Improved Method of Viewing Athletic Performance

Improved Method of Viewing Athletic Performance

      A method of closing the feedback loop for the viewing and
analysis of athletic performance by the performer is disclosed.  This
method makes use of 'heads up' technology in providing immediate and
local visual feedback on performance including ability to show
quantitative physiological measurements in real time.  In addition,
the method disclosed does not require additional human assistance in
the generation of the visual images.

      Disclosed is a means which allows the viewing of ones own
athletic performance in real time without the encumbrance,
limitations, and contortions of having to view a stationary
television or other stationary viewing modality (such as a mirror).
The embodiment described herein provides
  o  an output for recording the video image;
  o  a means of displaying physiological and/or quantitative
      performance information such as heart rate or asymmetry data;
  o  a means of playing back a short time interval of immediately
      preceding video (for those times when mental concentration
      precludes the viewing of performance);
  o  a means of automatically tracking the subject of interest
      therefore providing a more stable image and reducing the need
for
      additional skilled assistants.

      One potential embodiment of the device as envisioned here is
shown in the Figure.  This embodiment consists of two principle
components: a 'Head Up Display' (HUD) such as are presently coming
onto the commercial market (*) with associated electronics(b); and a
camera(a) combined with additional electronics and controls so as to
provide for the various functions described previously.  Note that
the implementation of this HUD does not substantially obstruct the
user's vision.

      The camera component ((a) in the Figure) would consist of a
video camera(1) combined in one unit with other elements:
  o  physical altitude and azimuth control(8) for the camera;
  o  zoom control(9) for the camera allowing the controller(3) to
keep
      the subject of interest filling the entire video field;
  o  a video storage medium(5) for a short time interval of video
      information allowing "instant replay";
  o  electronics(4) that provides a means of overlaying numerical and
      or graphical information on the video information derived from
      camera(1), in particular, allowing the overlay of time, date,
and
      physiological information or other performance information
      obtained via wireless signal(10);
  o  a multiplexor(7) which provides a method of choosing the video
      stream-- instant replay or real-time-- to display;
  o  image recognition circuitry(2) to recognize where in the video
      field the object of interest is and is moving to.  Note that in
      many cases this can be a relatively simple implementation as
only
      o...