DETECTION DEVICE FOR TOOLS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, PREFERABLY FOR STICKS FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Technical field

This invention relates to a system for detecting parameters associated with a hand of a user who grips a tool for physical activities, more specifically a stick for Nordic Walking, Trail Running, Trekking or skiing.

Background art

Studies over recent years have resulted in the use of simple tools in the performance of basic physical activities, in particular walking assisted by the use of sticks with the arms, for the purposes of physical fitness and general health.

Such studies have investigated the effect of using such tools on an increase in calorie consumption and on the better balancing of the shape between upper and lower limbs. Amongst the walking techniques with sticks the so-called Nordic Walking is particularly widespread, characterised by a particular style of movement. Recent studies suggest that the method/style of use, and not just the use of sticks, influences the physio-metabolic and psychological effects of the exercise. More specifically, the INWA style (International Nordic Walk Association) would be optimal for the effectiveness of the exercise, so as to achieve the greatest positive effects with the same time for the exercise.

It follows that the models of estimating performance and physio-metabolic effects (calorie consumption, level of stress, cardio-circulatory stress, etc.) based on simple walking must be modified with the introduction of variables relating to these additional aspects. Aim of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a system which is able to monitor correctly the parameters relating to the holding of a tool.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a system which can be used for the purposes of autonomously monitoring/guiding in such a way that the user uses the tool with a recommended style, preferably creating immediate and correct information for the user.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates, therefore, to a detection device for a tool for physical activities, preferably a stick for sports activities, wherein the detection device comprises:

- at least one sensor for detecting one or more parameters associated with the hand of a user holding said tool;

- storage means for storing said one or more parameters;

- a control unit comprising wireless communication means from and/or to at least one external unit, said a control unit being adapted to acquire said one or more parameters from said at least one sensor, and their transmission to the said at least one external unit through said wireless communication means.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one sensor comprises a sensor for the presence of said hand, preferably comprising a pushbutton.

According to an alternative embodiment, said at least one sensor comprises a sensor for detecting the magnitude of the grip strength of said hand, preferably comprising a sensor of the piezoelectric layer and/or electro-resistive and/or barometric type. Preferably, the device also comprises at least one sensor among the sensor group comprising: a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a force sensor, a dynamometer, a load cell, a magnetometer, a speed sensor, a geolocation module, a temperature detector, a moisture detector, an inclinometer, an atmospheric pressure meter. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a module comprising at least one surface designed to be reached by the hand of the user when gripping the tool.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one sensor, said memory means, said control unit and said wireless communication means are incorporated in said module. Preferably, said at least one sensor is positioned at the surface of said module which can be reached by the hand of the user.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electricity supply unit, preferably a rechargeable battery.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a knob for a tool for physical activities, preferably a stick for sports activities, which comprises a detection device of the type described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the knob comprises a main body designed to receive the detection device, preferably designed to receive the detection device in a removable fashion. According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a tool for physical activities, preferably a stick for sports activities, wherein the tool comprises a detection device of the type described above or a knob of the type described above.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to an integrated system for monitoring physical activity of a user which uses at least one tool, wherein the system comprises:

- a central control unit;

- at least one detection device according to the preceding claims; said central control unit being adapted to define said external unit for said detection device, said central control unit being adapted to wirelessly communicate with said at least one detection device to acquire and process said one or more parameters associated with the hand of said user holding said tool.

In as preferred embodiment, the system comprises one or more position sensors and/or one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental parameters and/or one or more physiological sensors for said user.

Preferably, said environmental sensors for detecting environmental parameters comprise an ambient temperature and/or atmospheric pressure and/or humidity detector. Preferably, said physiological sensors comprise a blood pressure and/or body temperature and/or heart rate and/or blood oxygenation saturation detector.

According to a preferred embodiment, the central control unit comprises data storage means. According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises display means.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages, aims and features as well as embodiments of the invention are defined in the claims and will be described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings; corresponding or equivalent features and/or component parts of the invention are identified in the drawings by the same reference numerals.

More specifically, in the drawings: - Figure 1 shows an integrated system for monitoring physical activities and a tool for physical activities according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a detection device according to a preferred embodiment; - Figure 3 is an exploded view of an enlarged detail of the tool of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows the exploded view of Figure 3 according to another viewpoint;

- Figure 5 shows the detail of Figure 3 partly assembled;

- Figure 6 shows the detail of Figure 4 partly assembled; - Figure 7 shows another embodiment of Figure 4;

- Figure 8 shows the exploded view of Figure 7 according to another viewpoint;

- Figure 9 shows the detail of Figure 7 partly assembled;

- Figure 10 shows the detail of Figure 8 partly assembled;

- Figure 11 shows an axonometric view of a variant embodiment of the detection device according to the invention;

- Figure 12 shows a user who uses a tool in an integrated system according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention The invention will become further clarified by the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings.

It should rather be noted that the embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings clarify some aspects of the invention, the aim of which is defined by the claims.

The invention must therefore be considered as including all those variations and/or modifications which will become clear to a person in the trade. According to the following description, relating to particular preferred embodiments of the invention, the invention has been found to be particularly advantageous with reference to the use of sticks used preferably for the Nordic Walking, Trail Running, Trekking or skiing.

It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to sticks for sports activities. On the other hand, the invention might be applied in the cases of other disciplines in which a tool is required, such as, for example, in stride walk-fit wherein the device still comprises a stick or in a canoe wherein the device consists of a paddle. Figure 1 shows a general diagram of an integrated system 1 which comprises a stick 30, a knob 40 and a detection device 50 according to the invention.

The system 1 preferably comprises at least one external unit 80a, 80b, also referred to as an external data post-processing device, for example a smartwatch 80a, a smartphone 80b, a PC, a tablet, etc.

Each external unit 80a, 80b preferably comprises a central control unit equipped with data storage means and suitable display means, such as, for example viewers and/or displays.

Figure 12 shows a user U who uses such a stick 30 and wears a smartwatch 80a for making an integrated system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The system 1 according to the invention, as described in more detail below, refers to the detection of one or more parameters associated with the hand of the user U which uses the stick 30 and/or other functional and/or physiological and/or biological and/or biodynamic parameters of the user U with the aim of automatically activating the step of setting up suitable “activity profiles” designed for selecting the correct “ calculation profiles” of the motor activities in progress in such a way that the user U uses the stick 30 with the recommended style, preferably creating immediate and correct information for the user U.

The term "functional parameters", whether they are relative to the stick and/or to the user, refers in general to quantities which can be detected by suitable sensor means which refer to physical and/or mechanical, static and/or dynamic quantities, such as, for example: forces, mechanical pressures, accelerations, linear and/or angular speeds, magnetic fields, geographical coordinates, temperatures, humidity values, angles of inclination, atmospheric pressures, etc.

The respective sensor means comprise, for example: dynamometers, load cells, accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, speed measurement devices, geolocation modules, temperature detectors, humidity detectors, inclinometers, atmospheric pressure measuring device, etc.

The term “physiological and/or biological and/or biodynamic parameters”, relative in particular to the user U, is used in general to mean quantities which can be detected by suitable sensor means which refer to physiological and/or biological and/or biodynamic measurements of a person, such as, for example: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, etc. The related sensor means may comprise, for example: heart rate meters, blood pressure detectors, body temperature detectors, oxygen saturation sensors, etc.

A stick 30 for physical activities according to the invention, preferably a stick for sports activities, for example a stick used for example in Nordic Walking, preferably comprises a gripping zone 40, commonly called the knob, and a tube 32 which extends from the knob 40.

According to one aspect of the invention, the knob 40 is associated with a detection device 50 which comprises at least one sensor 60 for detecting one or more parameters associated with the hand of the user U who grips the stick 30.

According to another aspect of the invention, the detection device 50 comprises a control unit 70, storage means 72 and wireless communication means 74 from and/or to one or more external units 80a, 80b. The control unit 70 of the detection device 50 is preferably configured to acquire said one or more parameters associated with the hand of the user U and for transmitting to the external unit(s) 80a, 80b through the wireless communication means 74.

Said one or more parameters can also be stored/memorised in the storage means 72. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor 60 comprises a hand presence sensor, that is to say, a sensor 60 which is able to detect the presence, or not, of a hand which grips the knob 40, substantially an ON/OFF sensor.

In variant embodiments, as described in more detail below, the sensor comprises a sensor for detecting the magnitude of the gripping force of the hand which grips the knob. In this case, the sensor provides two or more values, preferably by continuous or discrete measurements/detection.

In other variant embodiments, the device may comprise other types of sensors, the use of which is described in more detail below. These sensors may be, for example, a movement sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a force sensor. These sensors can be used to detect further functional parameters associated with the knob and/or with the desired stick. Figures 3 to 6 show a knob 40 comprising a detection device 50 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The knob 40 has an ergonomic shape which facilitates the holding.

The knob 40 preferably comprises a main body 42 connected integrally to the tube 32 and the detection device 50 is received in the main body 42. The detection device 50 preferably comprises a module 52 in which the sensor 60, the control unit 70, the storage means 72 and the wireless communication means 74 are preferably incorporated in the material constituting the module 52.

Preferably, the material consists of expanded foam or a resin and generally a material which is able to provide an adequate mechanical stabilisation and/or ambient insulation and which is preferably recyclable. The main body 42 preferably comprises a seat 44 designed to receive the module 52. In a preferred embodiment, the module 52 can be associated in a removable fashion with the main body 42 in such a way that it can be removed in the case of replacement/maintenance operations. In an alternative embodiment, the module 52 is associated in a fixed manner with the main body 42 of the knob 40 for making an integral body. The detection device 50 preferably comprises an electrical power supply unit (not illustrated), preferably a rechargeable type battery, which is also preferably incorporated in the module 52.

The seat 44 for receiving the module 52 preferably passes through the main body 42.

On the module 52 there is preferably a first surface 54, or front surface, and a second surface 56 opposite said first surface 54, or rear surface 56. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, with the module 50 inserted in the through seat 44 (see Figures 5 and 6), the front surface 54 and the rear surface 56 replicate and complete the surface of the main body 42 uninterruptedly.

The front surface 54 and/or the rear surface 56 can be advantageously touched/reached by the hand, for example by the fingers, of the user U gripping the knob 40. Optionally, as shown in the drawings, a front layer 46, or front sheet, is positioned above the front surface 54 of the module 50 and/or a rear layer 48, or rear sheet, is positioned above the rear surface 56 of the module 50.

Normally, the front sheet 46 is always present to improve the grip and/or comfort of the knob 40.

In the embodiment illustrated, a sensor 60 is positioned at the front surface 54 of the module 50. The sensor 60 preferably protrudes slightly from the front surface 54 and is positioned preferably at the supporting zone of the index finger when the hand grips the knob 40. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor 60 detects, or not, the presence of the index finger, that is to say, an ON/OFF type sensor, and comprises, for example, a pushbutton. The measurement of the gripping, therefore, reduces to 1 bit (value "0" per finger/hand absent or insufficient gripping, value "1" for gripping greater than a predetermined minimum threshold). In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 60 comprises a contact pressure sensor and detects the intensity of the force of the index finger, or of the hand, which presses on the knob 40 continuously or separately, and consists, for example, of a sensor of the piezoelectric or electro-resistive layer type, the latter with resistance depending on the pressure. Preferably, a pad is used as an interface and for equalising the pressure transmitted through the front sheet 46, which in this case has a purely mechanical function.

According to this preferred embodiment of the detection device 50, of the knob 40 and of the stick 30 which integrates them, the parameter relating to the presence of the finger/hand on the knob 40 is sent/can be sent to an external unit 80a, 80b which is able to process these parameters and generate an indication and monitoring of the current use of the stick 30. For example, the external unit 80a, 80b can process these parameters, with special algorithms, to generate an indication and monitoring of the practice/style during use of the stick 30. In a basic algorithm, preferably, just the parameter indicating the presence or absence of the finger/hand is sufficient for the desired indication and monitoring actions.

In a preferred embodiment, for example, the data detected by the sensor 60 is stored in the storage means 72 of the detection device 50 during use of the stick, or training, by the user U. In a subsequent step, for example at the end of the training, the data stored in the storage means 72 is sent to an external unit, for example a smartphone 80b, a PC or a tablet, through the wireless communication means 74. The external unit will be able to generate suitable information on the actual use of the stick 30 by the user U, for example on the effectiveness of use of the stick 30, and the generation of corrective information in its use.

In preferred embodiments, the corrective information may comprise the displaying of suitable graphics and/or acoustic signals according to a certain code and/or natural voice, for example via voice synthesis.

The external unit, for example the smartphone 80b or the PC or the tablet, preferably comprises storage means for said parameters received from the detection device 50 and suitable display means, for example the screen, designed to provide said information useful for the user U.

For this reason, the device and the system according to this embodiment are able to estimate the type of walking and display ad hoc information on an external device of generic use (for example a smartphone or a PC by means of dedicated software) for the purposes of “autonomously monitoring/guiding” in order to converge towards the recommended style. In another preferred embodiment, for example, if the external unit 80a consists of a smart watch worn by the user U, as shown in Figure 12, the smart watch 80a is able to generate suitable information in real time to the user U on the current use of the stick 30, for example on the effectiveness of use of the stick 30, and the generation of corrective information on its use.

The corrective information may comprise acoustic signals according to a certain code and/or natural voice, for example via voice synthesis, and/or displaying suitable graphics. The external unit 80a, for example the smart watch, preferably comprises storage means for said parameters received from the detection device 50 and suitable display means, for example the quadrant, designed to provide the information useful for the user U.

For this reason, the device and the system according to this invention is able to automatically and continuously estimate the type of walking and to display ad hoc information in real time on an external and device for generic use (for example, a smart watch or smartphone by means of dedicated software) for the purposes of “autonomously monitoring/guiding” to converge towards the recommended style.

More preferably, both the sticks 30 gripped by the user U are sticks as described above. It should be noted that, whilst in the previous description the detection device 50 is substantially identified by the module 52 which incorporates inside it the components of the detection device 50 (sensor 60, control unit 70, storage means 72 and wireless communication means 74), in variant embodiments the detection device with its component parts could be associated differently to the knob and/or to the stick (for example, the sensor, the control unit, the storage means and the wireless communication means could be mounted separately to the knob or to the stick and suitably connected together).

Figures 7 to 10 show a stick 130 according to a preferred variant embodiment of the invention. The component parts equivalent to the preferred embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The stick 130 according to this embodiment differs from the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 3 to 6 in terms of the different embodiment of the sensor 160. Thesensor 160 according to this embodiment is applied to the front surface 54 of the module 152 which constitutes the detection device 150 and extends preferably on the front surface 54 for its entire width. The greater surface allows the sensitivity and the detection/measurement field to be improved, both in terms of intensity of the signal and spatial extension as it is sensitive to the grip of more fingers of the user U who grips the knob 140.

In a preferred variant embodiment, the sensor 160 is made in the form of a matrix of sensors with several sensitive zones with the aim of adding a certain spatial resolution 2D of the dynamics of the grip.

In further preferred variant embodiments, the sensor may be applied on other surfaces of the module, for example to the rear surface of the module, thus on the back of the handgrip, or also on the lateral surfaces or any combination thereof, for example with a rear and front detection, both to improve the estimation of the actual gripping, and to better distinguish cases of partial or non gripping.

In other variant embodiments, where it involves a spatial resolution of the grip extended beyond the dimensions of the exposed surfaces of the module, the sensor(s) is/are moved on the front sheet 46 and/or rear sheet 48, suitably connected to the control unit inside the main body of the module with connecting means of known type, for example cables or contact pads.

Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the detection device 250 according to the invention.

The module 252 according to this embodiment contains a barometric sensor, with frequency cutoff >= 5 Hz. The front surface 254 and/or the rear surface 256 of the module 252 are flexible or rigid and coupled to the main body 252 preferably with elastic seals 260. The gripping of the knob which integrates the detection device 250 results in a variation in volume of the module 252, and therefore of internal pressure, equal to dP=F ^* k (for small variations), with k which represents an overall mechanical parameter. The module 252 has a vent sufficient to compensate for variations in atmospheric pressure P, with cutoff <= 0.1 Hz.

Both the front and rear surfaces 254, 256, or only one of the two, may be deformable to generate a pressure variation which can be measured by the barometric sensor of the module 252.

As described above, the provision of a detection device which is able to detect the presence or absence of the hand and/or the gripping force allows the system to be used for the purposes of autonomously monitoring/guiding in such a way that the user uses the stick with a recommended style, preferably creating immediate and correct information for the user.

Other aspects which characterise the use of a stick and the style of use are the extent of the forward-backwards movement, relative to the extension of the arms and rotation of the shoulders and the pelvis, and the resting/push point, that is to say, indirectly of the angle of the axis of the stick relative to the ground during the pushing step.

The assessment of these aspects requires at least the measurement of the 2D accelerations (in the sagittal plane), preferably a complete 3D measurement of orientation (IMU with 6 degrees of freedom) and the measurement of the thrust force along the axis of the stick. For this reason, in the embodiments according to the invention, the detection device preferably comprises at least one 2D accelerometer (preferably relative to the sagittal plane of the user U) and/or an accelerometer and a 3D gyroscope (for the IMU system with 6 degrees of freedom) and/or a force sensor applied along the axis of the stick.

According to another aspect of the invention, in addition to the data/parameters detected directly by the detection device mounted on the stick, the system according to the invention can use further additional data detected outside the stick. For example, the system may comprise the integration of a position data item which is suitably precise and frequent, for example a data item supplied by a 10 Hz AGPS device worn by the user U preferably around the centre of mass. The data item provided by this AGPS device makes it possible to provide an alternative direct and additional measurement of the ground/path to which the movements of the stick are referred. Other additional data/parameters may be environmental parameters (e.g. barometer, thermometer, hygrometer) and physiological and/or biological and/or biodynamics parameters which can be measured by suitable sensor means which refer to physiological and/or biological and/or biodynamic measurements of the user U, such as, for example: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, etc. The related sensor means may comprise, for example: heart rate meters, blood pressure detectors, body temperature detectors, oxygen saturation sensors, etc., which come from passive external devices conveniently worn by the user U.

Lastly, it should be noted that the wireless communications and the corresponding associated wireless means mentioned in this description preferably conform to the Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE 4.2 standard and greater/subsequent standards.

It has therefore been demonstrated by means of this description that the device according to the invention allows the preset aims to be achieved. More specifically, the system according to the invention makes it possible to monitor correctly the parameters relating to the holding of a stick. Although the invention has been clarified above by means of the detailed description of some embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; on the contrary, alternative embodiments of the embodiments described fall within the scope of the invention, which are defined by the claims.