SE2050764A1 - Elastic low friction motion tracking gaming sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a sleeve (1) adapted for being applied to a forearm of a user. The sleeve comprises an elastic sleeve body (3), the sleeve body (3) having a length (L) and a closed cross-section (C), perpendicular to the length (L), the sleeve body (3) being sized and adapted to extend along the length of, and tightly enclose, a user’s forearm, and the sleeve body having a first opening (4) at a first end thereof and a second opening (5) at a second end thereof. The sleeve body (3) further has an outwardly facing friction reducing surface portion (2a-2f), which is bonded to the sleeve body. The sleeve body also may comprise sensors arranged on the sleeve body to collect movement data from the user.

Description

ELASTIC LOW FRICTION l\/IOTION TRACKING GAl\/IING SLEEVE Technical field The present disclosure relates to an elastic wearable sleeve forincreasing performance and comfort and/or preventing injury of a computeruser, using a mouse, a keyboard or the like and reducing risk of fatiguecaused by performing hand and arm movements on a supporting surfacewhile operating a computer.

The sleeve finds particular use for improving performance and/orcomfort in conjunction with computer gaming, while various repetitivemovements are performed, or as an ergonomic or comfort increasingimplement intended for use by any computer operator.

The present disclosure also relates to motion tracking, morespecifically tracking and analyzing motion of the hand and/or arm of acomputer user by utilizing sensors and by collecting and analyzing the collected motion data.

BackgroundMany computer games are controlled at least partially by a computer mouse. Especially in so-called first-person-shooter games, the mouse may beused to control the aim of the player's weapon. Such control may require alarge range of movements, from minute ones to relatively large ones.Moreover, such movements often need to be performed very quickly, leadingto a very high movement speed.

The need for the movements in computer gaming being performed at ahigh speed create a need for an aid to facilitate the movements beingperformed during gaming. Friction between the player's arm/hand, and thesupporting surface counteracts fast movement of the arm/hand, and thereby preventing the optimal performance and creating an unnecessary fatigue inthe arm/hand of the player. lt is also well known, that use of computer mice, keyboards and the likemay lead to repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and thelike. Various devices have been produced with the aim to reduce the risksassociated with the use of computer mice and keyboards.

WO 2019158554A1 discloses a wearable device worn on the forearmof a user, for providing an increased performance and comfort by providing alowered friction on an outer surface of the device. The device is solid (rigid),enclosing a large part of the arm and limiting the range of arm movement inproximity of a mouse and/or a keyboard, leading to restrictions in the mouse-and keyboard operating and enclosing the arm of the user in a manner thatmay contribute to overheating, if worn for a long period of time, which oftenhappens while gaming.

Thus, gaming not only requires fast movements being performed by amouse by a first hand, but also fast movements performed on the keyboardby a second hand, and sometimes switching moving the first hand betweenthe mouse and the keyboard. Moving one hand between a keyboard and amouse are often performed even in other kind of computer operating.

There is another interesting aspect to movements of a computeroperator. Thus, not being aware of the movements made, the computeroperator or gamer cannot learn from their mistakes.

Therefore, there is a need for further improvements of the solutionsprovided. There is a need for a more comfortable, breathable and flexiblemeans for enhancing performance, increasing comfort and lowering the riskfor fatigue for gamers and computer operators in general.

There is also a need for learning from each other and/or by monitoringtheir own actions performed while operating a keyboard or a mouse, and a need for new solutions for assisting the computer operators and gamers to achieve a better understanding of their movements while operating a computer and means for enhancing their performance and avoiding injuries.

SummaryAn object of the present disclosure is to provide a s|eeve for improving performance and comfort for computer users, in particular in gaming.

The invention is defined by the appended independent claims, withembodiments being set forth in the appended dependent claims, in thefollowing description and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a s|eeve, adapted forbeing applied to a forearm of a user. The s|eeve comprises an elastic s|eevebody, the s|eeve body having a length L and a closed cross-section C,perpendicular to the length, the s|eeve body being sized and adapted toextend along the length of, and tightly enclose, a user's forearm. The s|eevebody further has a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening ata second end thereof. Further, the s|eeve body has a friction reducingsurface, which is bonded to the s|eeve body.

The s|eeve body may be provided with a friction reducing material,wherein the friction reducing material is located in the region which is incontact with the supporting surface. The region may be situated on the"underside" of the s|eeve body, when the s|eeve is in use.

The friction reducing surface portion may vary along the length of thes|eeve. The varying length of the friction reducing surface portion maycontribute to only using a minimum amount of material.

The friction reducing surface portion may vary around circumferentialdirection of the s|eeve. The varying length of the friction reducing surfaceportion may contribute to only using a minimum amount of material.

By providing a continuous surface portion on the s|eeve body, a high- quality friction reducing effect may be achieved.

The friction reducing material may be provided as at least two spacedapart surface portions applied in patches, such as stripes along the length ofthe sleeve.

By applying the friction reducing surface as patches, an advantage of abetter breathable function of the fabric to increase the comfort for the usermay be achieved.

The friction reducing material may be bonded to the sleeve body as apattern, to provide maximal comfort and by maintaining the sleeve body asflexible as possible by keeping some parts of the friction reducing surfaceportion as not coated or bonded with the friction reducing material. The partsof friction reducing surface portion not coated preferably retain their originalflexibility, increasing the flexibility of the sleeve compared to an embodimenthaving a fully coated friction reducing surface portion.

A friction reducing material is defined as a material which provides alower friction than the material of the sleeve body towards such surfaces asare typically used as a base for a computer mouse, including fabrics, wood,leather and polymer surfaces.

The friction reducing material may be chosen from a group offluoropolymers, such as Teflon. The friction reducing material may also be anolefin, such as polyethylene, due to the friction reducing qualities of thesematerials.

The friction reducing material may be bonded to the sleeve body byattachment through applying the friction reducing material onto a sleeve bodyby spraying a friction reducing material onto the outer surface of the sleevebody. The friction reducing material may also be applied onto the sleeve bodyby spraying the material onto a fabric/material separate from the sleeve body,and then bond it to the sleeve body by attachment through gluing and/orsewing and/or applying pressure. By applying the friction reducing material ona separate piece of fabric first, an easier production process may beachieved.

The friction reducing material may be formed in situ on the sleeve,meaning that the friction reducing material may be directly integrated into thesleeve.

The friction reducing surface portion may comprise or consist of acoated fabric having a thin sheet/film bonded to the fabric. By using a thinlayer of a friction reducing material, such as a sheet or a film of frictionreducing material, more flexibility may be retained in the sleeve body,compared to using a thicker layer of the said material.

The sheet or film of a friction reducing material may be a thin polymersheet or a polymer film, which may have a thickness of 0,1-2 mm morepreferably 0,5- 1,5mm.

The sheet or film of a friction reducing material may be a homogenoussheet or film. The sheet or film of a friction reducing material may also presentgrooves. The sheet or film of a friction reducing material may also presentnon- homogenously applied material, such as dotwise or patchwise appliedmaterial. The friction reducing material may be applied at least partly non-homogenously in thinner sections on the sleeve body.

By applying the friction reducing material as a sheet or a filmpresenting grooves, or by applying the friction reducing material non-homogenously, enhanced flexibility of the sleeve body in parts where thefriction reducing material is applied, may be achieved. By enhanced flexibilityit is meant that the material is bendable in different directions.

The sleeve body may provide compressive pressure to the user's arm.The compressive pressure provided may be 15-60 mmHg on at least aportion of the user's wrist or forearm. The compression provided by thesleeve body may enhance the performance of the user by providing betterblood circulation and support for the blood vessels.

The fabric may be a polyester fabric, nylon fabric, etc. The fabric maypreferably be a stitched fabric.

The fabric may be chosen from a group of fabrics having a smoothsurface. A smooth surface may ease applying the s|eeve on the body of auser.

A thumb opening may be formed adjacent to the first opening of thes|eeve body. The thumb opening has a purpose to receive and accommodatea user's thumb to prevent unnecessary movement of the s|eeve relatively theuser's hand wrist, and arm during use.

The thumb opening may extend over the user's thumb, to form asecond, small s|eeve extending at least over a part of the thumb.

The thumb opening, or the thumb s|eeve may comprise large stitchingextending circumferentially around the thumb to increase comfort and toprevent the thumb s|eeve from becoming dispositioned and the fabric ormaterial from rolling up and causing discomfort during use and wearing thes|eeve.

The s|eeve body having a thumb opening, may therefore be formed asa glove around the hand and, by providing a thumb opening for keeping thes|eeve in place during motion along a supporting surface.

The s|eeve body may present a hole, strap or a loop adapted forreceiving at least one of the user's fingers, for example a user's thumb.

The s|eeve body may have an increasing cross-section along thelength of the s|eeve to be adapted to comfortably fit an arm, which usually hasan increasing cross-section starting from the wrist and ending at the shoulder.

The s|eeve body may comprise anti-slip means to provide the s|eevebody staying in a correct position on the user's arm. The correct position maybe defined by the s|eeve being in a position wherein the s|eeve body alongthe length direction is kept in a position substantially the same as in the initialposition as applied on the arm.

The friction increasing means may be provided as a natural orsynthetic latex/rubber material, applied or attached by means of sewing, pressure or gluing.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a sleeve havingsensors for sensing at least one of finger, wrist, hand, underarm and upperarm movements of a computer movements incorporated.

The term "arranged on" means that the sensor may be permanently orreleasably attached to the sleeve body. A permanently attached sensor maybe glued, welded or otherwise adhered to the sleeve body. A releasablyattached sensor may be attached by means of light adhesion, hook-and-Iooptype fastener, buttons, snap buttons, zipper or the like.

Each motion sensor may be formed of a single sensor element or agroup of sensor elements, which may be identical, or which may differ fromeach other. ln particular, a group of sensors may be spaced within an area ofthe sleeve, so as to provide motion measurements of the same part of theuser's body.

By integrating a sensor module to a sleeve body, when in use,corresponding to a hand or wrist, the hand may receive extra support and theangle between the hand and underarm may be improved.

The sensor may be used for collecting data about a user's wrist, hand,underarm, elbow and/or upper arm movements.

The data may then be collected from various users to create a basis fora large-scale analysis to interpret the users' movements into, for examplevisual data, to teach the users about their movement habits or patterns, toenhance the movements for better use or to prevent the gamers from injuringthemselves.

Such data may be particularly useful for computer gamers, who striveto improve their own performance, and/or who strive to learn from othercomputer gamers.

The sensor may be any type of inertial measurement unit, such as anaccelerometer or a gyroscope. The sensor may have one, two or three axes.By providing at least a three-axial sensor, the sensor positions and movements in three-dimensional space comprising an x-, y- and z- axis may be measured. Movements around an axis, pitch roll and yaw, may also bemeasured, providing a total of six degrees of freedom for collectingmeasurement data.

The sensors or sensor modules may measure the difference in position of each sensor in the internal three-dimensional space of each given sensor, by providing measurement data for e local coordinate system for each sensor.

By combining an accelerometer, gyroscope and a magnetometer, asmay occur in an IMU or a WIMU, precise measurement data of the arm andhand movements may be provided.

The raw data provided may be transferred, to a main unit, for examplea Type-R main unit, by a wired connection or by wireless connection, such asvia Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The raw data may be measured as a g-force. Positive accelerationvalue may be generated as a result of a movement towards a positivedirection of an axis, and in a negative direction, as a negative value in athree-dimensional space. When no change in movement is generated, themovement data still is recorded, as representing a zero- value, providingimportant information for interpretation of the data as it will be known when nomovements are performed.

The sensor may also be a type of sensor that provides for absoluteposition measurement, such as a magnetometer.

Any sensor measuring positioning data may provide measurementdata for absolute movements. That can be achieved by setting out a startingposition or a starting point for at least one selected sensor for an arm or ahand on the sleeve body, in a three- dimensional space and measuring theabsolute movements relative to the set starting point.

Relative movement between sensors on different parts of the sleevebody may also be measured and compared to measurement data for an absolute position.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) or nanoelectromechanicalsystems (NEMS) may be used in the sensors, which may have the benefit ofminimizing the size of the sensors.

The sensor module or the sensors in a sensor module may comprise aprotective layer between the sensor and the sleeve body, or between thesensor and the supporting surface, to prevent overheating or damage byfriction.

The pressure sensor may be adapted for measuring pressure betweenthe supporting surface and at least one of the user's hand, wrist, underarmand elbow. By measuring the pressure between the supporting surface and atleast one of the user's wrist, underarm and elbow, the received informationmay be used for obtaining data to use for preventing injuries and enhancingperformance of a user.

The sensors used for measuring pressure may be piezoelectricsensors.

The integration of pressure sensitive in the various sensor modules inthe sleeve body may also have a benefit of sensing the placement of thehand, wrist, underarm and the elbow on the supporting surface.

The pressure sensors may identify how large part of the sleeve body isin contact with the supporting surface (contact area), by integrating thesensors in a part of a sleeve body in contact with the supporting surface.

Similarly, the pressure sensors may identify how large part of thesleeve body is not in contact with the supporting surface, indicating whichparts of the hand, wrist, underarm and elbow of the user are outside of thecontact area.

Sensors including accelerometer and/or gyro functions about 1, 2 or 3axes are readily available, e.g. in the form of sensor kits, which include thesensor, as well as control and communication circuitry and firmware.Communication may be wired, e.g. through one or more USB interface, suchas USB-B, Micro-USB or USB-C, or wireless, such as through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The sensors may also be connected by other interfaces, such as byusing a micro-SD card or by any other means.

As a non-limiting example, there may be a sensor as specified inhttps:l/wvvvi/.stt-svstems.com/motion-analysis/inertial-motion-capture/stt-iws/?cn-reloaded=1 may be used in the sleeve, wherein sensormeasurements, accuracy and sample rate may be provided as seen on thewebsite. That is an STT-IWS IMU sensor working wirelessly which is oftenused when performing motion analysis of athletes.

The sensors may be placed on the hand and/or the underarm and/orthe upper arm of the sleeve body when in use.

The fastening means provided for fastening the sensors or sensormodules on the sleeve body may be provided as a pocket on the sleeve,which may have an opening, the opening being closable or sealed bystitching. Another possible means for reopening or closing the pockets maybe of hook-and-loop type, such as Velcro. ln case the sensors are fastened by fastening means leading thembeing impossible to be removed, for example for washing the sleeve orprotecting the sensors or the sensor kits, the sensors or sensor kits may beprovided with an encapsulation or a coating by a polymeric material.

Press studs or the like may be used for attaching sensors on thesleeve body. The sensors may be fully covered with fabric or just be attachedon the outer or inner surface of the sleeve body. The sensors may preferablybe attached on the upper side of the sleeve body, when in use.

According to a third aspect, a method for collecting measurement datais provided.

By monitoring and comparing movements from the different parts of anarm and a hand, complex data can be collected and compared to theperformance in a specific game. The information from many different userscan be collected to later be compared in a large database, to compare themovements of a beginner and a professional gamer. ln that way, by virtually 11 representing, for example by visualizing the differences, the beginners maybe able to learn to perform better and faster than without receiving visualfeedback based on comparing their movements to a professional gamer'smovements.

Visualization may be performed by creating a 3-D model or arepresentation of a hand and/or an arm by using a visualization program suchas Blender, connecting the 3-D model to an algorithm, which may read in andinterpret the data, to move the 3-D model accordingly.

Some gamers may be more successful in their gaming performance.The data collected from the successful gamers' arm and hand movementsmay be used to create a blueprint for the less successful gamers, usually thebeginners, to be used.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for analyzingmotion. Analyzing motion is achieved by recording signals by at least onesensor device on a user's hand forearm and/or upper arm.

The data collected by the motion sensors and optionally also by thepressure sensors, if any, may be used to analyze and/or visualize themovements of an individual body part associated with a particular sensor orset of sensors. lt is possible to determine loads on the body part, such asaccelerations, pressure against the support surface, maximum speed andmotion lengths. lt is also possible to analyze and/or visualize relativemovements between at least two body parts, such as a hand and a forearmor a forearm and an upper arm.

The visualization may be achieved using a virtual representation of therelevant body part(s).

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided use of a sleeve asdescribed above, for manipulating a computer pointing device. There is alsoprovided a use of the sleeve for computer gaming, preferably for a battlegame, such as a first-person shooter type game or a multiplayer online battle arena type game. 12 According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method for producingthe sleeve adapted for being applied to a forearm of a user as describedabove.

The sleeve body may be produced seamlessly.

The sleeve body may also be produced by sewing together at least apart of a fabric, or at least a part or parts of at least two pieces of fabric. Thesleeve body may therefore comprise stitching.

Alternatively, the sleeve may be at least partially open along its length,such that it can be closed after being applied on a user's arm.

Hence, the sleeve is suitable for use in first-person shooter typegames, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive®, since it reduces frictionagainst the support surface (such as a table) for long sideways movements.Moreover, the sleeve is suitable for online battle arena type games, such asLeague of Legends®, since it also allows for reduced friction when makingsmall sideways movements.

The sleeve also provides an increased comfort by supporting the armof the user by compression, and at the same time being breathable, toprevent overheating of the arm.

The sleeve also provides reduced fatigue for the arm and/or wrist bycompression and thereby reduces the risk for fatigue- related injuries.

The sleeve further provides an increased flexibility and mobility througha compact, fitted, more comfortable design, which is easier and cheaper toproduce. The sleeve enables switching tasks for a hand and/or an arm of auser, and thereby, enabling switching the arm movement between a computermouse and a keyboard effortlessly, and also, enabling enhanced performancethrough a design which is not restricting the hand- or arm movements of theuser, compared to prior art.

The sleeve also provides means for collecting movement data from the user while wearing the sleeve during gaming or computer operating, to later 13 provide insights for the user, to prevent further injuries and/or for enhancing the performance.

Brief description of the drawinqs Figs 1-6 and 9-13 illustrate schematic perspective views of the s|eeveworn by a user.

Figs 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the s|eeve having a frictionreducing surface portion.

Figs 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the s|eeve having a frictionreducing surface portion bonded in sections or by multiple seams extendingacross the length of the s|eeve.

Figs 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the s|eeve having severalfriction reducing surface portions.

Fig 7 schematically illustrates a s|eeve or a s|eeve body having asubstantially tapering form of the s|eeve body.

Fig 8 schematically illustrates a s|eeve or a s|eeve body having severalregions with varying tapering.

Figs 9-13 illustrate embodiments of the s|eeve having at least onesensor module integrated into or attached to the s|eeve body.

Figs 14 and 15 illustrate an embodiment of the s|eeve having sensor modules integrated into or attached to the s|eeve body.

Detailed descriptionReferring to the drawings, various designs of a gaming s|eeve will now be described.

The gaming s|eeve 1 comprises an approximately tubular s|eeve body3, having a length L and a closed cross-section C, perpendicular to the lengthL.

The s|eeve body 3 is formed of an elastic material such that the s|eeve,when fitted to a user's arm, provides a tight fit. Preferably, the fit should be 14 such that the material of the sleeve body 3 becomes stretched when fitted tothe user's arm.

The sleeve body 3 may be formed from a fabric, a knit or a mesh,which may be formed of synthetic, animal or natural material, or acombination thereof. Some of examples are polyester, nylon, wool, cotton,elastane (lycra), etc. or combinations thereof. The sleeve body 3 may have asmooth surface on the inner side of the sleeve. A smooth surface has apurpose of assisting applying the sleeve on the arm and/wrist of a user.

The sleeve body 3 may be elastic so as to provide compressivepressure to the user's arm. The compressive pressure provided may be 15-60mmHg on at least a portion of the user's wrist or forearm. The compressionmay be provided by the sleeve body for performance enhancement purposes,to provide the user's arm with better blood circulation and support.

The sleeve body 3 may be breathable and optionally provided with oneor more ventilation openings or body portions formed from a thinner and morebreathable material.

The sleeve body 3 is sized and adapted to extend along the length of,and tightly enclose, a user's forearm. The sleeve body 3 has a hand opening4 at a first end thereof and an arm opening 5 at a second end thereof. Thehand opening 4 may be adapted to tightly enclose a user's hand or wrist, andthe arm opening 5 may be adapted to tightly enclose a user"s forearm orupper arm.

The sleeve 1 may be formed of a piece of a substantially tubular fabricknit or mesh, or several pieces of fabric, knit or mesh, which have been joinedtogether to form such the tubular sleeve body 3. The pieces of fabric, knit ormesh may be attached to one another by gluing, sewing or by welding.

The length of the sleeve body 3 may vary. The sleeve may be sizedand adapted to extend, when worn by the user, from the user's hand region,covering the user's forearm and ending either below or above the elbow, or optionally ending closer to the armpit than to the elbow. ln the hand region, the sleeve may, as one option, be sized andadapted to extend from the region of the wrist joint. As another option, thesleeve may be sized and adapted to extend approximately from the knuckleregion. ln practice, the sleeve body 3 may have a length L measuring 30-40cm, 40-50 cm, 50-60 cm, 60-70 cm, 70-80 cm or 80-90 cm.

The sleeve body 3 has a closed cross-section C, perpendicular to thelength direction L. At the second end, the cross section may have a circum-ference of about 21-47 cm, and at the first end, the cross section may have acircumference that is about 45-65 % of the circumference of the second end,in a state when the sleeve body is not applied to a user's arm.

The sleeve body 3 may further be provided with a thumb opening 6adjacent to the hand opening 4, adapted for receiving a thumb. The thumbopening 6 and the hand opening 4 are thus spaced apart and separated by apiece of material that is to be received between the user's thumb and indexfingen The thumb opening 6, through which the user's thumb may project,may further present a thumb sleeve 8, extending along and around the thumbof the user. The thumb sleeve may provide compressive pressure around thethumb.

A friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f is provided on a portion of thesleeve body that is to abut a base, such as a desktop, on which the computeruser uses the computer mouse.

The friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f presents a surface thatprovides a lower coefficient of friction towards a typical desktop surface, ascompared with the material of the sleeve body. Such desktop surfaces maybe of e.g. wood, plastic, fabric or leather.

For example, the friction reducing surface region 2a-2f may be formedof a friction reducing material, such as a polymeric material having a lowsurface friction, such as a fluoropolymer. 16 The friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f may have the form of acontinuous film or sheet of friction reducing material. Alternatively, the frictionreducing surface portion 2a-2f may be provided in the form of a plurality ofspaced apart patches, lines, dots, or in any other shape. The friction reducingmaterial patches, or the friction reducing material bonded to the sleeve body3, may have any shape suitable for forming the friction reducing surface.

The friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f may be formed of a film orsheet of the friction reducing material, which may be adhered to an outersurface of the sleeve body 3. To this end, a friction reducing material providedon one side thereof with an adhesive layer may be provided. The adhesivelayer may be bonded to the sleeve body by an adhesive which may bepressure or heat activated.

Alternatively, or as a supplement, the friction reducing surface portion2a-2f may be attached to the sleeve body 3 by stitching.

As an alternative, the friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f may alsobe bonded to a separate piece or pieces of fabric and subsequently attachedto the sleeve body by adhesive, welding or stitching.

As yet another alternative, the friction reducing surface portion 2a-2fmay be applied to the sleeve body 3 by spraying or printing of a solution ormelt, followed by a drying, setting or cooling step.

The friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f may extend along the lengthdirection L of the sleeve body 3 by about 40-60% or about 60-80% or about80-100% of a total length of the sleeve body 3.

As seen along the circumference of the cross-section C, the frictionreducing surface portion may extend about 20-60 %, preferably about 20-50% or about 30-40 %, of the cross-section circumference length.

As seen in Figs 1,3 and 5, the friction reducing surface portion 2a-2fmay extend over about 100% of the length of the sleeve body 3.

As seen in Fig 2, the friction reducing surface portion 2a-2f may extendover about 60 % of the length the sleeve body 3. 17 At the arm opening 5, the sleeve body 3, may present a frictionenhancing region on the inner side of the sleeve (not illustrated), designed toprevent the sleeve from siiding along the user's arm.

At the hand opening, the sleeve body 3 may present a frictionenhancing region on the inner side of the sleeve (not illustrated), which maybe designed to prevent the sleeve from siiding along the user's hand or wrist.

Such a friction enhancing region may be formed of e.g. a strip ofmaterial having high coefficient of friction towards human skin, such as asilicone rubber, natural or synthetic latex or a plastic material which maycompnseatackagent Such friction enhancing regions may be provided on several surfacesof the inner side of the sleeve body 3.

The gaming sleeve 1 according to Fig 3 and Fig 4 is provided withextra stitching across the friction reducing surface portion, along the cross-section of the sleeve body 3. The stitching may provide a better attachment orbonding of the friction reducing material to the sleeve body 3.

Fig 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the sleeve 1 whichhas a sleeve body 3 with a cross-section C1, C2, which tapers along at leastsome of the length L of the sleeve body 3 from the arm opening 5 towards thehand opening 4. The sleeve body 3 may therefore have with a substantiallytapering form to better adapt the pressure on the user's underarm, elbow andupperann.

The sleeve body shape disclosed in Fig 7 may be combined with anyof the embodiments disclosed with regards to Figs 1-6.

Fig 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the sleeve 1 whichhas a sleeve body 3 with a cross-section C1, C2, C3 and C4, which tapersalong at least some of the length L of the sleeve body 3. ln particular, differentsections L1, L2, L3 may taper at different angles. One or more of the sectionsmay have substantially constant cross section. Sections which taper need not taper linearly. 18 The different sections may provide varying compressive pressure forthe hand, wrist, underarm, elbow and/or the upper arm. The region definedalong L1 may for example be adapted to extend over the hand, wrist andunderarm of the user. The region defined along L2 may for example beadapted to extend over the elbow, or the area of, at least a part of theunderarm and/or a part of the elbow and/or the upper arm of the user. Theregion defined by L3 may be adapted to extend from a part of the user'selbow to at least a part of the user's biceps or shoulder.

The sleeve body shape disclosed in Fig 8 may be combined with anyof the embodiments disclosed with regards to Figs 1-6.

Fig 9 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve 1 having asensor module 9 comprising at least one sensor arranged on the sleeve body3 adjacent to the hand opening 4. The sensor may be an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU) for measuring and reporting a specific force, angularrate and orientation of the body). The sensor module may comprise one orseveral sensors arranged in the sensor module 9 on the sleeve body 3. Asone option, the sensor module 9 may coincide with the friction reducingsurface portion 2a-2f. As another option, the sensor module may be arrangedopposite to the friction reducing surface portion. For example, with a frictionreducing surface portion arranged on an intended underside of the sleeve, thesensor module 9 may be arranged on an intended top side of the sleeve.

The sensor module 9 may comprise one or several kinds of sensors,for sensing movement, for example acceleration and/or angular velocity. Thesensor module may also comprise sensors for measuring pressure betweenthe supporting surface and at least one of the user's hand, wrist, underarm orelbow.

Fig 10 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve 1 having atleast two sensor modules 9, each comprising at least one sensor arranged on the sleeve body 3, adjacent to the hand opening 4 and in the wrist area. 19 Fig 11 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve 1 having atleast four sensor modules 9, each comprising at least one sensor arrangedon the sleeve body 3, adjacent to the hand opening 4, in the wrist area, in theelbow area and adjacent to the arm opening 5.

Fig 12 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve 1 having atleast three sensor modules 9 comprising at least a sensor arranged on thesleeve body 3, in the wrist area, in the elbow area and adjacent to the armopening 5.

Fig 13 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve 1 having atleast two sensor modules 9 comprising at least a sensor arranged on thesleeve body 3, in the wrist area and in the elbow area.

The embodiments disclosed in Figs 9-13 may be combined with anyembodiments disclosed in Figs 1-6 and with various sleeve body shapesdisclosed in Figs 7 or 8.

Figs 14 and 15 schematically illustrate embodiments wherein arespective sensor module 10a, 10b, 10c is positioned at each desired regionon the sleeve body 3.

A sensor module may be a device comprising a housing enclosing oneor more motion sensors (accelerometers, gyros, pressure sensors,magnetometers, etc.), control circuitry, power supply and communicationinterface.

The power supply to the sensor modules may be provided by a batteryalso received in the housing, or by a cable connection 12 to a battery, whichmay be arranged on the sleeve separately from the sensor module orseparately from the sleeve. The cable connection 12 may also represent acommunication interface.

The communication interface may comprise a wired interface 11 and/ora wireless interface. For example, a wired communication interface maycomprise a USB type interface, or the like. A wireless communicationinterface may comprise a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi type interface, or the like. ln the case with a wired interface, the power supply may be providedthrough the communication interface.

The interface may connect to a computer or to a mobile device, suchas a smartphone or a tablet. Alternatively, the interface may connect to adedicated data collection device.

There are various options for arranging the sensor module on thesleeve.

For example, the sensor module may be arranged in a pocket formedon the inside or outside of the sleeve body. Such pocket may be closable,e.g. with a zipper or a hook-and-loop type fastener.

As another example, the sensor module may be attached to the sleevebody by means of a releasable fastener, such as one or more snap buttons ora hook-and-loop type fastener. lt is also possible to arrange the sensor module permanently in apocket on the sleeve body, which may be sealed by stitches or glue. As yetanother option, the sensor module may be permanently fixed to the sleevebody, e.g. by being glued, welded or otherwise adhered to the sleeve body.

As a non-limiting example of a sensor module that may be used, a 3Dsensor module "STT-IWS IMU" is available from STT lNGENlERíA YSISTEMAS, S.L. in San Sebastian, Spain.

The embodiments disclosed in Figs 14-15 may be combined with anyembodiments disclosed in Figs 1-6 and/or Figs 9-13 and with various sleevebody shapes disclosed in Figs 7 or 8.

The sensors or sensor modules 9 and/or 10 are used for collectingmotion data and the data is later analyzed.

Analyzing motion is provided by recording signals by at least onesensor device on a user's hand, forearm and/or upper arm. By collectingmotion data by sensors and/or sensor modules, a first series of data pointsrepresenting a sequence of positions and/or pressure readings of a user's hand, forearm and/or upper arm are recorded. Additionally, a second series of 21 data points representing a sequence of positions of a computer pointingdevice are recorded, the series of signals or data points being recorded by atleast one sensor device arranged on said user's hand, forearm and/or upperarm.

The first and second series of data points may be co||ected by thesame device, more particularly a computer. The first and second data pointsmay be also recorded by two separate devices.

Further, the first and second series of data points, preferably based oncommon time scale, may be correlated, preferably based on common timescale.

Claims (38)

1. A sleeve (1) adapted for being applied to a forearm of a user,the sleeve comprising: an elastic sleeve body (3), the sleeve body (3) having a length (L) and a closed cross-section (C),perpendicular to the length (L), the sleeve body (3) being sized and adapted to extend along the lengthof, and tightly enclose, a user's forearm, and the sleeve body having a first opening (4) at a first end thereof and asecond opening (5) at a second end thereof, characterized in that the sleeve body (3) has an outwardly facing friction reducing surfaceportion (2a-2f), which is bonded to the sleeve body.

2. The sleeve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the frictionreducing surface portion (2a-2f) is located on a portion of the sleeve body (3)which is usually in contact with a supporting surface.

3. The sleeve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frictionreducing surface portion (2a-2f) extends along at least 40 %, preferably atleast 60 %, of the length (L) of the sleeve.

4. The sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the friction reducing surface portion (2a-2f) extends over less than 60%, preferably less than 40 %, of a circumference of the cross section of the sleeve.

5. The sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the friction reducing surface portion (2a-2f) forms a continuoussurface portion on the sleeve body.

6. The sleeve (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein thefriction reducing surface portion (2a-2f) comprises at least two spaced apartsurface portions.

7. The sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the friction reducing surface portion (2a-2f) comprises a friction reducing material which is bonded to an outer surface of the sleeve body (3).

8. The sleeve (1) according to claim 7, wherein the frictionreducing surface portion (2a-2f) comprises an o|efin polymer or afluoropolymer, such as Teflon.

9. The sleeve (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the frictionreducing material is formed as a sheet of material which is bonded to thesleeve body (3) by means of at least one of adhesion, melt bonding andstitching.

10.reducing material is formed in situ on the sleeve body. The sleeve (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the friction

11. The sleeve (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the frictionreducing material is bonded to a separate sheet of material, which is bondedto the sleeve body (3). wherein the sleeve body (3) is a compression sleeve adapted to provide

12. The sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, compressive pressure of 15-60 mmHg on at least a portion of the user's wrist, forearm or upper arm.

13.wherein the s|eeve body (3) is formed from an elastic material in the form of a The s|eeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, fabric, knit or mesh.

14. further comprising a thumb opening (6) at the first opening of the s|eeve body (s). The s|eeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,

15.further comprising a hole, strap or a loop at the first opening of the s|eeve The s|eeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, body (3), adapted for receiving a thumb, or a finger of the user.

16. wherein the s|eeve body (3) has cross-section which tapers in a direction from The s|eeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the second end towards the first end.

17. wherein the s|eeve body (3), at at least one of its ends, presents an inwardly The s|eeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, facing friction increasing surface portion.

18. further comprising a first motion sensor, arranged on the s|eeve body, and The s|eeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured for measuring movement.

19. sensor is configured for measuring absolute movement. The s|eeve (1) according to claim 18, wherein the first motion

20. The sleeve (1) according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising asecond motion sensor, which is spaced from the first motion sensor, such thatthe first and second motion sensors are positionabie on parts of the user'sbody, which are movable relative to each other, in particular separated by atleast one joint.

21. The sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding c|aims,further comprising a first pressure sensor arranged on the sleeve body andarranged for measuring contact pressure, in particular contact pressurebetween the user and a support surface.

22. The sleeve (1) according to claim 21, further comprising asecond pressure sensor, which is spaced from the first pressure sensor.

23. A sleeve (1) adapted for being applied to a forearm of a user,the sleeve comprising: an elastic sleeve body (3), the sleeve body (3) having a length (L) and a closed cross-section (C),perpendicular to the length (L), the sleeve body (3) being sized and adapted to extend along the lengthof, and tightly enclose, a user's forearm, and the sleeve body having a first opening (4) at a first end thereof and asecond opening (5) at a second end thereof, characterized in that a motion sensor is attached to the sleeve body, and configured for measuring movement.

24. The sleeve (1) according to claim 23, wherein the motion sensor is configured for measuring absolute movement.

25. The sleeve (1) according to claim 23 or 24, further comprising apressure sensor attached to the sleeve body and arranged for measuringcontact pressure, in particular contact pressure between the user and asupport surface.

26. A sleeve (1) adapted for being applied to a forearm of a user,the sleeve comprising: an elastic sleeve body (3), the sleeve body (3) having a length (L) and a closed cross-section (C),perpendicular to the length (L), the sleeve body (3) being sized and adapted to extend along the lengthof, and tightly enclose, a user's forearm, and the sleeve body having a first opening (4) at a first end thereof and asecond opening (5) at a second end thereof, characterized in that a pressure sensor is attached to the sleeve body and arranged formeasuring contact pressure, in particular contact pressure between the userand a support surface.

27. A method of collecting measurement data, comprising: providing a sleeve according to any one of claims 18-26, arranging the sleeve on an arm of a user, and recording data from said sensor or sensors while the user is using thearm to operate a computer pointing device.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising usingsaid data to generate a virtual representation of the user's movements while operating the computer pointing device.

29. A method of analyzing motion, comprising: recording a first series of data points representing a sequence ofpositions and/or pressure readings of a user's hand, forearm and/or upperarm, said first series of signals being recorded by at least one sensor device arranged on said user's hand, forearm and/or upper arm.

30. The method according to c|aim 29, further comprising recordinga second series of data points representing a sequence of positions of acomputer pointing device.

31. The method according to c|aim 30, wherein the first and secondseries of data points are recorded by the same device, in particular a computer.

32. The method according to c|aim 30, wherein the first and secondseries of data points are recorded by separate devices.

33. The method according to any one of c|aims 30-32, furthercomprising corre|ating said first and second series of data points, preferably based on common time scale.

34. Use of a sleeve (1) as claimed in any one of c|aims 1-26,wherein the sleeve is applied to a user's arm that is used for manipulating a computer pointing device, such as a computer mouse.

35. Use as claimed in c|aim 34, wherein the use comprisesmanipulating the computer pointing device in connection with gaming,preferably for a battle game, such as a first-person shooter type game or amultiplayer online battle arena type game.

36. A method of producing a sleeve, comprising: providing a sleeve comprising: an elastic sleeve body (3), the sleeve body (3) having a length (L) and a closed cross-section (C),perpendicular to the length (L), the sleeve body (3) being sized and adapted to extend along the lengthof, and tightly enclose, a user's forearm, and the sleeve body having a first opening (4) at a first end thereof and asecond opening (5) at a second end thereof, characterized in that the method comprises bonding a friction reducing surface portion (2a-2f) to an outvvardly facing surface of the sleeve body (3).

37. A method of producing a sleeve according to claim 36, furthercomprising arranging at least one pressure sensor and/or at least one motion sensor on the sleeve body (3).

38. A method of producing a sleeve, comprising: providing a sleeve comprising: an elastic sleeve body (3), the sleeve body (3) having a length (L) and a closed cross-section (C),perpendicular to the length (L), the sleeve body (3) being sized and adapted to extend along the lengthof, and tightly enclose, a user's forearm, and the sleeve body having a first opening (4) at a first end thereof and asecond opening (5) at a second end thereof, characterized byarranging at least one pressure sensor and/or at least one motion sensor on the sleeve body (3).