TRAINING DEVICES FOR TRAJECTORY-BASED SPORTS

• US 20130095960A9
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pillar Vision Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pillar Vision Incorporated
• Inventors: Marty, Alan W., Edwards, Thomas A., Carter, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,617,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/447
• 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 system for analyzing a trajectory of a basketball, the device comprising:

one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a basketball shot by a human;

a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the basketball along its trajectory and iii) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters; and

one or more feedback output mechanisms for providing the feedback information to the human wherein the feedback information is related to one or more of the following trajectory parameters;

     1) an angle of the trajectory relative to a plane of a basketball hoop when the basketball is proximate to the basketball hoop,

     2) a point on the trajectory relative to a fixed point within the plane of the basketball hoop when the basketball is proximate to the basketball hoop.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the fixed point is a desired target location within the plane of the basketball hoop.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the desired target location is within a perimeter of the basketball hoop and is a distance from a geometric center of the hoop.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured to provide feedback information that allows the human to learn to shoot a shot toward the desired target location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras is located on a portable device.

6. The system of claim 1, where portable device is a cell-phone or laptop.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein software is downloaded to the portable device to allow the device to perform as a machine vision system.

8. A training device for use in basketball, said training device comprising:

a mechanism designed to be coupled to a basketball hoop said mechanism configured to cause shots proximate to a front of the basketball hoop that pass through the hoop without the mechanism installed to be deflected away from the basketball hoop to encourage a user to aim their shots deeper in the basketball rim behind the geometric center of the hoop.

9. The training device of claim 8, wherein the mechanism extends around a portion of the circumference of basketball hoop.

10. The training device of claim 8, wherein the mechanism is configured to allow shots that clear the mechanism to deflect to deflect off a back portion of the basketball rim and pass through the hoop.

11. A system for analyzing a trajectory of a basketball, the device comprising:

a first device including;

a) one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a basketball shot by a human;

b) a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the basketball along its trajectory and iii) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters;

c) one or more feedback output mechanisms for providing the feedback information to the human wherein the feedback information is related to one or more of the following trajectory parameters;

     1) an angle of the trajectory relative to a plane of a basketball hoop when the basketball is proximate to the basketball hoop,

     2) a point on the trajectory relative to a fixed point within the plane of the basketball hoop when the basketball is proximate to the basketball hoop and

d) a first wireless interface

a second device including a) a video display, b) a storage device for storing data generated by the first device, c) a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the first device via the first wireless interface and to upload data to a remote device separate from the first device.