Athletes and coaches consistently aim to optimize athlete performance. The more performance data points that an athlete and/or a coach is able to gather and review, the more the athlete or coach are able to use that information to improve the performance of the athlete (e.g., by identifying performance related adjustments). Furthermore, in group sports, particularly athletic performances requiring the coordination of a set of athletes, information related to the performance of individuals may be helpful to improve the coordination and overall performance of the group. Finally, especially with respect to rowing, the ability to account for environmental conditions and characteristics of the athletic equipment (e.g., the boat), would allow for meaningful comparisons between athletic performances at different times and in different circumstances to determine whether a particular group of athletes is improving and/or more effective than another group of athletes.
Thus, systems and methods for acquiring data related to an athletic performance, analyzing such data, and providing feedback to a coach and/or athlete, in real-time and/or post-performance will help to assess and improve athletic performances.
In some embodiments, a system includes a memory, a processor, a display, and a set of sensors. The processor may be coupled to the memory and coupled to a boat. The set of sensors may include a subset of rower sensors associated with a rower and a subset of boat sensors associated with the boat. The subset of boat sensors may be configured to measure at least one environmental condition. The processor may be configured to generate normalized performance data associated with at least one of the boat and the rower for presentation on the display. The normalized performance data may be based in part on the at least one environmental condition measured by the subset of boat sensors. The normalized performance data may also be based in part on data collected by the subset of rower sensors.
In some embodiments, a system includes a memory, a processor, a display, and a set of sensors. The processor may be coupled to the memory and coupled to a boat. The set of sensors may include a subset of rower sensors associated with a rower and a subset of boat sensors associated with the boat. The subset of boat sensors may be configured to measure at least one environmental condition. The processor may be configured to generate normalized performance data associated with at least one of the boat and the rower for presentation on the display. The normalized performance data may be based in part on the at least one environmental condition measured by the subset of boat sensors. The normalized performance data may also be based in part on data collected by the subset of rower sensors.
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a set of rower sensors associated with a rower, a set of rower performance data. A set of boat performance data and a data associated with at least one environmental condition may be received from a set of boat sensors associated with a boat. Normalized performance data of at least one of the set of rower performance data and the set of boat performance data may be generated based in part on the data associated with the at least one environmental condition. The normalized performance data may be displayed.
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an oarlock, a face plate, a first force transducer, a second force transducer, and an electronics assembly. The oarlock defines a pin receptacle configured to receive an oarlock pin of a boat and a brace housing defining an opening configured to receive an oar collar of an oar. The face plate is disposed within the opening of the brace housing and coupled to a surface of the brace housing. The first force transducer is disposed in a first location between the face plate and the surface of the brace housing. The second force transducer is disposed in a second location between the face plate and the surface of the brace housing. The electronics assembly is coupled to the first force transducer and the second force transducer, the electronics assembly including a processor configured to determine a force of the oar collar against the face plate during a rowing motion of the oar, the electronics assembly including an inertial measurement assembly such that an angle of the oar collar relative to the face plate may be determined based on acceleration data sensed by the inertial measurement assembly during the rowing motion of the oar.
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a set of rower performance data associated with each unique individual from a plurality of unique individuals. A set of one environmental condition data associated with at least one environmental condition may be received. Normalized performance data of the set of performance data may be generated based in part on the environmental condition data and in part on the performance data associated with each unique individual from the plurality of unique individuals.
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tubular member, a brace housing, and an electronics assembly. The tubular member includes a strain gauge assembly and defines a pin receptacle configured to receive an oarlock pin of a boat. The brace housing defines a cavity configured to receive the tubular member and an opening configured to receive an oar collar of an oar. The electronics assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the brace housing such that a set of electrical contacts of the electronics assembly is operably coupled to a set of electrical contacts of the tubular member. The electronics assembly includes a processor configured to determine a force applied by the oar collar against the brace housing based on an amount of deformation of the tubular member measured by the strain gauge assembly.
In some embodiments, such as any of the embodiments described herein, data-driven indicators of rowing performance may be communicated to athletes and coaches for the purpose of performance optimization. A system including a sensing array, data aggregator, intelligence engine, and feedback devices may collectively create a virtuous feedback loop, enabling the rapid optimization of complex three-dimensional athletic tasks in coordination across a set of independent athletes. In some embodiments, the system may be coupled to rowing environment at several touchpoints. The sensing array, for example, may be installed on a rowing shell, with each component configured in such a manner as to detect a particular variable in a biophysical system. The data aggregator may be located in the vicinity of the sensing array and may wirelessly aggregate the sensed biophysical variables into a time-synchronized data store. The intelligence engine may be connected to the data aggregator via wireless protocol or may be included within a common system or device (e.g., a mobile device such as a mobile phone), and may be equipped with software that derives metrics, insights, and feedback via a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques. Finally, the feedback devices may display derived actionable data points and/or recommended actions to rowers and/or coaches for the purposes of adjusting the sensed behavior in an optimized manner. In some embodiments, feedback may be provided via a common system or device also including the intelligence engine and/or the data aggregator (e.g., a mobile device such as a mobile phone). The system may provide feedback in real-time during live training sessions and/or in training review sessions.
The system 100 includes a memory 110, a processor 120, one or more displays 130, and a set of sensors 140. As shown, the processor 120 may be operatively coupled to the memory 110 and coupled to a boat 180. The set of sensors 140 may include a subset of rower sensors 150 associated with a rower and a subset of boat sensors 160 associated with the boat 180. In some embodiments, the subset of boat sensors 160 may be configured to measure at least one environmental condition. The processor 120 may be configured to generate normalized performance data (e.g., a boat speed) associated with at least one of the boat 180 and/or the rower for presentation on the display(s) 130. The normalized performance data may be based in part on the at least one environmental condition measured by the subset of boat sensors 160. The normalized performance data may also be based in part on data collected by the subset of rower sensors 150.
As shown in
The command center 106 (e.g., a cloud-based server, a centralized server and/or the like) may include a memory 106A operably coupled to a processor 106B and a transceiver 106C configured to facilitate wireless network communications with the set of sensors 140, the processor 120, and/or the display(s) 130. The memory 106A may store a software application (“app”) 106D. In some implementations, an administrator of the command center 106 interacts with the software app 106D via an administrator view of the app, rendered via a graphical user interface (GUI) of a compute device in wireless or wired network communication therewith, and a user (e.g., an athlete, coach, or coxswain) interacts with the software app 106D via a user view of the app, rendered via a graphical user interface (GUI) of a compute device of the user in wireless network communication with the command center 106. The app 106D may include one or more software modules 106E, such as a data analytics portal viewable and/or using a user interface of a computing device such as a mobile device, such as the mobile device 102 described below, a mobile device 108, or another mobile device or such as a laptop or desktop computer. In some embodiments, the data analytics portal may additionally or alternatively be accessed via a web bowser. The data analytics portal may allow a user to view post-practice and/or live data and/or analysis based on data collected by the set of sensors and transmitted to the command center 106 (e.g., via a BLE connection with the mobile device 102 and a wireless network connection between the mobile device 102 and the command center 106). The software module(s) 106E may include instructions to cause the processor 106B to request, store, and/or transmit sensor data and/or generated performance data based on the sensor data. The software module(s) 106E may include instructions to cause the processor 106B to store the sensor and/or generated performance data and, optionally, transmit the data to one or more requestors via the wireless network 170 (e.g., requestors associated with remote compute devices such as mobile device 102, mobile device 108, or a third party). In some implementations, the software module(s) 106E may be configured to generate and maintain a list or database of sensors, athletes, and/or groups of athletes and their associated raw data and/or generated performance data and metrics based on the raw data. The software module(s) 106E may also include instructions for generating performance data or metrics based on received sensor data and performance data or metrics generated by the processor 120, and may include instructions for generating such performance data or metrics based on additional user input via interaction with, for example, the software app 106D (e.g., a request for particular performance data or metrics based on, for example, comparison between two rowing sessions of an individual or different athletes or of two rowing sessions of a single set of athletes or between two sets of athletes). The command center 106 may be configured to provide post-rowing session (e.g., post-practice) viewing of performance data and/or raw sensor data and, optionally, to provide live analysis of performance data and/or raw sensor data during a rowing session.
The rower data measured by the rower sensors 150 may include an angle of movement and associated force of an oar against an oarlock during a rowing movement (e.g., a stroke) of the rower, a force applied by one or both feet of a rower on a surface (e.g., a foot stretcher of the boat) during a rowing movement of the rower, and/or an acceleration, distance traveled, a position (e.g., associated with particular moments or portions of the rowing movement) of the seat upon which the rower is seated (e.g., along one or more rails) during a rowing movement of the rower. The rower sensors 150 may also include physiological sensors configured to measure physiological data of a particular rower. For example, the rower sensors 150 may include a heart rate monitor. The boat data measured by the boat sensors 160 may include a global positioning system (GPS) position or change in position of the boat (e.g., including data related to the GPS latitude, longitude, time, speed, and angle of movement of the GPS), a heading of the boat, a speed of the boat, a roll, pitch, and/or yaw of the boat, and/or an acceleration of the boat (e.g., based on accelerometer data). The environmental data measured by the boat sensors 160 may include wind speed, wind angle, ambient air temperature, water speed, current, air humidity, and/or salinity. The rower data and/or the boat data may be measured and analyzed in real time and/or based on a particular time period, distance, programmed exercise or portion of exercise. For example, the processor 120 may be configured to calculate an average and/or generate minimum and maximum values for any of the data measured by the set of sensors 140 based on the designated time period, distance, or exercise.
The rower sensors 150 may include, for example, an oarlock sensor, a foot sensor, and/or a seat sensor for each rower. The boat sensors 160 may include, for example, a hull sensor including a GPS and an inertial measurement assembly (also referred to as an inertial measurement unit or an IMU), a wind sensor, and/or a temperature sensor. The boat 180 may be, for example, a shell (also referred to as a crew boat). The IMU may include, for example, a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer. The boat 180 may include a set of seats upon which a set of rowing athletes (also referred to as rowers) may sit. Additionally, the boat 180 may include a seat for a coxswain. Although
Each sensor of the set of sensors 140 may include a base unit including a communication assembly and a power storage device. The communication assembly may be, for example, a wireless communication assembly (including, for example, a transmitter or a transceiver) for providing sensed data to the processor 120 and/or the one or more displays 130 via any suitable wireless communication method (e.g., via WIFI and Bluetooth®). The power storage device may include any suitable power storage device for providing operational power to the sensor components, such as, for example, a battery (e.g., a 1200 mAh lithium polymer battery). The power storage device may include any suitable power storage device for providing operational power to the sensor components, such as, for example, a battery (e.g., a 1200 mAh lithium polymer battery). In some embodiments, the power storage device may have a battery life of greater than one month. In some embodiments, the sensors of the set of sensors 140 may be configured to go into a low-power sleep mode when not in use for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, the sensors of the set of sensors 140 may be configured to automatically wake up from the sleep mode and transition to an activated mode upon engagement with any buttons or sensing elements of the sensors and/or via engagement with the mobile device 102 signaling intended use of the sensors 140 for a rowing session (e.g., via opening or selecting certain modes of the software app 106D using the mobile device 102). Each sensor of the set of sensors 140 may optionally include a timing component. The timing component may be used to synchronize the timing of data collection across the various sensors. The timing component may be, for example, a real time clock. In some embodiments, alternatively or in addition to each sensor including a timing component, the processor 120 may include a timing component (e.g., an internal or built-in clock) that is used to time-synchronize all sensor data. The timing between all of the sensors 140 (e.g., oarlock sensors) and the mobile device 102 may be synchronized, for example, to within 1 millisecond. For example, the processor 120 may assign a timestamp to all sensor data received by the processor 120 based on the timing component of the processor 120 or the mobile device 102. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may be paired with the sensors of the set of sensors 140 such that the mobile device 102 may wirelessly receive sensor data from the sensors in real-time (e.g., as it is collected by the sensors of the set of sensors 140) and may associate the sensor data with time data (e.g., a timestamp) for storage in the memory 110 and/or processing by the processor 120. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may be paired with and simultaneously receive sensor data from any suitable number of sensors of the set of sensors 140 (e.g., one, some, or all of the sensors 140). In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may simultaneously receive sensor data from all sensors associated with a performance of a particular athlete of a set of athletes on the boat 180 (e.g., physiological sensors, one or two oarlock sensors, a seat sensor, a foot sensor, and/or any environmental sensors). In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may simultaneously receive sensor data from all sensors associated with a performance of a subset of athletes or all of the athletes rowing on the boat 180 (e.g., an oarlock sensor or two oarlock sensors per athlete). In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may simultaneously receive sensor data from, for example, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight oarlock sensors of the set of sensors 140 and provide data including or based on such data for viewing on the display 130.
Furthermore, each sensor of the set of sensors 140 may include one or more enclosures within which one or more of the remaining components of each sensor may be housed (e.g., the communication assembly, the power storage device, and/or the timing component). The enclosure(s) may be watertight such that an interior of each enclosure is fluidically isolated from an exterior of each enclosure, preventing splashed water from reaching an interior of each enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosures should be waterproof IP68. Each sensor may include an on/off button or switch and status lights (e.g., disposed in openings defined by the enclosure(s)). Thus, engagement with the on/off button or switch of a sensor may activate and deactivate the sensor such that power from the power storage device may be conserved when the sensor is not in use. The status lights may indicate a status of the sensor (e.g., on, off, low power, etc.).
The processor 120 may be any suitable processor configured to receive data from the set of sensors 140 and generate normalized performance data based on the data from the set of sensors 140. For example, the processor 120 may be a Dell XPS or a processor included in (e.g., built into or internal to) a mobile device such as a mobile phone or tablet (e.g., an Android mobile phone or an iPhone). The memory 110 may be any suitable memory configured to store data (e.g., in the form of a list or database table storing data records). For example, the memory 110 may be a memory built into a mobile device such as a mobile phone or tablet (e.g., an Android mobile phone or an iPhone). In some embodiments, the data may include raw data measured by the set of sensors 140 and transmitted to the processor 120 (e.g., via the wireless network). In some embodiments, the data may include performance data that has been generated by the processor 120 and derived from the data transmitted from the set of sensors 140 to the processor 120. In some embodiments, the normalized data generated by the processor 120 is a boat speed or power that has been normalized with respect to a set of environmental factors (e.g., current, no wind, constant air humidity, temperature, constant water temperature, and/or salinity).
In some embodiments, one or more of the displays 130 may be viewable by a rower during a rowing movement of the rower. In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a set of displays 130, with each display 130 viewable by one or more rowers (e.g., each display may be coupled to the boat 180 such that it is associated with and viewable by a rower of the set of rowers). In some embodiments, the display 130 or an additional display may be viewable by a coxswain associated with (e.g., seated in) the boat 180. In some embodiments, the display 130 or an additional display may be viewable by a coach associated with the rower during a rowing movement of the rower (e.g., a coach on a launch boat).
Each display 130 may display information associated with data measured by the set of sensors 140. In some embodiments, each display 130 may display raw data measured by the set of sensors 140. In some embodiments, each display 130 may display performance data that has been generated by the processor 120 based on the data transmitted from the set of sensors 140 to the processor 120. For example, each display 130 may display performance data of the boat 180 and/or rower(s) normalized for environmental variables. The displayed performance data may be individual and/or collective performance data of all of the rowers on the boat 180 during a rowing operation. Thus, in some embodiments, each rower may be able to view normalized performance data including information associated with their individual performance during a rowing operation and information associated with the collective performance of the set of athletes.
In some embodiments, the processor 120, the memory 110, and the display 130 may be included in a mobile device 102 (also referred to as a smart device, a base device, and/or a wireless device). For example, the processor 120, the memory 110, and the display 130 may be operatively coupled together and share a common housing. The mobile device 102 may be, for example, a mobile phone or tablet (e.g., an Android mobile phone or an iPhone). In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may optionally include one or more sensors 140X which may include one or more of the boat sensors 160 (e.g., one or more environmental sensors such as a global positioning system and/or an inertial measurement unit including, for example, a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer) and/or may be configured to request, retrieve, and/or receive data sensed by a third party (e.g., environmental data available via a source such as a weather website), save such data in the memory 110, and/or process such data using the processor 120. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 in combination with at least one of the boat sensors 160 and/or at least one of the rower sensors 150 may be identified as a node assembly 104.
In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 is configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor of the set of sensors 140 (e.g., via BLE) and transmit sensor data and/or data generated by the mobile device 102 (e.g., by the processor 120) based on the sensor data to the command center 106 (e.g., a cloud-based server) via, for example, WIFI, 5G, and/or LTE. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may optionally live stream data received from the set of sensors 140 and/or live stream data generated based on the received sensor data (e.g., performance metrics) to the command center 106. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may be paired (e.g., via BLE) with one or more sensors of the set of sensors 140 such that the one or more sensors recognizes the mobile device 102 and/or vice versa (e.g., upon activation of the mobile device 102 and/or the one or more sensors) and such that the one or more sensors may transmit sensor data to the mobile device 102. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may be paired with a sensor of the set of sensors 140 using a process in which the user initiates a pairing mode of the sensor (e.g., via pressing or holding a button on the sensor) and then selects the sensor from a list of available devices presented on a display 130 of the mobile device 102. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may automatically re-connect to receive sensor data from the paired sensor upon activation of the paired sensor in a suitable proximity (e.g., within a BLE transmission distance) of the mobile device 102. In some embodiments, a user may interact with the mobile device 102 (e.g., with the software app 106D) to select a boat from a list of saved boats, causing the mobile device 102 to automatically pair with a set of sensors 140 associated with the selected boat (e.g., via an earlier pairing or assignment process). Thus, the user may be able to choose any boat of a set of boats, each boat already having sensors of the set of sensors 140 mounted thereto, optionally couple a power storage device to one or more of the sensors mounted to the boat, releasably secure (e.g., mount) the mobile device 102 of the user to the boat, and then select the boat on a mobile device 102 such that the mobile device 102 automatically pairs with the sensors associated with the selected boat and may receive data therefrom. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 (e.g., the processor 120 in combination with a transmitter, transceiver, and/or antenna) may be configured to automatically upload sensor data and/or data generated by the processor 120 based on the sensor data (e.g., performance metrics and/or data analysis reports) upon establishment of a connection between the mobile device 102 and the command center 106 (e.g., upon establishment of a WIFI, 5G, or LTE connection for the mobile device 102).
In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 is configured to provide live performance data via the integrated display 130. For example, in some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may provide live, per stroke performance metrics as feedback to the rower if the mobile device is mounted in a location visible to the rower. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may provide live, per stroke performance metrics to a non-rower user of the mobile device 102, such as a coach or coxswain. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 is configured to stream live, per stroke data and other raw data gathered by sensors of the set of sensors 140 (optionally including the sensor(s) 140X) to the command center 106 directly (e.g., using 5G or LTE) using a data plan via cell service or via a WIFI hotspot to which the mobile device 102 is connected, which may be mounted to the boat 180 or to a nearby boat (e.g., a launch used by a coach).
In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may include a watertight enclosure such that the components of the mobile device 102 will not be damaged if water contacts the mobile device 102. For example, the mobile device 102 may include a watertight enclosure that is waterproof IP68. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may be mounted in a waterproof case (e.g., mounted to the boat 180 via a mounting assembly that includes a waterproof case through which the display 130 is visible).
In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 and/or the sensors of the set of sensors 140 may be updated wirelessly (e.g., by the command center 106). For example, the command center 106 may send software updates to the mobile device 102 via the wireless network 170 and the mobile device 102 may update (e.g., update the processor) based on the instructions in the software updates. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may send software updates one or more sensors of the set of sensors 140 based on information provided by the command center 106 to the mobile device 102 such that the one or more sensors update their operation based on the software updates.
In some embodiments, one of more of the sensors of the set of sensors 140 may include a modular power storage device and a modular electronics assembly, with each including one or more enclosures such that the power storage device and/or the electronics assembly may be easily mounted to and/or separated from the boat 180. Thus, the power storage device may easily be decoupled for recharging and/or replacement with a charged power storage device. In some embodiments, the power storage device may be configured to be wirelessly charged (e.g., via contact with a wireless charger). The electronics assembly may be easily decoupled from the boat 180 and replaced in the event of a malfunction. Additionally, a user may easily decouple an electronics assembly and/or a power storage device from a first boat 180 after use of the first boat 180 for a rowing session and then couple the electronics assembly and/or the power storage device to a second boat 180 for another rowing session of the user. In some embodiments, the user may also transfer the mobile device 102 from the first boat 180 to the second boat 180, and thus the sensors remain paired with the mobile device 102 for a seamless transition between boats. In some embodiments, the power storage device may be configured to slide-on to a mounting plate of the electronics assembly and/or the electronics assembly may be configured to slide-on to a mounting plate coupled to the boat 180 (e.g., to a component such as an oarlock housing mounted on the boat). In some embodiments, the power storage device may be configured to clip on, snap on, tie on, or latch to the electronics assembly and/or the electronics assembly may be configured to clip on, snap on, tie on, or latch to the boat 180 (e.g., to a component such as an oarlock housing mounted on the boat). In some embodiments, any suitable reversible coupling mechanism may be included.
In some embodiments, the data analytics portal (DAP) described above may be used to allow data to be shared between and among users of the system 100. For example, the system 100 may include one or more additional mobile devices 108 that may be the same or similar in structure and/or function to the mobile device 102. The one or more mobile devices 108 may be used by rowers of the same boat, rowers of different boats, one or more coxswains, one or more coaches, and/or any other interested parties. In some embodiments, a user of the mobile device 102 may use the mobile device 102 and/or the command center 106 to automatically share data associated with a rowing session with other users (e.g., users linked to the first user's profile or in a common group with the first user). In some embodiments, a user may share specific data and/or training plans with one or more users not on the user's list for automatic sharing through interacting with the DAP. In some embodiments, another user (e.g., a coach) may provide feedback (e.g., modifications) on a training plan received from the first user and/or feedback (e.g., notes) on a rowing session for review by the first user. In some embodiments, the user may chare data associated with a rowing session via social media via the mobile device 102 (e.g., automatically upon establishing an internet connection). Within the DAP, the user may view a list of “My Session” and/or a list of “Shared Sessions.” By engaging with an individual session (e.g., via clicking on the session or touching it on a touchscreen), the user may see a dynamic view of performance metrics generated by, for example, the processor 120, a processor of another user's mobile device 108, and/or the processor 106B. Additionally, in some embodiments, the DAP may request and retrieve data from other apps that a user may use to collect performance data, such as, for example, Strava, Google Sheets, Garmin, etc., and the DAP may present that data integrated with data collected by the set of sensors 140 and/or may analyze that data in conjunction with data collected by or generated based on the data collected by the the set of sensors 140. In some embodiments, the user may create training plans (e.g., for the user and/or for other users of the system 100) using the DAP in a similar way as described below with respect to
In some embodiments, segments of a rowing session may be detected and created by the DAP. In some embodiments, the DAP may automatically detect segments of rowing and rest based on the data collected by the sensors 140 (e.g., based on data collected by one or more oarlock sensors, seat sensors, footplate sensors, boat acceleration sensors, and/or boat speed sensors). In some embodiments, data collected by the sensors 140 and associated with a rowing session may be further segmented based on time, distance, stroke-rate range, or power range. In some embodiments, the DAP allows for manual segments to be created by a user by dragging a line across an area or region of interest. In some embodiments, the DAP allows for fine adjustments to the start and end parameters to be made to identify the segment of interest (e.g., after identifying the segment of interest coarsely by drawing the line). In some embodiments, basic segment metrics may be calculated as segments are created. Segments may be analyzed by visualizing segment metrics (e.g., speed, stroke-rate, distance per stroke, average force measured by a sensor or a set of sensors, average check) numerically or graphically. In some embodiments, multiple segments may be selected. In some embodiments, a first segment may be superimposed over a second segment such that metrics of each segment may be visually compared. In some embodiments, various metrics may be turned on and off to allow comparison and further analysis of effects and changes related to particular metrics. In some embodiments, the DAP may allow segments with different starting times to be compared. In some embodiments, a subset of the data available (e.g., displayed) in the DAP may be included in a “Memory” display on the mobile device 102 (see, e.g.,
As described above, the system 100 may include any suitable number of node assemblies 104, wireless devices 102/108, and/or sensors 140. Additionally, any suitable number of node assemblies 104, wireless devices 102/108, and/or sensors 140 may be coupled to (e.g., mounted on) the boat 180. For example,
In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 may be controlled using voice commands. In some embodiments, the user may provide voice commands or select a button on the mobile device 102 (e.g., on the display 130) to mark particular segments of interest during a rowing session (e.g., marking start and stop of rowing segments compared to breaks). Such markers may be stored by the mobile device 102 and by the command center 106 as part of the session data and may be used to assist with analysis of the rowing session.
In some embodiments, when a user is finished with a rowing session, the user may indicate to the mobile device 102 that the session is complete (e.g., pressing a button on the display 130). In some embodiments, if the mobile device 102, in combination with one or more sensors coupled thereto, does not detect rowing activity for a predetermined length of time, the mobile device 102 may cease recording the sensor data transmitted to the mobile device 102 from the one or more sensors and/or may display a prompt to the user asking the user whether to continue or end the rowing session. In some embodiments, the sensor data collected during the rowing session is automatically saved and may be assigned a name, date, and/or time associated with the rowing session.
In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a quick release mount configured to be mounted to a portion of the boat 180, such as a foot plate. The quick release mount may include a portion configured to engage with the mobile device 102 such that the mobile device 102 may be securely and releasably coupled to the mount via a quick-release mounting feature, such as a latch, lever, slot, or any other suitable feature. In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a quick release mount for each mobile device 102 intended to be mounted to the boat 180 (e.g., one for each rower and one for a coxswain, if any).
In some embodiments, for example, the mobile device 102 may receive sensor data streams from sensors external to the mobile device 102 (e.g., oarlock sensors of the set of sensors 140) and from internal sensors of the mobile device 102 (e.g., an accelerometer, GPS). Raw data collected by and/or received from the sensors may be saved on the memory 110 of the mobile device 102 and may be provided to a local analytics engine (e.g., the processor 120) of the mobile device 102. The analytics engine may calculate real-time metrics and the metrics may be displayed to the user of the mobile device 102 (e.g., the rower) using the display 130. In some embodiments, both raw and real-time calculated metrics may be streamed through a web-socket to the cloud (e.g., a cloud server such as the command center 106). An analytics engine in the cloud (e.g., the processor 106B and/or the software app 106D) may instruct a display (e.g., via a browser or an app running on a computing device) to display the metrics calculated by the mobile device 102 and/or may perform calculations based on the raw and/or metrics calculated by the mobile device 102 for off-water viewing and analysis.
In some embodiments, the normalized performance data or rower performance data associated with optimized performance data may be displayed on a display viewable by the rower during a rowing movement of the rower. In some embodiments, the normalized performance data or rower performance data associated with optimized performance data may be displayed on a display viewable by a coach during a rowing movement of the rower.
In some embodiments, the set of rower sensors may include an oarlock sensor coupled to an oarlock and configured to measure an angle of movement of an oar and a force of the oar against the oarlock during a rowing movement of the rower. In some embodiments, the set of rower sensors includes a foot sensor coupled to the boat and configured to measure a force exerted upon the boat by a foot of the rower during the rowing movement of the rower. In some embodiments, the set of rower sensors includes a seat sensor coupled to a seat of the boat and configured to measure acceleration of the seat as the seat translates along a track during the rowing movement of the rower. In some embodiments, the set or rower sensors includes a seat sensor coupled to a seat of the boat and configured to record (e.g., measure) acceleration, distance traveled, and or a seat position of the seat during a rowing session (e.g., as the seat translated along a track during the rowing movement of the rower). In some embodiments, the set of rower sensors includes physiological sensors associated with an individual rower and configured to measure physiological data, such as heart rate of the rower.
In some embodiments, the at least one environmental condition includes a wind speed and a wind direction. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the at least one environmental condition includes a water speed, a water temperature (e.g., in Celsius and/or Fahrenheit), and/or an air temperature (e.g., in Celsius and/or Fahrenheit). In some embodiments, the set of boat sensors includes: a hull sensor coupled to the boat and including a global positioning system and an inertial measurement assembly, and a wind sensor coupled to the boat and configured to measure the wind speed and the wind direction. In some embodiments, the global positioning system and/or the inertial measurement assembly may be included in a mobile device configured to receive performance data from one or more boat sensors external to the mobile device (e.g. an oarlock sensor) and/or one or more rower sensors external to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the mobile device is configured to generate the normalized performance data using the processor of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the boat performance data includes at least one of a location, a speed, a roll, pitch, yaw, acceleration, and a heading of the boat.
In some embodiments, each sensor of the set of sensors is configured for wireless communication with the processor. In some embodiments, the set of rower performance data and the set of boat performance data are received wirelessly by a processor coupled to the boat via at least one wireless communication router coupled to the boat. In some embodiments, the set of rower performance data and the set of boat performance data may be received from the sensors by a processor (e.g., a processor of a mobile device coupled to the boat) via a Bluetooth® low energy wireless network. The mobile device may then communicate the performance data and/or normalized performance data to a command center (e.g., a cloud-based server) such as the command center 106 via, for example, WIFI, 5G, or LTE. In some embodiments, the mobile device may communicate the performance data and/or normalized performance data to other mobile devices directly using, for example, Bluetooth® low energy communication.
In some embodiments, the normalized performance data includes a normalized speed of the boat and is derived from at least one of a speed of the boat, an acceleration of the boat, a drag of the boat, and a momentum of the boat. In some embodiments, speed of the boat may be calculated based on data collected by a global positioning system (GPS) (e.g., a GPS on-board the mobile device). The distance traveled by the mobile device mounted on the boat and elapsed time may be used to calculate a “current” speed of the boat over an immediately preceding time period (e.g., the previous 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds) and an average speed of the boat taken over a larger time interval (e.g., from beginning to end of a rowing session or over a period of 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minutes, or any other suitable time period).
In some embodiments, a first set of information associated with achieving a rowing performance goal may be provided via the display based on the set of rower performance data and the boat performance data. A second set of rower performance data and a second set of boat performance data from the set of rower sensors and the set of boat sensors, respectively, may be received. It may be determined whether or not the first set of information was effective in achieving the rowing performance goal based on the second set of rower performance data and the second set of boat performance data. A second set of information associated with achieving the rowing performance goal may be provided via the display based on the determination of whether or not the first set of information provided was effective.
In some embodiments, the systems and/or methods described herein may be adapted for use in a different athletic context than rowing. For example, the systems and/or methods described herein may be adapted for any sport requiring coordination amongst a group of athletes.
In some embodiments, the performance data associated with each unique individual from the plurality of unique individuals includes physiological data associated with at least a first individual and a second individual of the plurality of unique individuals. In some embodiments, the normalized performance data may be inputted into a machine learning model. In some embodiments, a change in a performance parameter of a unique individual from the plurality of unique individuals associated with an improvement in normalized performance data may be identified based at least in part on the normalized performance data.
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The oarlock sensor 452 may measure an angle of movement and associated force of an oar against an oarlock by a rower during a rowing movement (e.g., a stroke) of an associated rower. The foot sensor 454 may measure a force applied by one or both feet of each rower on a surface (e.g., a foot plate also referred to as a foot stretcher or an inner bottom surface of a shoe coupled to the foot plate) during a rowing movement (e.g., a stroke) of an associated rower. The seat sensor 456 may measure an acceleration of a seat on which the rower is seated (e.g., along one or more rails) during a rowing movement (e.g., a stroke) of an associated rower (e.g., under the power of the rower).
The one or more hull sensors 462 may measure data associated with characteristics and movement of the boat. For example, the one or more hull sensors 462 may measure a change in a GPS position of the boat, a heading of the boat, a speed of the boat, a roll, pitch, and/or yaw of the boat, and/or an acceleration of the boat. The wind sensor 464 may measure characteristics associated with wind during operation of the boat (e.g., in water). For example, the wind sensor 464 may measure a wind speed and wind angle during operation of the boat (e.g., due to rowing movements in water). In some embodiments, the wind sensor 464 or another sensor may operate as an environmental sensor of other environmental data. For example, in addition to wind characteristics, the wind sensor 464 may also measure ambient air temperature and/or water temperature.
The system 400 includes a set of displays 430 to provide performance data feedback. The set of displays 430 include a first display 432 (e.g., a coach's display or terminal), a second display 434 (e.g., a coxswain's display), and a set of rower displays 436. In some embodiments, the set of rower displays 436 includes one display per rower such that each rower may see individualized feedback and/or group feedback. The oarlock sensor 452, the foot sensor 454, the seat sensor 456, the hull sensor 462, and the wind sensor 464 may be communicatively coupled to the first display 432, the second display 434, the set of rower displays 436, the data concentrator 422, and/or the analytics engine 424 via a wireless network 470.
Each sensor of the oarlock sensor(s) 452, the foot sensor(s) 454, the seat sensor(s) 456, the hull sensor 462, and the wind sensor 464 may include a base unit including a communication assembly, a power storage device (also referred to as a power storage component), and a timing component. The communication assembly may be, for example, a wireless communication assembly for providing sensed data to the processor 420 and/or the one or more displays 430 via any suitable wireless communication method (e.g., via WIFI and Bluetooth®). The power storage device may include any suitable power storage device for providing operational power to the sensor components, such as, for example, a battery (e.g., a 1200 mAh lithium polymer battery). In some embodiments, the power storage device may have a battery life of greater than one month. In some embodiments, the sensors of the set of sensors 440 may be configured to go into a low-power sleep mode when not in use. The timing component may be used to synchronize the timing of data collection across the various sensors. The timing component may be, for example, a real time clock.
Furthermore, each sensor of the oarlock sensor(s) 452, the foot sensor(s) 454, the seat sensor(s) 456, the hull sensor 462, and the wind sensor 464 may include one or more enclosures within which one or more of the remaining components of each sensor may be housed (e.g., the communication assembly, the power storage device, and the timing component). The enclosure(s) may be watertight such that an interior of each enclosure is fluidically isolated from an exterior of each enclosure, preventing splashed water from reaching an interior of each enclosure. Each sensor may include an on/off button or switch and status lights (e.g., disposed in openings defined by the enclosure(s)). Thus, engagement with the on/off button or switch of a sensor may activate and deactivate the sensor such that power from the power storage device may be conserved when the sensor is not in use. The status lights may indicate a status of the sensor (e.g., on, off, low power, etc.).
In some embodiments, the display 436 and/or the display 434 may be formed as or included in a mobile device (e.g., an Android mobile phone) having a processor and may be paired to one or more of the sensors to receive data collected by the one or more sensors and perform real-time analysis of the received data. The display 436 and/or the display 434 may function as real-time displays for rowers and/or coxswains, respectively. The display 436 and/or the display 434 may function as data concentrators and first-line analytics engines for the paired sensors. The display 436 and/or the display 434 may also transfer data to a command center (e.g., the cloud) for further analytics and data storage that may then be accessed by athletes (e.g., rowers) and coaches. In some embodiments, the system 400 may include one mobile device including a display 436 per rower and one mobile device including a display 434 for a boat's coxswain. In some embodiments, the system 400 may include fewer mobile devices including the display 434 in the boat than rowers (e.g., only one display for the entire boat) that may be paired to sensors associated with more than one rower (e.g., may be paired with multiple oarlocks, foot sensors, or seat sensors).
In some embodiments, the memory 410 and the processor 420 including the data concentrator 422 and the analytics engine 424 may all be cloud-based. In some embodiments, the coaches terminal 432 may be configured for wireless communication with the cloud such that the terminal 423 may receive data and analytics from the cloud via, for example, WIFI, 5G, or LTE. In some embodiments, a coach's launch may include a hotspot to allow for easy access to the cloud by the terminal 432. The terminal 432 may also be used to communicate with the coxswain's display 434 and/or the rower's feedback display 436 such that a coach may provide remote coaching (e.g., in real time). In some embodiments, the wireless network 470 may be a local BLE wireless network.
Each sensor of the set of sensors 640 includes a base unit including a communication assembly (e.g., a WIFI-based transmitter), a power storage device (not shown), and a timing component (e.g., a real time clock). Each sensor of the set of sensors 640 may also include a sensing subassembly and a sensor interface between the base unit and the sensing subassembly.
The data aggregator 622 may include a network time protocol (NTP) module, a websocket module, and a data logger. The timing component of the sensor of the set of sensors 640 is configured to request time from the NTP module and receive a time update such that the sensor may synchronize itself with the data aggregator 622. The communication assembly of each sensor is configured to send data to and receive commands from the websocket module. The data received by the websocket module from the sensor may be provided to the database 610 and the analytics engine via the data logger. In some embodiments, the data logger may provide the data to the analytics engine 624 in real time. The database 610 may also send queries to the analytics engine 624 to request normalized performance data from the analytics engine 624.
The set of feedback systems 765 may include an athlete feedback system 768, a coxswain feedback system 769, and/or a central data portal 781 (each of which may be the same or similar in structure and/or function to or include any of the feedback systems, devices, processors and/or memories described herein). The users/entities 766 may include rowers R, coxswains X, and/or coaches C. The equipment 767 may include an oar, a rowing shell, an ergometer, weights, and/or a lactate test associated with the rower(s). The equipment may also include a cox box associated with the coxswain. A subset of the sensors 740 may be configured to measure independent variables (i.e., variables changeable by the athlete). For example, the sensors 740 may include a wearable motion sensor configured to measure body position, an oarlock sensor configured to measure oar force and/or oar angle of an oar, a foot sensor configured to measure foot force, and/or a seat sensor configured to measure seat position and/or seat weight. A subset of the sensors 740 may be configured to measure dependent variables (i.e., variables that result from changes the athlete makes). For example, the sensors may include a GPS/IMU sensor array coupled to the rowing shell configured to measure velocity, roll, and drag on the hull. A subset of the sensors 740 may be configured to measure constants and/or constraints (e.g., environmental variables). For example, an impeller may be used to measure current, an ultrasonic wind sensor may be used to measure wind, and a water thermometer may be used to measure water temperature. An ergometer may be used to measure an athletes aerobic threshold, lactic tolerance, and maximum power. Additionally, the users (e.g., athletes) may provide their height, weight, and body measurements.
The data collected by the sensors of the system 700 may be stored in a memory and used as inputs 785 and for data analysis 787 (e.g., in a machine learning model 787). The system 700 may perform data analysis 783 on the data and, using analysis using machine learning, physics, and/or statistics, may implement data feature correlation model(s), anomaly detection, adjusted speed model(s), and/or feedback action model(s) (which may be based on the outputs of one or more of the other models), and may produce a variety of outputs 784, such as one or more suggested feedback actions 789 (e.g., a feedback action selected from a feedback action library 787A based on the inputs 785 using the data analysis 783), and one or more performance characteristics 790 (e.g., normalized performance characteristics) such as normalized boat speed, velocity loss, catch timing distribution, release timing distribution, power, effective length, length, and/or roll. The outputs 784 may be provided to the feedback systems 765 as appropriate such that changes may be made by one or more users/entities of the set of users/entities 766 (e.g., an athlete and/or coach) to improve performance (e.g., using the suggested feedback action 789) and/or such that the performance may be compared to other athlete performances (e.g., a performance that may have taken place under different environmental conditions, using different equipment, and/or by a different athlete or set of athletes) based, for example, on the one or more performance characteristics 790. The process may then be continued throughout an athletic performance or series of athletic performances such that, for example, the one or more users/entities of the set of users/entities 766 may make adjustments (e.g., periodically or continuously) based on the outputs 784 with the aim of improving performance.
The electronics assembly 997 is coupled to the first force transducer 995 and the second force transducer 996. The electronics assembly 997 includes a processor configured to determine a force of the oar collar against the face plate 994 during a rowing motion of the oar. The electronics assembly 997 includes an inertial measurement assembly such that an angle of the oar collar relative to the face plate 994 may be determined based on acceleration data sensed by the inertial measurement assembly during the rowing motion of the oar. In some embodiments, the inertial measurement assembly includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 997 includes a wireless communication subassembly (e.g., including a transmitter or transceiver) configured to communicate data associated with the force of the oar collar against the face plate 994 and data sensed by the inertial measurement assembly via a wireless network.
The electronics assembly 1097 includes a calibration board 1097A, a power storage device 1097B (e.g., a battery), an inertial measurement assembly (IMU) 1097C (e.g., a BNO 8085), and a processor 1097D (e.g., a microCPU). The processor 1097D is configured to determine a force (e.g., an orthogonal force relative to a pin in the pin receptacle 1092) of the oar collar against the face plate 1094 during a rowing motion of the oar. The inertial measurement assembly 1097C includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer such that the inertial measurement assembly 1097C may sense acceleration of the oar collar relative to the face plate 1094 during the rowing motion of the oar. The processor 1097D determines an angle of the oar collar relative to the face plate 1094 based on the acceleration data sensed and provided by the inertial measurement assembly 1097C. The electronics assembly 1097 also includes an on/off button or switch 1097E (e.g., disposed within and/or protruding from an enclosure of the electronics assembly 1097) configured such that engagement with the on/off button or switch 1097E may activate and deactivate the electronics assembly 1097 such that power from the power storage device 1097B may be conserved when the electronics assembly 1097 is not in use.
In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 1097 includes a wireless communication subassembly configured to communicate data associated with the force of the oar collar against the face plate 1094 and data sensed by the inertial measurement assembly 1097C via a wireless network. In some embodiments, the oarlock assembly 1052 may be assembled by coupling the face plate 1094 and the electronics assembly 1097 (e.g., including or disposed within an enclosure) to a pre-assembled and/or off-the-shelf oarlock, such as a Concept2 Sweep Oarlock.
The first force transducer 1095 and the second force transducer 1096 may transmit analog voltages to the calibration board 1097A and the processor 1097D. Additionally, the processor 1097D may read data from the gyroscope and accelerometer of the IMU 1097C. The processor 1097D may transmit the data to a central processor mounted to the boat and/or a processor external to the boat using, for example, a wireless transmitter or transceiver. The processor 1097D and/or the central processor may associate the angle data to angle data collected by an IMU of a hull to which the oarlock assembly 1052 is coupled (e.g., via the oarlock pin 1092) to compute an angle an oar collar disposed within the opening 1093 strikes the face plate 1094 relative to a reference frame of the rowing shell. For example, orientation and acceleration data from the gyroscope and accelerometer of an IMU of the hull to which the oarlock assembly 1052 is coupled may be subtracted from the data from the gyroscope and accelerometer, respectively, of the IMU 1097C to calculate the angle of movement of the oar collar relative to the oarlock assembly 1052.
The foot sensor assembly 1154 measures force exerted upon a boat (e.g., on a foot plate and/or athlete shoes coupled to the boat) by the athlete via the feet of the athlete. In some embodiments, the first force sensor 1172 may be inserted into a left shoe of a pair of athlete shoes coupled to the boat (e.g., disposed on the left shoe's insole) and the right force sensor 1172 may be inserted into a right shoe of a pair of athlete shoes coupled to the boat (e.g., disposed on the right shoe's insole). The foot sensor assembly 1154 may transmit analog voltages to the sensor calibration circuit 1173 of the I/O board 1174. The enclosure 1177 may be mounted to the boat at any suitable location (e.g., at a location along the gunwale of the boat near the associated foot plate).
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In some embodiments, the tubular member 2058 and the pin cavity 2093B may be shaped and sized such that the tubular member 2058 may be received within the pin cavity 2093B in only one orientation or in only one of two orientations and such that the tubular member 2058 self-aligns with the pin cavity 2093 upon insertion into the pin cavity 2093B. For example, in some embodiments, the cavity 2093B of the brace housing may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape and the tubular member 2058 may include a central portion having a non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the cavity 2093B such that the tubular member 2058 can be mated with an interior surface of the brace housing 2091 defining the cavity 2093B. For example, the tubular member 2058 may have a cross-section (e.g., taken through a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the tubular member 2058) that has two opposing flat edges and two opposing curved edges. The pin cavity 2093B may have a corresponding cross-section with a slightly larger perimeter such that the tubular member 2058 may be inserted into the pin cavity 2093B in only two orientations. As referenced above, the tubular member 2058 may also include an extended diameter portion, which may be centered between ends of the tubular member. The extended diameter portion may have a cross-section with a continuous perimeter except for a portion within which electrical contacts associated with the strain gauge assembly 2058A are disposed, indicating the proper orientation of the tubular member 2058 relative to the brace housing 2001 defining the pin cavity 2093B (which may define an opening through which the electronics assembly 2097 may electrically contact the electrical contacts of the tubular member 2058).
The electronics assembly 2097 includes a processor configured to determine a force of the oar collar against the oar contact surface 2091A during a rowing motion of the oar. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 2097 may include an inertial measurement assembly such that an angle of the oar collar relative to the oar contact surface 2091A may be determined based on acceleration data sensed by the inertial measurement assembly during the rowing motion of the oar. In some embodiments, the inertial measurement assembly includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer. In some embodiments, as described further below, the electronics assembly 2097 may include a magnetic sensor in combination with a gyroscope such that an angle of an oar or an oar collar relative to the boat may be determined based on a sensed relationship between a magnet in a fixed location relative to a pin disposed in the pin receptacle 2091 and the magnetic sensor. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 2097 includes a wireless communication subassembly (e.g., including a transmitter or transceiver) configured to communicate data associated with the force of the oar collar against the oar contact surface 2091A and oar angle data via a wireless network (e.g., via Bluetooth® communication).
The electronics assembly 2097 includes an electrical connection for electrically coupling the electronics assembly 2097 to the strain gauge assembly 2058A of the tubular member 2058. In some embodiments, the electrical connection of the electronics assembly 2097 may include pogo pins configured to contact electrical contacts of the tubular member 2058 when the electronics assembly 2097 is coupled to the tubular member 2058. In some embodiments, the pogo pins may be spring-loaded such that the pogo pins may be compressed to a shorter length when coupling the electronics assembly 2097 to the tubular member 2058, and may expand under the force of the springs to contact the electrical contacts of the tubular member 2058 when the electronics assembly 2097 is properly coupled to the tubular member 2058.
The electronics assembly 2097 includes an enclosure (also referred to as a housing) that may be watertight such that an interior of the enclosure is fluidically isolated from an exterior of the enclosure, preventing splashed water from reaching an interior of the enclosure. A power transfer interface of the electronics assembly 2097 may be accessible through the exterior of the enclosure (e.g., electrical contacts may be disposed within openings of the enclosure such that an interface between each electrical contact and the enclosure housing is sealed to prevent water from traveling to an interior of the enclosure). Additionally, the electronics assembly 2097 may include any suitable buttons (e.g., on/off buttons), switches, or status lights accessible or visible through the enclosure and sealed relative to the enclosure to prevent water from traveling into the enclosure.
The enclosure of the electronics assembly 2097 may include any suitable mounting component configured to engage with a mating mounting component associated with the tubular member 2058. The mounting component of the enclosure of the electronics assembly 2097 and the mating mounting component associated with the tubular member 2058 may include, for example, one or more latches and engagement posts, flexible arms with retention elements and receiving indents, flanges, or grooves, straps, buttons, and/or any other suitable mating mounting components that allow the electronics assembly 2097 to be reversibly coupled to the tubular member 2058 to measure resistance changes of the strain gauge assembly 2058A and, optionally, to sense presence or absence of a magnetic field (e.g., of a body of magnet) as described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 2097 may be mounted to the brace housing 2091 using any of the mating mounting components described above, and such a mount causes electrical contacts of the electronics assembly 2097 to operably couple to electrical contacts of the tubular member 2058 disposed in the pin cavity 2093B of the brace housing 2091.
The power storage assembly 2057 may include a power storage component and an enclosure. The power storage component may be any suitable power storage component, such as a rechargeable battery. The power storage assembly 2057 may include a power transfer interface including any suitable power transfer components configured to operably couple with a power transfer interface of the electronics assembly 2097 to provide energy to the electronics assembly 2097 to operably power the electronics assembly 2097. For example, the power transfer interface may include electrical contacts configured to mate with electrical contacts of the electronics assembly 2097 when the power storage assembly 2057 is mechanically coupled to the electronics assembly 2097. In some embodiments, the power transfer interface may include primary inductor coils and the electronics assembly 2097 may include second coils such that, when the power storage assembly 2057 is coupled to the electronics assembly 2097, the electronics assembly 2097 may be powered and/or a power storage component of the electronics assembly 2097 may be charged (i.e., a power storage level of the power storage component may be increased) through inductive charging.
The enclosure (also referred to as a housing) of the power storage assembly 2057 may be watertight such that an interior of the enclosure is fluidically isolated from an exterior of the enclosure, preventing splashed water from reaching an interior of the enclosure. The power transfer interface may be accessible through the exterior of the enclosure (e.g., electrical contacts may be disposed within openings of the enclosure such that an interface between each electrical contact and the enclosure housing is sealed to prevent water from traveling to an interior of the enclosure). Additionally, the enclosure may define an opening through which the power storage component may be charged (e.g., via AC power) in which the interface of the enclosure and a charging port is sealed (e.g., watertight). Additionally, the power storage assembly 2057 may include any suitable buttons (e.g., on/off buttons), switches, or status lights accessible or visible through the enclosure and sealed relative to the enclosure to prevent water from traveling into the enclosure.
The enclosure of the power storage assembly 2057 may include any suitable mounting component configured to engage with a mating mounting component of the enclosure of the electronics assembly 2097. The mounting component of the enclosure of the power storage assembly 2057 and the mating mounting component of the enclosure of the electronics assembly 2097 may include, for example, one or more latches and engagement posts, flexible arms with retention elements and receiving indents, flanges, or grooves, straps, buttons, and/or any other suitable mating mounting components that allow the power storage assembly 2057 to be reversibly coupled to the electronics assembly 2097 to provide energy (e.g., operation power) to the electronics assembly 2097. Thus, the power storage assembly 2057 may be separated from the electronics assembly 2097 for charging without needing to remove the electronics assembly 2097 from the oarlock base assembly 2052A. In some embodiments, any of a set of power storage assemblies 2057 may be coupled to the electronics assembly 2097 to provide operation power to the electronics assembly 2097 without requiring any specialized programming of the electronics assembly 2097 such that a power storage assembly 2057 with a power storage component with a low power storage level may be replaced with a power storage component with a higher power storage level.
In some embodiments, rather than having a separate, modular power storage assembly 2057, the power storage component of the power storage assembly 2057 may be included in the electronics assembly 2097 and disposed within the enclosure of the electronics assembly 2097. In such embodiments, the electronics assembly 2097 may be decoupled from the oarlock base assembly 2052A for charging (e.g., via being plugged into an AC power source) or may be charged while coupled to the oarlock base assembly 2052A. In some embodiments, as mentioned above, the electronics assembly 2097 may include a power storage device in addition to the power storage assembly 2057 including a power storage component, and the power storage assembly 2057 may be used to provide charging power to the power storage component of the power storage assembly 2097. The power storage component of the power storage assembly 2097 may be any suitable power storage component, such as a rechargeable battery or a capacitor.
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The through-hole in the magnet may be used as a magnetic reference for the gyroscope of the electronics assembly 2097. The magnetic sensor of the electronics assembly 2097 may detect the through-hole in the magnet. For example, the magnetic sensor may be disposed such that, when the electronics assembly 2097 is mounted to the oarlock base assembly 2052A and the oarlock base assembly 2052A is rotated about the central axis of the pin disposed in the pin receptacle 2092, the magnetic sensor follows a rotational path that passes directly above the through-hole of the magnet (e.g., the magnetic sensor may be disposed substantially the same distance from a central axis of the pin as the through-hole in the magnet). The magnetic sensor may be configured to determine whether the magnetic sensor is aligned with the through-hole of the magnet or a non-through-hole portion of the magnet (e.g., the body of the magnet). In some embodiments, the magnetic sensor may be configured to determine whether the magnetic sensor is aligned with the slot of the magnet, the through-hole portion of the magnet, or the body of the magnet. For example, the electronics assembly 2097 (e.g., a processor of the electronics assembly 2097), using data collected by the magnetic sensor in combination with data collected by a gyroscope of the electronics assembly, may be configured to determine whether the magnetic sensor is disposed over the through-hole portion of the magnet, the body of the magnet, and/or the slot of the magnet based on, for example, whether the magnetic sensor senses the presence of a magnet or not at a particular orientation of the electronics assembly 2097 and the brace housing 2091 relative to the pin and, in some embodiments, the size (e.g., lateral distance) of a portion of the arcuate path of the magnetic sensor in which the magnetic sensor does not sense a magnet. Thus, the electronics assembly 2097 may determine whether the magnetic sensor is sensing the through-hole or the slot based on a known size of the through-hole or the slot (e.g., the through-hole having a different width (e.g., a greater width) than the slot).
After finding the location of the through-hole, the electronics assembly 2097 may store the location as a reference point (e.g., a 0 degree location) for the gyroscope. Thus, during use of the oarlock assembly 2052, the electronics assembly 2097 may measure the angle of rotation of the oarlock base assembly 2052A (including the brace housing 2091 within which an oar may be disposed) relative to the reference point (i.e., the through-hole of the magnet). The electronics assembly 2097 may measure a rotational angle of movement of the oarlock base assembly 2052A (and, thus, the rotational movement of an oar disposed within the opening 2093) relative to the reference point in either rotational direction. For example, the electronics assembly 2097 may measure the rotational angle of movement of the oarlock base assembly 2052A (and, thus, the rotational movement of an oar disposed within the opening 2093) towards the bow of the boat during the catch when the oars enter the water and towards the stem of the boat during the finish when the oars exit the water. The electronic assembly 2097, using the magnetic sensor and the gyroscope, may then determine the location in which the oars are perpendicular to the boat based on the angle associated with the catch relative to the reference point and the angle associated with the finish relative to the reference point. The electronics assembly 2097, using the gyroscope and the magnetic sensor, may then use the determined perpendicular angle and the detected and stored reference point to determine (e.g., measure) the angle of the oars (e.g., relative to a centerline of the boat from stem to bow) at any given time during a rowing motion. Thus, the magnet does not need to be oriented at any particular orientation relative to the oarlock base assembly 2052A (e.g., the brace housing 2091 or the pin cavity 2093B) or relative to the electronics assembly 2097 during installation of the oarlock assembly 2052, as the electronics assembly 2097 may determine the orientation of the magnet and measure an angle of an oar through the opening 2093 of the brace housing 2091 relative to a detected reference point on the magnet, then correct for any difference in orientation between the orientation of the magnet in its current orientation and the orientation of the magnet if it had been arranged with a line through the through-hole and the central axis of the central opening of the magnet being parallel to a centerline of the boat from stem to bow (i.e., being perpendicular to an oar extending perpendicularly from a side of the boat).
In some embodiments, the oarlock base assembly 2052A is configured to be fully supportive of an oar relative to a pin of a boat disposed within the pin cavity 2093B with the electronics assembly 2097 decoupled from the oarlock base assembly 2052A such that the oarlock base assembly 2052A may be used without the electronics assembly 2097 or the power storage assembly 2057. Thus, the oarlock base assembly 2052A may be used without the electronics assembly 2097 and the power storage assembly 2057 without needing to remove the oarlock base assembly 2052A from the pin or make any adjustments of the oarlock base assembly 2052A relative to the pin. For example, to row without the electronics assembly 2097 and/or the power storage assembly 2057 (e.g., in a competition disallowing the use of the electronics assembly 2097), the electronics assembly 2097 and/or the power storage assembly 2057 may be simply uncoupled from the brace housing 2091 (e.g., via unlatching the enclosures of the electronics assembly 2097 and/or the power storage assembly 2057 from an outer surface of the brace housing 2091).
In some embodiments, to install the oarlock assembly 2052 on a boat, the tubular member 2058, with a bushing disposed on each end, may be inserted into the pin cavity 2093 such that the electrical contacts 2059 on the tubular member 2058 are accessible from outside of the brace housing 2091. The electronics assembly 2097 may be coupled to the brace housing 2052 such that the electronics assembly 2097 is operably coupled to the electrical contacts 2059 and may read resistance changes and/or voltage differentials of the strain gauge assembly 2058A via the electrical contacts 2059. The power storage assembly 2057 may then be coupled to the electronics assembly 2097 such that the power storage assembly 2057 may provide operational power to the electronics assembly 2097. In some embodiments, if the brace housing 2091 degrades, the tubular member 2058 can be removed from the cavity 2093B (e.g., after separating the electronics assembly 2097 from the brace housing 2091) and inserted for use into another brace housing 2091.
When the oarlock assembly 2052 is assembled and installed on a boat, the electronics assembly 2097 may read resistance changes and/or voltage differentials of the strain gauge assembly 2058A via the electrical contacts 2059. For example, the strain gauge assembly 2058A may include four strain gauges electrically coupled to form a Wheatstone bridge. The electronics assembly 2097 can be configured to apply a voltage to the strain gauge assembly 2058A via the electrical contacts 2059 and to measure a differential voltage across outputs of the electrical contacts 2059. The differential voltage across the outputs may be proportional to the force applied to the tubular member 2058, and thus can be used by the electronics assembly 2097 to determine an amount of force applied by an oar (e.g., via an oarlock) against the surface 2091A. A similar approach can be used to measure resistance changes and determine an amount of force applied by an oar (e.g., via an oarlock) against the surface 2091A based on the resistance change due to the deformation of the tubular member 2058 under the force of an oar against the surface 2091A.
The electrical assembly 2158A includes four strain gauges. Two may be located on a first side of the tubular member 2158 (e.g., aligned with the receiving aperture 2158F) and two may be located 180 degrees from the first two on a portion of the tubular member 2158 aligned with the center of the extending portion 2158G (e.g., facing the oar contacting surface). For example, all four strain gauges may be disposed on the tubular member 2158 such that they lie in the same plane, with a first strain gauge and a second strain gauge vertically aligned on a first side of the tubular member 2158 (facing away from the contact surface 2191A) and a second strain gauge and a third strain gauge vertically aligned on a second side of the tubular member 2158 opposite the first side (e.g., facing toward the contact surface 2191A). The first strain gauge and the third strain gauge may be horizontally aligned and disposed on a first side of the central portion 2158B (e.g., above the central portion 2158A) and the second strain gauge and the fourth strain gauge may be horizontally aligned and disposed on a second side of the central portion 2158B (e.g., below the central portion 2158B). The strain gauges may be the same or similar in structure and/or function to any of the strain gauges described herein, such as those of strain gauge assembly 2058A. Each strain gauge may be electrically coupled (e.g., soldered) to an electrical contact of the set of four electrical contacts 2159 via one or more flexible circuits mounted on the backing of the electrical assembly 2158A. In some embodiments, the strain gauges and the flexible circuits form a Wheatstone flexible circuit in contact with the electrical contacts 2159.
The brace housing 2191 also includes an oar contact surface 2191A arranged relative to and aligned with the strain gauge of the tubular member 2158 such that force applied on the oar contact surface 2191A during a rowing movement of the oar may be measured by the strain gauge assembly of the tubular member 2158. For example, as shown in
The electronics assembly 2197 includes a processor 2197D mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 1097F. The processor 2197D may be configured to determine a force of the oar collar against the oar contact surface 2191A during a rowing motion of the oar. Although not shown, in some embodiments the electronics assembly 2197 includes a memory and an IMU, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 2197 includes a magnetic sensor 2097G, which may include a magnetic switch, configured to sense the presence of a magnetic field near (e.g., below) the electronics assembly 2197. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 2197 includes a wireless communication subassembly 2197H configured to communicate data collected by the oarlock assembly 2197 via a wireless network (e.g., via Bluetooth® communication). For example, the wireless communication subassembly 2197H may include an antenna, a transmitter, and/or a transceiver. In some embodiments, the wireless communication subassembly 2197H may be configured to communicate data associated with the force of the oar collar against the oar contact surface 2191A and/or oar angle data.
The electronics assembly 2197 includes an electrical connection 21971 for electrically coupling the electronics assembly 2197 to the strain gauge of the tubular member 2158. In some embodiments, as shown, the electrical connection 21971 of the electronics assembly 2197 includes pogo pins configured to contact electrical contacts 2159 of the tubular member 2158 when the electronics assembly 2197 is coupled to the tubular member 2158. In some embodiments, the pogo pins may be spring-loaded such that the pogo pins may be compressed to a shorter length when coupling the electronics assembly 2197 to the tubular member 2158, and may expand under the force of the springs to contact the electrical contacts 2159 of the tubular member 2158 when the electronics assembly 2197 is properly coupled to the tubular member 2158.
The enclosure 2197J (also referred to as a housing) of the electronics assembly 2197 may be watertight such that an interior of the enclosure 2197J is fluidically isolated from an exterior of the enclosure 2197J, preventing splashed water from reaching an interior of the enclosure 2197J. A power transfer interface (not shown) of the electronics assembly 2197 may be accessible through the exterior of the enclosure 2197J (e.g., electrical contacts may be disposed within openings of the enclosure 2197J such that an interface between each electrical contact and the enclosure 2197J is sealed to prevent water from traveling to an interior of the enclosure). Additionally, the electronics assembly 2097 may include any suitable buttons (e.g., on/off buttons), switches, or status lights accessible or visible through the enclosure 2197J and sealed relative to the enclosure 2197J to prevent water from traveling into the enclosure 2197J.
The enclosure 2197J of the electronics assembly 2097 may include any suitable mounting component configured to engage with a mating mounting component associated with the tubular member 2158. The mounting component of the enclosure 2197J of the electronics assembly 2197 and the mating mounting component associated with the tubular member 2158 may include, for example, one or more latches and engagement posts, flexible arms with retention elements and receiving indents, flanges, or grooves, straps, buttons, and/or any other suitable mating mounting components that allow the electronics assembly 2197 to be reversibly coupled to the tubular member 2158 to measure resistance changes of the strain gauge 2158A and, optionally, to sense presence or absence of a magnetic field (e.g., of a body of magnet) as described in more detail below. In some embodiments, as shown in
The power storage assembly 2157 may include a power storage component 2197B and an enclosure 2197K. The power storage component 2197B may be any suitable power storage component, such as a rechargeable battery. The power storage assembly 2157 may include a power transfer interface (not shown) including any suitable power transfer components (e.g., any suitable power transfer components described herein) configured to operably couple with a power transfer interface of the electronics assembly 2197 to provide energy to the electronics assembly 2197 to operably power the electronics assembly 2197.
The enclosure 2197K (also referred to as a housing) of the power storage assembly 2157 may be watertight such that an interior of the enclosure is fluidically isolated from an exterior of the enclosure, preventing splashed water from reaching an interior of the enclosure. The power transfer interface may be accessible through the exterior of the enclosure (e.g., electrical contacts may be disposed within openings of the enclosure such that an interface between each electrical contact and the enclosure housing is sealed to prevent water from traveling to an interior of the enclosure). Additionally, the enclosure may define an opening through which the power storage component 2197B may be charged (e.g., via AC power) in which the interface of the enclosure and a charging port is sealed (e.g., watertight). Additionally, the power storage assembly 2157 may include any suitable buttons (e.g., on/off buttons such as on/off switch 2197E), switches, or status lights accessible or visible through the enclosure and sealed relative to the enclosure to prevent water from traveling into the enclosure.
The enclosure 2197K of the power storage assembly 2157 may include any suitable mounting component configured to engage with a mating mounting component of the enclosure of the electronics assembly 2197. The mounting component of the enclosure of the power storage assembly 2157 and the mating mounting component of the enclosure of the electronics assembly 2197 may include, for example, one or more latches and engagement posts, flexible arms with retention elements and receiving indents, flanges, or grooves, straps, buttons, and/or any other suitable mating mounting components that allow the power storage assembly 2157 to be reversibly coupled to the electronics assembly 2197 to provide energy (e.g., operation power) to the electronics assembly 2197. Thus, the power storage assembly 2157 may be separated from the electronics assembly 2197 for charging without needing to remove the electronics assembly 2197 from the oarlock base assembly 2152A. In some embodiments, any of a set of power storage assemblies 2157 may be coupled to the electronics assembly 2197 to provide operation power to the electronics assembly 2197 without requiring any specialized programming of the electronics assembly 2197 such that a power storage assembly 2157 with a power storage component with a low power storage level may be replaced with a power storage component with a higher power storage level.
As shown in
The through-hole 2147B in the magnet 2147A may be used as a magnetic reference for the IMG (e.g., gyroscope) of the electronics assembly 2197. The magnetic sensor 2197G is not reliant on an exact distance from the magnet 2147A, and thus the magnet 2147A and/or the magnetic sensor 2197G will not need to be adjusted or reset each time a vertical position of the remainder of the oarlock assembly 2152 is adjusted relative to the oarlock pin. The magnet 2147A provides a zero offset reference to provide an automate adjustment to the IMU (e.g., gyroscope) angle readings. The zero offset reference point allows for adjustment of angle drift in the gyroscope.
In some embodiments, the magnetic sensor 2197G of the electronics assembly 2197 may detect the through-hole 2147B in the magnet 2147A. For example, the magnetic sensor 2197G may be disposed such that, when the electronics assembly 2197 is mounted to the oarlock base assembly 2152A and the oarlock base assembly 2152A is rotated about the central axis of the pin 2198 disposed in the pin receptacle 2192, the magnetic sensor 2197G follows a rotational path that passes directly above the through-hole 2147B of the magnet 2147A (e.g., the magnetic sensor 2197G may be disposed substantially the same distance from a central axis of the pin as the through-hole 2147B in the magnet 2147A). The magnetic sensor 2197G may be configured to determine whether the magnetic sensor 2197G is aligned with the through-hole 2147B of the magnet 2147A or a non-through-hole portion of the magnet 2147A (e.g., the body of the magnet). In some embodiments, the magnetic sensor 2197G may be configured to determine whether the magnetic sensor 2197G is aligned with the slot 2147C of the magnet 2147A, the through-hole portion 2147B of the magnet 2147A, or the body of the magnet 2147A. For example, the electronics assembly 2197 (e.g., a processor of the electronics assembly 2197), using data collected by the magnetic sensor 2197G in combination with data collected by the gyroscope of the electronics assembly 2197, may be configured to determine whether the magnetic sensor 2197G is disposed over the through-hole portion 2197B of the magnet 2147A, the body of the magnet 2147A, and/or the slot 2147C of the magnet 2197A based on, for example, whether the magnetic sensor 2197G senses the presence of a magnet (e.g., a magnetic field) or not at a particular orientation of the electronics assembly 2197 and the brace housing 2191 relative to the pin 2198 and, in some embodiments, the size (e.g., lateral distance) of a portion of the arcuate path of the magnetic sensor 2197G in which the magnetic sensor 2197G does not sense a magnet. Thus, the electronics assembly 2197 may determine whether the magnetic sensor is sensing the through-hole 2197B or the slot 2197C based on a known size or relative sizes of the through-hole 2197B or the slot 2197C (e.g., the through-hole 2197B having a different width (e.g., a greater width) than the slot 2197C).
After finding the location of the through-hole 2197B, the electronics assembly 2197 may store the location as a reference point (e.g., a 0 degree location) for the gyroscope in the memory of the electronics assembly 2197. Thus, during use of the oarlock assembly 2152, the electronics assembly 2197 may measure the angle of rotation of the oarlock base assembly 2152A (including the brace housing 2191 within which an oar may be disposed) relative to the reference point (i.e., the through-hole 2147B of the magnet 2147A). The electronics assembly 2197 may measure a rotational angle of movement of the oarlock base assembly 2152A (and, thus, the rotational movement of an oar disposed within the opening 2193) relative to the reference point in either rotational direction. For example, the electronics assembly 2197 may measure the rotational angle of movement of the oarlock base assembly 2152A (and, thus, the rotational movement of an oar disposed within the opening 2193) towards the bow of the boat during the catch when the oars enter the water and towards the stem of the boat during the finish when the oars exit the water. The electronic assembly 2197, using the magnetic sensor 2197G and the gyroscope, may then determine the location in which the oars are perpendicular to the boat based on the angle associated with the catch relative to the reference point and the angle associated with the finish relative to the reference point. The electronics assembly 2197, using the gyroscope and the magnetic sensor 2197G, may then use the determined perpendicular angle and the detected and stored reference point to determine (e.g., measure) the angle of the oars (e.g., relative to a centerline of the boat from stem to bow) at any given time during a rowing motion. Thus, the magnet 2147A does not need to be oriented at any particular orientation relative to the oarlock base assembly 2152A (e.g., the brace housing 2191 or the pin cavity 2193B) or relative to the electronics assembly 2197 during installation of the oarlock assembly 2152, as the electronics assembly 2197 may determine the orientation of the magnet 2147A and measure an angle of an oar through the opening 2193 of the brace housing 2191 relative to a detected reference point on the magnet 2147A, then correct for any difference in orientation between the orientation of the magnet in its current orientation and the orientation of the magnet if it had been arranged with a line through the through-hole 2147B and the central axis of the central opening of the magnet 2147A being parallel to a centerline of the boat from stem to bow (i.e., being perpendicular to an oar extending perpendicularly from a side of the boat).
In some embodiments, such as for sculling with two oars per rower, and thus two oarlock assemblies, the through-hole 2147B of the magnet 2147A of each oarlock assembly can be threaded with an elongated member such as an elastic cord, a string, or a rope. The elongated member can be tightened, causing the magnets of each oarlock to be pulled toward each other, and perpendicular to the boat. The magnets can then be secured in place. In some embodiments, such as if no IMU is included or available in an oarlock, the magnet can be formed as a disk that allows for a precise reading at any location above the disk. To determine an orientation of the magnet or a point on the magnet that is perpendicular to the boat, two opposing oarlocks may be strapped together to create a straight line across the boat and perpendicular to a centerline of the boat. A mobile device, such as any of the mobile devices described herein, operably coupled to (e.g., paired with) the oarlocks may record the angle on each oarlock at this point as the “zero” angle. This angle then becomes the 90 degree reference angle for all angle readings during a rowing session. Thus, the magnetic disk (e.g., the magnetic reference) may be installed in any angular orientation on the pin and will not require alignment except for the zero procedure as described above.
In some embodiments, the oarlock base assembly 2152A is configured to be fully supportive of an oar relative to a pin 2198 of a boat disposed within the pin cavity 2193B with the electronics assembly 2197 decoupled from the oarlock base assembly 2152A such that the oarlock base assembly 2152A may be used without the electronics assembly 2197 or the power storage assembly 2157. Thus, the oarlock base assembly 2152A may be used without the electronics assembly 2197 and the power storage assembly 2157 without needing to remove the oarlock base assembly 2152A from the pin 2198 or make any adjustments of the oarlock base assembly 2152A relative to the pin 2198. For example, to row without the electronics assembly 2197 and/or the power storage assembly 2157 (e.g., in a competition disallowing the use of the electronics assembly 2197), the electronics assembly 2197 and/or the power storage assembly 2157 may be simply uncoupled from the brace housing 2191 (e.g., via unlatching the enclosures of the electronics assembly 2197 and/or the power storage assembly 2157 from an outer surface of the brace housing 2191).
In some embodiments, the processor of the electronics assembly 2197 can include a microcontroller such as a Nordic NRF52840, the IMU of the electronics assembly 2197 can include a BNO055, a strain gauge amplifier of the electronics assembly 2197 can include a NAU7802, and/or a magnetic sensor of the electronics assembly 2197 can include a magnetic switch AH9246.
In some embodiments, an oarlock assembly may include an electronics assembly that is fixed to the brace housing (e.g., within a common housing at the brace housing or within a housing that is monolithically formed with the brace housing and/or permanently coupled to the brace housing). Such an oarlock assembly may include a power storage assembly that is reversibly couplable to the brace housing (e.g., to the portion of the brace housing enclosing the electronics assembly). For example,
The electronics assembly 2297 includes an enclosure 2297J that is fixedly coupled to and/or monolithically formed with the portion of the brace housing 2291 defining the pin cavity 2293B. As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the electronics assembly 2297 may be reversibly coupled to the brace housing 2291 in a similar manner in which the power storage assembly 2257 may be reversibly coupled to the electronics assembly 2297. Thus, in some embodiments, as shown in
The electronics assembly 2397 includes an enclosure 2397J that may be fixedly or reversibly coupled to the portion of the brace housing 2391 defining the pin cavity 2393B. As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the brace housing of an oarlock assembly may include a reduced thickness portion and/or may define an opening aligned with a portion of a tubular member including a strain gauge or a strain gauge assembly such that an oar or an oar collar may contact the portion of the tubular member through the reduced thickness portion or through the opening. The reduced thickness portion or opening may be disposed at the contact point of the oar or oar collar during the rowing motion. For example,
The base assembly 2452A includes a tubular member 2458 which may be the same or similar in structure and/or function to any of the tubular members described herein. For example, the tubular member 2458 may include a central portion 2458B. The brace housing 2491 may also include an oar collar contacting surface 2491A defining a boundary of the opening 2493 adjacent the tubular member 2458. The oar collar contacting surface 2491A may include a reduced thickness portion (i.e., relative to a remainder of the oar collar contacting surface 2491A) or an opening 2491F such that an oar or oar collar disposed within the opening 2493 may apply force to the central portion 2458B of the tubular member 2458 via the reduced thickness portion or opening 2491F.
Some embodiments described herein relate to a computer storage product with a non-transitory computer-readable medium (also may be referred to as a non-transitory processor-readable medium) having instructions or computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The computer-readable medium (or processor-readable medium) is non-transitory in the sense that it does not include transitory propagating signals per se (e.g., a propagating electromagnetic wave carrying information on a transmission medium such as space or a cable). The media and computer code (also may be referred to as code) may be those designed and constructed for the specific purpose or purposes. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such as Compact Disc/Digital Video Discs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), and holographic devices; magneto-optical storage media such as optical disks; carrier wave signal processing modules; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random-Access Memory (RAM) devices. Other embodiments described herein relate to a computer program product, which may include, for example, the instructions and/or computer code discussed herein.
Some embodiments and/or methods described herein may be performed by software (executed on hardware), hardware, or a combination thereof. Hardware modules may include, for example, a general-purpose processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Software modules (executed on hardware) may be expressed in a variety of software languages (e.g., computer code), including C, C++, Java™, Ruby, Visual Basic™, and/or other object-oriented, procedural, or other programming language and development tools. Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, micro-code or micro-instructions, machine instructions, such as produced by a compiler, code used to produce a web service, and files containing higher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, embodiments may be implemented using imperative programming languages (e.g., C, Fortran, etc.), functional programming languages (Haskell, Erlang, etc.), logical programming languages (e.g., Prolog), object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, etc.) or other suitable programming languages and/or development tools. Additional examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, and compressed code.
Various concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. Put differently, it is to be understood that such features may not necessarily be limited to a particular order of execution, but rather, any number of threads, processes, services, servers, and/or the like that may execute serially, asynchronously, concurrently, in parallel, simultaneously, synchronously, and/or the like in a manner consistent with the disclosure. As such, some of these features may be mutually contradictory, in that they may not be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one aspect of the innovations, and inapplicable to others.
In addition, the disclosure may include other innovations not presently described. Applimayt reserves all rights in such innovations, including the right to embodiment such innovations, file additional applications, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, and/or the like thereof. As such, it should be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functional, features, logical, operational, organizational, structural, topological, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the embodiments or limitations on equivalents to the embodiments. Depending on the particular desires and/or characteristics of an individual and/or enterprise user, database configuration and/or relational model, data type, data transmission and/or network framework, syntax structure, and/or the like, various embodiments of the technology disclosed herein may be implemented in a manner that enables a great deal of flexibility and customization as described herein.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
As used herein, in particular embodiments, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 10%. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the disclosure. That the upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the embodiments, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the embodiments, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
In the embodiments, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.
While specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been outlined above, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in a certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and such modification are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. The embodiments have been particularly shown and described, but it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/248,842, entitled “Rowing Performance Optimization System and Methods,” filed Sep. 27, 2021; the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63248842 | Sep 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US22/44949 | Sep 2022 | WO |
Child | 18617571 | US |