Patents by Inventor James Thornbrue

James Thornbrue has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11833406
    Abstract: A system that measures a swing of a bat with one or more sensors and analyzes sensor data to create swing quality metrics. Metrics may include for example rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, and body-bat connection. Rotational acceleration measures the centripetal acceleration of the bat along the bat's longitudinal axis at a point early in the rotational part of the swing; it is an indicator of the swing's power. On-plane efficiency measures how much of the bat's angular velocity occurs around the swing plane, the plane spanned by the bat and the bat's sweet spot velocity at impact. Body-bat connection measures the angle between the bat and the body tilt axis, which is estimated from the trajectory of the hand position on the bat through the swing; an ideal bat-body connection is near 90 degrees. These three swing quality metrics provide a simple and useful characterization of the swing mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny, Bhaskar Bose, Michael Bentley, Ryan Kaps
  • Publication number: 20210228963
    Abstract: A system that measures a swing of a bat with one or more sensors and analyzes sensor data to create swing quality metrics. Metrics may include for example rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, and body-bat connection. Rotational acceleration measures the centripetal acceleration of the bat along the bat's longitudinal axis at a point early in the rotational part of the swing; it is an indicator of the swing's power. On-plane efficiency measures how much of the bat's angular velocity occurs around the swing plane, the plane spanned by the bat and the bat's sweet spot velocity at impact. Body-bat connection measures the angle between the bat and the body tilt axis, which is estimated from the trajectory of the hand position on the bat through the swing; an ideal bat-body connection is near 90 degrees. These three swing quality metrics provide a simple and useful characterization of the swing mechanics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY, Bhaskar BOSE, Michael BENTLEY, Ryan KAPS
  • Patent number: 10974121
    Abstract: A system that measures a swing of a bat with one or more sensors and analyzes sensor data to create swing quality metrics. Metrics may include for example rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, and body-bat connection. Rotational acceleration measures the centripetal acceleration of the bat along the bat's longitudinal axis at a point early in the rotational part of the swing; it is an indicator of the swing's power. On-plane efficiency measures how much of the bat's angular velocity occurs around the swing plane, the plane spanned by the bat and the bat's sweet spot velocity at impact. Body-bat connection measures the angle between the bat and the body tilt axis, which is estimated from the trajectory of the hand position on the bat through the swing; an ideal bat-body connection is near 90 degrees. These three swing quality metrics provide a simple and useful characterization of the swing mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny, Bhaskar Bose, Michael Bentley, Ryan Kaps
  • Publication number: 20200230482
    Abstract: A system that measures a swing of a bat with one or more sensors and analyzes sensor data to create swing quality metrics. Metrics may include for example rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, and body-bat connection. Rotational acceleration measures the centripetal acceleration of the bat along the bat's longitudinal axis at a point early in the rotational part of the swing; it is an indicator of the swing's power. On-plane efficiency measures how much of the bat's angular velocity occurs around the swing plane, the plane spanned by the bat and the bat's sweet spot velocity at impact. Body-bat connection measures the angle between the bat and the body tilt axis, which is estimated from the trajectory of the hand position on the bat through the swing; an ideal bat-body connection is near 90 degrees. These three swing quality metrics provide a simple and useful characterization of the swing mechanics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY, Bhaskar BOSE, Michael BENTLEY, Ryan KAPS
  • Patent number: 10716989
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The trajectory of the sweet spot of the bat is tracked through the swing, and is analyzed to generate metrics describing the swing. A two-lever model of the swing may be used to model the effects of body rotation and wrist rotation. Data may be analyzed to identify relevant events during the swing such as start of downswing, commit (wrist release), on-plane, peak bat speed, and impact. Illustrative swing metrics derived from the sweet spot trajectory, the swing plane reference frame, and the two-lever model include: forward bat speed, on-plane rotation, hinge angle at commit, hinge angle at impact, body rotation ratio, body tilt angle, and swing plane tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: BLAST MOTION INC.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny, Bhaskar Bose, Michael Bentley, Ryan Kaps
  • Patent number: 10617926
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The swing plane defined by these two axes provides a natural and robust reference frame for physically relevant measurements of swing characteristics. Illustrative swing metrics derived from swing plane reference frame data include: swing speed, defined as a rotational rate within the swing plane; total swing angle, defined as the angular change within the swing plane; and swing tempo, defined as the percentage of peak swing speed achieved halfway through the swing. Analyzing these metrics from multiple swings across multiple users identifies factors that contribute to peak performance. Metrics may be combined into multidimensional feature vectors that characterize a swing; these feature vectors may be used to group swings into swing styles or to match swings against similar players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny
  • Patent number: 10456653
    Abstract: A system that measures a swing of a bat with one or more sensors and analyzes sensor data to create swing quality metrics. Metrics may include for example rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, and body-bat connection. Rotational acceleration measures the centripetal acceleration of the bat along the bat's longitudinal axis at a point early in the rotational part of the swing; it is an indicator of the swing's power. On-plane efficiency measures how much of the bat's angular velocity occurs around the swing plane, the plane spanned by the bat and the bat's sweet spot velocity at impact. Body-bat connection measures the angle between the bat and the body tilt axis, which is estimated from the trajectory of the hand position on the bat through the swing; an ideal bat-body connection is near 90 degrees. These three swing quality metrics provide a simple and useful characterization of the swing mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny, Bhaskar Bose, Michael Bentley, Ryan Kaps
  • Patent number: 10380409
    Abstract: A method that estimates the 3D trajectory of a projectile, such as a golf ball or baseball, by analyzing a sequence of images from a single-lens, 2D camera. Image analysis may be used to locate the projectile in the camera images, using motion detection and filters for the projectile's expected size and shape. A physics model may be used to calculate the projectile's trajectory as a function of its initial position and velocity (for example, just after impact with a golf club or bat). A camera projection transform may map this trajectory into predicted pixel locations, which may be compared to the observed projectile locations in the camera images. The projectile's trajectory may be estimated by finding initial conditions that minimize differences between observed and predicted pixel locations, using a nonlinear least squares solver for example. The method may be extended to multiple cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny, Juergen Haas
  • Publication number: 20190209909
    Abstract: A system that measures a swing of a bat with one or more sensors and analyzes sensor data to create swing quality metrics. Metrics may include for example rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, and body-bat connection. Rotational acceleration measures the centripetal acceleration of the bat along the bat's longitudinal axis at a point early in the rotational part of the swing; it is an indicator of the swing's power. On-plane efficiency measures how much of the bat's angular velocity occurs around the swing plane, the plane spanned by the bat and the bat's sweet spot velocity at impact. Body-bat connection measures the angle between the bat and the body tilt axis, which is estimated from the trajectory of the hand position on the bat through the swing; an ideal bat-body connection is near 90 degrees. These three swing quality metrics provide a simple and useful characterization of the swing mechanics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY, Bhaskar BOSE, Michael BENTLEY, Ryan KAPS
  • Publication number: 20190147219
    Abstract: A method that estimates the 3D trajectory of a projectile, such as a golf ball or baseball, by analyzing a sequence of images from a single-lens, 2D camera. Image analysis may be used to locate the projectile in the camera images, using motion detection and filters for the projectile's expected size and shape. A physics model may be used to calculate the projectile's trajectory as a function of its initial position and velocity (for example, just after impact with a golf club or bat). A camera projection transform may map this trajectory into predicted pixel locations, which may be compared to the observed projectile locations in the camera images. The projectile's trajectory may be estimated by finding initial conditions that minimize differences between observed and predicted pixel locations, using a nonlinear least squares solver for example. The method may be extended to multiple cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY, Juergen HAAS
  • Publication number: 20190076720
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The trajectory of the sweet spot of the bat is tracked through the swing, and is analyzed to generate metrics describing the swing. A two-lever model of the swing may be used to model the effects of body rotation and wrist rotation. Data may be analyzed to identify relevant events during the swing such as start of downswing, commit (wrist release), on-plane, peak bat speed, and impact. Illustrative swing metrics derived from the sweet spot trajectory, the swing plane reference frame, and the two-lever model include: forward bat speed, on-plane rotation, hinge angle at commit, hinge angle at impact, body rotation ratio, body tilt angle, and swing plane tilt angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY, Bhaskar BOSE, Michael BENTLEY, Ryan KAPS
  • Patent number: 10124230
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The trajectory of the sweet spot of the bat is tracked through the swing, and is analyzed to generate metrics describing the swing. A two-lever model of the swing may be used to model the effects of body rotation and wrist rotation. Data may be analyzed to identify relevant events during the swing such as start of downswing, commit (wrist release), on-plane, peak bat speed, and impact. Illustrative swing metrics derived from the sweet spot trajectory, the swing plane reference frame, and the two-lever model include: forward bat speed, on-plane rotation, hinge angle at commit, hinge angle at impact, body rotation ratio, body tilt angle, and swing plane tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny, Bhaskar Bose, Michael Bentley, Ryan Kaps
  • Publication number: 20180021653
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The trajectory of the sweet spot of the bat is tracked through the swing, and is analyzed to generate metrics describing the swing. A two-lever model of the swing may be used to model the effects of body rotation and wrist rotation. Data may be analyzed to identify relevant events during the swing such as start of downswing, commit (wrist release), on-plane, peak bat speed, and impact. Illustrative swing metrics derived from the sweet spot trajectory, the swing plane reference frame, and the two-lever model include: forward bat speed, on-plane rotation, hinge angle at commit, hinge angle at impact, body rotation ratio, body tilt angle, and swing plane tilt angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY, Bhaskar BOSE, Michael BENTLEY, Ryan KAPS
  • Publication number: 20180021648
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The swing plane defined by these two axes provides a natural and robust reference frame for physically relevant measurements of swing characteristics. Illustrative swing metrics derived from swing plane reference frame data include: swing speed, defined as a rotational rate within the swing plane; total swing angle, defined as the angular change within the swing plane; and swing tempo, defined as the percentage of peak swing speed achieved halfway through the swing. Analyzing these metrics from multiple swings across multiple users identifies factors that contribute to peak performance. Metrics may be combined into multidimensional feature vectors that characterize a swing; these feature vectors may be used to group swings into swing styles or to match swings against similar players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James THORNBRUE, Patrick CHERVENY
  • Patent number: 9694267
    Abstract: A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The swing plane defined by these two axes provides a natural and robust reference frame for physically relevant measurements of swing characteristics. Illustrative swing metrics derived from swing plane reference frame data include: swing speed, defined as a rotational rate within the swing plane; total swing angle, defined as the angular change within the swing plane; and swing tempo, defined as the percentage of peak swing speed achieved halfway through the swing. Analyzing these metrics from multiple swings across multiple users identifies factors that contribute to peak performance. Metrics may be combined into multidimensional feature vectors that characterize a swing; these feature vectors may be used to group swings into swing styles or to match swings against similar players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Blast Motion Inc.
    Inventors: James Thornbrue, Patrick Cherveny