"Method and apparatus for monitoring rowing"

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2007901217 filed on 8 March 2007, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to rowing, and in particular relates to monitoring characteristics of rowing to assist technique and/or performance.

Background of the Invention

Rowing is a sport or pastime conducted in narrow boats, where the or each rower sits on a sliding seat above the water level and faces backwards (toward the stern), using oars to propel the boat forwards. Rowing can be done on a river, lake, sea, or other large body of water. In sweep-oar rowing, each rower has only one oar and holds it with both hands. In sculling, each rower has two oars (one in each hand). Each oar in a boat is fitted into a gate or oar lock which allows the oar to rotate and pivot, and transfers the effort applied by the rower into boat speed.

Both recreational and competitive rowers often wish to improve their rowing technique. While some rowing boats include an on-board stroke counter or stroke timer, rowing performance depends upon a substantial number of factors beyond stroke timing alone. For example, rowing performance can be substantially improved (or reduced) depending upon the efficacy with which the rower performs each of the following: the catch or grab, the drive or draw, the finish or release, the feathering, the recovery or slide and squaring the blade(s).

Each such component of rowing technique can be difficult to monitor in coxless boats as a coach is generally at least tens of metres away from the rower(s) and will thus have difficulty in visually identifying inaccuracies in technique. The coach is often in a speed boat, or on a bicycle on the river bank, both situations presenting distractions which detract from the coach's ability to analyse performance. In some instances where the coach is responsible for a number of crews simultaneously (such as in School clubs) the coach may be at a central location only having visual contact as each crew rows past. Even in coxed boats a coach in the coxswain seat will have difficulty

visually monitoring the technique of up to eight rowers simultaneously on all of the above factors.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a gate for a rowing boat, the gate comprising: at least one sensor adapted to capture data relating to a physical interaction between an oar and the gate caused by a rower.

The at least one sensor may comprise one or more pressure sensors adapted to determine a pressure applied by an oar to the gate during rower leg drive and/or rower draw and/or the finish of the stroke. For example, such pressure sensors may be adapted to monitor a propulsion force generated by the rower between the oar and the gate.

The gate preferably further comprises a gate angle sensor to capture data representing the angular position of the gate. Such embodiments may enable determination of rowing characteristics such as stroke length and/or force versus seat position, when knowledge exists of a distance between the gate and a seat slide.

The gate preferably further comprises a clock to enable timing information to be associated with the captured data. Such embodiments may enable capture of data such as force-over-time, stroke timing, leg drive duration and timing, draw duration and timing, feathering duration and timing, catch duration and timing, rower hand speed

and/or release duration and timing. Preferably, the clock enables accurate analysis of timing of each part of the physical stroke across all crew members and enables identification of whether someone is taking the catch early, and/or is releasing sooner than other members of the crew.

Additionally or alternatively, the gate may comprise a sensor for determining angular rotation and/or angular position of an oar in the gate, measured about the longitudinal axis of the oar, for example to determine feathering angle. Such a sensor may comprise an optical sensor configured to optically monitor the angular position and/or angular movement of the oar. Such a sensor may interact with a related indicium provided upon the oar itself.

The gate is preferably fitted with a transducer to measure the angle of the oar in the gate so as to indicate height of the blade above the water, or depth of the blade in the water.

The gate is preferably operable to wirelessly transmit the captured data.

The or each gate is preferably battery powered, and preferably the onboard processor will notify the coxswain if any battery is in need of charging The gate may alternatively be powered by mechanical-electrical transducers operable to convert mechanical rowing energy applied to the gate into electrical energy for storage and use.

The gate may further be operable to receive wireless instructions from an associated controller, for example to deactivate following completion of rowing or during race conditions should use of such a gate not be permitted by race rules.

According to a second aspect the present invention provides a system for monitoring rowing performance, the system comprising: at least one gate in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, having in- boat wireless communications capability; and an in-boat node operable to wirelessly communicate in-boat with the at least one gate, and further operable to wirelessly communicate with an off-boat node.

The system is preferably operable to retrieve captured rowing data from the gate in substantially real time for off-boat review, such that ongoing feedback can be passed to the or each individual rower associated with the gate capturing the respective data.

The in-boat node may simply comprise a router operable to amplify communication received from the gate and to transmit the amplified communications to the off-boat node. Alternatively the in-boat node may comprise a processor operable to process the captured gate data and present the data to one or more occupants of the boat, such as a coxswain or stroke.

The off-boat node preferably comprises a computing means operable to receive communications from the in-boat node and process the communicated data to enable monitoring of rowing performance and technique of a rower associated with the or each gate.

The system preferably further comprises sensors to determine a global position system (GPS) position of the gate and/or boat. For example such a position may be obtained in context of a progression of the boat along a course and determine a course distance still remaining to be travelled by the boat. Such embodiments further enable performance vs. position data to be obtained, for example to monitor rower performance throughout a race.

The system preferably implements a controller area network (CAN) wireless communications bus to enable additional gates or sensors to be added or removed to the system over time.

Preferably, the system is operable to communicate with a race convenor system to enable the race convenor system to monitor operation of each such system utilised in racing conditions and to ensure appropriate use of each such system during a race meet. In a race environment the system preferably provides for the race marshal to simultaneously communicate with all crews by an allocated race number. Prior to proceeding to the marshalling area the coxswain will be able to enter his race number into the unit. The unit will then listen for any announcements related to the race of interest, or to any general announcements that may be of interest to all crews, such as safety messages or emergency calls.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a gate in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 illustrates a system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 illustrates a gate 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Gate 100 is adapted for use in a rowing boat, and comprises a mounting shaft 110 adapted for rotationally free mounting to a pin affixed to the end of a rigger of a rowing boat to allow rotational movement as indicated by 112. Sensor 114 is a magnetic sensor which detects rotational movement 112 of the shaft 110 when the gate is mounted on a pin.

Gate 100 further comprises a cuff 120 for accommodating an oar used by a rower to propel the rowing boat in direction 130. The rower inserts the blade of the oar into the water and then levers the boat forward in direction 130. The cuff 120 is at the fulcrum of the levering (rowing) motion such that the rowing force is substantially all applied to the cuff 120 in the region of pressure sensor 132. Thus, the pressure data obtained by pressure sensor 132 corresponds closely to the rowing force actually applied by the rower in propelling the boat.

The gate is fitted with a pivoting pressure plate 140 to measure the vertical angle of the oar in the gate. This is used to indicate the height of the oar above the water during recovery, and the depth of the oar in the water during the stroke. The button of the oar is pressed outwards into the gate and makes contact with this pivoting pressure plate. While the pivoting pressure plate is in this embodiment located in the horizontal base portion of the gate, in alternative embodiments the vertical angle of the oar may alternatively or additionally be measured by a sensor located on the vertical shaft of the gate or other suitable location.

Gate 100 still further comprises an optical sensor 140 which optically senses rotation of an oar within the cuff 120 about a longitudinal axis of the oar. Such rotation occurs during feathering and squaring of the blade and thus conveys important information

regarding the technique of the rower. In the present embodiment the optical sensor 140 is adapted to determine such rotational information in conjunction with indicia provided upon the oar itself, such as closely spaced black and white markings, however in alternative embodiments the angular position of a normal oar not possessing such indicia may still be detected by a suitable sensor. In preferred embodiments, each oar in a boat is fitted into such a gate.

Importantly, the gate 100 can be easily fitted to an existing boat without affecting the performance and operation of the boat. In this embodiment each oar that is to be monitored via a gate such as gate 100 needs to be fitted with a modified collar to provide referencing for blade angle. No other modifications to the boat are required and no wiring harnesses need to be fitted. In alternative embodiments, the collar itself may be unmodified and of conventional design, with blade angle determined in an alternative manner.

The gate 100 provides multiple sensors to monitor an individual crew member's performance. The inbuilt processor in the gate 100 samples data from the sensors 132, 140, 114 at approximately 1000 samples per second. These samples are then digitally filtered and referenced back to timing marks broadcast from the central unit (see node 240 in Figure 2). This filtered information is then transmitted back to the unit 240 by a wireless transmitter (not shown) of the gate 100 for comparison with other crew members or other performances.

Gate 100 has an inbuilt sensor that will automatically switch the unit on or off to maximize battery life. Monitoring and calibration of the gate 100 is provided over the inbuilt radio link to the unit 240.

Figure 2 illustrates a system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. System 200 comprises a rowing boat 210 having a gate 220 which accommodates an oar 230. The gate 220 gathers data relating to a physical interaction between the oar 230 and the gate 220 caused by a rower. The gate 220 further conducts in-boat wireless communications with an in-boat node 240, which in turn conducts off- boat communications with an off-boat node 250. Data may also be downloaded to a PC after the session has been completed for further analysis.

The present embodiment of the invention thus provides real time advanced performance monitoring and analysis to both the coxswain and coach, and further provides two-way voice communication between the coxswain and coach, and between the coach and crew. Preferably communications with the crew are "hands free", particularly for coxless boats. While the present embodiment and description is focused on real time communication it is to be appreciated that the device also has the ability to store vast quantities of data for post event analysis.

The boat 210 further includes the following data collection devices: seat switch for measuring stroke rate; accelerometer to collect per stroke acceleration and deceleration curves for the boat as a whole, solid state gyroscope to measure rock and roll, GPS receiver to collect location and speed, a CAN communication bus to enable additional collection devices to be connected and a sensor for rudder position.

The system of Figure 2 allows for the coxswain viewing a display of node 240, and the coach viewing a display of node 250, to work independently of each other viewing different data points and representations. Each node 240 and 250 has options to display information in either text or graphics.

The unit 240 has two separate radio modules. One radio module is for short range communications to onboard data collection points including gate 220. The second radio module, with a range of perhaps 2 kilometers, provides communication back to the coach node 250. The unit 240 fitted to the boat operates as an information broker between the data collection points such as gate 220 and the coach node 250.

Further, the system utilises a communications protocol which allows for the coach node 250 to communicate with several boats and crews simultaneously.

As these units operate in very harsh environments the following key design differentiators have been included: the traditional keypad has been replaced with a rugged touch screen, downloading of information from the unit to a Personal Computer for post analysis can occur either via either the inbuilt radio transceiver or an infra red communication device.

The unit 240 incorporates the industry standard connector allowing it to be used on any existing speaker harness already fitted to the boat 210. The inbuilt circuitry of node

240 automatically detects such a speaker harness and automatically changes modes to enable the CAN interface over the same connector.

It is a particular advantage of the present embodiment of the invention that the unit 240 may be made sufficiently lightweight to be valuable not only to larger coxed boats, but also to smaller size and configurations of rowing vessels. The invention thus enables several system formats to suit singles and pairs where there is no coxswain; operating in a similar fashion to a hands free telephone.

It is further recognised that in a race condition coach to boat communication may not be allowed, so that in the present embodiment of the invention the unit 240 has the capability to be programmed with a race plan. By utilising the GPS receiver the unit 240 has the ability to track race plan to location and provide audible prompts to either the coxswain or crew via the inbuilt voice processor.

For example, at 250 metres to the finish line the race plan may be to lift the rating to 38 strokes per minute (SPM). The unit would make the audible call "Race plan 38, Drive for home." Further calls could include "15 strokes to go" based on the current GPS location and the pre-programmed coordinates of the finish line calculated with current boat speed and stroke rate. Giving an accurate call of distance remaining will enable the crew to give the maximum output without running out of energy out before the line.

In a race environment the information from competitors can be viewed by the race caller giving an accurate commentary of the race progress. In this environment the race officials will be able to take control of all units on the course preventing coaches from communicating with the crew whilst competing, should race rules so require. Currently there is no technology available to stop illegal communication between the coach and crew during races.

The system 200 thus provides the ability to give race officials control over the race environment. They will be able to monitor all race activity, receive race statistics, and prevent any illegal communication between the coach and crew in all boats that are racing.

The race officials will be provided with a base station that broadcasts regular control packets, enabling and disabling features as deemed appropriate by the race controller.

Once in the designated race area, or the commencement of race time, the race officials will have the option of disabling or enabling certain functions to every boat that is racing.

The base station provided to the race officials is able to receive all communication, and enables race officials to use the communications channel for marshalling boats in the starting area, or broadcasting emergency instructions to all crews.

The system 200 further uses a communication protocol where the receiver 250 can subscribe to selected data. Only the selected data will be broadcast to the receiver 250, interlaced between voice data if required. This will ensure the data and voice requirements can be met without saturating the free to air band with unnecessary information.

Data collected is logged against GPS location, which allows for crew performance to be compared against previous benchmarks.

The unit 240 and/or 250 will analyse this information in real time enabling either the coxswain or coach to compare the performance and timing of one crew member against the other crew members. Information includes: catch angle and timing, finish angle and timing, timing at ¹ A, Vi and ³ A slide positions, power curve applied to the oar, heart rate, blade depth, feathering (blade angle).

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.