SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR BALL THROWING MACHINE AND INTELLIGENT GOAL

• US 20170095716A1
• Filed: 12/09/2016
• Published: 04/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TOCA Football, Inc.
• Original Assignee: TOCA Football, Inc.
• Inventors: Eannarino, Steven, Denison, Thomas, Lewis, Edward J., Barberi, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,118,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0092 for training agility or co-ordination of movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/402 giving spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0072 Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0677 Input by image recognition, e.g. video signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/06 Squash
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/065 Racketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/14 Lacrosse
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/20 Cricket
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 : with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• 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 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 : Pressure
• 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 2220/806 : Video 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 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 2230/00 : Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0095 : Volleyball
• 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 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/002 : Devices for dispensing balls, e.g. from a reservoir automatic teeing devices A63B57/0006; devices for projecting balls A63B69/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 : Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 : for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/40 : Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies golf cups with ball ejector means A63B57/405; traps for clay-pigeon targets F41J9/18
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/406 : with rotating discs, wheels or pulleys gripping and propelling the balls or bodies by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• 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: G06Q 50/01 : Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 : Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 : with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

A goal apparatus comprising a cross bar, a first side post and a second side post is described. The first side post and the second side post are connected to the cross bar such that the first side post, the second side post and the cross bar form a plane (“a goal plane”). Further, one or more sensor pairs are coupled to the first side post and the second side post, wherein a first sensor pair of the one or more sensor pairs includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is coupled to the first side post and the second sensor is coupled to the second side post and is also aligned horizontal to the first sensor. In addition, the first sensor pair is located in a first zone, wherein the first zone is a first portion of the goal plane.

Claims

1. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon logic, the logic being executable by one or more processors to perform operations including:

receiving information associated with a selection of a first training drill;

responsive to receiving the information associated with the selection of the first training drill and based on the first training drill, configuring a first sensor pair coupled to a goal to establish a first zone, wherein the first zone is aligned with posts of the goal that form a goal plane;

receiving a first signal from the first sensor pair signifying a through-beam interrupt corresponding to the first zone; and

determining whether the first zone corresponds to one or more zones required by the first training drill.

2. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the logic being executable by the one or more processors to perform operations further including:

responsive to the first zone corresponding to the one or more zones required by the first training drill, altering a state of one or more lights coupled with the goal.

3. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the selection of the first training drill is received wirelessly from a coach device.

4. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the logic being executable by the one or more processors to perform operations further including:

determining whether the first training drill has ended.

5. The storage medium of claim 4, wherein an end of the first training drill includes at least one of:

(i) a predetermined number of through-beam interrupts corresponding to the first zone have been received, (ii) expiration of a timer, or (iii) receiving information that a predetermined number of balls have been delivered to a user.

6. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the logic being executable by the one or more processors to perform operations further including:

responsive to determining the first zone corresponds to the one or more zones required by the first training drill, configuring a second sensor pair coupled to the goal to establish a second zone, wherein the second zone is aligned with the posts of the goal that form the goal plane, the second zone being different than the first zone.

7. A goal apparatus comprising:

a cross bar;

a first side post and a second side post, the first side post and the second side post connected to the cross bar, wherein the first side post, the second side post and the cross bar form a goal plane; and

one or more sensor pairs coupled to the first side post and the second side post, wherein a first sensor pair of the one or more sensor pairs includes a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor coupled to the first side post and the second sensor coupled to the second side post and aligned horizontal to the first sensor,

wherein the first sensor pair is located in a first zone, the first zone being a first portion of the goal plane.

8. The goal apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a second sensor pair of the one or more sensor pairs including a third sensor and a fourth sensor, the third sensor coupled to the first side post and the fourth sensor coupled to the second side post and aligned horizontal to the third sensor, wherein the second sensor pair is located in a second zone, the second zone being a second portion of the goal plane.

9. The goal apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first zone is formed by a first plurality of the one or more sensor pairs including the first sensor pair, and the second zone is formed by a second plurality of the one or more sensor pairs including the second sensor pair.

10. The goal apparatus of claim 7, wherein a through-beam is transmitted between the first sensor and the second sensor, and one or more of the first sensor or the second sensor are configured to detect an interrupt in the through-beam.

11. The goal apparatus of claim 10, wherein a detected interrupt in the through-beam is transmitted to logic configured to determine whether the first zone corresponds to one or more required zones required by a selected training drill.

12. The goal apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a housing;

one or more processors stored in the housing; and

a storage device stored in the housing and communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, the storage device having stored thereon logic that, when executed by the one or more processors causes operations to be performed including;

receiving information associated with a selection of a first training drill;

receiving a first signal from the one or more sensor pairs signifying a through-beam interrupt has been detected;

recording a timestamp corresponding to detection of the through-beam interrupt; and

determining whether a zone of the goal plane corresponding to the first signal corresponds to one or more zones required by the first training drill.

13. The goal apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more sensor pairs are coupled to the first side post and the second side post via physical integration of each of the sensors of the one or more sensor pairs into one of the first side post or the second side post.

14. The goal apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more sensor pairs are coupled to the first side post through physical integration of the one or more sensor pairs to a first back side post that is coupled to the first side post, and the one or more sensor pairs are coupled to the second side post via a second back side post that is coupled to the second side post.

15. A system comprising:

a soccer ball-throwing machine;

a goal including;

a cross bar,

a first side post,

a second side post, the first side post and the second side post connected to the cross bar, wherein the first side post, the second side post and the cross bar form a goal plane, and

one or more sensor pairs coupled to the first side post and the second side post, wherein a first sensor pair of the one or more sensor pairs includes a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor coupled to the first side post and the second sensor coupled to the second side post and aligned horizontal to the first sensor; and

a coach device communicatively coupled to the soccer ball throwing machine and the goal, the coach device configured to transmit a first set of instructions to the ball throwing machine and a second set of instructions to the goal, wherein a first training program includes the first set of instructions and the second set of instructions.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the soccer ball throwing machine comprises:

one or more wheels configured to impart motion one or more soccer balls in succession;

a frame attached to the one or more wheels, wherein the frame is positionable to control a trajectory of the soccer balls; and

a ball delivery control circuit configured to control the one or more wheels, the ball delivery control circuit comprising a processor configured to;

wirelessly receive the first set of instructions to execute a portion of the first training program, execution of first set of instructions configured to cause the one or more wheels to deliver the one or more soccer balls to a player according to the first training program.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first sensor pair is located in a first zone, the first zone being a first portion of the goal plane.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein one or more logic modules are stored on a non-transitory storage medium of the coach device, the one or more logic modules including instructions being executable by one or more processors of the coach device to perform operations including wirelessly transmit the first set of instructions to the ball throwing machine and the second set of instructions to the goal.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a second goal communicatively coupled to the coach device and configured to receive a third set of instructions from the coach device, wherein the first training program further includes the third set of instructions.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the goal includes one or more lights, the plurality of lights configured to be controlled by logic of the goal according to the second set of instructions.