Patents by Inventor Noel C. Perkins

Noel C. Perkins 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: 10293205
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the head and torso orientation of a subject during physical motion. The method and apparatus employ at least two inertial measurement units (IMUs) being temporally synchronized with each other and each measuring three degrees of freedom of angular velocity, acceleration, and optionally magnetic field. A first IMU being affixed to the head of the subject and the second IMU being affixed to the torso of the subject. The orientation of the head, the orientation of the torso, and optionally the relative orientation of the head and torso are calculated based on the data from the IMU's and optionally magnetometer data. The resultant output data is transmitted to a host device (computer, tablet, smart phone) and can be used for monitoring, training, coaching, worker safety and health, and/or rehabilitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Noel C. Perkins, Ryan S. McGinnis, Brian R. Copple
  • Publication number: 20160339293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the head and torso orientation of a subject during physical motion. The method and apparatus employ at least two inertial measurement units (IMUs) being temporally synchronized with each other and each measuring three degrees of freedom of angular velocity, acceleration, and optionally magnetic field. A first IMU being affixed to the head of the subject and the second IMU being affixed to the torso of the subject. The orientation of the head, the orientation of the torso, and optionally the relative orientation of the head and torso are calculated based on the data from the IMU's and optionally magnetometer data. The resultant output data is transmitted to a host device (computer, tablet, smart phone) and can be used for monitoring, training, coaching, worker safety and health, and/or rehabilitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Noel C. PERKINS, Ryan S. MCGINNIS, Brian R. COPPLE
  • Patent number: 9213889
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calculating athlete speed non-invasively, on the field/court of play using data from a torso-mounted inertial measurement unit. The method complements existing, GPS-based methods for calculating athlete speed by enabling use in environments where GPS signal is unavailable (i.e. indoors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of Michigan
    Inventors: Noel C. Perkins, Ryan S. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20140297008
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calculating athlete speed non-invasively, on the field/court of play using data from a torso-mounted inertial measurement unit. The method complements existing, GPS-based methods for calculating athlete speed by enabling use in environments where GPS signal is unavailable (i.e. indoors).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Noel C. PERKINS, Ryan S. MCGINNIS
  • Patent number: 7234351
    Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: Noel C. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7021140
    Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Noel C. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20030024311
    Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Noel C. Perkins