US20150352404A1 - Swing analysis system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of evaluating a movement in a sporting environment may include receiving sensor data regarding player movement in a sporting environment, and receiving a contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an individual associated with the movement. The method may also include displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating evaluation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure is directed to a swing analysis system, more particularly, to a swing analysis system incorporating input.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
• Sports players, for example tennis players, golf players, or baseball players, both amateurs and professionals, continuously look to improve different aspects of their game. However, due to the complexity of a sports swing, sports players often have difficulty determining which portions of a swing should be changed and which portions should be repeated. Sports players looking to improve often enlist the help of video equipment and/or formal instruction. However, video analysis of a sports swing requires significant knowledge of proper swing mechanics to understand and diagnose faults. Further, formal instruction may be expensive and/or time-consuming to enable an instructor to diagnose the player's swing.
• Both video analysis and formal instruction may also neglect the player's inherent physical limitations. One common benchmark used to improve sports swings of amateur players is to compare the swing of the amateur player to the swing of a professional player. However, analyzing swings in this manner does not account for the amateur player's limitations, skills, injuries, or other circumstances that may prevent the amateur player from repeating the swing of the professional player. Accordingly, there is a need for an analysis system to help sports players repeat rated good swings and behaviors.
SUMMARY
• In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a computer-implemented method of evaluating a movement in a sporting environment. The method may include receiving sensor data regarding player movement in a sporting environment, and receiving a contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an individual associated with the movement. The method may also include displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating evaluation.
• Various aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following examples: wherein the sensor data may be data from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player; receiving an indication of the type of player movement, and the displaying of the characteristics may also be a function of the type of player movement; wherein the individual associated with the movement may include one of the player or an individual observing the player movement; wherein the receiving of a rating evaluation may be received via voice signal; wherein the rating evaluation may be a value selected from a predetermined rating scale; wherein the sensor data may be received during a player competition; wherein a command to initiate the receiving of the sensor data or a terminate the receiving of sensor data may be received from the individual associated with the movement; wherein the displaying characteristics may include displaying one or more of portions of the sensor data or variables derived from the sensor data; wherein the displaying characteristics may include one or more of video images, swing data, ball data, player movement data; wherein the displaying may include displaying characteristics associated with one rating; wherein the displaying may include comparing characteristics associated with one rating with characteristics associated with a different rating; wherein the player movement may be a racket swing; and providing a training recommendation as a function of the swing data and the rating evaluation.
• In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a computer-implemented method of evaluating a swing movement in a sporting environment. The method may include receiving a plurality of sets of sensor data associated with a plurality of swing movements in a sporting environment, and receiving a plurality of contemporaneous rating evaluations of the plurality of swing movements from an individual associated with the movement. The method may also include displaying characteristics of the plurality of sets of sensor data as a function of the plurality of rating evaluations.
• Various examples of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: wherein the displaying may include comparing characteristics associated with one rating with characteristics associated with a different rating; wherein the sensor data may be data from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player; receiving an indication of the type of swing for each of the plurality of swing movements, and the displaying of the characteristics may also be a function of the type of swing; and wherein the displaying characteristics may include displaying one or more of portions of the sensor data or variables derived from the sensor data.
• In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a computer readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to perform a plurality of functions. The functions may include receiving sensor data regarding player movement in a sporting environment, and receiving a contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an individual associated with the movement. The functions may also include displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating evaluation.
• Various examples of the present disclosure may include the following feature: wherein the sensor data may be data from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary swing analysis system;
• FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method performed by the swing analysis system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another exemplary method performed by the swing analysis system ofFIG. 1; and
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show exemplary screenshots of a mobile device from the swing analysis system ofFIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
• Aswing analysis system100 is depicted inFIG. 1.Swing analysis system100 may include amobile computing device102 having aprocessor104, adata storage device105 coupled toprocessor104, and adisplay106.Mobile computing device102 may also include animage capture device108 and auser input device110.
• Mobile computing device102 may be any suitable mobile computing device. In one aspect,mobile computing device102 may be a cellular telephone (e.g., a smart phone).Mobile computing device102 may also be another suitable mobile computing device, such as, e.g., a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), tablet computer or any other kind of touchscreen-enabled device, a personal computer, or a laptop.Mobile computing device102 may have a web browser and/or mobile browser installed for receiving and displaying electronic content received from one or more web servers.Mobile computing device102 may have an operating system configured to execute a web or mobile browser, and any type of application, such as a mobile application.
• Mobile computing device102 may be configured to receive image input fromimage capture device108. In one aspect,image capture device108 may be integral withmobile computing device102. For example,image capture device108 may be a camera or other image capture device integrated with a cellular telephone. Alternatively,image capture device108 may be separate frommobile computing device102. In some aspects,image capture device108 may capture images and/or video of aplayer112, aracket114, and/or a game implement orball116.
• Player112 may be a sports player, e.g., a tennis player, a squash player, badminton player, a golf player, a baseball player, or another type of sport player. As referenced herein, the term “player” refers to an individual performing movements associated with a sporting activity, be it during actual sporting competition, or during practice or training activities, or solely for the purpose of data capture in accordance with this disclosure. The remainder of the disclosure will refer to the sports player as a tennis player, but it is understood that the disclosure will be equally applicable to other sports players and their associated accessories, such as a squash player with a squash racket and a squash ball, a badminton player with a badminton racket and a shuttlecock or birdie, a golf player with a golf club and a golf ball, a baseball player with a baseball bat and a baseball, or any other sports player and associated accessories.
• FIG. 1 illustratestennis player112 having atennis racket114 and hitting atennis ball116. The movement(s) and/or location(s) ofplayer112,racket114, and/orball116 may be captured byimage capture device108 and recorded (e.g., in a memory coupled to processor104) bymobile computing device102.
• In addition, or as an alternative to receiving swing data fromimage capture device108,mobile computing device102 may receive swing data from aswing sensor118,ball sensor120, and/or anauxiliary sensor122. All or portions of the data received from any or all of these devices/sensors (108,118,120,122) is referred to as sensor data.
• Swing sensor118 may be any suitable sensor configured to collect racket data during the course of a swing.Swing sensor118 may be operatively coupled toracket114 in any suitable manner. For example,swing sensor118 may be disposed within a frame or handle ofracket114, coupled to an exterior portion of the racket frame, or attached to the strings ofracket114, if desired. In some aspects,swing sensor118 may be rigidly fixed toracket114, or may be detachable fromracket114.Swing sensor118 may be configured to sense parameters of a tennis swing such as, e.g., the impact force generated during ball contact, racket speed, ball speed, racket acceleration, pressure, pressure distribution, strain, impact force, stroke length, impact location, heart rate, calories burnt, foot position, string tension, contact time, racket life span, and/or any other values that can be calculated based on known data and collected data fromswing sensor118.
• Ball sensor120 may be configured to collect ball data during the course of play.Ball sensor120 may be disposed within or otherwise coupled to game implement116.Ball sensor120 may be configured to sense parameters of play such as, e.g., lob height and air time during a serve, ball speed, ball trajectory, spin, or the like.Ball sensor120 may communicate withmobile computing device102 in a substantially similar manner thatswing sensor118 communicates withmobile computing device102.
• Auxiliary sensor122 may be configured to track a location ofplayer112. In one aspect,auxiliary sensor122 may be disposed in the shoes ofplayer112, a wrist-worn device, a glove, and/or disposed on various body parts of player112 (e.g., elbow, wrist, hand, leg, back, chest, shoulder, or the like), and may be configured to track the location and/or speed of these body parts during all aspects of play. When in the shoes ofplayer112,auxiliary input device122 may include GPS or another suitable technology to track the player's foot movement, since footwork may be vital to executing a proper swing technique.Auxiliary sensor122 may also include at least one pressure sensor (not shown) to monitor pressure distribution in the shoes ofplayer112. Such sensors may be placed in the player's insoles.Auxiliary sensor122 may communicate withmobile computing device102 in a substantially similar manner that swingsensor118 communicates withmobile computing device102.
• Swing sensor118,ball sensor120, and/orauxiliary sensor122 may communicate data to acommunication assembly124 ofmobile computing device102 by any suitable mechanism, such as, e.g., BLUETOOTH, BTLE, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11, a parallel port, an Ethernet adapter, a FireWire (IEEE 1394) interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and plug, and/or cables, wires, and other suitable wired or wireless connectors.
• Mobile computing device102 may also be configured to receive user input fromuser input device110. In one aspect,user input device110 may be integral withmobile computing device102. For example,user input device110 may be a microphone or other suitable audio capture device integrated withmobile computing device102. Alternatively,user input device110 may be separate frommobile computing device102, such as a device held or worn byplayer112, or an observer, including a device on theracket114 itself. In one aspect,user input device110 may include voice-recognition capability and receive voice commands fromplayer112 relating to a rating of a last-completed swing. In some aspects,user input device110 may include another suitable mechanism, such as, e.g., a touchpad, touchscreen, or buttons, forplayer112 to provide a rating of a last-completed swing tomobile computing device102.
• In some aspects,mobile computing device102 may be configured to communicate and transmit data over a network126 (e.g., a cellular, electronic, or internet network) viacommunication assembly124. Aprocessor128 and adata storage device130 may be coupled tonetwork126 and disposed remotely frommobile computing device102. One or more of the functionalities ofanalysis system100 may be carried out byprocessor128 anddata storage device130.
• FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of amethod200 for analyzing a tennis swing.Method200 may include the steps of initiating data capture (step210), capturing swing data (step220), receiving a rating of the swing (step230), terminating data capture (step240), and processing and displaying the captured data as a function of the received swing rating (step250).
• With respect to the initiating data capture ofstep210,mobile computing device102 may receive an indication that a swing is about to be performed byplayer112. In some aspects,player112, or an observer, may indicate that a swing is about to be performed by vocalizing a command, such as, e.g., SWING that is recognized by themobile computing device102. In another aspect,player112, or an observer, may press a button or touchscreen ofmobile computing device102, orplayer112, or an observer, may provide another suitable indication of initiation, such as, for example, via a device located on theracket114, or located on the player's112 body or an observer's body.
• After initiating data capture instep210,method200 may proceed to step220 whereplayer112 may perform a swing, e.g., a tennis swing, and the data associated with the swing is captured by the mobile computing device. The data capture may include one or more of: video data captured byimage capture device108, racket movement data captured byswing sensor118 located on theracket114, ball flight data captured byball sensor120 located on theball116, and/or player movement data captured byauxiliary sensor122.
• After the swing is complete, theplayer112, or an observer, may communicate a rating evaluation of the last-completed swing tomobile computing device102. Because this rating evaluation is based on sensed aspects by an individual (e.g. theplayer112 or an observer), such a rating evaluation is considered subjective in nature. The rating may be communicated tomobile computing device102 in any suitable manner, such as via voice commands from theplayer112 or an observer, via inputs directly to themobile computing device102 throughuser input110, via a separate rating device functionally connected to themobile computing device102, or via predetermined and unique movements of the racket, ball, and/orplayer112 sensed by the various sensors of theanalysis system100. Once received, themobile computing device102 associates or links the ranking with the swing data previously captured.
• Mobile computing device102 may receive a rating along any suitable, predetermined rating scale such as, e.g., a numeric rating scale, a letter rating scale, or a word-associated rating scale. For example,player112, or an observer, may assign a numerical rating (e.g., 1-3) to a last-completed swing, and communicate that rating tomobile computing device102. In another aspect,player112, or an observer, may assign a word-associated rating, e.g., EXCELLENT, GOOD, or POOR, to a last-completed swing. The rating of a last-completed swing may be communicated or input tomobile computing device102 before the initiation of a next swing to ensure that a rating is correctly associated with the appropriate swing. In some aspects,mobile computing device102 may not collect data on a next or subsequent swing attempt byplayer112 until a rating on a recently-completed or last-completed swing is communicated to and recorded bymobile computing device102. Alternatively, mobile computing device may be configured to allow aplayer112, or an observer, to go back after a plurality of swings to rate, re-rate, or delete a particular swing. As understood herein, rating the swing before the initiation of a next swing, or after the completion of a plurality of swings as discussed above, are considered to be contemporaneous ratings.
• To help ensure further accuracy ofanalysis system100,mobile computing device102 may request that the player confirm the rating, or otherwise indicate what rating was ultimately received by themobile computing device102. For example,mobile computing device102 may request confirmation fromplayer112, or an observer, by providing a confirmation prompt. The confirmation prompt may be displayed ondisplay106, or the confirmation prompt may be an audio prompt that is output on an audio output device, e.g., a speaker, ofmobile computing device102. In some aspects, theplayer112, or an observer, may be required to verify the rating assigned to the last-completed swing by, e.g., speaking a verbal command, pressing a button onmobile computing device102, selecting an icon in the mobile application, or providing another suitable confirmation. In one aspect, the confirmation prompt may only request an indication from theplayer112, or an observer, that the rating is incorrect, and may proceed after a set time period if no corrective indication is received. For example, a different sound, volume, and/or pitch may be played and associated with a unique rating. Ifplayer112, or an observer, does not hear the correctly associated pitch, volume, and/or sound that is associated with the intended rating, a verbal or other suitable command may be given to cancel and/or correct the previous rating.
• During therating receiving step230,player112, or an observer, may additionally or alternatively indicate a type of swing that was performed, such as, e.g., SERVE, FOREHAND, BACKHAND, VOLLEY, LOB, SMASH, or another suitable swing. Identifying the swing type may assist in the data analysis by comparing and analyzing data from equivalent swing types, and identifying relevant analysis parameters for the particular swing type. Alternatively, the indication of swing type by theplayer112 or observer can be done before or after therating receiving step230.
• In some aspects, data capture (step220) may capture swing data for a predetermined time period once data capture has been initiated (step210). For example, sensor data may be captured for 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5, minutes, 10 minutes, etc., from the initiation of data capture. It should be noted, however, that any other suitable time period may alternatively be utilized. Further, the time period could be variable, such as data capture during actual player competition. Alternatively or in addition,player112 may provide an indication tomobile computing device102 to terminate data capture. This indication can be provided in any similar manner as discussed above with respect to the initiation of data capture (step210).
• Alternatively or in addition, termination of data capture may be a function of the number of swing data sets captured. For example,swing analysis system100 may require a minimum number of swing data sets to complete an analysis. For example,player112 may be required to perform and rate a minimum number of swings or same type of swings, e.g., a minimum number of serves. In some aspects, a minimum number of completed swings assigned a given rating may be required, e.g., analysis system may require that the player perform at least 10 EXCELLENT-rated swings and at least 10 POOR-rated swings. If the threshold number of swing data sets has been met, or data capture has been otherwise terminated,method200 may proceed to step250.
• AtStep250,processor104 may process/analyze the captured data from the completed swings. The processing or analyzing may include all or a part of the captured data and can result in numerous different swing variables or characteristics representing aspects of the swing. The captured data and/or resulting analytics can be stored in a data storage of themobile communication device102, displayed, or sent to theremote network126 for processing, or further processing, via theremote processor128, and/or stored inremote data storage130
• Processor104 may associate a unique identifier with each swing performed byplayer112. Thus, each unique identifier may be associated with a set of data (representing a swing) collected atmobile computing device102 via one or more ofimage capture device108,swing sensor118,ball sensor120, and/orauxiliary sensor122. Each unique identifier may also be associated with a user input that is representative of the rating assigned byplayer112, or an observer, to the swing associated with the given unique identifier.Processor104 may analyze each set of captured swing data to calculate, determine, identify, and/or extract one or more swing variables or characteristics from each set of captured data. These swing variables or characteristics may include, but are not limited to, swing speed, racket acceleration, swing trajectory, arm position, shoulder position, elbow position, wrist position, foot position, lower body position, upper body position, ball position, height of lob in a serve, amount of time a ball is airborne before being hit by the racket in a serve, among other features. In some aspects one or more swing variables may be extracted from images/video captured byimage capture device108 by any suitable video analysis software (e.g., Dartfish® or the like). In one example, video analysis of a swing may include the tracking and analysis of markers coupled to one or more of theplayer112,racket114, andball116.
• Amethod300 for processing and displaying the captured data is shown inFIG. 3.Method300 may begin atstep310, whereprocessor104 may process/analyze and correlate the swing variables calculated, identified, and/or extracted and stored in a database in order to display data showing areas of improvement for theplayer112 and/or showing correlations between extracted features and the rating applied by theplayer112 or an observer (i.e., ratings).
• For example,processor104 may identify correlations between swing variables determined from swings having the same rating (e.g., amongst all swings given a3 or “EXCELLENT” rating byplayer112 or an observer (step310)). After identifying correlations between swing variables having the same rating,method300 may proceed to step320, whereprocessor104 may compare correlated swing variables belonging to a first performance rating to correlated swing variables belonging to a second performance rating to identify feature differences between swings having the first and second performance ratings.
• For example,processor104 may compare correlated swing features belonging to a first rating category, e.g., rating number 3, or EXCELLENT swings, to correlated extracted features belonging to a second rating category, e.g.,rating number 2, or GOOD swings. In performing this comparison,processor104 may determine swing variable variations or differences between differently-rated swings ofplayer112. For example,processor104 may detect changes in swing speed, racket acceleration, swing trajectory, arm position, shoulder position, elbow position, wrist position, foot position, lower body position, upper body position, ball position, height of lob in a serve, amount of time a ball is airborne before being hit by the racket in a serve, among other features.
• Afterprocessor104 identifies swing variable differences between swings belonging to different rating categories,method300 may proceed to step330, where feedback may be provided toplayer112 via, e.g., display106 ofmobile computing device102.
• In one aspect, providing feedback toplayer112 may include displaying a representation of one or more completed swings ondisplay106.FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary screenshot ofmobile device102. In the aspect shown byFIG. 4, representations of two swings performed byplayer112 are shown side-by-side ondisplay106. A representation may be an image or video replay ofplayer112 performing the swing, or may be another suitable representation, such as, e.g., an animation. In one aspect, afirst representation402 may be representative of a first swing performed byplayer112.First representation402 may be a swing identified byprocessor104 to be representative of swings belonging to a particular rating category (e.g., GOOD). Asecond representation404 may be displayed simultaneously ondisplay106 withfirst representation402.Second representation404 may be a swing identified byprocessor104 as representative of swings belong to a different rating category (e.g., POOR). By displaying thefirst representation402 concurrent with thesecond representation404 ondisplay106,player112 may view feature differences between swings belonging to different swing rating categories identified byplayer112. In some aspects, first and second representations may be manipulated and/or replayed according to a preference ofplayer112. For example,player112 may choose to enlarge or minimize one or more of first andsecond representations402,404. In another example,player112 may choose to alter the playback speed of first andsecond representations402,404, play first andsecond representation402,404 simultaneously, and/or alter any other suitable viewing parameter.
• An indication may be displayed on one or more offirst representation402 andsecond representation404. The indication may be any suitable indication that can be visualized ondisplay106, such as, e.g., an arrow, a marker, a highlight, vertical or horizontal lines, or other suitable indications. The indication may identify a feature difference of swings belonging to differently-rated swings, such as, e.g., the differently-rated swings shown by first andsecond representations402,404. For example, ifprocessor104 identifies arm position as a feature difference between swings of different rating categories, the indication may highlight arm position onfirst representation402 and/orsecond representation404. If multiple feature differences exist between swings belonging to different rating categories, a user may select to view multiple indications at the same time or one at a time. In some examples, a text, audio, or other indication may be provided in addition to a visual indication.
• FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary screenshot ofmobile device102. In the aspect shown byFIG. 5,processor104 may also output the swing variables correlated with a given rating category (e.g., correlated extracted features from GOOD-rated swings) chart form ondisplay106. It should be noted that the swing variables may be displayed in any other suitable form, such as, e.g., graphs, text, lines, or the like.Processor104 may be configured to display the swing variables common to one or more different rating categories at the same time (e.g., displaying the correlated extracted swing variables from POOR swings simultaneous with the correlated extracted swing variables from GOOD swings). The display of information in this manner may allowplayer112, a coach, or another interested party to identify swing variables common to swings of different rating categories.
• In the exemplary aspect shown inFIG. 5, swing variables or parameters may be listed in acolumn502. Values for the swing variables or parameters listed incolumn502 associated with a first rating (e.g., associated with GOOD swings) may be displayed in acolumn504. Similarly, values for the swing variables or parameters listed incolumn502 that are associated with a second rating (e.g., associated with POOR swings) may be displayed in acolumn506. In some exemplary aspects, the difference between the values associated with the first and second ratings may be displayed in acolumn508. Columns502-508 may relate to any suitable swing variables or parameter disclosed herein or related to a racket swing.
• In one aspect,mobile computing device102 may be configured to identify and display the swing variables differences identified between swings assigned a given rating, such as, e.g., the swing variable differences between an EXCELLENT swing and a GOOD swing. That is,mobile computing device102 may be configured to display player tendencies that may cause a GOOD swing to be executed instead of an EXCELLENT swing. In another example, mobile computing device may rank swing variables having the greatest deviation between various ratings. For example, a first swing variable, e.g., racket speed may exhibit the greatest percentage change between EXCELLENT and GOOD swings, indicating that the first variable (e.g., racket speed) may be an important feature forplayer112. On the contrary, a second swing variable (e.g., stroke length) may remain unchanged between EXCELLENT and GOOD swings, indicating to the player that the second swing variable (e.g., stroke length) is not an important swing variable to focus on.
• In some aspects,mobile computing device102 may display a percentage of each rating type assigned during a specific capture period (e.g., 50% EXCELLENT, 30% GOOD, 20% POOR).Mobile computing device102 may track these percentages over multiple capture periods to allowplayer112, or other party, to help identify rating trends over time.
• In some aspects,analysis system100 may track swings over multiple sessions. In one aspect,analysis system100 may be configured to compare features to determine how player tendencies have changed over time. For example, after a first session,analysis system100 may have determined a first feature difference (e.g.,player112 starts a movement of his right arm too quickly in BAD swings compared to EXCELLENT swings) between two different swing rating categories.Player112, having knowledge of the first feature difference identified in a first training session, may correct the first feature difference via, e.g., practice sessions. At a subsequent training session utilizinganalysis system100,player112 may have corrected the first feature difference and thusanalysis system100 may detect a different, second feature difference between two different swing rating categories of the second session. That is, becauseplayer112 may have corrected the early movement of the right arm that was identified as the first feature difference between two different swing categories of the first session, the different, second feature difference may be identified between two different swing categories of the second session. Alternatively, ifanalysis system100 continues to identify the first difference in the second or subsequent training session,player112 may be reminded to continue to working to correct the first feature difference. In some aspects,analysis system100 may be configured to identify a change in the magnitude of a feature difference over time. For example,analysis system100 may indicate toplayer112 that the first feature difference has been improved upon or worsened since the first training session.
• In some aspects,processor104 may be configured to make recommendations based on an analysis of completed swings. For example,processor104 may be configured to suggest a training regimen toplayer112 based on a the swing variables alone, or difference identified between different swing categories. In some aspects,processor104 may be configured to suggest equipment recommendations (e.g., a lighter or heavier racket) or swing pattern recommendations (e.g., a non-standard string pattern configuration) based on one or more feature differences identified between different swing categories. In some aspects,player112 may communicate equipment information and string pattern information toprocessor104 viamobile computing device102.Processor104 may utilize the communicated equipment and/or string pattern information to make equipment and/or string pattern recommendations toplayer112.
• In some aspects,processor104 may be configured to recommend thatplayer112 view one or more videos, demonstrations, lessons, or similar programming, based on an analysis ofplayer112. For example, ifprocessor104 determines thatplayer112 may improve swing performance by improving elbow positioning during swings,processor104 may suggest thatplayer112 access a particular video, demonstration, lesson, or similar programming focused on proper elbow positioning. Such programming may include videos of actual tennis players or virtual representations of tennis players (e.g., avatars), and may be accompanied by audio instructions and discussion.
• As noted above, in some aspects, a coach, instructor, or other suitable party may rate swings taken byplayer112 to assist in an evaluation ofplayer112.
• In some aspects,analysis system100 may be configured to analyze a sequence of tennis events or swings. For example, swing mechanics, footwork, positioning, and other parameters of a serve and volley may be analyzed.
• As noted above, the above describedanalysis system100 may be configured to perform similar analysis based on ratings ofplayers112 in other physical activities or sports such as, e.g., golf swings, baseball swings, hockey shots or passes, throwing motions, kicking motions, basketball activities, or other suitable activities. When analyzing certain sport motions not utilizing an implement (e.g., throwing motions, basketball activities),analysis system100 may rely on one or more sensors coupled toplayer112 and/or on video analysis of data captured byimage capture device108.
• When analyzing various swings, e.g., golf swings, in addition to rating swings according to a rating, aplayer112 may utilize one or more additional or alternative rating systems. For example,player112 may rate swings according to one or more of HOOK, STRAIGHT, and/or SLICE to help correct a recurring trajectory issue with a golf swing.
• The analysis systems of the present disclosure may assist tennis players or other athletes in determining feature differences between differently-rated swing or sports movement categories. Thus, atennis player112 may quickly identify, without formal instruction, features of a tennis swing causing lapses in performance.
• It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed analysis system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only. The following disclosure identifies some other exemplary aspects.

Claims (21)

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method of evaluating a movement in a sporting environment, the method comprising:

receiving sensor data regarding player movement in a sporting environment;

receiving a contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an individual associated with the movement; and

displaying characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating evaluation.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor data is data from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.

3. The method ofclaim 1, further including receiving an indication of the type of player movement, and the displaying of the characteristics are also a function of the type of player movement.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the individual associated with the movement includes one of the player or an individual observing the player movement.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the receiving of a rating evaluation is received via voice signals.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the rating evaluation is a value selected from a predetermined rating scale.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor data is received during a player competition.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a command to initiate the receiving of the sensor data or a terminate the receiving of sensor data is received from the individual associated with the movement.

9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the displaying characteristics includes displaying one or more of portions of the sensor data or variables derived from the sensor data.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the displaying characteristics include one or more of video images, swing data, ball data, player movement data.

11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the displaying includes displaying characteristics associated with one rating.

12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the displaying includes comparing characteristics associated with one rating with characteristics associated with a different rating.

12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the player movement is a racket swing.

13. The method ofclaim 1, further including providing a training recommendation as a function of the swing data and the rating evaluation.

14. A computer-implemented method of evaluating a swing movement in a sporting environment, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of sets of sensor data associated with a plurality of swing movements in a sporting environment;

receiving a plurality of contemporaneous rating evaluations of the plurality of swing movements from an individual associated with the movement;

displaying characteristics of the plurality of sets of sensor data as a function of the plurality of rating evaluations.

15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the displaying includes comparing characteristics associated with one rating with characteristics associated with a different rating.

16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the sensor data is data from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.

17. The method ofclaim 14, further including receiving an indication of the type of swing for each of the plurality of swing movements, and the displaying of the characteristics are also a function of the type of swing.

18. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the displaying characteristics includes displaying one or more of portions of the sensor data or variables derived from the sensor data.

19. A computer readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a plurality of functions, including functions to:

receive sensor data regarding player movement in a sporting environment;

receive a contemporaneous rating evaluation of the movement from an individual associated with the movement; and

display characteristics of the sensor data as a function of the rating evaluation.

20. The computer readable storage medium ofclaim 19, wherein the sensor data is data from one or more of an image capture device, a swing sensor, a ball sensor, or an auxiliary sensor coupled to the player.

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