Trajectory detection and feedback system

• US 8,622,832 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2012
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pillar Vision Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pillar Vision Incorporated
• Inventors: Marty, Alan W., Edwards, Thomas A., McGhee, Ridge
• Primary Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US13/693,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20130095961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• 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 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/00 Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training

Abstract

A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving objects in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each object and providing immediate feedback information to a human that has launched the object into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving objects may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a basketball shot at a basketball hoop by a player. The feedback information, such as a trajectory entry angle into the basketball hoop and/or an entry velocity into the hoop for the shot, may be output to the player in an auditory format using a sound projection device. The system may be operable to be set-up and to operate in a substantially autonomous manner.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a basketball including a sensor system, disposed within the basketball, for measuring motions of the basketball wherein the sensor system includes a first wireless interface for sending sensor data related to the motions of the basketball to an electronic device;

the electronic device including a processor and a memory and a second wireless interface for receiving the sensor data, said processor configured to

     1) receive sensor data for a plurality of repeated motions of the basketball,

     2) based upon the received sensor data, generate one or more parameters that characterize the plurality of repeated motions,

     3) based upon the one or more parameters, generate feedback information that is used to characterize a skill of a person at generating the repeated motions and

     4) output the feedback information wherein, when the repeated motions are a plurality of basketball shots, an angle of the trajectory of each of the plurality of basketball shots relative to a plane of a basketball hoop when the basketball is proximate to the basketball hoop is determined from the received sensor data associated with each shot and the feedback information is based upon the determined angles.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the repeated motions are shots towards a basketball hoop.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes an accelerometer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system including one or more sensors for measuring a rotation rate of the basketball.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes a power interface for receiving power wirelessly.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes a microprocessor configured to process the sensor data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to generate and output the feedback information after a completion of the training exercise.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to receive the sensor data for a portion of the plurality repeated motions while the motions are being performed, generate the one or more parameters based upon only the portion and output the feedback information while the repeated motions are being performed.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein after the sensor data for the portion of the plurality of repeated motions is received, the electronic device is configured to receive additional sensor data and generate the one or more parameters based upon the portion and the additional sensor data.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to receive simultaneously first sensor data from a first basketball and second sensor data from a second basketball, generate first one or more parameters based upon the first sensor data and second one or more parameters based upon the sensor data, generate first feedback information based upon the first one or more parameters and the second feedback information based upon the second one or more parameters.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein during each of the repeated motions, the basketball is in contact with a hand of the person during a first part of the motion and not in contact with the hand of the person during a second part of the motion and wherein the one or more parameters characterize the second part of the motion.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters include an average speed of the basketball during the repeated motions.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters include an average rotation rate of the basketball during the repeated motions.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters include an average angle associated with a direction in which the basketball travels during the repeated motions.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is further configured to generate the one or more parameters and the feedback information based upon on only one of the repeated motions.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is further configured to determine a training exercise for improving their skill at performing the repeated motions and output information related to the training exercise as part of the feedback information.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is further configured to generate a score based upon the one or more parameters wherein the feedback information includes the score.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to generate a trajectory of the basketball during one of the repeated motions and output the trajectory.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an image capture device for capturing one or more images of the person while the person is performing the training exercise.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback information is related to how consistent is the person at generating the repeated motions.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display for outputting the feedback information.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the display is a touch screen display.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the repeated motions are part of a training exercise.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback information includes information for helping the person to improve their skill at generating the repeated motions.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a portable computer system.

26. A system comprising:

a basketball including a sensor system, disposed within the basketball, for measuring motions of the basketball wherein the sensor system includes a first wireless interface for sending sensor data related to the motions of the basketball to an electronic device;

the electronic device including a processor and a memory and a second wireless interface for receiving the sensor data, said processor configured to

     1) receive sensor data for a plurality of repeated motions of the basketball,

     2) based upon the received sensor data, generate one or more parameters that characterize the plurality of repeated motions,

     3) based upon the one or more parameters, generate feedback information that is used to characterize a skill of a person at generating the repeated motions and

     4) output the feedback information wherein, when the repeated motions are a plurality of basketball shots, a velocity of the basketball at one or more trajectory locations near the basketball hoop, including trajectory locations after the basketball enters the basketball hoop, is determined from the received sensor data associated with each basketball shot and the feedback information is based upon the determined velocities.