Adaptive training system with aerial mobility system

• US 7,878,945 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• 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:
  US12/603,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20100041517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482 8- 9, 700/253
• 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 training system, comprising:

a projection device configured to display a projected target on a practice field, wherein the practice field is designed to accommodate an athlete; and

a control unit receiving training path information, adjusting the position of the projected target on the practice field to reproduce a first training path corresponding to the training path information, monitoring the motion of an athlete following the first training path to collect data about the motion of the athlete, analyzing the data after completion of the first training path to determine a weakness of the athlete, generating a second training path based upon improving the weakness of the athlete, and adjusting the position of the projected target on the practice field to reproduce the second training path.

2. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes an optical device configured to receive optical information associated with a position of the athlete, and wherein the optical information is used to adjust the position of the projected target.

3. The training system according to claim 1, further comprising:

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

wherein the information associated with the athlete is displayed on a display unit.

4. The training system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mobility system including at least one driver connected to the projection device;

wherein the mobility system receives position information from the control unit and directs the driver to adjust the position of the projection device to correspond to the position information.

5. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit maintains a distance between the athlete and the projected target during reproduction of the second training path.

6. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes at least one device configured to transmit and receive information from a sensor system associated with the athlete.

7. The training system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit determines the relative location of the athlete using information received from the sensor system.

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

a projection device configured to display a projected target on a practice field;

a control unit;

the control unit comprising at least one port configured to receive information associated with an athlete;

a data storage device associated with the control unit, wherein the data storage device stores at least one training goal of the athlete, and wherein the at least one training goal of the athlete includes at least one of improving lateral speed, improving linear speed, improving acceleration, improving deceleration, and improving banking;

a processor associated with the control unit, wherein the processor employs a learning algorithm to analyze the information associated with the athlete and the at least one training goal to learn a particular training goal of the athlete that requires improvement;

a mobility system configured to move the projection device;

wherein the control unit automatically determines a path for the projected target based on the information associated with the athlete and the particular training goal of the athlete that requires improvement; and

wherein the control unit moves the projected target according to the path by controlling a driver that controls the movement of the projection device.

9. The training system according to claim 8, wherein the position of the projected target on the practice field is adjusted by the control unit by controlling the mobility system to move the projection device.

10. The training system according to claim 8, wherein the control unit includes an optical device configured to receive optical information associated with the athlete.

11. The training system according to claim 8, wherein the information associated with the athlete is displayed on a display unit associated with the control unit.

12. The training system according to claim 8, wherein the control unit includes a sensor that can determine a distance between the control and the athlete.

13. The training system according to claim 8, wherein the control unit includes at least one device configured to transmit and receive information from a sensor system associated with the athlete.

14. The training system according to claim 13, wherein the control unit determines the relative location of the athlete using information received from the sensor system.

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

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

a projection device configured to display a projected target on a practice field;

wherein the projection device is suspended over the practice field;

a display unit associated with the training system;

wherein the information associated with the athlete is displayed on the display unit;

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 projected target according to an initial training path designed to target a group of athletic skills of the athlete during the training session;

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

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

16. The training system according to claim 15, wherein the information is displayed in real-time.

17. The training system according to claim 16, wherein the display unit is associated with at least one speaker.

18. The training system according to claim 16,

wherein the control unit determines a new training program that includes instructions for moving the projected target according to a new training path designed to target the particular athletic skill that requires improvement.

19. The training system according to claim 15, wherein the display unit is a video screen associated with the practice field.

20. The training system according to claim 15, wherein the athletic skills of the athlete includes at least one of lateral speed, linear speed, acceleration, deceleration, and banking.