaction power. Reaction power is the ability to actually move using technology and power. The reaction power training system described above can uniquely measure reaction power.

By monitoring a subject's activity in performing a task, which is a reflection of the individual's domain of skill, the dynamic (response) power can be quantified. For some athletes, this involves a sport-specific task, where the position of the measurement is a kinetic description of the movement of the pelvis during performance within the computer simulation. As a result, both strength and force of the isolated limb are quantified along with the mechanical force.

For the above reasons, strength training and response training are preferably disturbed and alternated within the same training session. However, it is understood that a continuous approach to training can be used. In such an approach, most of all intensity training is done either before or after reaction training.

Real-Time Split Feedback The movement challenge created for the player by the movement of a virtual, opponent or incarnation can include many, relatively short, discrete movement segments or legs. These segments may facilitate an amount of movement for only a few inches of movement of the player's center of mass. These segments may exist without a fixed starting or ending location. However, the position of the departure or end point can be approximated, for example, by the position at which the player changes direction or by the player's movement from a position at which the player is stationary a predetermined distance.

In achieving maximum performance, it is advantageous for the player to be provided with sensitive, real-time and accurate feedback. Preferably, real-time feedback is provided to the player shortly after the completion of each moving segment, regardless of the segment distance (generally detected as a displacement of the player's center of mass nucleus).

The present invention involves the cycling of performance values (eg, based on the above parameters) by continuous sampling of position changes in at least two motion planes (preferably three motion planes).

(Screen Display of Performance Parameter) FIG. 30 shows a monitor or a display 660. This provides feedback to the player (or user or subject) using a testing and training system as described above. Monitor 660 may be similar to monitor 28 described above.

In addition to the virtual space view 662, the monitor 660 also displays a parameter index 664 of one or more parameters.

[0362] The parameter index 664 displays information related to the performance parameters as described above. For example, this parameter indicator may be useful in providing the real-time segmented feedback described above.

The association with the measured performance parameter can be direct (eg, displaying an indication of the player's altitude). Alternatively, the relationship between the performance parameters and the displayed information may be weaker. The displayed information may be of a parameter, such as a derived or calculated force.
Alternatively, this may be of some sort of “game score”. This is an indicator of one or more aspects of the player's performance.

The display of information in the parameter indicator 664 is preferably a graphical display, but the information may additionally or alternatively be displayed in other ways, for example, numerically. As shown, the information in each of the parameter indicators 664 is graphically represented by a change in color of the displayed portion of the inverted triangle 670.

The scaling of the parameter indicator 664 can be variable, for example, to allow for expected differences in performance of different players and different movements expected in different types of testing and training scenarios.

[0366] The parameter indices 664 each include a flag 672. This provides an indication of the maximum value of the displayed parameter. For example, a flag for a player's altitude indicator may indicate that player's maximum altitude so far. This altitude information
This is an important parameter for posture training (for example, training for keeping the player in a crawling position). The altitude information is also useful, for example, to inform the player of information about his highest jump.

It is understood that the parameter indicator need not include a flag, and may include additional flags. It is further understood that the flag may be used for a wide variety of other purposes, for example to indicate the lowest value of a parameter.

The parameter index 664 is preferably updated in real time to provide timely feedback on the performance to the player.

The monitor 660 also displays a heart index 678. This displays the player's heart rate. This representation of the heart may be graphical or numerical and may include an auditory signal (eg, a sound simulating a beating heart).
May be included. The player's heart rate can be measured and transmitted for display using a heart monitor as described above.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, equivalent changes and modifications may occur to others skilled in the art by reading and understanding the present specification and the accompanying drawings. Is obvious. In particular, the above components (
With respect to various functions performed by the components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc., the terms used to describe such components ("means")
Unless otherwise indicated herein, unless otherwise indicated herein, when structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure performing the functions in the exemplary embodiment for illustrating the invention. Even intended to correspond to any component that performs a particular function of the described component (ie, one that is functionally equivalent). Furthermore, although particular features of the present invention have been described above with reference to only one or more of the illustrated embodiments, such features may be applied to any given or specific application. It may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments as desired and may be advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a testing and training system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a typical monitor display.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a simulated exercise technique protocol for the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a simulated agility technology protocol for the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a simulated task for the system.

FIG. 6 is a software flowchart of a representative task for the system.

FIG. 7 is a software flowchart of a representative task for the system.

FIG. 8 is a software flowchart for an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a software flowchart for an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine compliance.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine opportunities.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine a dynamic reaction time.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine a dynamic phase shift.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task that the system performs to determine agility in the first stage.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine dynamic response jumps.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine a dynamic sporting posture.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a simulated task performed by the system to determine a dynamic response cut.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, using a perspective view of the person.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the present invention used for playing by a plurality of players.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention using multiple physical spaces and a display.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention using a scaling factor.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, in which an exercise protocol can be recorded.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that tracks the position of the upper limb of the player.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a resistive device that blocks movement of the player.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a conventional slide board.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a conventional ski simulation device.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, including a practice device used by a player.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the reactive power training system of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of a network connection of the system of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a diagram of a screen display of the test and training system of the present invention.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (31) Priority claim number 60 / 121,935 (32) Priority date February 26, 1999 (Feb. 26, 1999) (33) Priority claim country United States (US) ( 81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), CA, JP, US F-term (reference) 4C038 VA04 VB01 VC01 5B050 BA07 BA08 BA11 BA12 CA07 EA24 EA27 FA02 FA13

Claims (11)

[Claims] A system for testing and training, comprising: a continuous tracking system for determining changes in the overall physical position of a player in a defined physical space (12, 512, 568). (13); updating the virtual position of the player in the virtual space corresponding to the physical position of the player in the physical space in real time; updating the view of the virtual space; and exercising in the physical space. A computer operatively coupled with the tracking system to provide at least one indicator of the player's performance.
22) wherein the at least one indicator is or is derived from a measure of a motion parameter of the player; and a computer activity (22); and physical activity at least partially in the physical space. Devices (506, 56
4) wherein a physical activity device is configured to be operatively coupled to the player. 2. The at least one performance indicator includes: a measure of the work performed by the player, a measure of the speed of the player, a measure of the power of the player, the measure of the player's power and the virtual hero. A measure of the ability to maximize the spatial difference over time, the time to follow, a measure of the acceleration of the player, a measure of the ability of the player to quickly change the direction of movement, a measure of the dynamic reaction time A measure of the time elapsed since the presentation of the cue for the player's first movement in response to the cue, a measure of the direction of the first movement relative to the desired direction of reaction, a measure of the ability to cut, a measure of the phase shift time, Stage 1 Agility scale, jump or bounding scale, cardio-respiratory condition scale, and sport posture scale, from the group consisting of: Including an indication to be-option, system testing and training of claim 1. 3. The virtual space is a physical space (12, 512, 568).
A testing and training system according to claim 1 or 2, having a scaled correspondence to, wherein the scaled correspondence is a function of one or more selectable scale factors. 4. The physical activity device (12, 568).
4.) A gymnastics device (564) positioned within the device.
Examination and training system according to paragraph. 5. The physical activity device comprises a resistance device (506) operably configured to be attached to the player so as to provide resistance to movement of the player. The test and training system according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 6. A method for testing and training, comprising the steps of: a player interacting with a physical activity device (506, 564) in a defined physical space (12, 512, 568). Tracking the overall physical position; updating the player's virtual position corresponding to the physical position of the player in real time; updating the view of the virtual space in real time; the player in the physical space Providing at least one indicator of athletic performance of the at least one, wherein the at least one indicator is or is a measure of the player's athletic parameters. 7. A game system for two or more players, comprising: a game system for determining a change in the overall physical location of each player in a respective defined physical space (12). A continuous three-dimensional tracking system (13) for each of the players; and operatively coupled to the tracking system to update a virtual position of the player in a virtual space corresponding to the physical position of the player in real time. A game system, comprising: a computer (22). 8. A testing and training system, comprising: a tracking system (13) for providing a set of three-dimensional coordinates of a user in physical space (12); A computer (22) operably coupled to the tracking system for receiving and displaying the position of the user in the physical space on a display in essentially real time; The computer defines the physical activity for the user and calculates the user's exercise speed and / or acceleration during the performance of the protocol to measure the user's performance in performing the activity. Testing and training system, including a program for performing and determining a user's dynamic posture. 9. A reactive power training system, comprising: a reactive training device that provides cues for eliciting a responsive movement of a subject in at least two dimensions; and a resistance training device; A reactive power training system wherein intensity training devices are used in one training sequence. 10. A method of reactive power training, comprising the steps of: performing a training sequence including training on one or more resistance training devices and responsive training on alternate reactive training devices. A method comprising: 11. A method for testing and training, comprising: tracking an upper limb of a player in a defined physical space; and measuring the performance of the player's movement in the physical space. Providing at least one indicator, wherein the at least one indicator is or is derived from a motion parameter of at least one upper limb of the player.