EP-4735130-A1 - METHOD AND DEVICES TO MEASURE PARAMETERS FOR BOXING PUNCHES OR PUSH ACTIONS

Abstract

This disclosure describes a method and devices for performing multiple measurements of a boxing punch (or a similar push action in other sports). These measurements provide force, acceleration, four types of reaction time, 3D angles, speed, accuracy/precision, rate of force development, straight punch (jab or cross) efficiency, SPR index (Strength, Precision, reaction time) and/or other information. The devices doing the associated measurements, use one or more force sensors and one or more motion sensors embedded in the boxing gloves and/or in the punched (pushed) object (e.g., punching bag or mitts). In case of a flat screen used for punching area and showing an opponent, a set of position sensors can be used to measure the accuracy of the punch (push). The novel methods and devices can be used in a boxing (or pushing) test, assessment, and training activities, also for fitness and exercising games.

Inventors

• YANEV, KOSTADIN DIMITROV
• KALAYDJIYSKI, LUDMIL BORISSOV
• ANDRADE, Bruno Henrique Biscoto T.
• DOBREV, KAMEN RADEV
• COX, DAVID A.
• TAIT, Jonathan Allan

Assignees

• Activbody Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240105

Claims (20)

1. 1. A system comprising: an object having a plurality of punch zones; one or more punch or push measurement devices configured to be provided in the plurality of zones of the object, each punch or push measurement device hosting a plurality of sensors therein; one or more force sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to forces applied to the one or more punch or push measurement devices, said one or more force sensors being provided in a wearable device configured to be worn by a user; at least one hardware control unit associated with the object and/or the wearable device, the at least one hardware control unit comprising software for data collection and configured for data transfer; a main control unit connected to the at least one hardware control unit, the main control unit configured to receive data from one or more of the at least one hardware control unit, each of the one or more punch or push measurement devices, and/or the one or more force sensors, said main control unit configured to utilize the received data to determine measurements and calculations associated with the forces applied to the one or more punch or push measurement devices; and an interface configured to output and display information, measurements, and calculations determined by said main control unit to the user.
2. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of: a boxing bag, a boxing surface, and a flat or oval/bent display screen.
3. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is a wearable item, said wearable item being one of the following: a vest, a shirt, boxing mitts or pads, and pants.
4. 4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more punch or push measurement devices are attached to or inserted into the object.
5. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more punch or push measurement devices are embedded within the object.
6. 6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors of each punch or push measurement device include force sensors, linear acceleration sensors, angular velocity sensors, magnetometer, and timing sensors, and/or a combination thereof.
7. 7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein a separate wearable device further comprises one or more force and/or motion sensors embedded therein.
8. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wearable device comprises training gloves, half gloves, or boxing gloves.
9. 9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more punch or push measurement devices each comprise an audio sound device and/or visual indicator.
10. 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED) or a screen, where an LED variant includes a plurality of LEDs, connected separately or embedded in stripes, borders, arrays or planes, placed over and/or into a punching bag or a humanoid mannequin, a torso or a part of a torso, to indicate target areas to be punched.
11. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein an indication of punching or pushing a correct or incorrect target by the user, is made by the system using one or more of: - a change of an LED color, - a change of a current blinking or flashing LED pattern, - a change of LED light intensity level, - turning off an LED, and/or - a separate type of audio signal, voice, or melody.
12. 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the main control unit is a local or remote computer, or a mobile device.
13. 13. A method for measuring punch or push parameters, the method comprising: providing one or more punch or push measurement devices in an object, each punch or push measurement device hosting a plurality of sensors therein; sensing, via one or more force sensors, information related to forces applied thereto, said one or more force sensors being provided in the object and/or also included in one or more separate wearable devices; generating output signals conveying the information related to forces applied to the one or more force sensors; collecting and transferring data via at least one hardware control unit associated with the object and/or the wearable device to a main control unit; determining measurements and calculations associated with: punch speed, punch accuracy (correct target devices punched or pushed), acceleration applied to the wearable devices, and the forces applied to the one or more force sensors, by using the main control unit; and outputting and displaying information, measurements, and calculations determined by said main control unit to a user.
14. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein each punch or push measurement device includes one or more force sensors, linear acceleration sensors, angular velocity sensors, magnetometer, timing sensors, optical (such as structured light) sensors, lidar, electro-magnetic (radar) sensors, and/or electro-static (distributed capacitance) based motion sensors, and/or a combination thereof, and wherein the method further comprises sensing and forwarding data from said one or more punch measurement devices to the main control unit.
15. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the wearable device further comprises one or more force sensors, one or more motion sensors embedded therein - comprising an accelerometer, gyroscope and/or a magnetometer, and wherein the method further comprises sensing and forwarding force and motion data, including acceleration, to the main control unit, and determining punch type or geometry, including punching angles, relating to punch forces, using motion sensors, control units, and the main control unit.
16. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising comparing data in a leader board and determining a winner in a contest between two or more competitors who apply punches or pushes in parallel in real-time, or in a sequence, to one or more dedicated punch or push measurement devices, each competitor using wearable devices equipped with sensors, such that parameters related to applied force, reaction time, accuracy, acceleration, and speed, are tracked and compared to determine a better performer or a winner, without physical contact between performers or contenders in the contest.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the punches or pushes: are contactless; comprise methods to measure acceleration reaction time and protection reaction time included in the contest; comprise a boxing and/or martial arts contest based fully on measurements, without any physical contact; and/or provide information for an assessment stats panel such that a trainer can track and check all trainee results in a single place comprising a computer monitor or a computer file.
18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the contest can be held at a same physical location, or at two or more remote locations, where punch or push data is transferred over the internet, then collected and processed including comparisons, by a central computer server.
19. 19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the wearable device comprises training gloves, half gloves, or boxing gloves, each providing punch or push measurements individually.
20. 20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the one or more punch measurement devices each comprise an audio sound device and/or visual indicator or are complemented by additional such indicators, and wherein the method further comprises issuing an audible sound and/or indicator via said one or more punch measurement devices, or the method comprises providing the audible sound and/or indicator via a separate voice control system.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICES TO MEASURE PARAMETERS FOR BOXING PUNCHES OR PUSH ACTIONS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 63/510,829, filed on June 28, 2023, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure is generally related to force measurement technology, and more particularly to an object for measuring a punch or pushing force applied thereto, such as via a user’s fist or hands, as well as other parameters associated with such force. The technology may be incorporated into a number of different objects, which include, but are not limited to, a boxing bag, boxing gloves, and/or a flat screen. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0003] Understanding and improving the speed of a fighter (e.g., martial arts) and/or boxer’s punch is known to provide advantages during matches. In addition, measurements related to accuracy of punches and forces as they are applied, as well as reaction time, may improve a user’s performance. Similarly, such techniques can be applied to understanding parameters associated with a user’s leg kicking. [0004] Separate methods exist for measuring force and human reaction time to reach a touch event, e.g., a tap on a computer screen or display screen. However, methods and devices for measuring additional parameters related to pushing / punching forces are limited. SUMMARY [0005] It is an aspect of this disclosure to provide a system that includes: an object having a plurality of punch zones; and one or more punch measurement devices configured to be provided in the plurality of zones of the object. Each punch measurement device hosts a plurality of sensors therein. The system also includes one or more force sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to forces applied to the one or more punch measurement devices. The one or more force sensors are provided in a wearable 1 4 device configured to be worn by a user (e.g., boxing gloves, a vest with separate punch zones and attached force measurement devices, etc.). Also, at least one hardware control unit associated with the object and/or the wearable device and a main control unit are provided as part of the system. The at least one hardware control unit has software for data collection and data transfer. The main control unit is connected to the at least one hardware control unit and configured to receive data from one or more of the at least one hardware control unit, each of the one or more punch measurement devices, and the one or more force sensors, and/or other devices. In some embodiments, a punch measurement device and/or a force sensor may provide information to an associated hardware control unit, and the hardware control unit may in turn provide the information to the main control unit. In some embodiments, a punch measurement device and/or a force sensor may provide information directly to the main control unit. There may be some embodiments (e.g., for device initialization, calibration, and/or other operations) where this communication occurs in a reverse direction. In some embodiments, a punch measurement device, a force sensor, and/or a hardware control unit may comprise separate hardware devices. However, in some embodiments, one or more of these devices may be coupled to form a singular hardware block. The main control unit is configured to utilize the received data to determine measurements and calculations associated with the forces applied to the one or more punch measurement devices. Further, an interface is provided as part of the system and is configured to output and display to the user: information, measurements, and calculations determined by said main control unit. [0006] Another aspect provides a method for measuring punches, such as via the aforementioned system. Such a method may include: providing one or more punch measurement devices in an object, each punch measurement device hosting a plurality of sensors therein; sensing, via one or more force sensors, information related to forces applied thereto, said one or more force sensors being provided in the object and a wearable device; generating output signals conveying the information related to forces applied to the one or more force sensors; collecting and transferring data via at least one hardware control unit associated with the object and/or the wearable device to a main control unit; determining measurements and calculations associated with the forces applied to the one or more force sensors using the main control unit; and outputting and displaying information, measurements, and calculations determined by said main control unit to the user. [0007] Yet another item provided by this disclosure includes a method and devices for performing multiple measurements of a boxing punch (or a similar push action in other 2 4 sports). These measurements provide force, acceleration, reaction t