Informational/training video system

• US 5,879,246 A
• Filed: 03/10/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gebhardt & Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Distancecaddy Company, LLC
• Inventors: Gebhardt, William Joseph, Thome, James Patrick, Hildenbrandt, Leslie Calvin
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/814,261
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 473/409, 434/247, 434/252, 434/257, 348/77, 348/157, 358/128, 386/38, 386/119
• US Class Current: 473/409
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• 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 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/58 Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00

Abstract

The present invention provides a video-based, combined informational/training system for user activity related applications. In one embodiment, the system (2) includes a video recording assembly (10) and a measuring device (4) located at a user activity site (6) such as a tee box of a golf driving range. A video tape (60), including activity specific information on a first, pre-recorded portion thereof, is provided to the user for use in the video recording assembly (10) at the user activity site (6). The video tape (60) is cued for recording user specific information on a second portion of the video tape (60) during a practice session. The sensor (4) determines corresponding parameter information, such as estimated golf ball carry distance, for display on video tape (60). The video tape (60) and video recording assembly (10) cooperate to provide a mechanism for preventing or discouraging use of unauthorized tapes and to ensure proper usage of the system (2).

Claims

1. A method for providing a combined informational and training video sequence for use by a user to improve performance with respect to a skilled physical activity performed by the user, the method comprising the steps of:

recording at least a first informational video segment in a video storage, said first informational video segment including physical activity-specific information comprising one of instructional information and product related information relating to said skilled physical activity;

disposing video recording equipment at a given user activity site;

utilizing said video recording equipment to record at least a first user video segment of a skilled physical activity performed by said user; and

providing said user access to a combined video sequence for independent viewing by said user, said combined video sequence including said first informational video segment from said video storage and said first user video segment, whereby said user receives a combination of physical activity-specific information and user-specific information relative to said skilled physical activity preformed by said user such that said user can reflect upon said skilled physical activity performed by said user and said physical activity specific information to improve performance with respect to said skilled physical activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing comprises:

copying said first informational video segment from said video storage onto a video product.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

assessing a quality of performance associated with said activity performed by said user; and

reporting said quality of performance on said video sequence.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of assessing comprises providing parameter information regarding an aspect of said activity performed by said user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said activity comprises golf and said step of providing parameter information comprises measuring a value related to golf ball travel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of recording comprises providing product information regarding products for use in said activity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of recording comprises providing instructional information regarding said activity.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of assessing comprises employing an analyzer to analyze said quality of performance.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of utilizing said video recording assembly comprises recording a second user video segment of said skilled physical activity performed by said user.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of providing comprises arranging said video sequence such that said first informational video segment is disposed between said first and second user video segments.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of reporting said quality of performance comprises displaying information in video form on said video sequence.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of reporting comprises providing quality of performance information on said video display for simultaneous playback with said first user video segment.

14. A method as set forth in claim 3, wherein said information regarding said quality of performance comprises golf ball travel distance information.

13. A method for providing a video sequence corresponding to a skilled activity performed by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing a video recording assembly at a given user activity site adapted to accommodate said skilled activity;

providing a video storage for use in connection with said video recording assembly at said user activity site, wherein said video storage is used for recording user-specific information corresponding to said skilled activity performed by said user;

utilizing said video recording assembly to record said skilled activity performed by said user at said user activity site;

assessing a quality of performance associated with said skilled activity preformed by said user;

superimposing information regarding said quality of performance on a video record portion of said video storage corresponding to said activity performed by said user; and

providing said user access to said storage for independent replay by said user, whereby said user receives a combination of video information regarding said activity performed by said user at said user site and information regarding said quality of performance corresponding to said activity.

15. A method for providing a video sequence corresponding to an activity performed by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing a video recording assembly at a given user activity site;

providing a video storage for use in connection with said video recording assembly at said user activity site, wherein said video storage is used for recording user-specific information corresponding to said activity performed by said user;

utilizing said video recording assembly to record said activity performed by said user at said user activity site;

determining parameter information regarding an aspect of said activity performed by said user;

superimposing said parameter information on a video record portion of said video storage corresponding to said activity performed by said user; and

providing said user access to said video storage for independent replay by said user, whereby said user receives a combination of video information regarding said activity performed by said user at said user site and parameter information corresponding to said activity wherein said activity comprises golf and said step of determining parameter information comprises measuring a value related to golf ball travel.