Systems and methods for flexible sensors for electronic athletic performance data

Abstract

A light weight flexible sensor system having flexible packaging and rounded edges, and analytics package that delivers a professional athlete's routine, drill, and/or move to an end user. The sensor system includes a network of physical devices embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity to enable the sensors to connect and exchange data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A performance management system for use with athletic equipment, comprising:
 a flexible sensor assembly; and   a flexible non-elastic substrate for receiving the flexible sensor assembly within the athletic equipment.   
     
     
         2 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sensor assembly comprises a sensor circuit board and a battery assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The performance management system of  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible metallic conductor that couples the sensor circuit board and the battery assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The performance management system of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible metallic conductor is fabricated with meanders. 
     
     
         5 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible non-elastic substrate enables the flexible sensor assembly to flex in a longitudinal axis of the flexible non-elastic substrate when an external load is applied perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible silicon rubber enclosure for housing both the flexible sensor assembly and the flexible non-elastic substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sensor assembly communicates via near-field communication with a network switch. 
     
     
         8 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sensor assembly includes at least one of a low-g accelerometer, a high-g accelerometer, a gyroscope, a biometric sensor, and a magnetometer. 
     
     
         9 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , wherein the athletic equipment comprises combat gloves. 
     
     
         10 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication dongle in operable communication with the flexible sensor assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The performance management system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central server for receiving data metrics from the flexible sensor assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A performance management system for obtaining electronic performance metrics of an athletic performance, comprising:
 a sporting venue; and   a server comprising a local data collection system in communication with the venue via a network switch,   wherein the sporting venue enables communication between the server and a sensor system disposed in athletic equipment at the venue, the sensor system comprising:
 a flexible sensor assembly, 
 a flexible non-elastic substrate for receiving the flexible sensor assembly within the athletic equipment. 
   
     
     
         13 . The performance management system of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible sensor assembly comprises a sensor circuit board and a battery assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The performance management system of  claim 13 , further comprising a flexible metallic conductor that couples the sensor circuit board and the battery assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The performance management system of  claim 14 , wherein the flexible metallic conductor is fabricated with meanders. 
     
     
         16 . The performance management system of  claim 12 , further comprising a flexible silicon rubber enclosure for housing both the flexible sensor assembly and the flexible non-elastic substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The performance management system of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible sensor assembly includes at least one of a low-g accelerometer, a high-g accelerometer, a gyroscope, a biometric sensor, and a magnetometer. 
     
     
         18 . The performance management system of  claim 12 , wherein the athletic equipment comprises combat gloves. 
     
     
         19 . The performance management system of  claim 12 , further comprising a communication dongle in operable communication with the flexible sensor assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The performance management system of  claim 12 , wherein the central server receives data metrics from the flexible sensor assembly via near-field communication.