White Paper
Content
Peter Fonseca Dr. Joseph Immel Senior Engineering 19 February, 2010 Force Measurement Focus Pad (Rough Draft) The world is currently in a healthy mindset. America may be famous for unhealthy lifestyles and bloated bodies, but this is only motivation for the recent trends in health and fitness related activities and products. The fitness equipment market is actually a three billiondollar market, with a relatively low number of companies that happen to be very successful. In fact, there are just over one hundred companies and only five of these account for more than fifty percent of profits. With health and fitness as a major part of life, many people practice martial arts. 9.4 million Americans participate in martial arts and 21.7 million Americans have been members of some martial arts training facilities earlier in their lives. This is not surprising as the majority of martial arts are centered around cardiovascular training, strength training, and discipline. This training would be next to impossible without some form of equipment and it becomes much more effective as the equipment evolves into more advanced and better-designed products. The evolution however has yet to reach a certain level of intricacy involving electronics. The vision of JP Industries is to reach this future of fitness equipment, with a focus on martial arts but a range through all fitness, made possible by the use of electronic feedback. (www.firstresearch.com) (martialarts.groupsite.com) People stay in shape for many reasons, aside from obvious health benefits, the yearning for physical fitness is engraved in our minds. Physical training dates back to the dawn of man, when it was necessary to be physically active and adept. As hunter-gatherers, early humans would go on hunting trips that could last two or three days and would need to survive such harsh conditions. However as man developed into more advanced societies and farms, physical activity began to fade from everyday life and fitness practices had to be adopted. In the later BC era, Confucius encouraged arts such as Cong Fu gymnastics in China, and Hinduism encouraged the practice of Yoga in India. At that time fitness was only aspired to avoid disease and become in tune with nature, but it was still a beneficial part of life. (www.abc-of-fitness.com) At this time though, Greece held the pinnacle of physical fitness. Because slavery was used the people had all necessities met, but a healthy body was viewed as equally important to a healthy mind. Sparta was the most physically fit society in history due to the military
mindset, but Athens is responsible for the gymnasium and personal trainer In the ancient Roman civilization on the other hand, conquest was a priority. This led to a heavy military influence and domination throughout the empire along with a high rate of draft. All males from the ages of seventeen to sixty were eligible for the draft, and the citizens had to stay in peak physical condition for the good of the empire. In order to prepare for service, the military provided and required physical training. This training was not very dependent on equipment; it mostly consisted of running, marching, and jumping. There was however the use of throwing javelins and discuses for strength training. This lifestyle did not last though, with the growing success of the empire, the citizens were provided with wealth, comfort, and entertainment. This left fitness out of interest and the people became progressively less physically active until the inevitable demise of the Ancient Roman Empire. It did however leave us with the important training techniques and concepts that evolved into the contemporary norms. (www.umn.edu) As time passed through the centuries, people still sought to personally improve their physical health for one reason or another and the equipment used to aid this training has evolved greatly. Strength training started with primitive dumbbells, which eventually led to the javelins and discusses, finally evolving onto the more advanced, pulley driven weight machines that are now available. Current equipment is the most advanced in the field of cardiovascular training, even though the use of which is relatively new. Bicycles were technically among the first accessories for such forms of exercise, but they were predominantly practiced by swimming or jogging. Now many gyms and homes have such products as treadmills, Stairmasters, and exercise balls. The advanced products, like the cycle machines and Stairmasters, have electronic controls and feedback. The resistance can be set as well as certain training programs, allowing for ingenious resistance patterns along adjustable times. These settings can also all be set with weight, gender, and age information to give calorie loss estimations. The history of martial arts is both uncertain and unclear. The beginnings are most likely the result of simple human nature, pitting friend against friend in sometimes playful mock fights would have been beneficial for hunting and self-defense training. Most individual forms of martial arts however can be dated back to somewhat specific times. There are drawings from ancient Egypt that depict hand-to-hand combat, and there are recorded gladiators and wrestlers in ancient Greece and Rome. Even Kung Fu, which is actually a western name for
a form of Wu Shu, can be dated back to around 500AD when the Indian monk Bodhidharma wandered into china in search of enlightenment, and began teaching his exercises and philosophies to Shaolin monks. (www.thefightgame.tv) The martial arts and fighting techniques of all kinds have remained very traditional. Most equipment and forms are the same that they were thousands of years ago, and if they are not they are at least based on the ancient techniques and have changed very little. The gear and accessories used in fighting and martial arts have followed a similar trend. Weapons and punching bags are all very traditional, at least in terms of overall design. The same types of focus pads and dummies were used in ancient times, though this is because the designs work well and are proven to do so. In fact most designs are very practical. The best example would most likely be the be focus pads, which are like hand-held punching bags, offering accuracy and strength training to the puncher and endurance training for both the puncher and the wielder of the pad. The materials used however are quite modern, including fake leather and foam. This is partly how the industry has evolved, even if it did progress slowly. Contrary to martial arts specific gear, western fitness has followed most technologies, evolving through the centuries. There are many new and intriguing products that are currently on the market and are constantly setting new trends in health and fitness. One new trend is known as acceleration training, which is a slightly unorthodox approach to weight loss. The actual method of acceleration training involves whole-body vibration, made possible by the use of a product quite similar to a giant paint mixer. The trend was first set in motion and made popular by such celebrities as Madonna and P-Diddy, among others, who used the method and showed great results. The most famous product is the Power Plate pro5, which makes use of a large central platform that vibrates at rates between twenty-five and fifty times per second. These vibrating sessions are recommended to be very short, only about fifteen minutes three times a week. This is because of the science behind the design. Each vibration triggers a natural response in the human body, which is to contract muscles in order to maintain balance. Simple math will tell how much muscle activity is used in such a training session. Another trend of growing popularity is functional training. This applies motions and techniques similar to those of everyday life occurrences. The training is also designed to better suit the user to everyday situations, such as climbing stairs to an apartment or running bases in softball. The products are aimed more at cardiovascular
workouts and the most innovative design was created by the same company that invented the elliptical machine, Precor. The machine is called the Adaptive Motion Trainer and offers endless options. The machine actually adjusts to the motion of the person using it, allowing for simultaneous training in different muscle groups. For example, if wide steps are shortened to mimic the motion of hiking, the machine turns into a sort of stair climber, following the actions of the user. With a machine like this, the opportunities are limitless. Hygiene is very important in fitness centers and gyms and it should be stressed. A gym is a breeding ground for germs as it is a facility in which many people come in and out, leaving behind sweat. Most facilities have a spray bottle and paper towels that people can use, but this can be problematic. The nature of a spray bottle puts a great deal of the cleanser into the air, where it is to be inhaled by the people, not to mention the wet and sticky residue of over-spray. This is not good at all. Cleanliness is a major part of fitness centers, which is why Gojo and Athletix Wipes have stepped up to the plate. The two new products are disinfectant towel dispensers that imply the use of motion sensor technology. This is not new technology, everyone has seen the paper towel dispensers in bathrooms, but the fact that it is now in this setting is quite remarkable. It is a shame to see any aspect of a gym left in the dark ages, but this will no longer be the case thanks to the sleek and sexy dispensers that are now available. (www.afproducts.com) These new and advanced fitness accessories are all very useful and impressive, but the industry still has room to evolve. There is the convenience of electronic devices and feedback in some of the newer cardiovascular machines, but the electronic influence needs to spread into the martial arts driven fitness equipment market. This market needs some modernization, but it needs to do so with the same traditional styles of ancient martial arts. The teachings of Bodhidharma should not be forgotten, but the equipment should still suit the growing needs of people involved in the arts. Accelerometers are the basis for the electronic recording of motion and can be implemented in the fitness industry quite successfully. Theses electromechanical devices can measure both static and dynamic acceleration forces. An example of a static force would be gravity constantly pulling at an object, whereas an example of a dynamic force would be the fluctuating vibrations of an engine in a car or the instantaneous impact of a kick. These devices can be used in many different applications but almost always require a complex programming sequence to function under practical circumstances.
The accelerometers come in two major designs, analog and digital. Digital accelerometers use pulse frequencies. The amount of time that the voltage is high is directly proportional to the amount of acceleration. These accelerometers are best for use with any microcontroller that uses purely digital inputs such as a BASIC stamp. The problem is that this requires a division operation that is computationally draining and needs the use of the microcontrollers timing resources to measure the duty cycle. Other than that, these are very common and useful devices because BASIC is a very simple and well-known programming language. (www.dimensionengineering.com) Analog accelerometers are similar to digital, but instead of using digital pulses, they use continuous voltages. These voltage levels are proportionate to acceleration levels, much like the digital accelerometers. The only difference is that it is a voltage level that is measured, not a time of voltage level. This is very simple to compute and is often used in conjunction with a PIC or AVR type of microcontroller, as long as the inputs are analog. Accelerometers are used in many applications, as their possible uses of data recording are numerous. Some computer companies, such as IBM and Apple, use accelerometers with their laptop hard drives to protect them from damage. They us an emergency kill switch that is triggered by the accelerometer to shut off the hard drive when a sudden free fall is detected. This way the components will ideally stop spinning before impact and prevent internal collisions. An accelerometer is even used in a brake light for a bicycle. The light has no idea when you press on the brake other than the fact that the bike slows down, this actually exposes the accelerometer to negative g’s, which triggers the LED lights. Even hand-held electronics employ accelerometers, just like the Apple iPod-Touch, which uses an accelerometer in many games and applications as well as to flip the screen when the device is turned horizontally. The possibilities are virtually endless. So fitness is an important and successful industry as well as a healthy and popular aspect of life, and martial arts are very popular forms of fitness. The discipline involved makes it a very ideal path to train in, the only drawback is that the equipment is somewhat left behind as far as technical advancements. So wouldn’t it make sense to combine the advanced electronic capabilities of accelerometers in such a market? If someone that was trying to train for strength, endurance, and discipline it would help to have a reliable source of feedback that could give actual numerical representations of punches, kicks, and any other blow or strike.
This is why JP Industries has created the Mighty Mitt. It is a focus pad with a digital accelerometer incorporated into the design. This means that someone can punch the pad, get an accurate reading of force and then compare it to previously recorded readings. It allows for an entirely new level of discipline and training possibilities. Martial arts students and fitness-minded consumers could set personal goals, like to punch a 75 twenty times and then to kick a 90 fifteen times. The opportunities are nearly limitless, it is not outlandish to say that most gyms and fitness centers in America would contain at least one or two Mighty Mitts in their facilities. ______________________________________________________ The Mighty Mitt creates accurate force measurement feedback by integrating the accelerometer into the design of the pad. The accelerometer used is a tri-axis digital MEMS module and is the heart of the design. MEMS stands for Micro-Electrical Mechanical System and is an optimal method for recording accelerative forces, in fact it is the same technology used in cars to deploy airbags during impacts. These accelerometers have to be durable and reliable while holding the luxury of affordability. The simple design allows for a cheap hardware strain with a heavy software need.
(openlearn.open.ac.uk)
The accelerometer uses capacitance to convert force into electric signals, which are then converted into digital signals. As seen above, the capacitance design employs a structure referred to as the seismic mass that is suspended between two electrodes by springs at either end. When the accelerometer experiences some force in the direction parallel to the axis created by the two springs, the seismic mass moves
in relation to the stationary electrodes. Just like when a driver is pressed against the side of his or her car when turning through an onramp, the seismic mass is moved toward the electrodes. As is the nature of capacitance, distance reflects magnitude and this is very convenient because more force causes more distance of movement for the seismic mass. Therefore the magnitude of capacitance is converted into a recording of the magnitude of acceleration. (openlearn.open.ac.uk) (www.explainthatstuff.com)
(www.parallax.com)
The accelerometer used in the Mighty Mitt has three of these set up to create the X, Y, and Z axes, as seen above. This means that the accelerometer is capable of measuring gravity, which is in the Z direction, however this is not necessary for the Mighty Mitt. This then shows that the output of the accelerometer itself is a simple capacitance, but it needs to be converted into acceleration (Gforce). This is Why the analog signal is sent to the on-board analog to digital converter (MCP3204 ADC) and used with the formula: G = ((axis – vRef) / 4095) x (3.3 / 0.3663) In the formula, axis and vRef are expressed in counts from the ADC with a maximum output count of 4095. In the other part of the equation, 3.3 is the supply voltage to the actual accelerometer and 0.3663 is the output voltage from said accelerometer. 3.3 / 0/3663 can be simplified to 0.0022 and then, through code, can be multiplied by 100 to convert to the units of 0.01g, leaving 0.22. This can be multiplied with the following excerpt of code: IF (axCount >= rvCount) THEN gForce = (axCount – rvCount) ** GfCnv g-force Else gForce = - ((rvCount - axCount) ** GfCnv) g-force ‘ positive ‘ negative
ENDIF This will complete the conversion from analog to digital to Gforce, but for the Mighty Mitt this is not enough to judge the force of a punch or a kick. A change in g-force may be used in accordance with peak-detection to fully convey the necessary feedback for a marketable product. (www.parallax.com) The other important piece of hardware in the Mighty Mitt is the LCD display. Without the display there would be no way to read the outputs from the accelerometer. This component is not just a simple screen on which data will magically appear, it uses electrodes to modify liquid crystal structures. The substance of liquid crystal is in a very unusual state. Usually one thinks of rock hard diamonds when told of a crystal, in which the molecules maintain their position and orientation relative to each other. However liquids are associated with the exact opposite. Liquid crystals behave with characteristics from both substances but they are neither a solid nor a liquid. The substance does however act more like a liquid as the molecules move around but they do still maintain a crystalline orientation.
(electronics.howstuffworks.com)
In order to make a liquid crystal display, liquid crystals must be sandwiched between two pieces of selectively anodized glass, as seen above. There is a mirror behind the glass and on one piece, the glass
plate must have a film that has been vertically anodized and matching microscopic grooves carved on the other side of the plate. On the other piece of glass, the plate must have the same features but horizontally oriented. The liquid crystals will then twist and direct the light through the contours of the glass. The product used in the Mighty Mitt is backlit, which means it has lights above the mirror in the back of the display that reflect light off of the mirror for dark situations. To get the visible character effect, the device must take advantage of the fact that electric current modifies the orientation of the liquid crystals. This can be done with transparent electrodes. If one sheet of electrode is placed such that it is against the inside of the back sheet of glass and covers the whole of the display, it can be matched with a series of small electrodes that can be individually activated to create the shapes of characters. When these are activated, the liquid crystals between the electrodes experience electric current and orient according to the flow of electrons. This new orientation does not allow for light to pass through, creating a dark shape. (electronics.howstuffworks.com) The code for this component is very simple, but it is necessary for the successful operation of the display and includes only a few routine commands. The backlighting must be turned on and the pins must be defined for use with the microcontroller. After that, the screen only needs a simple display command to display anything.
Both the digital accelerometer and the LCD display are connected to and driven by the same microcontroller, as seen above. For the Mighty Mitt a BASIC Stamp Board of Education (BOE) is used. This is not a cheap component, but it is of a very high quality and allows for exact connections and programming. The interface is very
easy to use and any employee with simple programming experience can assemble and apply the correct code in a manufacturing situation. The Board of Education connects the accelerometer with the LCD display by means of a conveniently attached breadboard. The actual wiring is quite simple, the individual codes for each component require different pin outputs and both can operate under the same voltage from the board. The actual communication between the components is dependent on the code. With the operating code for the accelerometer the g-force values for each three axes result. This can be set up as the beginning of the code sequence but the LCD needs to be told to read the accelerometer outputs. The LCD must be given a few pin definitions and simple operations such as clearing the screen first, then can be given the command to display. This command needs to be followed by an input bracket containing the g-force measurements. The output from the accelerometer code is used as the input for the display code. The accelerometer code results with three outputs though, the X, Y, and Z axes. However for the accurate reading of the force of a punch, only one axis is required and, for the Mighty Mitt that is the Z-axis. This is due to the orientation of the accelerometer in the focus pad. The reading of g-force does not use the best units, punches range from around zero to four G’s, so decimals are necessary for an accurate readout. This can be solved by using arbitrary units, technically speaking they are a modification of meters per second squared, but the numbers need only be used comparatively by consumers. In the design of the Mighty Mitt many aspects must be correct for accurate force readings. First of all, the accelerometer must be safely secured to the microcontroller such that it can withstand a punch or a kick. For this a protective box (Safety Box) encases the entire Board of Education including the accelerometer, which is tightly attached to the breadboard. This way no wires will come loose however if such an occasion should arise, the Safety Box can be opened via a release of adhesive materials. The Safety Box is oriented on the back of the pad, behind a layer of foam, with the Z-axis of the accelerometer perpendicular to the plane of the front face of the pad. This way a well-delivered and accurate punch will be along the axis that is displayed. To ensure that the punch is struck such that the accelerometer will read it correctly,
an accuracy image is carefully placed in front of the accelerometer on the front face of the pad. The display is placed on the back side of the glove so that the person holding it may tell the person punching it how hard they are punching. The wiring to the microcontroller is all correctly installed within the Safety Box and they are tethered through a hole in the box, secured so that no wires will be shaken out of place when the Mighty Mitt is used. A clear coat of plastic allows for complete visibility of the display while still offering a protective layer in the event of an accidental drop or inaccurate punch. The power supply is a single nine-volt battery that is set up with a similar tethering design. The battery extends out of the side of the Safety Box for easy access and replacement, along with an on/off switch.
The Mighty Mitt is subject to a five stage development plan that is as follows: Stage Stage Stage Stage Stage 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: Testing of the individual components Assembly of components Completion of Prototype 1 Troubleshooting and design adjustments Completion of Prototype 2
After this five stage plan, the product will be marketable and able to be mass produced provided that the sufficient funds and investments are completed. The Mighty Mitt is currently at the end of stage three, the first prototype is completed and ready for evaluation. The components have been separately tested and have all performed successfully. Then the components were put together and the master code was created and tested to perform successfully. From here only minor adjustments will be made to turn the prototype into a product (Prototype 2). As a product, the Mighty Mitt will sell for many reasons. It is a new product that takes the best of two worlds. The fitness and martial arts equipment industry meets the electronics market in an explosion
of ingenuity. Never before has such a product existed in the world of martial arts, but it is only a modification of a widely used and preferred product. With the new ability to judge strength, discipline and training will become more effective and efficient.
Works Cited John. "Some Interesting Statistics about Martial Arts | Blog |." Martial Arts | Martialarts.groupsite.com. Groupsite.com, 14 Nov. 2008. Web. <http://martialarts.groupsite.com/post/some-interestingstatistics-about-martial-arts>. "Fitness Equipment Industry Profile including Statistics, Trends and Analysis from First Research." Industry Statistics, Trends and Analysis from First Research, a D&B Company. First Research, Inc, Feb. & March 2010. Web. <http://www.firstresearch.com/IndustryResearch/Fitness-Equipment.html>. "Fitness History." Fitness Info, News, Pictures, Forum, Shop, Travel and Community. MaxLifestyle International Inc, Jan. & Feb. 2010. Web. <http://www.abc-of-fitness.com/fitness-focus/history-offitness.asp>. Lance C. Dalleck, M.S. and Len Kravitz, Ph.D. "History of Fitness." The University of New Mexico. Web. <http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/history.html>. "Martial Arts History." TheFightGame.tv! - Your Mixed Martial Arts, Martial Arts, and Boxing News Website. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.thefightgame.tv/MAHistory.htm>. "Advantage Fitness Products: Resources: Pump Up Your Facility with Cutting-Edge Fitness." Advantage Fitness Products | Commercial Fitness Equipment Solutions And Facility Services For Non-Fitness Professionals. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. <http://www.afproducts.com/resources/articles/pump-up-your-facilitywith-cutting-edge-fitness>.
"A Beginner's Guide to Accelerometers." Dimension Engineering R/C, Power Electronics, Sensors. Web. March & April 2010. <http://www.dimensionengineering.com/accelerometers.htm>. "MMA7455 3-Axis Accelerometer Module." Parallax Home. Web. 2010. <http://www.parallax.com/Store/Sensors/AccelerationTilt/tabid/172/Cat egoryID/47/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/585/Default.aspx? SortField=ProductName%2cProductName>. Woodford, Chris. "How Accelerometers Work - an Introduction from Explain That Stuff!" Explain That Stuff! Science and Technology Made Simple. Explainthatstuff.com, 19 Oct. 2009. Web. <http://www.explainthatstuff.com/accelerometers.html>. "6 A Problem with Sensors." OpenLearn - The Open University. © The Open University. Web. <http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=216212>. Tyson, Jeff. "How LCDs Work." 17 July 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lcd.htm> 29 March 2010.
mindset, but Athens is responsible for the gymnasium and personal trainer In the ancient Roman civilization on the other hand, conquest was a priority. This led to a heavy military influence and domination throughout the empire along with a high rate of draft. All males from the ages of seventeen to sixty were eligible for the draft, and the citizens had to stay in peak physical condition for the good of the empire. In order to prepare for service, the military provided and required physical training. This training was not very dependent on equipment; it mostly consisted of running, marching, and jumping. There was however the use of throwing javelins and discuses for strength training. This lifestyle did not last though, with the growing success of the empire, the citizens were provided with wealth, comfort, and entertainment. This left fitness out of interest and the people became progressively less physically active until the inevitable demise of the Ancient Roman Empire. It did however leave us with the important training techniques and concepts that evolved into the contemporary norms. (www.umn.edu) As time passed through the centuries, people still sought to personally improve their physical health for one reason or another and the equipment used to aid this training has evolved greatly. Strength training started with primitive dumbbells, which eventually led to the javelins and discusses, finally evolving onto the more advanced, pulley driven weight machines that are now available. Current equipment is the most advanced in the field of cardiovascular training, even though the use of which is relatively new. Bicycles were technically among the first accessories for such forms of exercise, but they were predominantly practiced by swimming or jogging. Now many gyms and homes have such products as treadmills, Stairmasters, and exercise balls. The advanced products, like the cycle machines and Stairmasters, have electronic controls and feedback. The resistance can be set as well as certain training programs, allowing for ingenious resistance patterns along adjustable times. These settings can also all be set with weight, gender, and age information to give calorie loss estimations. The history of martial arts is both uncertain and unclear. The beginnings are most likely the result of simple human nature, pitting friend against friend in sometimes playful mock fights would have been beneficial for hunting and self-defense training. Most individual forms of martial arts however can be dated back to somewhat specific times. There are drawings from ancient Egypt that depict hand-to-hand combat, and there are recorded gladiators and wrestlers in ancient Greece and Rome. Even Kung Fu, which is actually a western name for
a form of Wu Shu, can be dated back to around 500AD when the Indian monk Bodhidharma wandered into china in search of enlightenment, and began teaching his exercises and philosophies to Shaolin monks. (www.thefightgame.tv) The martial arts and fighting techniques of all kinds have remained very traditional. Most equipment and forms are the same that they were thousands of years ago, and if they are not they are at least based on the ancient techniques and have changed very little. The gear and accessories used in fighting and martial arts have followed a similar trend. Weapons and punching bags are all very traditional, at least in terms of overall design. The same types of focus pads and dummies were used in ancient times, though this is because the designs work well and are proven to do so. In fact most designs are very practical. The best example would most likely be the be focus pads, which are like hand-held punching bags, offering accuracy and strength training to the puncher and endurance training for both the puncher and the wielder of the pad. The materials used however are quite modern, including fake leather and foam. This is partly how the industry has evolved, even if it did progress slowly. Contrary to martial arts specific gear, western fitness has followed most technologies, evolving through the centuries. There are many new and intriguing products that are currently on the market and are constantly setting new trends in health and fitness. One new trend is known as acceleration training, which is a slightly unorthodox approach to weight loss. The actual method of acceleration training involves whole-body vibration, made possible by the use of a product quite similar to a giant paint mixer. The trend was first set in motion and made popular by such celebrities as Madonna and P-Diddy, among others, who used the method and showed great results. The most famous product is the Power Plate pro5, which makes use of a large central platform that vibrates at rates between twenty-five and fifty times per second. These vibrating sessions are recommended to be very short, only about fifteen minutes three times a week. This is because of the science behind the design. Each vibration triggers a natural response in the human body, which is to contract muscles in order to maintain balance. Simple math will tell how much muscle activity is used in such a training session. Another trend of growing popularity is functional training. This applies motions and techniques similar to those of everyday life occurrences. The training is also designed to better suit the user to everyday situations, such as climbing stairs to an apartment or running bases in softball. The products are aimed more at cardiovascular
workouts and the most innovative design was created by the same company that invented the elliptical machine, Precor. The machine is called the Adaptive Motion Trainer and offers endless options. The machine actually adjusts to the motion of the person using it, allowing for simultaneous training in different muscle groups. For example, if wide steps are shortened to mimic the motion of hiking, the machine turns into a sort of stair climber, following the actions of the user. With a machine like this, the opportunities are limitless. Hygiene is very important in fitness centers and gyms and it should be stressed. A gym is a breeding ground for germs as it is a facility in which many people come in and out, leaving behind sweat. Most facilities have a spray bottle and paper towels that people can use, but this can be problematic. The nature of a spray bottle puts a great deal of the cleanser into the air, where it is to be inhaled by the people, not to mention the wet and sticky residue of over-spray. This is not good at all. Cleanliness is a major part of fitness centers, which is why Gojo and Athletix Wipes have stepped up to the plate. The two new products are disinfectant towel dispensers that imply the use of motion sensor technology. This is not new technology, everyone has seen the paper towel dispensers in bathrooms, but the fact that it is now in this setting is quite remarkable. It is a shame to see any aspect of a gym left in the dark ages, but this will no longer be the case thanks to the sleek and sexy dispensers that are now available. (www.afproducts.com) These new and advanced fitness accessories are all very useful and impressive, but the industry still has room to evolve. There is the convenience of electronic devices and feedback in some of the newer cardiovascular machines, but the electronic influence needs to spread into the martial arts driven fitness equipment market. This market needs some modernization, but it needs to do so with the same traditional styles of ancient martial arts. The teachings of Bodhidharma should not be forgotten, but the equipment should still suit the growing needs of people involved in the arts. Accelerometers are the basis for the electronic recording of motion and can be implemented in the fitness industry quite successfully. Theses electromechanical devices can measure both static and dynamic acceleration forces. An example of a static force would be gravity constantly pulling at an object, whereas an example of a dynamic force would be the fluctuating vibrations of an engine in a car or the instantaneous impact of a kick. These devices can be used in many different applications but almost always require a complex programming sequence to function under practical circumstances.
The accelerometers come in two major designs, analog and digital. Digital accelerometers use pulse frequencies. The amount of time that the voltage is high is directly proportional to the amount of acceleration. These accelerometers are best for use with any microcontroller that uses purely digital inputs such as a BASIC stamp. The problem is that this requires a division operation that is computationally draining and needs the use of the microcontrollers timing resources to measure the duty cycle. Other than that, these are very common and useful devices because BASIC is a very simple and well-known programming language. (www.dimensionengineering.com) Analog accelerometers are similar to digital, but instead of using digital pulses, they use continuous voltages. These voltage levels are proportionate to acceleration levels, much like the digital accelerometers. The only difference is that it is a voltage level that is measured, not a time of voltage level. This is very simple to compute and is often used in conjunction with a PIC or AVR type of microcontroller, as long as the inputs are analog. Accelerometers are used in many applications, as their possible uses of data recording are numerous. Some computer companies, such as IBM and Apple, use accelerometers with their laptop hard drives to protect them from damage. They us an emergency kill switch that is triggered by the accelerometer to shut off the hard drive when a sudden free fall is detected. This way the components will ideally stop spinning before impact and prevent internal collisions. An accelerometer is even used in a brake light for a bicycle. The light has no idea when you press on the brake other than the fact that the bike slows down, this actually exposes the accelerometer to negative g’s, which triggers the LED lights. Even hand-held electronics employ accelerometers, just like the Apple iPod-Touch, which uses an accelerometer in many games and applications as well as to flip the screen when the device is turned horizontally. The possibilities are virtually endless. So fitness is an important and successful industry as well as a healthy and popular aspect of life, and martial arts are very popular forms of fitness. The discipline involved makes it a very ideal path to train in, the only drawback is that the equipment is somewhat left behind as far as technical advancements. So wouldn’t it make sense to combine the advanced electronic capabilities of accelerometers in such a market? If someone that was trying to train for strength, endurance, and discipline it would help to have a reliable source of feedback that could give actual numerical representations of punches, kicks, and any other blow or strike.
This is why JP Industries has created the Mighty Mitt. It is a focus pad with a digital accelerometer incorporated into the design. This means that someone can punch the pad, get an accurate reading of force and then compare it to previously recorded readings. It allows for an entirely new level of discipline and training possibilities. Martial arts students and fitness-minded consumers could set personal goals, like to punch a 75 twenty times and then to kick a 90 fifteen times. The opportunities are nearly limitless, it is not outlandish to say that most gyms and fitness centers in America would contain at least one or two Mighty Mitts in their facilities. ______________________________________________________ The Mighty Mitt creates accurate force measurement feedback by integrating the accelerometer into the design of the pad. The accelerometer used is a tri-axis digital MEMS module and is the heart of the design. MEMS stands for Micro-Electrical Mechanical System and is an optimal method for recording accelerative forces, in fact it is the same technology used in cars to deploy airbags during impacts. These accelerometers have to be durable and reliable while holding the luxury of affordability. The simple design allows for a cheap hardware strain with a heavy software need.
(openlearn.open.ac.uk)
The accelerometer uses capacitance to convert force into electric signals, which are then converted into digital signals. As seen above, the capacitance design employs a structure referred to as the seismic mass that is suspended between two electrodes by springs at either end. When the accelerometer experiences some force in the direction parallel to the axis created by the two springs, the seismic mass moves
in relation to the stationary electrodes. Just like when a driver is pressed against the side of his or her car when turning through an onramp, the seismic mass is moved toward the electrodes. As is the nature of capacitance, distance reflects magnitude and this is very convenient because more force causes more distance of movement for the seismic mass. Therefore the magnitude of capacitance is converted into a recording of the magnitude of acceleration. (openlearn.open.ac.uk) (www.explainthatstuff.com)
(www.parallax.com)
The accelerometer used in the Mighty Mitt has three of these set up to create the X, Y, and Z axes, as seen above. This means that the accelerometer is capable of measuring gravity, which is in the Z direction, however this is not necessary for the Mighty Mitt. This then shows that the output of the accelerometer itself is a simple capacitance, but it needs to be converted into acceleration (Gforce). This is Why the analog signal is sent to the on-board analog to digital converter (MCP3204 ADC) and used with the formula: G = ((axis – vRef) / 4095) x (3.3 / 0.3663) In the formula, axis and vRef are expressed in counts from the ADC with a maximum output count of 4095. In the other part of the equation, 3.3 is the supply voltage to the actual accelerometer and 0.3663 is the output voltage from said accelerometer. 3.3 / 0/3663 can be simplified to 0.0022 and then, through code, can be multiplied by 100 to convert to the units of 0.01g, leaving 0.22. This can be multiplied with the following excerpt of code: IF (axCount >= rvCount) THEN gForce = (axCount – rvCount) ** GfCnv g-force Else gForce = - ((rvCount - axCount) ** GfCnv) g-force ‘ positive ‘ negative
ENDIF This will complete the conversion from analog to digital to Gforce, but for the Mighty Mitt this is not enough to judge the force of a punch or a kick. A change in g-force may be used in accordance with peak-detection to fully convey the necessary feedback for a marketable product. (www.parallax.com) The other important piece of hardware in the Mighty Mitt is the LCD display. Without the display there would be no way to read the outputs from the accelerometer. This component is not just a simple screen on which data will magically appear, it uses electrodes to modify liquid crystal structures. The substance of liquid crystal is in a very unusual state. Usually one thinks of rock hard diamonds when told of a crystal, in which the molecules maintain their position and orientation relative to each other. However liquids are associated with the exact opposite. Liquid crystals behave with characteristics from both substances but they are neither a solid nor a liquid. The substance does however act more like a liquid as the molecules move around but they do still maintain a crystalline orientation.
(electronics.howstuffworks.com)
In order to make a liquid crystal display, liquid crystals must be sandwiched between two pieces of selectively anodized glass, as seen above. There is a mirror behind the glass and on one piece, the glass
plate must have a film that has been vertically anodized and matching microscopic grooves carved on the other side of the plate. On the other piece of glass, the plate must have the same features but horizontally oriented. The liquid crystals will then twist and direct the light through the contours of the glass. The product used in the Mighty Mitt is backlit, which means it has lights above the mirror in the back of the display that reflect light off of the mirror for dark situations. To get the visible character effect, the device must take advantage of the fact that electric current modifies the orientation of the liquid crystals. This can be done with transparent electrodes. If one sheet of electrode is placed such that it is against the inside of the back sheet of glass and covers the whole of the display, it can be matched with a series of small electrodes that can be individually activated to create the shapes of characters. When these are activated, the liquid crystals between the electrodes experience electric current and orient according to the flow of electrons. This new orientation does not allow for light to pass through, creating a dark shape. (electronics.howstuffworks.com) The code for this component is very simple, but it is necessary for the successful operation of the display and includes only a few routine commands. The backlighting must be turned on and the pins must be defined for use with the microcontroller. After that, the screen only needs a simple display command to display anything.
Both the digital accelerometer and the LCD display are connected to and driven by the same microcontroller, as seen above. For the Mighty Mitt a BASIC Stamp Board of Education (BOE) is used. This is not a cheap component, but it is of a very high quality and allows for exact connections and programming. The interface is very
easy to use and any employee with simple programming experience can assemble and apply the correct code in a manufacturing situation. The Board of Education connects the accelerometer with the LCD display by means of a conveniently attached breadboard. The actual wiring is quite simple, the individual codes for each component require different pin outputs and both can operate under the same voltage from the board. The actual communication between the components is dependent on the code. With the operating code for the accelerometer the g-force values for each three axes result. This can be set up as the beginning of the code sequence but the LCD needs to be told to read the accelerometer outputs. The LCD must be given a few pin definitions and simple operations such as clearing the screen first, then can be given the command to display. This command needs to be followed by an input bracket containing the g-force measurements. The output from the accelerometer code is used as the input for the display code. The accelerometer code results with three outputs though, the X, Y, and Z axes. However for the accurate reading of the force of a punch, only one axis is required and, for the Mighty Mitt that is the Z-axis. This is due to the orientation of the accelerometer in the focus pad. The reading of g-force does not use the best units, punches range from around zero to four G’s, so decimals are necessary for an accurate readout. This can be solved by using arbitrary units, technically speaking they are a modification of meters per second squared, but the numbers need only be used comparatively by consumers. In the design of the Mighty Mitt many aspects must be correct for accurate force readings. First of all, the accelerometer must be safely secured to the microcontroller such that it can withstand a punch or a kick. For this a protective box (Safety Box) encases the entire Board of Education including the accelerometer, which is tightly attached to the breadboard. This way no wires will come loose however if such an occasion should arise, the Safety Box can be opened via a release of adhesive materials. The Safety Box is oriented on the back of the pad, behind a layer of foam, with the Z-axis of the accelerometer perpendicular to the plane of the front face of the pad. This way a well-delivered and accurate punch will be along the axis that is displayed. To ensure that the punch is struck such that the accelerometer will read it correctly,
an accuracy image is carefully placed in front of the accelerometer on the front face of the pad. The display is placed on the back side of the glove so that the person holding it may tell the person punching it how hard they are punching. The wiring to the microcontroller is all correctly installed within the Safety Box and they are tethered through a hole in the box, secured so that no wires will be shaken out of place when the Mighty Mitt is used. A clear coat of plastic allows for complete visibility of the display while still offering a protective layer in the event of an accidental drop or inaccurate punch. The power supply is a single nine-volt battery that is set up with a similar tethering design. The battery extends out of the side of the Safety Box for easy access and replacement, along with an on/off switch.
The Mighty Mitt is subject to a five stage development plan that is as follows: Stage Stage Stage Stage Stage 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: Testing of the individual components Assembly of components Completion of Prototype 1 Troubleshooting and design adjustments Completion of Prototype 2
After this five stage plan, the product will be marketable and able to be mass produced provided that the sufficient funds and investments are completed. The Mighty Mitt is currently at the end of stage three, the first prototype is completed and ready for evaluation. The components have been separately tested and have all performed successfully. Then the components were put together and the master code was created and tested to perform successfully. From here only minor adjustments will be made to turn the prototype into a product (Prototype 2). As a product, the Mighty Mitt will sell for many reasons. It is a new product that takes the best of two worlds. The fitness and martial arts equipment industry meets the electronics market in an explosion
of ingenuity. Never before has such a product existed in the world of martial arts, but it is only a modification of a widely used and preferred product. With the new ability to judge strength, discipline and training will become more effective and efficient.
Works Cited John. "Some Interesting Statistics about Martial Arts | Blog |." Martial Arts | Martialarts.groupsite.com. Groupsite.com, 14 Nov. 2008. Web. <http://martialarts.groupsite.com/post/some-interestingstatistics-about-martial-arts>. "Fitness Equipment Industry Profile including Statistics, Trends and Analysis from First Research." Industry Statistics, Trends and Analysis from First Research, a D&B Company. First Research, Inc, Feb. & March 2010. Web. <http://www.firstresearch.com/IndustryResearch/Fitness-Equipment.html>. "Fitness History." Fitness Info, News, Pictures, Forum, Shop, Travel and Community. MaxLifestyle International Inc, Jan. & Feb. 2010. Web. <http://www.abc-of-fitness.com/fitness-focus/history-offitness.asp>. Lance C. Dalleck, M.S. and Len Kravitz, Ph.D. "History of Fitness." The University of New Mexico. Web. <http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/history.html>. "Martial Arts History." TheFightGame.tv! - Your Mixed Martial Arts, Martial Arts, and Boxing News Website. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.thefightgame.tv/MAHistory.htm>. "Advantage Fitness Products: Resources: Pump Up Your Facility with Cutting-Edge Fitness." Advantage Fitness Products | Commercial Fitness Equipment Solutions And Facility Services For Non-Fitness Professionals. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. <http://www.afproducts.com/resources/articles/pump-up-your-facilitywith-cutting-edge-fitness>.
"A Beginner's Guide to Accelerometers." Dimension Engineering R/C, Power Electronics, Sensors. Web. March & April 2010. <http://www.dimensionengineering.com/accelerometers.htm>. "MMA7455 3-Axis Accelerometer Module." Parallax Home. Web. 2010. <http://www.parallax.com/Store/Sensors/AccelerationTilt/tabid/172/Cat egoryID/47/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/585/Default.aspx? SortField=ProductName%2cProductName>. Woodford, Chris. "How Accelerometers Work - an Introduction from Explain That Stuff!" Explain That Stuff! Science and Technology Made Simple. Explainthatstuff.com, 19 Oct. 2009. Web. <http://www.explainthatstuff.com/accelerometers.html>. "6 A Problem with Sensors." OpenLearn - The Open University. © The Open University. Web. <http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=216212>. Tyson, Jeff. "How LCDs Work." 17 July 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lcd.htm> 29 March 2010.
