System and Method for Multifunctional Racket Performance Training

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method of processing sensor data for users to learn about their tennis game, wherein a sensor chip is embedded in a tennis racket shaft/frame and transmits sensor data to a software application installed in an electronic device. In one embodiment, a sensor chip includes 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a pressure sensor to collect sensor data and a wireless transmitter wirelessly transmits the sensor data to the performance tracking software application. The application processes the data and generates graphical and textual representations of at least swing speed, swing type, and stroke number (i.e., count). In some embodiments, comparison with threshold data is performed and recommendations and/or training plans are generated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor-equipped racket for tracking stroke performance, the sensor-equipped racket comprising:
 a racket with a tracking sensor chip including a stroke data collection module having a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope;   wherein said 3-axis accelerometer measures acceleration and gravity of said racket during a stroke for creating a stroke trajectory pattern of said stroke;   wherein said 3-axis gyroscope measures rotational and angular motion information of said stroke of said racket; and   further wherein said 3-axis accelerometer measures vibration of said racket for detecting a speed of a ball when it hits said racket.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 1 , wherein said information measured from said 3-axis accelerometer and said 3-axis gyroscope are combined together by a sensor fusion software program. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 2 , wherein said tracking sensor chip embedded in a racket shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 3 , wherein said tracking sensor chip encased in a rubber housing. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 2 , wherein said tracking sensor chip mounted to a racket handle. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 2  further comprising a pressure sensor for identifying distribution of pressure on the hand of a player playing with said racket, and further wherein said distribution of pressure on the hand of the player determinative of a type of stroke of said racket. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 6 , wherein said type of stroke is selected from a group consisting of a forehand, a backhand, a volley, a slice, and a serve. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 7 , wherein said pressure sensor further detecting a pressure on strings of said racket. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 8 , wherein said racket is a paddle. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 2 , wherein said 3-axis accelerometer, said 3-axis gyroscope, and said pressure sensor are piezoelectric sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 10 , wherein said tracking sensor chip is an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) having a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the measured performance metrics to a sensor fusion software program. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 11 , wherein said transmitting is in real time during play with said racket. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 11 , wherein said transmitting is after play with said racket. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 11 , wherein said tracking sensor chip having a counter for counting a number of strokes during play with said racket. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 11 , wherein said tracking sensor chip having a digital converter for converting measured information to digital form to wirelessly transmit to said sensor fusion software program. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor fusion software program having machine readable instructions to generate textual and graphical displays showing said stroke of said racket. 
     
     
         17 . A sensor-equipped racket for tracking stroke performance, the sensor-equipped racket comprising:
 a racket with a tracking sensor chip including a stroke data collection module having a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope;   wherein said 3-axis accelerometer measures acceleration and gravity of said racket during a stroke for creating a stroke trajectory pattern of said stroke;   wherein said 3-axis gyroscope measures rotational and angular motion information of said stroke of said racket;   further wherein said 3-axis accelerometer measures vibration of said racket for detecting a speed of a ball when it hits said racket;   wherein said information measured from said 3-axis accelerometer and said 3-axis gyroscope are combined together by a sensor fusion software program;   a pressure sensor for identifying distribution of pressure on the hand of a player playing with said racket;   wherein said distribution of pressure on the hand of the player determinative of a type of stroke of said racket; and   further wherein said tracking sensor chip is an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) having a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the measured performance metrics to a sensor fusion software program.   
     
     
         18 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 17 , wherein said tracking sensor chip having a counter for counting a number of strokes during play with said racket. 
     
     
         19 . A sensor-equipped racket for tracking stroke performance, the sensor-equipped racket comprising:
 a racket with a tracking sensor chip including a stroke data collection module having a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope;   wherein said 3-axis accelerometer measures acceleration and gravity of said racket during a stroke for creating a stroke trajectory pattern of said stroke;   wherein said 3-axis gyroscope measures rotational and angular motion information of said stroke of said racket;   wherein said tracking sensor chip embedded in a racket handle;   a pressure sensor for identifying distribution of pressure on the hand of a player playing with said racket; and   further wherein said distribution of pressure on the hand of the player determinative of a type of stroke of said racket.   
     
     
         20 . The sensor-equipped racket of  claim 19 , wherein said tracking sensor chip having a counter for counting a number of strokes during play with said racket.