Adaptive Training System

• US 20080269017A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Ungari, Joseph L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/34 Tackling, blocking or grappling dummies, e.g. boxing or wrestling or American- football dummies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target

Abstract

A mobile unit configured to train an athlete is disclosed. The mobile unit includes multiple sensors, communication devices and a mobility system. The mobile unit executes one or more training paths to simulate chasing associated with various sports. The mobile unit is capable of determining its own location and the location of the athlete throughout a training session, as well as other information. The mobile unit is configured to adapt the training path to stress weaknesses of the athlete with respect to various types of athletic skills.

Claims

1. A mobile unit configured to train an athlete, comprising:

a control unit configured to receive information about the location of the athlete;

the control unit configured to adjust the motion of the mobile unit based on the position of the athlete; and

wherein the motion of the mobile unit is always away from the user.

2. The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit includes an optical device configured to receive optical information associated with the athlete.

3. The mobile unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit includes a GPS antenna port configured to receive GPS information.

4. The mobile unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit includes an RFID port configured to receive RFID information.

5. The mobile unit according to claim 4, wherein the mobile unit includes at least one device configured to transmit and/or receive information from a sensor system associated with the athlete.

6. The mobile unit according to claim 5, wherein the mobile unit determines the relative location of the athlete using information received from the sensor system and optical information associated with the athlete.

7. A mobile unit configured to train an athlete, comprising:

a control unit including a first port configured to receive information from a transmitter associated with an athlete;

the control unit including a second port configured to receive optical information associated with the athlete; and

wherein the control unit uses the information received through the first port and the second port to calculate the position and/or speed of the athlete.

8. The mobile unit according to claim 7, wherein the first port is associated with an RFID receiver.

9. The mobile unit according to claim 7, wherein the second port is associated with a video camera.

10. The mobile unit according to claim 7, wherein the first port is associated with a wireless network.

11. The mobile unit according to claim 7, wherein the position and/or the speed of the athlete is stored in a database associated with mobile unit 104.

12. The mobile unit according to claim 11, wherein the control unit determines an athlete'"'"'s weakest athletic skills by analyzing the stored positions and/or speeds of the athlete.

13. The mobile unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit modifies the motion of the mobile unit according to the athlete'"'"'s weakest athletic skills.

14. A mobile unit configured to train an athlete, comprising:

a set of ports that receive information associated with an athlete;

a control unit that determines a weakest athletic skill based on the information associated with the athlete; and

wherein the control unit adjusts the motion of the mobile unit in a manner that stresses the weakest athletic skill of the user.

15. The mobile unit according to claim 14, wherein the control unit includes an optical port configured to receive optical information.

16. The mobile unit according to claim 14, wherein the control unit includes an RFID port configured to receive RFID information.

17. The mobile unit according to claim 14, wherein the control unit includes a GPS antenna port configured to receive GPS information.

18. The mobile unit according to claim 14, wherein the information associated with the athlete is stored in a database.

19. The mobile unit according to claim 17, wherein the set of ports receives information associated with the location of the mobile unit.

20. The mobile unit according to claim 19, wherein the mobile unit always moves away from the athlete.

21-38. -38. (canceled)