Adaptive training system with aerial mobility system

• US 7,625,314 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Staihar, Steven J., Ungari, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/742,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/4, 482/8, 482/9, 482/901, 901/1, 901/46, 901/47, 700/253, 700/255, 700/257, 700/258, 700/259, 700/302, 701/26, 434247-261
• US Class Current: 482/1
• 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:

at least one port configured to receive information associated with an athlete during a training session;

a control unit receiving an initial training program into a database associated with the control unit, wherein the initial training program includes instructions for moving the mobile unit according to an initial training path designed to target a group of athletic skills of an athlete during the training session;

wherein the control unit recalls the instructions of the initial training program from the database so that the control unit can adjust the motion of the mobile unit according to the instructions of the training program;

wherein the control unit analyzes the information associated with the athlete to evaluate the athlete'"'"'s performance of a specific athletic skill chosen from the group of athletic skills and adjusts the motion of the mobile unit by determining a new training program that includes instructions for moving the mobile unit according to a new training path during the training session to target the specific athletic skill; and

wherein the mobile unit is suspended above a practice field.

2. The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit is suspended from a cable system.

3. The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit is suspended from a system of tracks.

4. The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit is suspended from a balloon.

5. The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit is associated with a remote controlled helicopter.

6. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the group of athletic skills comprises a first athletic skill and a second athletic skill, and

wherein the control unit selects which of the first athletic skill and the second athletic skill comprises the specific athletic skill by evaluating the athlete'"'"'s performance of the first athletic skill to determine a first result and the athlete'"'"'s performance of the second athletic skill to determine a second result, and

wherein the control unit compares the first result and the second result to determine a relative ranking of the first result and the second result, wherein the worst result achieves a lowest ranking, and

wherein the control unit selects the athletic skill associated with the worst result to be the specific athletic skill.

7. A training system configured to train an athlete, comprising:

a mobility system comprising at least one cable and configured to suspend a mobile unit above an athlete;

the mobile unit including a control unit;

a data storage device associated with the control unit, wherein the data storage device is configured to receive initial training path information;

wherein the initial training path information is stored in the data storage device, wherein the initial training path information includes a series of initial instructions regarding the speed and direction of motion of the mobile unit;

wherein the control unit recalls the series of initial instructions from the data storage device so that the control unit can move the mobile unit according to the series of initial instructions;

a cable driver associated with the mobile unit and the control unit;

wherein the cable driver moves the mobile unit according to at least a first instruction in the series of initial instructions;

a sensor system, wherein the sensor system gathers information related to an initial performance of the group of athletic skills by the athlete;

wherein the control unit analyzes the initial performance of the group of athletic skills to select a particular athletic skill that requires improvement;

wherein the control unit determines a series of new instructions regarding the speed and direction of motion of the mobile unit;

wherein the new instructions are purposefully selected by the control unit to target the particular athletic skill; and

wherein the control unit directs the mobile unit to move according to the series of new instructions.

8. The training system according to claim 7, further comprising a second control unit located remotely from the mobile unit, wherein the at least one cable is an optical cable, and wherein the optical cable is a communications link between the second control unit and the mobile unit.

9. The training system according to claim 7, wherein the mobile unit is suspended above a practice field so that the mobile unit is capable of being moved over an entirety of the practice field.

10. The training system according to claim 7, wherein the mobile unit includes at least one device configured to transmit and receive information from a sensor system associated with the athlete.

11. The training system according to claim 7, wherein the mobile unit comprises a humanoid dummy.

12. The training system according to claim 11, wherein the humanoid dummy extends downward from the mobile unit.

13. The training system according to claim 7,

the cable driver is associated with the at least one cable, wherein the control unit moves the mobile unit by actuating the cable driver and causing the cable driver to move the at least one cable.

14. The training system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one cable is wound around a pulley, and the cable driver rotates the pulley to adjust a length of the at least one cable.