SPORT POLE WITH SENSORS AND A METHOD FOR USING IT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sport stick that measures the driving force generated by the upper body, which is applied to the ground through poles during the natural performance of nordic walking or any other sport, where poles are used to drive/propel the body forward. An inclination sensor along with a pole length sensor (pole length constant in a fixed length pole) has been placed into the pole for the achievement of the most suitable biomechanical performance, i.e. proper technique. The sport pole uses the Global Positioning System along with a topographical map to ensure that the slope of terrain does not affect the inclination sensor measurements. All collected data is analyzed by a control center, wherein correct usage models have been saved along with a collection of the user's anthropometric and fitness levels.

Claims

1. Sport pole (1) with sensors comprising an inclination sensor (6) and a force sensor (8) which is communicate with a control center (2), in said control center (2) is saved an information of sports' technique and executions using for said sport pole (1) for analysing optimal sports' technique, using data for inclination sensor (6) and force sensor (8); a signal light (3 and 4) is communicate with an user, where said control center (2), said inclination sensor (6), said force sensor 8 and said signal lights (3 and 4) are a battery (5) powered, characterized in that said sport pole (1) comprising a GPS receiver (9) with a topographical maps for determine sport pole (1) real angle of inclination for ground; an length sensor (7) and an user information (10) saved in control center (2) wherein all data received with control center (2) and which basis is determined the optimal length and force for sport pole (1) user.

2. Sport pole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sport pole (1) is an adjustable sport pole (1).

3. Sport pole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said user information (10) comprising information of fitness level, age, weight, length and trauma history for sport pole (1) user.

4. A method for using the sport pole (1) defined in claim 1, characterized in that the method comprising following steps: the user info (10) is saved in memory of sport pole (1) in the control center (2) is saved information for sports' technique and executions using for said sport pole (1) the length sensor (7) transmits information to control center (2) for length of sport pole (1) the control center (2) monitors the user's location received information at GPC receiver (9) and with the assistance of a topographical map is able to consider the factors affecting the pole inclination range due to ground inclination; if the inclination range differs significantly from the premade model, then the control center (2) requests the person's height, trauma history and age from its memory, the control center (2) compares to the pole length received from the pole length sensor (7); during said analysis the control center will understand if the user's exercise tool is fitting for their anthropometric measurements. if the sport pole is too long or too short, the control center (2) lets the user know that by signal lighting (3 and 4); after the pole length and inclination check the control center (2) contacts the force sensor (8) by analyzing the average force application and user info, the pole figures out whether the user needs to apply more or less force to propel themselves forward, so the exercise would stimulate the body, whilst bearing minimum overload risk and considering any traumas affecting the person.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the sport pole (1) using the signal lights (3 and 4) for informing the user about the use of the sport pole (1) in the right way.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention's aforementioned and other properties and advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to attached figures, which illustrate preferred embodiments, where,

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a graphic representation of the invention's preferred embodiment with the elements used in the invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the elements in the invention and their functions;

[0016] FIG. 3 shows an example diagram of a signal light based user feedback system;

[0017] FIG. 4 shows an example of the control center's work process when the pole is in use; and

[0018] FIG. 5 shows and example solution to problems arising from shared pole use due to different user info.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Subsequently described are the inventions possible embodiments with references to figures. To an expert in the field it will clear from this description that the following preferred embodiments of the invention are meant only for figures and not with the intent of limiting the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a sport pole 1 according to the invention, installed into which is a sports' technique and execution analysing control center 2 and sensors, corresponding to the sports' execution, measuring physical and geodetic values, along with signal lights 3 and 4, all of which get energy from a battery 5 located in the sport pole handle. The sport pole 1 can be both adjustable or unadjustable, also known as a one-piece as is known to experts of the field.

[0021] The aforementioned sensors measuring physical and geodetic values are the inclination sensor 6, located near the handle, the pole length sensor 7, located at the bottom of the pole, the force sensor 8, located in the sport pole's lower end, which is in either direct or secondary (via the pole tip) contact with the ground and a GPS receiver 9 (coupled with topographical maps) located near the handle (or in an external device e.g. smart phone, watch etc.).

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the control center's 2, inside the sport pole 1, data gathering, analysing and result communication to the user via signal lights. The control center 2 will presumably include common computer parts such as a casing to house everything, an info input and output interface, a mainboard with expansion slots, a power supply and storage devices such as a hard disk. The storage devices will include programs and user info that the control center uses and results it reaches. Through the input interface or mainboard expansion cards the sport pole 1 also has access to e.g. a GPS receiver 9, a compass, a WiFi adapter, a Blue Tooth adapter and an external power supply.

[0023] In the following explanations using the sport poles' 1 for nordic walking has been taken as an example. The control center 2 starts gathering data from the pole length sensor. The pole length sensor is presumably digital, removing the need for manual pole length input, however it can also be a combination of a measuring scale on the pole and an input interface, where the user manually inputs the pole length into the control center's system (like a person inputs data into a computer via a keyboard) or any other solution that fulfills the same objective.

[0024] Next the inclination sensor comes into use, which determines the poles inclination in relation to the ground. Using GPS the control center first compares the poles inclination with a topographical map to understand how ground inclination is affecting the inclination sensor's readings. Subsequently the inclination sensor compares the poles average inclination range, meaning the pole inclination in relation to the ground from the start of a push to the end of it, with its premade model. If the user's activity model differs significantly from the control center's premade model the control center compares the user's height, age and trauma history with the pole length and signals the user of the need for pole adjustment and direction (shorter or longer) with signal lights. In place of signal lights the same function can be filled with vibrations, sounds, a small display (LCD, hologram etc) attached to the pole, a real-time wirelessly connected picture in a smart device or a combination of the afore mentioned systems or other systems fulfilling the same ultimate goal.

[0025] The force sensor comes into use when prior indicators are okay, because otherwise the force sensor's measurements are incorrect due to incorrect pole length, unequal pole length or wrong technique.

[0026] The control center contacts the force sensor after creating a user force application model corresponding to the user info. During walking the control center will get data about the force a user is applying to propel themselves forward through the force sensor's measurements. Depending on a person's user info they must propel 5-40% of their body mass forward. At the same time the force sensor enables to measure the upper-body Sagittal plane strength balance, meaning to compare the left side torso and hand activity with the right side torso and hand activity. This opens up the possibility of adjusting the sport poles individually to even the upper-body Sagittal plane strength balance and train the sides at different intensity levels. This attribute is especially important when speaking about nordic walking in a rehabilitation context, where a person's movements are affected by temporary or permanent physical trauma(s).

[0027] Because the sport pole uses several electronic devices for data measuring, analysis and user communication, then naturally the invention also includes an energy supplying element like a battery to provide electricity for the devices, but also all other solutions fulfilling the same purpose, and a means to recharge such an element, e.g. a USB port. Considering however that this is a mobile exercise tool used mainly outdoors, then there exists a number of opportunities to tie this invention with electricity producing elements such as solar batteries or physical energy, e.g. friction/pressure, to electricity converting elements. A combination of the priorly mentioned elements may also be used to fully or partly cover the invention's energy need.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a table explaining the meaning of the signal lights used in FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a logic scheme, which features one possible working example of the invention in repeated use. This means that a user has already input and saved their user info earlier. Shown is the control center's operation, communication with other sensors and communication with the user via signal lights. In the given example the operation process begins from the sport pole pole length measurement, where the control center has activated, because the user has signalled the impending use of the sport poles by pushing the start button. Alternatively the start button may be replaced by the pole tips being banged on the ground or another solution like a voice command. To conserve energy the control center examines whether the poles have been adjusted for usage. If the sport poles adjustment has not been started in a given time frame then the control center will automatically cancel the session.

[0030] If the sport poles have been adjusted into position or already being used 4 1.1 until 1.2, the control center can analyse the average pole inclination range through the inclination sensor 1.3 until 1.4 At the same time the control center monitors the user's location and with the assistance of a topographical map is able to consider the factors affecting the pole inclination range due to ground inclination. If the inclination range differs significantly from the premade model, then the control center will request the person's height, trauma history and age from its memory, which it then compares to the pole length received from the pole length sensor. During this analysis 7.1.1 until 7.2.6 the control center will understand if the user's exercise tool is fitting for their anthropometric measurements. If for example the sport pole is too long, then it will let the user know, as shown in FIG. 3, by lighting the signal light at the tip of the pole, LED 3 FIG. 4 and computes a new pole length. The sport pole will show the new pole length on the pole adjustment scale, lighting the signal light on the LED 4 light strip, which equals to the new pole length received from the computation result.

[0031] On FIG. 4 it is seen that only after the pole length and inclination check, processes 6.0, 7.0, 7.1.1 until 7.2.6, 7.3, 6.1.1 until 6.2.4 does the control center take contact with the force sensor, processes 8.1.1 until 8.2.4. This is because it guarantees uniquely interpretable readings that are no longer affected by wrong technique, a deviation from the optimal force application pole inclination range or unequal sport poles' length. It is important to note that the inclination range and with it the ground inclination control do not stop, but continues consistently during further analysis. Subsequently the control center starts sending constant inquiries to the force sensor about the user's average force application processes 2.1 until 2.6 and at the same time to the memory about the user's user info. By analyzing the average force application and user info, the pole figures out whether the user needs to apply more or less force to propel themselves forward, so the exercise would stimulate the body, whilst bearing minimum overload risk and considering any traumas affecting the person.

[0032] If force application is at norm, then the sport pole will let the user know by turning on the signal light LED 7. Like before the force sensor data collection and analysis will also continue consistently until discord emerges between the inclination range premade model and activity model or the usage of sport poles ends.

[0033] It is important to understand that the communication between the different elements in the sport pole is not limited to, but will presumably work via wireless communication like Blue Tooth. This decreases extra wiring and pole weight and durability problems derived from it. At the same time it also allows the control center to be moved to just one pole or out of the pole completely into e.g. a smart device or computer.

[0034] The usage of the same training tools by different users figure FIG. 5 profiles A until Y and the resulting completely different user info and sport problem is solved by the so-called new player system. Just like in computer games where the player can create a new account or character every new user creates a new profile before using the sport poles. During profile creation the necessary user info and sport is input, which allows easy user and sport change. In schools, rehabilitation or training centers and other establishments where one pole pair has many potential users the same system can be expanded as is explained in figure FIG. 5. The user profiles are recorded into one central system and the sport poles are given unique digital ID-s. In the given example X profile is uploaded onto ID-1 sport poles, Y profile onto ID-2 sport poles and Z profile onto ID-3 sport poles. After usage the recorded data is uploaded back into the central system and the sport poles are ready to be used again, however the information recorded onto the profiles can be viewed and analyzed in the central system regardless of that.