Patent · US Expired

Reaction time measurement system

US6002336A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
3References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1997
Grant dateDec 14, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63B2071/0627
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The present invention provides a reaction time measurement system that includes a hard-wired or battery-powered accelerometer module attached to a starting block or platform to detect acceleration when a contestant moves. Although the block is grossly stationary, it undergoes slight movement and mechanical vibration, so the accelerometer produces an output signal. A filter or a processing unit in the module processes the output signal to define the reaction time or moment when the athlete starts to leave the block. Preferably the module removably attaches to the starting block by a rigid coupling, and its processor stores and annotates the accelerometer signal. A link or connector signals the reaction time, or the stored signal on request, to a central monitor at which false start detection determination are made and records created. The module may be used as an individual training device, in which a runner's readiness and take-off impulse are analysed as a reaction waveform, or his reaction time and starting speed recorded. For use in a track system, multiple separately addressed modules each annotate the accelerometer signal trace with one or more externally applied or synchroniz…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.