ATHLETIC TRAINING SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

• US 20150306455A1
• Filed: 04/25/2014
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher Decarlo
• Original Assignee: Decarlo Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: DeCarlo, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,415,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0675 Input for modifying training controls during workout
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/00 Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2214/00 Training methods
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/802 Ultra-sound sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 : Adjustable dimensions
• 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 2225/74 : with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 : Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 : Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/008 : Goals for rugby or American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 : Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 1/10 : Target stands; Target holders
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 3/00 : Targets for arrows or darts, e.g. for sporting or amusement purposes targets for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 : Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented athletic training apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide a robotically controlled moveable goal and/or intermediary goal, as well as a plurality of sensors to identify a plurality of sensor data relating to user interactions with the robotically controlled athletic training system.

Claims

1. An athletic training apparatus comprising:

a robot;

an athletic training device coupled to said robot; and

a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a ball or projectile proximate to said athletic training device.

2. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface coupled to said robot adapted to interact with the user to receive a selection of at least one training routine.

3. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one input device coupled to said at least one processor;

at least one output device coupled to said at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor,

further comprising at least one of;

wherein said user interface comprises at least one of;

a display device, said at least one input device, said at least one output device, a keyboard, or a touchscreen;

wherein said at least one processor is operative to save or retrieve said at least one training routine from said at least one memory;

wherein said at least one processor is operative to randomize at least one challenge by the athletic training device;

or

wherein said processor is operative to at least one of;

combine a plurality of previously saved of said at least one training routine, or

shuffle a plurality of previously saved of said at least one training routine.

4. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said athletic training device comprises a goal, and wherein said robot is adapted to move said goal with respect to a substantially relatively fixed position of a user.

5. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said athletic training device comprises at least one of:

a goal;

a basketball goal;

a soccer goal;

a target;

a hockey goal;

a field hockey goal;

a hockey goal;

a winter sports goal;

a summer sports goal;

a shooting sports target;

an archery goal;

a field goal;

a lacrosse goal;

a tennis target;

a golf target;

a football target;

an intermediate goal;

a plurality of goals;

or

a frisbee golf goal.

6. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said athletic training device is operative to at least one of provide a target for a user to spar or box.

7. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one sensor coupled to said athletic training device,

wherein said at least one sensor is operative to allow the athletic training apparatus to at least one of;

track at least one made goal;

track at least one missed goal;

track where said athletic training device is struck by at least one of;

the user, a ball, or a user projectile;

track time between a plurality of hits by the user or a user projectile;

track direction of at least one shot of the user or a user projectile;

or

track a proximity of at least one of;

a user, or a ball, to said athletic training device.

8. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said user projectile comprises at least one of:

a shotput;

a puck;

a football;

a baseball;

a rugby ball;

a tennis ball;

a racquet ball;

a squash ball;

a lacrosse ball;

a frisbee;

a bullet;

a javelin;

an arrow;

or

a field hockey ball.

9. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said user projectile comprises at least one of:

a javelin;

an arrow;

a bullet;

or

a dart.

10. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least one of:

an array or said plurality of said sensors;

a two dimensional array of said plurality of said sensors;

a rectangular substrate on which is coupled said plurality of said sensors;

a circular substrate on which is coupled said plurality of said sensors;

or

at least one annular ring of a subset of said plurality of said sensors.

11. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said user projectile comprises:

a ball.

12. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said athletic training device comprises:

an intermediary device.

13. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said intermediary device comprises at least one of:

a target;

a goal;

a ring;

a closed loop;

a closed polygon with an opening therein;

a ring between the user and a final target;

a border with an aperture therethrough;

or

a ring between the user and a final goal.

14. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of:

a keyboard device coupled to said robot;

an input/output (I/O) device coupled to said robot;

a mobile device coupled to said robot;

a wireless device coupled to said robot;

a wireless fidelity (WI-FI) device coupled to said robot;

a bluetooth wireless device coupled to said robot;

a wired device coupled to said robot;

a computer comprising at least one computer processor coupled to said robot;

a computing device coupled to said robot;

a communications device coupled to said robot;

a tablet device coupled to said robot;

a telephone device coupled to said robot;

a personal digital assistant-based device coupled to said robot;

a mobile phone-based device coupled to said robot;

a smartphone-based device coupled to said robot;

a tablet-based device coupled to said robot;

or

a touchscreen-based device coupled to said robot.

15. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of:

a button;

a selector;

a screen;

a keypad;

a key;

a display;

a touchscreen;

a stylus;

a motion-activated interface;

a voice-activated interface;

a web browser-based application program;

an app;

an applet;

a cloud-based application;

a social-media enabled application;

or

an application program.

18. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said user projectile comprises at least one of:

a football;

a baseball;

a rugby ball;

a tennis ball;

a lacrosse ball;

a hockey puck;

or

a soccer ball.

19. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said robot comprises at least one of:

wherein said robot comprises at least five degrees of freedom;

a modular arrangement allowing for use with a plurality of sports by interchanging attachments;

at least one, or a plurality of sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of touch sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of ultrasonic sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of color sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of light sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of location sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of accelerometer sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of gyroscopic sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of proximity sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of rotation sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of other sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of indicators;

at least one, or a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) indicators;

at least one, or a plurality of laser indicators;

at least one, or a plurality of indicators configured to indicate a location where a projectile has hit;

a batter box illuminated by at least one light source;

an indicator of a region comprising at least one light source;

a plurality of sensors arranged in a tunnel to analyze a path taken by a projectile;

said projectile comprising at least one transceiver or transmitter and at least one sensor, transceiver, or receiver configured to communicate with said projectile, so as to track a path of said projectile;

or

wherein said robot comprises a light duty machine.

20. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a game is played at least one of:

wherein a batter box is illuminated comprising at least one light source;

against a robotic opponent;

against a robotic defender;

against a plurality of robotic opponents;

with a robotic teammate;

with a robotic coach;

or

with a robotic audience member.

16. An athletic training method of evaluating eye-hand coordination development comprising:

establishing, by at least one computing device, a baseline for eye-hand coordination of at least one user comprising;

receiving, by the at least one computing device, a plurality of sensor input of a user interaction of the at least one user, comprising;

providing, by the at least one computing device, a moving target; and

collecting, by the at least one computing device, data on the user interaction of the at least one user with the moving target by said received sensor input;

storing, by the at least one computing device, said received sensor input for at least one age of the at least one user, at a time of the user interaction, wherein each of the at least one user is identified by a user identifier; and

aggregating, by the at least one computing device, said received sensor input for the at least one user over time;

tracking, by the at least one computing device, development of the at least one user by comparing the received sensor input of the user interaction with the at least one user over time;

analyzing, by the at least one computing device, said data; and

providing, by the at least one computing device, said analyzed data as output.

17. The athletic training method of claim 16, further comprising at least one of:

capturing other data about the at least one user;

determining what activity positively affects user coordination of the at least one user;

aggregating data across a plurality of the at least one user;

identifying trends across a plurality of the at least one user;

developing muscle memory of the at least one user, by tracking a training regimen;

or

analyzing aggregated data of a plurality of the at least one user.