Computerized method and system for fitting a bicycle to a cyclist

Abstract

This invention is an apparatus for quantitatively measuring the fit of an individual to one or more bicycles or other such human-powered conveyances. The apparatus comprises at least a three-dimensional marker tracking system, a software-based data analysis and presentation computer system, and (if necessary) a means of supporting a bicycle in a stationary location such that the individual being fit can pedal their bicycle in a normal yet stationary manner. In advanced embodiments, the system includes a means of simulating a bicycle, and perhaps even a means of altering the position of the bicycle components to perform a bicycle fit in a fully automated way.

1 . A system for quantitatively evaluating the ergonomic fit between a person and a 
 person-propelled conveyance comprising    a coordinate system;    a plurality of detectible markers affixed to the person;    a marker tracking subsystem which is situated so to detect each marker at least 50% of the time, which measures the locations of the markers relative to the coordinate system, and which can measure the locations for at least one complete cycle of the motion that propels the conveyance;    a digital computer and software;    wherein    the software is adapted to configure and control operation of the tracking subsystem;    the software is adapted to acquire, measure, and record the locations of the markers automatically;    the software is adapted to determine statistics about the locations of the markers, the distances between specified pairs of markers, and the angular relationships among specified trios of markers;    the software is adapted to recommend a specific alteration to the conveyance to optimize a physiological goal of the person based on the acquired statistics; and    the software is adapted to generate a report of such recorded measurements and recommendations.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance is a bicycle.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance is a bicycle simulator.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are actively illuminated light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are powered and flashed through a wiring harness attached to the person.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the harness is attached to the person using quickly attached fasteners.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are battery powered and are activated wirelessly.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are passive retro-reflectors illuminated by at least one light source directed at the markers.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markers have a known, optically distinguishable pattern and color.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one marker is also affixed to the conveyance.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are placed at several specific, well-defined anatomical locations on at least one side of the person's body.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one such marker location is on the spine.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking subsystem is an optical tracking system.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological goal to be optimized is the comfort of the person.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological goal to be optimized is the long-term endurance of the person.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological goal to be optimized is the power output efficiency of the person.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alteration includes replacement of the current conveyance with a specific recommendation chosen from a database of models, styles and sizes of commercially available conveyances.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alteration is a recommended geometry for a custom design for a conveyance tailored for the person.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alteration suggests optimal sizes and positions for changeable components which includes as least handlebars, handlebar stems, seats, crank arms, shoe wedges, and spacers.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the recommended alterations are based on an historical database of successful fitting sessions.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the recommended alterations are based on the experience of experts.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software is further adapted to display the locations of the markers on the monitor screen of the computer in substantially real time.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software is further adapted to display cumulative paths of the markers on the monitor screen of the computer for at least one cycle of motion.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the measurements include at least some non-empty subset of the following measurements: the mean and extreme vertical, lateral, and forward location coordinates of specific markers; the mean motion range of specific markers; centroid of each marker's motion; the maximum, minimum, and mean angles formed among specific markers; and the minimum, maximum, and mean distances between specific pairs of markers.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the original data and analysis can be stored and later retrieved for the person.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system measures velocities and accelerations of motion.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer controls the resistance of the conveyance to the motion of the person.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer measures and records power output from the person through the conveyance.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system senses at least one physiological measurement of the person to estimate user effort and uses the estimate to rate the benefit of the current configuration of the conveyance.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the physiological measurement of the person is heart rate.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the physiological measurement of the person is respiration rate.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the physiological measurement of the person is blood oxygen level.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer can measure the posture of the person conveyance to determine an optimal posture for riding the conveyance based on the person's desired riding style and goals.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system additionally comprises a real-time video camera to record the measurement session.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis for a given person can be used to compare the quality of fit between a person and each of at least two different instances of a conveyance.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 1 , which additionally comprises at least one mechanical actuator to automatically perform a recommended alteration under control of the computer hardware and software.  
     
     
         37 . A system for quantitatively evaluating the ergonomic fit between a person and a 
 bicycle, wherein the system comprises    a coordinate system    a purality of detectible markers affixed to the person    a marker tracking subsystem which is situated so to detect each marker at least 50% of the time, which measures the locations of the markers relative to the coordinate system, and which can do so at least for one complete cycle of the pedals; and    a digital computer system and software;    wherein the system is adapted    to configure and control operation of the tracking subsystem;    to acquire and record the locations of the markers automatically;    to determine statistics about the locations of the markers over time;    to compute the distances between specified pairs of markers at specified times;    to compute the angular relationships among specified trios of markers at specified times;    to recommend a specific alteration to the bicycle configuration to optimize a specified physiological goal of the person;    to generate a report of the recorded locations and computed values; and    to recommend an alteration to the bicycle configuration.    
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the bicycle is a bicycle simulator with an adjustable frame.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the adjustable frame can be adjusted automatically by the computer software in accordance with the recommended alteration.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , which additionally comprises at least one mechanical actuator to automate a recommended alteration under control of the computer hardware and software.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the markers are actively illuminated light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the markers are powered and flashed through a wiring harness attached to the person.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the harness is attached to the person using quickly attached fasteners.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the markers are battery powered and are activated wirelessly.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the markers are passive reflectors illuminated by at least one light source directed at the markers.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the markers have a known, optically distinguishable pattern and color.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein at least one marker is also affixed to the bicycle.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the markers are placed at several specific, well-defined anatomical locations on at least one side of the person's body.  
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein one such location is on the foot and closest to the axis of a pedal.  
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein one such location is the lower lateral prominence of the fibula bone (the ankle).  
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein one such location is the upper lateral prominence of the fibula bone.  
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein one such location is the lateral prominence on the hip (crest of the ilium).  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein one such location is on one arm at the upper lateral prominence of the humorous bone.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein one such location is one wrist at the prominence of the radius bone.  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the tracking subsystem is an optical tracking system.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the physiological goal to be optimized is the comfort of the person.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the physiological goal to be optimized is the long-term endurance of the person.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the physiological goal to be optimized is the power output efficiency of the person.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the alteration includes replacement of the whole bicycle with a different bicycle chosen from a database of models.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the alteration is an improved custom design geometry for the bicycle.  
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the alteration suggests an optimal size for at least one changeable component.  
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the changeable components include handlebars, handlebar stems, seats, crank arms, and spacers.  
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the recommended alterations are based on an historical database of successful fits.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the recommended alterations are based on the advice and experience of experts.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the software is further adapted to display the locations of the markers on the monitor screen of the computer in substantially real time.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the software is further adapted to display cumulative paths of the markers on the monitor screen of the computer for at least one cycle of motion.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the measurements include some subset of the following measurements: extrema of vertical, lateral, and forward locations for specific markers; mean motion range of specific markers; centroid of each marker's motion; maximum, minimum, and mean angles formed among specific markers; and minimum, maximum, and mean distances between specific pairs of marker.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the original data can be stored and later retrieved for the person.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the computer system measures velocities and accelerations of motion.  
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the computer controls resistance of the bicycle to the motion of the person.  
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the computer measures and records power output from the person through the bicycle.  
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the computer measures a physiological characteristic of the person as an estimate of effort and uses the estimate to rate the quality of the current configuration of the conveyance with respect to the goal of the person.  
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the physiological characteristic of the person is heart rate.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the physiological characteristic of the person is respiration rate.  
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the physiological characteristic of the person is blood oxygen level.  
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the system additionally comprises a real-time video camera to record the measurement session.  
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the reported measurements can be used to recommend the proper bicycle size and accessory sizes for the person.  
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the reported measurements can be used to design and dimension a customized bicycle.  
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the system can be used for constructing a customized version of the bicycle.  
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the system can be used to compare the quality of fit between a person and each of two or more bicycles.  
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the system can be used to adjust one bicycle so that the fit between the person and the bicycle duplicates the fit between the person and another bicycle.  
     
     
         82 . A method of quantitatively evaluating the ergonomic fit between a person and human-powered vehicle comprising steps of 
 attaching detectable markers to the person;    establishing a coordinate space to which the marker locations are relative;    acquiring details and characteristics about the person and the vehicle;    directing the person to begin powering the vehicle;    acquiring discrete times and locations of the markers for a period of time to acquire at least one cycle of the person's motion in powering the vehicle;    fitting continuous trajectories to the set of discrete locations for at least one marker;    computing statistical information about each marker's acquired locations;    computing the distance between at least one specified pair of marker locations;    computing at least one angle formed by a specified trio of marker locations;    displaying at least some of the above acquired and computed data on a computer screen;    recording at least some of the above acquired and computed data for later use;    determining whether the computed data is satisfactory according to the desired goals of the person;    if the last data is satisfactory, saving the acquired data and vehicle configuration;    if the last data is unsatisfactory, recommending at least one vehicle-specific adaptation;    if there is at least one unimplemented recommended adaptation, adjusting the vehicle configuration according to the adaptation; and    then repeating at least some of the above steps with the adaptation applied to configuration.    
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the markers are attached to one side of the person.  
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the markers are attached to two sides of the person.  
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the some markers are also attached to the vehicle.  
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the markers attached to the vehicle define a vehicle-relative coordinate system.  
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the vehicle is held stationary but otherwise simulates normal operation.  
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of transforming the time and spatial coordinates to a more convenient coordinate system.  
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of overlaying at least some of the above data onto a stylized graphical depiction of the person and vehicle.  
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of matching and comparing the trajectory of at least one marker to the best-fitting trajectory of a set of ideal, standardized trajectories.  
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of printing at least some of the above acquired and computed data for a permanent record.  
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of computing the cadence of the human's motions relative to time.  
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of repeating the above for the other side of the person as necessary;  
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of comparing the corresponding acquired data from both sides of the person, if available.  
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of recommending adaptations to optimize the comfort of the person.  
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of recommending adaptations to optimize the endurance of the person.  
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of recommending adaptations to optimize the power output performance of the person.  
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising the step of measuring a physiological characteristic of the person to estimate the effort expended by the person in powering the vehicle.