Motion Detection Method and System for Training a User in the Performance of a Motion in an Activity

Abstract

A method trains a user in performing a motion for an activity. The method employs an AV-equipped portable computing device positioned so that its camera faces the target. The device's processor executes computer processes that include: receiving and processing an output from the camera to determine an initial position of the target; processing the camera's output to determine a series of coordinates corresponding to positions of the target, assumed after the initial position; processing the series of coordinates, against a set of fault rules, to determine presence of a fault in performing the motion, wherein the fault rules relate to the motion based on target position in a real, physical space; and if a fault is determined, causing notification of the user, so as to train the user to perform the activity in a manner free of the fault.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of training a user in performing a motion for an activity, the method employing an AV-equipped portable computing device having a processor, the computing device having been positioned so that its camera faces a target, the processor executing computer processes defined by an application, the computer processes comprising:
 receiving and processing by the processor an output from the camera to determine an initial position of the target;   processing the output from the camera by the processor to determine a series of coordinates corresponding to successive positions of the target, assumed after the initial position in the course of the motion;   processing by the processor the series of coordinates, against a set of fault rules, to determine presence of a fault in the performing of the motion, wherein the fault rules relate to target position in a real, physical space of the target; and   if a fault is determined to be present, causing by the processor notification of the user via components of the portable computing device, so as to train the user to perform the activity in a manner free of the fault.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fault rules additionally relate to whether the target has moved to a position outside of one of a set of boundaries determined by distances established for motion of the target relative to the target's initial position in the real, physical space. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the fault rules additionally relate to a time of occurrence of a moment when the target has moved to a position outside the boundary relative to a time of occurrence of a defining moment of the motion, and the computer processes further comprise:
 processing by the processor the series of coordinates to determine (a) the time of occurrence of the defining moment and (b) the time of occurrence of the moment when the target has moved to a position outside the boundary.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fault rules additionally relate to target position in three dimensions of the real, physical space. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the fault rules additionally relate to target orientation in the real, physical space. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the computing device has a display, and the notification of the user is by visual notification on the display, and the computer processes further comprise:
 providing, in the display, a link to a resource for addressing the fault.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the link for addressing the fault is determined by user-specified criteria for training instruction based on items selected from the group consisting of identification of an instructor, level of instruction desired, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the set of fault rules are defined based on input from an individual identified by the user as an instructor. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein processing by the processor the series of coordinates, against a set of fault rules, to determine presence of a fault in the performing of the motion includes identifying the presence of a plurality of faults and selecting from the plurality of faults a most salient fault, and wherein the motion is performed in a set of repetitions by the user and the computer processes are executed for each repetition of the set for identifying, separately for each such repetition, the presence of the plurality faults, and the computer processes further comprise:
 determining by the processor, cumulatively for the set of repetitions, the most salient fault based on of its frequency of occurrence and its severity.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein processing by the processor the series of coordinates, against a set of fault rules, to determine presence of a fault in the performing of the motion includes identifying the presence of a plurality of faults and selecting from the plurality of faults a most salient fault, and wherein the motion is performed in a set of repetitions by the user and the computer processes are executed for each repetition of the set for identifying, separately for each such repetition, the presence of the plurality faults, and the computer processes further comprise:
 determining by the processor, cumulatively for the set of repetitions, the most salient fault based on input from an individual identified by the user as an instructor.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the computing device includes a display, and the computer processes further comprise:
 storing the series of coordinates corresponding to the successive positions of the target assumed after the initial position, and an instant in time when each position was assumed; and   computing and causing display of a path of movement of the target, based on the series of coordinates corresponding to the successive positions of the target assumed after the initial position.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is configured to communicate over a network, and the computer processes further comprise:
 providing by the processor, to an individual identified by the user as an instructor, a notification that the series of coordinates have been stored at a storage location in the network;   retrieving by the processor, in response to input by the identified individual, the series of coordinates from the storage location; and   causing display by the processor of a representation of the series of coordinates.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer processes further comprise:
 storing the series of coordinates corresponding to the successive positions of the target assumed after the initial position, and an instant in time when each position was assumed;   detecting a defining moment in the activity; and   on detecting the defining moment, storing the series of coordinates and the instant in time each position was assumed.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the computing device includes a microphone and the defining moment is a ball-strike, and the computer processes further comprise:
 processing by the processor sound detected by the microphone to detect the ball-strike.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the computer processes further comprise:
 processing by the processor of the output from the camera to detect the defining moment, and wherein the processing of the output includes computing the orientation of the target.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein determining the initial and successive positions of the target includes tracking initial and successive positions of another target of the user. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer processes further comprise:
 storing by the processor a quality of a result of the activity.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the quality of the result of the activity is an indication provided by the user, and the computer processes further comprise:
 prompting by the processor the user to provide the indication of the quality of the result of the activity and storing the indication.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the series of coordinates constitutes a first series of coordinates, and the computer processes further comprise:
 displaying a path of movement based on a second series of coordinates corresponding to successive positions of the target in performing a second motion for the activity; and   providing a visual comparison of measurements between the first series of coordinates and the second series of coordinates.   
     
     
         20 . A computer-implemented method of establishing orientation of an AV-equipped portable computing device, for monitoring a user in performing an activity, the device having an accelerometer and a processor, the processor executing computer processes defined by an application, the computer processes comprising:
 receiving and processing by the processor an output from the accelerometer to determine current orientation of the portable computing device;   directing by the processor to the user to cause a change in orientation of the computing device in a manner suitable for monitoring the user;   receiving and processing by the processor an output from the camera to determine a position of a target; and   directing by the processor positioning of the user to facilitate capture of the motion of the target in the course of the motion.