RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a U.S. National Stage under 35 USC 371 patent application, claiming priority to Serial No. PCT/EP2019/067211, filed on 27 Jun. 2019; which claims priority of EP 18180488.1, filed on 28 Jun. 2018, the entirety of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of training aids, i.e., devices that helps a person or animal better perform some activity of that person or animal. More particularly the present invention relates to a training aid with feedback.

PRIOR ART

One example of such a motion training aid is known from WO2003024544. It discloses a repetitive motion feedback system provided with various sensors and devices for monitoring aspects of a repetitive motion sequence, such as a golf swing. The monitored aspects can include motion properties of an object moved by the user, position properties of the user and motion properties of the user. A data processing system for receiving data of the monitored aspects provides feedback data that is provided to a feedback output device, such as a graphical display device or speaker, so that the user is provided with feedback regarding the repetitive motion sequence. In one particular embodiment, the user's performance is compared to a template of a prior performance, with feedback being provided regarding the differences.

Another prior art document is U.S. Pat. No. 6,778,866 disclosing a method and apparatus for teaching a person how to perform a specific body motion in a consistent manner is based on electronically measuring one or more parameters of an actual body motion, comparing the one or more measured parameters with corresponding parameters of a target body motion, and providing a sensible feedback to the user based on a degree of correspondence between the one or more measured parameters and the corresponding target parameters. In a particular embodiment, the feedback is audible. More specifically the feedback is a musical tune that has a particular characteristic (such as rhythm) that is particularly suited to a particular body motion (such as a golf swing). The feedback may be in the form of electronically causing the musical tune to go off-key in proportion to a discrepancy between the actual body motion and the target body motion.

A further prior art system and method for teaching ergonomic motion of an athlete, for example a golfer is disclosed in WO200518759. The system including the video camera for capturing successive image of the golfer executing a preferring golf swing and a threshold definition system that allows the golfer define a spatial region of the video image. If the spatial region is intruded upon, an alarm is actuated, thereby providing feedback so the golfer may alter the technique of the next attempted motion. For example, the golfer may define the region such that if the club moves off plane during a swing, a tee removal system causes the ball to disappear. In this manner, the golfer is only able to hit the ball when the club stays on plane

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have realised that a person trying to improve a complex movement such as for example a golf swing, a baseball bat stroke, a pole vault, or a discus throw often have problems to correct the faulty portions of the motion, and to replace these faulty portions with more effective ones. Also, the person's coach, even though equipped with advanced training aids such as video recording equipment may find it difficult, and/or time consuming to help the person improving his or her motion

Traditional video recording of an athlete's movement is of help, but need to be studied afterwards, when the movement is completed and the video device has been set to playback, and do not provide such fast feedback as may be desired. A video recording also has to be studied and processed using the cognitive function of the human brain. It may be an advantage to provide feedback instead, or also, using the more non-cognitive functions of the brain, such as the emotional functions or reflexes.

The proposed training aid of the present invention enables the user to learn new movement patterns also on a subconscious level that creates learning free from the conscious analytical mind. This in turn makes the new movement pattern sustainable under pressure

In order to overcome the drawbacks of prior art, the present invention provides a movements training aid, based on a small, lightweight sensor unit, attachable to a person's body, the sensor unit is able to provide sensor data that enables determining of the sensor unit's position relative to a reference position. Further, the body motion tracker comprises a processor unit configured to calculate and track the sensor unit's position. Still further the processor is configured to be able to compare the track in progress with a reference track provided in advance, to indicate a deviation.

Such deviation is then detected and indicated with almost no delay. The inventors have realised, in the course of trying to provide a fast feedback, that a video motion analysing machine may not be fast enough and that a system may be built at a comparatively lower cost if small unit such as a single chip motion tracking device could be adapted and configured to keep track of the motion in question.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a sports training aid comprising a sensor unit, the sensor unit being configured to be attachable to a user's body or a user's sports implement, and wherein the sensor unit is provided with:a motion sensor module;a feedback stimulator or means for wirelessly communicating with a feedback stimulator;a processor;
wherein the sports training aid is configured to provide real time feedback related to a motion fault of a studied sports motion performed by the user, and
i) wherein the sensor unit is intended to be attached to a user's body or a user's sports implement at a representative location, the representative location being bound to travel a path representative of the studied sports motion, and
ii) wherein the motion sensor module of the sensor unit comprises acceleration sensors and gyro sensors, and
iii) wherein the processor of the sensor unit is configured to determine, with the aid of data from the motion sensor module, a still position corresponding to an event wherein the sensor unit is determined to be still, and
iv) wherein the processor is configured to keep track of the movements of the sensor module of the sensor unit relative to the still position, and
v) wherein the processor is configured to activate, in real time, the feedback stimulator upon real time detection of a sports motion fault of the studied sports motion of the user as represented by the motion path of the motion sensor module of the sensor unit.

The training aid is configured to perform an initiation sequence setting internal position registers and velocity registers to zero upon receiving a trigger signal and/or detecting a predetermined event wherein the detecting of the predetermined event is the detecting of null or very limited motion during a predetermined first time period.

Further, the processor is configured to detect a still position to perform a coordinate system fixation. Still further, the processor is configured to detect motion start by identifying certain parameters.

