Training device

Abstract

Provided is a training device that can be useful in connection with sports training, such as helping a golfer to improve his or her golf putting stroke. The device is worn on the user's wrist or forearm and uses an active sensor, such as a laser rangefinder, to measure motion with respect to a point on the user's hand.

1 . A training apparatus for providing feedback information regarding wrist movement, comprising: 
 a sensor that includes at least one of an electromagnetic receiver or an acoustic receiver; and    a processor electrically coupled to the sensor, the processor being configured to operate in an evaluation mode in which input from the sensor repeatedly is evaluated to identify motion,    wherein the apparatus is configured to be worn on a user's wrist or forearm such that the sensor points to a spot on the user's hand.    
   
   
       2 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a laser, LED or ultrasound rangefinder.  
   
   
       3 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor and the processor are part of a unit that is configured to attach to a wristwatch.  
   
   
       4 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a band for attaching to the user's wrist or forearm.  
   
   
       5 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor enters the evaluation mode only after a specified period of time during which motion detected by the sensor is less than a specified threshold.  
   
   
       6 . A training apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein following the specified period of time during which motion detected by the sensor is less than a specified threshold the processor enters the evaluation mode only after a second period of time following a detection of motion.  
   
   
       7 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the evaluation mode the processor causes a signal to be immediately delivered to the user if detected motion exceeds a specified threshold.  
   
   
       8 . A training apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the signal is at least one of an audible or vibration alert.  
   
   
       9 . A training apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the signal also is based on at least one other input that indicates whether the detected motion occurred at a proper point in an overall movement sequence.  
   
   
       10 . A training apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a user interface that permits the user to input a desired type of movement, wherein the specified threshold is dependent upon the input type of movement.  
   
   
       11 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface that is configured to input a desired type of movement, and wherein motion sensitivity of the apparatus is dependent upon the input type of movement.  
   
   
       12 . A training apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface that is configured to input a duration of a training session during which the evaluation mode may be repeatedly activated by specified activity and after which said specified activity will not activate the evaluation mode.  
   
   
       13 . A method of training to avoid wrist movement at inappropriate times, comprising: 
 attaching a sensor device to a user's forearm or wrist, the sensor device including a sensor provided with at least one of an electromagnetic receiver or an acoustic receiver, such that the sensor is pointed toward a position on the user's hand;    setting the sensor device into an evaluation mode in which output from the sensor repeatedly is evaluated to identify motion; and    performing a physical activity with the sensor device in the evaluation mode.    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the sensor is a laser, LED or ultrasound rangefinder.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein in the evaluation mode the sensor device causes a signal to be immediately delivered to the user if detected motion exceeds a specified threshold.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the signal is at least one of an audible or vibration alert.  
   
   
       17 . A method apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the signal also is based on at least one other input that indicates whether the detected motion occurred at a proper point in an overall movement sequence.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising a step of inputting into the sensor device a desired type of movement, wherein the specified threshold is dependent upon the input type of movement.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising a step of inputting into the sensor device a desired type of movement, wherein motion sensitivity of the sensor device is dependent upon the type of movement input.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising steps of: 
 inputting a duration of a training session during which the sensor device repeatedly will monitor instances of the physical activity; and    repeating the setting and performing steps until the training session expires.    
   
   
       21 . A training apparatus for providing feedback information regarding wrist movement, comprising: 
 a sensor that includes at least one of an electromagnetic receiver or an acoustic receiver;    a processor electrically coupled to the sensor, the processor being configured to operate in an evaluation mode in which input from the sensor repeatedly is evaluated to identify motion; and    attachment means for attaching the sensor to a user's wrist or forearm such that the sensor points to a spot on the user's hand.    
   
   
       22 . A training apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein in the evaluation mode the processor causes a signal to be immediately delivered to the user if detected motion exceeds a specified threshold.  
   
   
       23 . A training apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the signal is an audible or vibration alert.  
   
   
       24 . A training apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the signal also is based on at least one other input that indicates whether the detected motion occurred at a proper point in an overall movement sequence.  
   
   
       25 . A training apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a user interface that is configured to input a desired type of movement, and wherein the specified threshold is dependent upon the input type of movement.  
   
   
       26 . A training apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the attachment means comprises means for attaching to a wristwatch.  
   
   
       27 . A training apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the attachment means comprises a band for attaching to the user's wrist or forearm.