Training devices for trajectory-based sports

• US 10,471,325 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2015
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pillar Vision Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pillar Vision Incorporated
• Inventors: Marty, Alan W., Carter, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Myhr, Justin L
• Application Number:
  US14/979,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20160121193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,416 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/086 deflectable under excessive loads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 : Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30224 : Ball; Puck
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30241 : Trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/20 : Analysis of motion motion estimation for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/43, H04N19/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 : Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80

Abstract

Methods and apparatus related to improving player performance for trajectory-based sports are described. In particular, sporting devices are described that can be utilized to improve player performance in basketball. The sporting devices can include a camera-based system configured to capture and analyze the trajectory of a shot taken by a player. The camera-based system can be configured to provide feedback that allows a player to optimize the trajectory mechanics associated with shooting a basketball. In one embodiment, the camera-based system can be used in conjunction with a training aid that is attached to a basketball rim. The training aid can be configured to improve the trajectory mechanics of individuals utilizing the modified basketball rim to practice their shooting.

Claims

1. A trajectory detection and analysis system, comprising:

a camera configured to capture images of a ball launched by a participant of a sports activity along a trajectory during a shot of the ball toward a goal within the sports activity, wherein the ball travels along the trajectory and reaches the goal from a launch point for the shot;

at least one computer configured to analyze the images to determine a plurality of locations of the ball along the trajectory, the at least one computer configured to predict, based on the determined locations, a portion of the trajectory and to predict an outcome of the shot at the goal based on the predicted portion of the trajectory, wherein the outcome is one of a made shot or a missed shot; and

a feedback interface configured to output information indicative of the predicted outcome before the ball reaches the goal for the shot.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback interface is configured to output the information in an audio format.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback interface is configured to output the information in a visual format.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer is configured to perform a curve fit of the trajectory based on the plurality of locations and to predict the portion of the trajectory based on the curve fit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the ball is a basketball, and wherein the goal is a basketball goal.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the information indicates whether the basketball is predicted to pass through a hoop of the basketball goal.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the information indicates a predicted trajectory of the basketball after the basketball bounces off of a hoop of the basketball goal.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one computer is configured to determine whether the predicted portion of the trajectory passes through a target area, and wherein the information indicates whether the predicted portion of the trajectory is determined to pass through the target area.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one computer is configured to determine at least one parameter of the shot based on the images and to determine the target area based on the at least one parameter.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one parameter is based on the predicted portion of the trajectory.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback interface comprises a display configured to output the information indicative of the predicted outcome to a spectator before the ball reaches the goal for the shot.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the display is a portable viewing device.

13. A trajectory detection and analysis method, comprising:

capturing, with a camera, images of a ball launched by a participant of a sports activity along a trajectory during a shot of the ball toward a goal within the sports activity, wherein the ball travels along the trajectory and reaches the goal from a launch point for the shot;

analyzing the images with at least one computer;

determining, with the at least one computer, a plurality of locations of the ball along the trajectory based on the analyzing;

predicting, with the at least one computer, a portion of the trajectory of the ball based on the determined locations before the ball reaches the goal for the shot;

predicting, with the at least one computer, an outcome of the shot at the goal based on the predicted portion of the trajectory before the ball reaches the goal for the shot, wherein the outcome is one of a made shot or a missed shot; and

outputting, with a feedback interface, information indicative of the predicted outcome before the ball reaches the goal for the shot.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

performing, with the at least one computer, a curve fit of the trajectory based on the plurality of locations,

wherein the predicting the portion of the trajectory is based on the curve fit.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the ball is a basketball, and wherein the goal is a basketball goal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the information indicates whether the basketball is predicted to pass through a hoop of the basketball goal.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the information indicates a predicted trajectory of the basketball after the basketball bounces off of a hoop of the basketball goal.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining, with the at least one computer, whether the predicted portion of the trajectory passes through a target area,

wherein the information indicates whether the predicted portion of the trajectory is determined to pass through the target area.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining, with the at least one computer, at least one parameter of the shot based on the analyzing; and

determining the target area based on the at least one parameter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one parameter is based on the predicted portion of the trajectory.