Training systems and methods for athletes

• US 20070026369A1
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mental Conditioning Sports LLC
• Original Assignee: Mental Conditioning Sports LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Fred, Wills, Roland, Cornish, Geoffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/252
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3629 Visual means not attached to the body for aligning, positioning the trainee's head or for detecting head movement, e.g. by parallax
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

The system monitors a user'"'"'s key physical movements when performing a particular activity, such as a golf swing, and signals visually and/or aurally when a single (or several) error(s) is/are committed, for the purpose of encouraging faster learning of fundamentally sound physical skills. Mental conditioning is achieved when the effects of repeatedly listening to the specially constructed and authored audio conditioning programs during practice sessions and games are combined with the above described physical monitoring effects of the system. Better physical execution of a selected technique or skill results, and the user experiences the benefits of mental conditioning on his/her playing performance.

Claims

1. A system for improving the skills of a user in a particular activity, comprising:

a base unit comprising a housing;

an actuator in said base unit for initiating an operating cycle of the base unit;

an emitter adapted for disposition on the body of the user;

a sensor on said base unit for communicating with said emitter along a line-of-sight; and

an alarm for indicating to the user when contact has been broken between said sensor and said emitter.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a ball detection sensor for sensing the presence of a ball in a ball placement zone.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter comprises a portion of a headband.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter comprises a portion of an earpiece or headphones.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said alarm comprises an audible alarm received by the user through said earpiece or headphones.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said alarm comprises one or both of a visual and an audible alarm.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an indicator on said base unit which is actuated when said operating cycle is initiated.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, and further comprising a second indicator on said base unit which is actuated when said base unit sensor and said emitter establish sensor contact.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a timing cycle control on said base unit.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said base unit comprises a track portion on which said housing is disposed, and said housing is movable along said track portion.

11. The system as recited in claim 4, and further comprising an audio programming system in said base unit for transmitting selected audio programming to the user through said earpiece or headphones.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said particular activity comprises the action of swinging a golf club.

13. A system for improving the skills of a user in a particular activity, comprising:

a base unit for providing feedback to the user regarding his/her activity mechanics; and

an audio programming unit for transmitting audible messages related to the particular activity to the user.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, and further comprising a sensor on said base unit and an emitter adapted for disposition on a portion of the body of the user, wherein said feedback comprises a message provided to the user when sensor contact is broken between said sensor and said emitter.

15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said system comprises a controller for permitting the user to select from a menu the particular audible messages to be transmitted by the audio programming unit.

16. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said audio programming unit comprises an audio module having a flash memory for storing an audio program downloaded from a particular source and a micro-controller, said audio module being capable of communication with hardware adapted for transmitting portions of the audio program to the user.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein said hardware is disposed on said base unit.

18. A method of training in order to improve in the performance of a particular repeatable activity, comprising:

placing an emitter on a portion of the body of a user;

sensing the presence of a ball in a predetermined ball placement zone in order to initiate an operating cycle of a base unit;

placing the body of a user in position to conduct the particular activity, and establishing contact between said emitter and a sensor on the base unit while in said position;

conducting the particular activity; and

providing an alarm if contact is broken between the emitter and the sensor during the activity.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, and further comprising a step of transmitting predetermined audible messages to the user during the particular activity.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the particular activity comprises swinging a golf club.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, and further comprising a step of incrementing a counter if the particular activity is conducted without breaking sensor contact between the emitter and the sensor.

22. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the emitter is placed on the head of the user.

23. A method of conducting a program for training users in conducting a particular activity, comprising:

creating suitable audio programming comprising messages related to different aspects of the particular activity;

encrypting the audio programming;

downloading the audio programming to an authorized memory device; and

connecting the authorized memory device to a device which is capable of decrypting and playing the audio programming.

24. The method as recited in claim 23, and further comprising periodically updating the audio programming.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, and further comprising a step of collecting periodic subscription fees from authorized users.

26. The method as recited in claim 23, and further comprising a step of simultaneously providing feedback to the user as the user practices the particular activity, while listening to the audio programming.

27. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein the feedback comprises a visual or audible alarm transmitted to the user if contact is broken between a sensor on a base unit and an emitter on the user while the user is conducting the particular activity.