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  Predictive and counter predictive visual stimuliUSPTO Application #: 20070000007Title: Predictive and counter predictive visual stimuli Abstract: Dynamic visual indicators such as counter-predictive indicators are applied to apparel and apparatus for activities such as athletics. The counter-predictive indicators are configured to provide an indication of wearer/user orientation or anticipated future movement that differs from a true orientation or actual movement. Alternatively, the predictive indicators can be provided to reinforce or heighten perception of wearer/user orientation or anticipated future movement. In some examples, dynamic visual indicators provide apparent body axes that are tilted or displaced from a wearer's actual body axis. Such dynamic visual indicators can be selected based on measured responses to activity specific images or events. (end of abstract) Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP - Portland, OR, US Inventors: Richard MacDonald, Edward Louis Harber USPTO Applicaton #: 20070000007 - Class: 002069000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070000007. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The disclosure pertains to methods for configuring athletic apparel to enhance or reduce accuracy of visual estimations of anticipated player movements. BACKGROUND [0002] Apparel for a variety of activities has been customized to provide for wearer safety and comfort, or for aesthetic reasons. For example, athletic team uniforms are often provided in bright colors or constructed of materials that wick perspiration or control heat loss. Athletic attire is frequently decorated to be visually appealing, or to include markings associated with team sponsorship. Apparel for these and other activities can be configured for functionality as well as to aid in the identification of the wearer as a member of team or other group. [0003] While apparel has been configured to enhance individual comfort and performance for many activities, typical ornamented uniforms and apparel merely promote wearer comfort or provide stylish appearance. Such apparel does not reflect important aspects of wearer dynamics, and improved apparel is needed that can provide additional functionality. SUMMARY [0004] According to representative methods, at least one dynamic visual indicator is selected and applied to an object, such as, for example, a team uniform or other apparel for one or more selected activities. In some examples, the at least one dynamic visual indicator is a predictive indicator. In other examples, the at least one dynamic visual indicator is a counter-predictive indicator. In additional examples, the at least one dynamic visual indicator is associated with an apparent orientation of an object axis. In other illustrative examples, the at least one dynamic visual indicator is applied so as to provide an apparent object axis that is tilted with respect to a corresponding actual object axis. [0005] Articles comprise at least one dynamic visual indicator. In representative examples, the dynamic visual indicator is a counter-predictive indicator or a predictive indicator. In further examples, the dynamic visual indicator is situated to establish an apparent axis that is tilted with respect to a corresponding actual axis. In additional representative examples, a second dynamic visual indicator is provided, wherein the first dynamic visual indicator is a counter-predictive indicator and the second dynamic visual indicator is a predictive indicator. In other examples, the article is a team uniform. In still further examples, a dynamic visual indicator is configured to obscure a hip angle. [0006] Methods comprise selecting an activity and defining at least one dynamic visual indicator associated with performance of the selected activity. In representative examples, the dynamic visual indicator is applied to an article associated with the selected activity. In other examples, the dynamic visual indicator is a counter-predictive indicator or predictive indicator associated with at least one motion encountered with the selected activity. In still further examples, the dynamic visual indicator is defined as a predictive indicator associated with at least one motion encountered with the selected activity. In additional representative examples, the dynamic visual indicator is defined to provide an apparent orientation of the article. In some examples, the apparent orientation is substantially misaligned with an actual orientation and in additional examples, the apparent orientation is substantially aligned with an actual orientation. [0007] These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIGS. 1A-1D are front views illustrating examples of sports uniforms that include dynamic visual indicators configured to disguise a hip angle. [0009] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate additional uniforms that include dynamic visual indicators. [0010] FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams illustrating dynamic visual indicators configured to obscure a body centerline or a body rotation. [0011] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate occluded views of a football player used to evaluate and select dynamic visual indicators. [0012] FIG. 4D is an unoccluded view of the football player of FIGS. 4A-4C. [0013] FIG. 5 is a view of a system for evaluating dynamic visual indicators. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] The disclosed methods and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and subcombinations with one another. Moreover, the methods and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect or feature, or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed methods and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. [0015] Although the operations and function of some of the disclosed methods and apparatus are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other methods and apparatus. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like "determine" and "evaluate" to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms will vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art. [0016] For purposes of this disclosure, the word "including" has the same broad meaning as the word "comprising". In addition, words such as "a" and "an", unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, include the plural as well as the singular. Thus, for example, the requirement of "a feature" is satisfied where one or more of these features are present. In addition, the term "or" includes the conjunctive, the disjunctive and both (a or b thus includes either a or b, as well as a and b). [0017] The disclosure provides representative examples of apparel configured for team sports such as football, soccer, basketball, hockey, paintball, or other sports. In other examples, apparel for individual sports such as tennis, fencing, martial arts, or other activities can be provided. These examples are illustrative only, and apparel, equipment, and other items for other sports and non-sports activities can be configured in a similar manner. [0018] While activity apparel, accessories, and apparatus can be configured to enhance or reduce wearer visibility, such items can also be configured to enhance or attenuate the anticipation or "prediction" of future wearer movements or to enhance or attenuate visual determinations of precise body orientation and location. For example, many sporting, athletic, and other recreational and professional activities are based on precisely locating an opponent or teammate, and anticipating the movements of the opponent or teammate. For example, knowing the precise position and body orientation of a soccer opponent or teammate on a soccer pitch can aid in accurate prediction of the opponent's or teammate's future movements such as a kicking direction, or direction of a cut. A goalkeeper must estimate a probable direction or location for opponent activities--i.e., will the opponent target a particular portion of the goal, or dribble to a particular location. A basketball defender must similarly assess an opponent's likely next move--to shoot, pass, continue dribbling ahead, cross-over, reverse, or take some other action. Improved estimates of position, orientation, and likely movement and can substantially improve a participant's effectiveness in countering an opponent or assisting a teammate. In these and other activities, a participant can take advantage of her perception of opponents and/or teammates to anticipate likely future moves. Similarly, a participant's apparel can be configured to hinder accurate prediction of participant movements or actions. Thus, dynamic visual indicators can be provided to heighten or attenuate perception of wearer orientation or to heighten or diminish accuracy of predictions of subsequent wearer movements. Predictive and Counter-Predictive Apparel Continue reading... Full patent description for Predictive and counter predictive visual stimuli Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Predictive and counter predictive visual stimuli patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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