REAL-TIME TEACHING AID DEVICE FOR A BOARD SPORT

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to a real-time teaching aid device for a board sport, such as surfing, intended for a person engaging in such a sport. The teaching aid device includes a set of sensors capable of measuring the position, the speeds, and the accelerations of a surf board in a Cartesian coordinate system associated with the board; the set of sensors being connected to a measured data processing unit for determining a deterministic dynamic behavior model of the surf board; at least one signal for providing, in real-time, information relating to the deterministic dynamic behavior model of the board to the person engaging in such a sport and/or to a third party. The invention also relates to a surf board having such a device.

Claims

1. A real-time teaching aid device for a board sport such as surfing for a person engaging in such a sport, comprising: a set of sensors configured to measure the position, the speeds and the accelerations of a surf board in a Cartesian coordinate system associated with the board, the set of sensors being connected to a measured data processing unit for determining a deterministic dynamic behavior model of the surf board; and at least one signal device configured to provide, in real-time, information relating to the deterministic dynamic behavior model of the board to the person engaging in such a sport and/or to a third party, wherein the signal device is configured to deliver information relating to the deterministic dynamic behavior model concerning at least one action to be undertaken by the surfer, and at least one action to be undertaken by the surfer concerns the optimum time for the surfer to start the take off phase.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal device includes a sound signal device.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal device includes a light signal device visible by the surfer and/or a third party such as the trainer.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal device includes a screen configured to display information relating to the dynamic behavior of the surf board and which can be seen by the surfer.

5. The device according to claim 1, including moreover a data storage unit connected to the set of sensors and to the data processing unit.

6. The device according to claim 1, including a communicator configured to transmit the signal received by the signal device to a third party such as the trainer.

7. The device according to claim 6 including moreover a data storage unit connected to the set of sensors and to the data processing unit, wherein the communicator is also configured to allow access to the data stored in a data storage unit.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the communicator is configured to receive information sent by a third party, the information being retransmitted in real time to the surfer by signal device.

9. The device according to claim 1, including an on-board camera configured to film the surfer.

10. The device according to claim 9 including a communicator configured to transmit the signal received by the signal device to a third party such as the trainer, wherein the camera is connected to the communicator configured to transmit images in real time to a third party.

11. The device according to claim 10 including a data storage unit connected to the set of sensors and to the data processing unit, wherein the camera is connected to the data storage unit configured to record and/or store the images from the camera.

12. The device according to claim 1, the device including a casing formed of two parts: a base intended to be fixed to the surf board by a fixing structure, and a part which can be detached from the base, the two parts cooperating together in order to form a watertight assembly.

13. A surf board including a real time teaching aid device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] Some embodiments will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments given as illustrative and non-limiting examples with reference to the drawings among which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a device according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter fixed to a surf board;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a wave arriving at the surf board shown in FIG. 1 and a frame of reference associated with a surf board.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 including a fixed base and a detachable part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0035] With reference to FIG. 1 and according to a first general embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, the real time teaching aid device 1 for a board sport such as surfing includes: [0036] a set of sensors 5 adapted to measure the position, the speeds and the accelerations along three axes associated with a surf board, such as an inertial unit grouping a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope and a magnetometer; [0037] a measured data processing unit 7 adapted to determine a deterministic dynamic behavioral model of the surf board from the physical values measured by the sensors; [0038] at least one signal 9 adapted to deliver in real time information relating to a behavioral model to the surfer and/or to a third party.

[0039] This device can be distributed over several locations on the board. Notably, all or part of the signal 9 can be remote with respect to the set of sensors 5 and to the data processing unit 7 whilst being logically connected to them.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, the set of sensors 5 includes position and movement sensors which are intended to identify the interactions between the surf board and the wave. It generally includes a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis magnetometer.

[0041] According to another embodiment, this set of sensors can includes a GPS receiver or a GPS receiver combined with another sensor such as a 3D accelerometer. The use of a GPS receiver makes it possible to make the measurement of the position and of the speed of the surf board more accurate and therefore to have a more accurate triggering of the signals.

[0042] The device 1 therefore has nine degrees of freedom which make it possible to measure at all or most times the rotations of angles in X, Y and Z (see the reference axes 20 shown in FIG. 2) as well as the corresponding speeds and accelerations about which the board varies.

[0043] Thus, a surfer 22 who decides to catch a wave 24 will paddle toward the shore and therefore according to a certain range of angles and angular speeds about the Z axis.

[0044] When the wave approaches and begins to pass under the board 3, the latter then tilts according to a range of angles, speeds and angular accelerations about the Y axis.

[0045] Finally, the paddling action also provokes a rotation of the board 3 about the X axis.

[0046] The data processing unit 7 integrated in the device includes a computing algorithm which determines a deterministic dynamic behavior model of the surf board 3 based on the physical values coming from the sensors 5.

[0047] This deterministic dynamic behavior model of the surf board 3 is predefined by a predictive model which takes account of the interaction between the surfer 22 and the surf board 3. This predictive model makes it possible to predict the behavior of the board 3 as a function of the behavior of the surfer.

[0048] The information on the deterministic dynamic behavior model of the board is then sent to the surfer 22 and/or to a third party via the signal device 9.

[0049] The information relating to the deterministic dynamic behavior model relate to at least one action to be carried out by the surfer.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, this deterministic dynamic behavior model makes it possible to determine the optimum time to start the standing up or take off phase. Thus, the action of the surfer can include or can consist of starting the take off phase.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, this behavior model makes it possible to determine an insufficiency of bearing from the surfer, for example on the front of the board during the surfing phase. In this case, the action of the surfer can include or can consist of modifying his bearing on the front of the board during the surfing phase.

[0052] Advantageously, the signal transmitted by the signal device is specific to the nature of the information delivered to the surfer and/or to the third party. By way of example, in the case of a light signal, a color code makes it possible to specify the nature of the information (for example: take off, bad posture, etc.).

[0053] According to a first option, one of the signal devices is a sound signal which replaces the one that was originally transmitted by the trainer present on the beach in order to give his guidance.

[0054] The associated sound (e.g.: whistle or beep, single or repeated, etc, or a voice message) indicates: [0055] an action to be carried out by the surfer, like starting the take off, [0056] or a behavior to be corrected, like the position of the surfer on the board, a lack of speed, etc., [0057] or another indication.

[0058] According to a second option, the sound signal can be replaced by or combined with a light signal, such as an LED. The repeated flashing, more or less long, or the color of the latter etc, can then replace or accompany the sound signal in a synchronized or non-synchronized manner.

[0059] Advantageously, the device can be mounted at the front of the board so that the latter can be seen by the surfer at the same time as by the trainer.

[0060] In an embodiment which has even better performance and is compatible with the general mode, the signal device can include a screen adapted to display information visible by the surfer, of the written messages or videos/diagrams type, indicating the actions to be carried out or even the position of the surf board with respect to the wave, etc.

[0061] According to a option compatible with the preceding embodiments, the device includes a unit for the storage of data coming from the sensors 5 and from the data processing unit 7. This makes it possible to use these data at the end of the session.

[0062] According to another compatible option of this embodiment, the device includes a communicator which, according to the options usable alone or in combinations, are adapted to: [0063] transmit the signal received by at least one of the signal device to a third party such as the trainer; [0064] make it possible to access the data stored in the storage unit, notably make it possible to download the recorded data in order to analyze them once the training is completed; [0065] make it possible for a third party to send information retransmitted in real time to the surfer by at least one of the signal device. This can for example be on the screen of the surfer's device 1, such as information to improve the surfer's practice, climatic conditions, or other information, or even sound messages or a light signal corresponding to the nature of the information to be conveyed (take off, bad position, etc.).

[0066] These communicators can be wired, such as a USB socket onto which the surfer would connect once the training is completed in order to retrieve the data of his session.

[0067] These communicators can also be wireless, of the Bluetooth type, to make it possible to establish a communication between the surfer and a third party, via messages displayed on the surfer's screen, sound messages or a visual signal, during the training whilst the surfer is on the sea and the trainer is on the shore.

[0068] The device according to one of the embodiments described above can also include an on-board camera adapted to film the surfer.

[0069] Depending on the options, usable alone or in combination: [0070] the camera is connected to a storage unit adapted to record and store the video taken of the surfer so that the latter can view it after the training session and thus see the points to be improved; [0071] the camera is connected to the communicator adapted to send the images in real time to a screen so that a third party can view them, such as the trainer on the beach.

[0072] Finally, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the device can include a casing formed of two parts: [0073] a base 30 intended to be fixed on the surf board by fixing means, and [0074] a part 32 which is detachable from the base.

[0075] The base 30 and the detachable part 32 cooperate together in order to form a watertight assembly.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, the detachable part is mounted on the base by simple interlocking and the assembly is made watertight by any appropriate means.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, the detachable part 32 includes a first part and a second part, the two parts forming a housing in which is housed the assembly of electronic components, such as the sensors 5, the processing unit 7, the signal device 9, the storage unit, the communicator 11 and the battery powering the system.

[0078] Preferably advantageously, at least one surface of the detachable part is made from a transparent material in order to allow a light signal coming from the signal device to pass through.

[0079] The fact of being able to remove the main part 32 of the device makes it possible to facilitate changing the power supply or recharging the device, or again to facilitate access to the data contained in the device such as the parameterization of the algorithms integrated in the processing unit, the videos recorded from the camera, etc.

[0080] Some other embodiments also relate to a surf board including a device such as described above.

[0081] According to a first embodiment, the device 1 is fixed on an area of the surf board 3 by fixing means such as an adhesive layer. By way of example, the appropriate fixing means (not shown here in the figures) can be an adhesive tape.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the board includes a housing in which the device is housed in such a way that the upper part of the device and the surface of the board substantially form a continuous surface.