Athletic training system, method and computer program product

• US 9,415,263 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher Decarlo
• Original Assignee: Decarlo Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: DeCarlo, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Yen, Jason
• Application Number:
  US14/261,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20150306455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0675 Input for modifying training controls during workout
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/00 Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2214/00 Training methods
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• 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 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 : Adjustable dimensions
• 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 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• 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 63/00 : Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 : Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/008 : Goals for rugby or American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• 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: F41J 1/10 : Target stands; Target holders
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 3/00 : Targets for arrows or darts, e.g. for sporting or amusement purposes targets for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 : Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented athletic training apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide a robotically controlled moveable goal and/or intermediary goal, as well as a plurality of sensors to identify a plurality of sensor data relating to user interactions with the robotically controlled athletic training system.

Claims

1. An athletic training apparatus comprising:

at least one robot;

at least one athletic training device coupled to said at least one robot; and

at least one sensor configured to sense a ball or projectile proximate to said at least one athletic training device;

at least one user interface coupled to said at least one robot configured to interact with a user to receive a selection of at least one training routine;

at least one processor;

at least one input device coupled to said at least one processor;

at least one output device coupled to said at least one processor;

at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor; and

further comprising at least one of;

wherein said at least one user interface comprises at least one of;

at least one display device,

said at least one input device,

said at least one output device,

a keyboard, or

a touchscreen;

wherein said at least one processor is configured to save or retrieve said at least one training routine from said at least one memory;

wherein said at least one processor is configured to randomize at least one challenge by said at least one athletic training device;

or

wherein said processor is configured to at least one of;

combine a plurality of previously saved of said at least one training routine, or

shuffle a plurality of previously saved of said at least one training routine.

2. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one athletic training device comprises at least one goal, and wherein said at least one robot is configured to move said at least one goal with respect to at least one of:

a substantially fixed position of a user;

a position of a user;

or

a fixed position of a user.

3. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one athletic training device comprises at least one of:

a goal;

a basketball goal;

a soccer goal;

a target;

a hockey goal;

a field hockey goal;

a hockey goal;

a winter sports goal;

a summer sports goal;

a shooting sports target;

an archery goal;

a field goal;

a lacrosse goal;

a tennis target;

a golf target;

a football target;

an intermediate goal;

a plurality of goals;

or

a frisbee golf goal.

4. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one athletic training device is configured to at least one of

provide a target for a user to spar or box.

5. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor coupled to said athletic training device comprises:

wherein said at least one sensor is configured to allow the athletic training apparatus to at least one of;

track at least one made goal;

track at least one missed goal;

track where said athletic training device is struck by at least one of;

the user, a ball, or a user projectile;

track time between a plurality of hits by the user or a user projectile;

track direction of at least one shot of the user or a user projectile;

or

track a proximity of at least one of;

a user, or a ball, to said athletic training device.

6. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said user projectile comprises at least one of:

a shotput;

a puck;

a football;

a baseball;

a rugby ball;

a tennis ball;

a racquet ball;

a squash ball;

a lacrosse ball;

a frisbee;

a bullet;

a javelin;

an arrow;

or

a field hockey ball.

7. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said user projectile comprises at least one of:

a javelin;

an arrow;

a bullet;

or

a dart.

8. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors comprising at least one of:

an array or said plurality of said sensors;

a two dimensional array of said plurality of said sensors;

a rectangular substrate on which is coupled said plurality of said sensors;

a circular substrate on which is coupled said plurality of said sensors;

or

at least one annular ring of a subset of said plurality of said sensors.

9. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said user projectile comprises:

a ball.

10. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said athletic training device comprises:

an intermediary device.

11. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said intermediary device comprises at least one of:

a target;

a goal;

a ring;

a closed loop;

a closed polygon with an opening therein;

a ring between the user and a final target;

a border with an aperture therethrough;

or

a ring between the user and a final goal.

12. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of:

a keyboard device coupled to said robot;

an input/output (I/O) device coupled to said robot;

a mobile device coupled to said robot;

a wireless device coupled to said robot;

a wireless fidelity (WI-FI) device coupled to said robot;

a bluetooth wireless device coupled to said robot;

a wired device coupled to said robot;

a computer comprising at least one computer processor coupled to said robot;

a computing device coupled to said robot;

a communications device coupled to said robot;

a tablet device coupled to said robot;

a telephone device coupled to said robot;

a personal digital assistant-based device coupled to said robot;

a mobile phone-based device coupled to said robot;

a smartphone-based device coupled to said robot;

a tablet-based device coupled to said robot;

or

a touchscreen-based device coupled to said robot.

13. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of:

a button;

a selector;

a screen;

a keypad;

a key;

a display;

a touchscreen;

a stylus;

a motion-activated interface;

a voice-activated interface;

a web browser-based application program;

an app;

an applet;

a cloud-based application;

a social-media enabled application;

or

an application program.

14. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said user projectile comprises at least one of:

a football;

a baseball;

a rugby ball;

a tennis ball;

a lacrosse ball;

a hockey puck;

or

a soccer ball.

15. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said robot comprises at least one of:

wherein said robot comprises at least five degrees of freedom;

a modular arrangement allowing for use with a plurality of sports by interchanging attachments;

at least one, or a plurality of sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of touch sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of ultrasonic sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of color sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of light sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of location sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of accelerometer sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of gyroscopic sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of proximity sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of rotation sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of other sensors;

at least one, or a plurality of indicators;

at least one, or a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) indicators;

at least one, or a plurality of laser indicators;

at least one, or a plurality of indicators configured to indicate a location where a projectile has hit;

a batter box illuminated by at least one light source;

an indicator of a region comprising at least one light source;

a plurality of sensors arranged in a tunnel to analyze a path taken by a projectile;

said projectile comprising at least one transceiver or transmitter and at least one sensor, transceiver, or receiver configured to communicate with said projectile, so as to track a path of said projectile;

or

wherein said robot comprises a light duty machine.

16. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a game is played at least one of:

wherein a batter box is illuminated comprising at least one light source;

against a robotic opponent;

against a robotic defender;

against a plurality of robotic opponents;

between a plurality of robotic opponents;

with a plurality of the athletic training apparatuses;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus is an adjustable height athletic training apparatus;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus is an automatically adjustable height athletic training apparatus;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus is continuously adjusting;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus is continuously moving;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus comprises a continuously adjusting goal;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus comprises a continuously moving goal;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus comprises at least one goal, and wherein said at least one goal is coupled to at least one robot;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus comprises a plurality of goals;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus comprises a plurality of goals, and wherein each of said plurality of goals is coupled to at least one robot, or a plurality of robots;

with wherein the athletic training apparatus comprises a goal with said at least one sensor coupled to a periphery of the goal;

with a robotic teammate;

with a robotic coach;

or

with a robotic audience member.

17. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said robot comprises at least one of:

a robot comprising a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement;

a robotically controlled moveable athletic training device;

a robot capable of movement in five axis directions;

a robot movable in multiple positions of a multidimensional space;

a robot movable in multiple degrees of freedom;

a robot capable of rotating in multiple degrees of freedom;

a rotating robot;

a movable robot;

a robot capable of repeatable movements;

a robot moving in multidimensional space;

a robot on rails;

a robot on wheels;

a robot having gears;

a robot having belts;

a robot having chains;

a robot having driven mobility enablers;

a robot capable of dynamic movement within a range of motion;

a robot that does not have to remain stationary at a specific location;

a robot filling a human role;

a propelling robot;

a robot propelling a ball or projectile;

a robot simulating opponents;

a robot simulating a human;

a robot simulating a defender;

or

a stationary robot.

18. The athletic training apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a padded portion;

a plurality of interchangeable targets or goals;

a flag;

a pressure measure;

an impact measure;

a strength measure;

a ball propeller;

a propeller;

a spinner;

a spiral creator;

a thrower;

a catcher;

an indicator;

a light emitting diode (LED);

a plurality of LEDs;

a colored indicator;

a laser;

a colored laser;

a colored LED;

a light;

a colored light;

a wearable;

a fitness band;

smart glasses;

a smart watch;

a mobile phone device;

a smart phone device;

a mobile device;

a tablet device;

a personal device;

a digital assistant device;

a robotically controlled platform;

a robotic machine;

a robotic sport interaction device;

a pneumatic system;

an air pressure system;

a fluid pressure system;

a medical assessment system;

a baseline measurement system;

an ability, disability, or impairment assessment system;

a status of recovery assessment system;

a football assessment system;

a hockey assessment system;

a tennis assessment system;

a baseball assessment system;

a softball assessment system;

a javelin assessment system;

a shotput assessment system;

a squash assessment system;

a basketball assessment system;

a soccer assessment system;

an ice hockey assessment system;

a field hockey assessment system;

a lacrosse assessment system;

a jai-alai assessment system;

a ball based sport assessment system;

a projectile sport assessment system;

a rugby assessment system;

a handball assessment system;

a goal-only sport assessment system;

a water polo assessment system;

a polo assessment system;

a sport assessment system;

a control system;

a software control system;

a robot C control system;

a JAVA control system;

a network communication system;

a tunnel;

a tunnel scanner;

a displacement sensing system;

ball coordinate mapping and display system;

motion analysis system;

ball trajectory or velocity analysis system;

an intermediate target;

a final target;

a target;

a goal;

a hoop;

or

a backboard.

19. A computer implemented athletic training method of evaluating eye-hand coordination development comprising:

establishing, by at least one computing device, a baseline for eye-hand coordination of at least one user comprising;

receiving, by the at least one computing device, a plurality of sensor input of a user interaction of the at least one user from at least one sensor configured to sense a ball or projectile proximate to an athletic training device coupled to said at least one sensor, comprising;

providing, by the at least one computing device, a moving target coupled to said athletic training device, said athletic training device comprising;

at least one robot coupled to at least one sensor.

at least one user interface coupled to said at least one robot adapted to interact with the at least one user to receive a selection of at least one training routine;

at least one computer processor;

at least one input device coupled to said at least one computer processor;

at least one output device coupled to said at least one computer processor;

at least one memory coupled to said at least one computer processor; and

further comprising at least one of;

wherein said user interface comprises at least one of;

at least one display device,

said at least one input device,

said at least one output device,

a keyboard, or

a touchscreen;

wherein said at least one computer processor is configured to save or retrieve said at least one training routine from said at least one memory;

wherein said at least one computer processor is configured to randomize at least one challenge by the athletic training device;

or

wherein said computer processor is configured to at least one of;

combine a plurality of previously saved of said at least one training routine, or

shuffle a plurality of previously saved of said at least one training routine; and

collecting, by the at least one computing device, data on the user interaction of the at least one user with the moving target by said received sensor input;

storing, by the at least one computing device, said received sensor input on said at least one memory for at least one age of the at least one user, at a time of the user interaction, wherein each of the at least one user is identified by a user identifier; and

aggregating, by the at least one computing device, said received sensor input for the at least one user over time;

tracking, by the at least one computing device, development of the at least one user by comparing the received sensor input of the user interaction with the at least one user over time;

analyzing, by the at least one computing device, said data; and

providing, by the at least one computing device, said analyzed data as output.

20. The athletic training method of claim 19, further comprising at least one of:

capturing other data about the at least one user;

determining what activity of a plurality of activities has a direct correlation with an increase in user coordination of the at least one user;

aggregating data across a plurality of the at least one user;

identifying trends across a plurality of the at least one user;

developing muscle memory of the at least one user, by tracking a training regimen;

or analyzing aggregated data of a plurality of the at least one user.

21. A sporting goal robotic device apparatus comprising:

at least one robot;

at least one sporting goal device coupled to said at least one robot; and

at least one sensor configured to sense a ball or projectile proximate to said at least one sporting goal device;

at least one user interface coupled to said at least one robot configured to interact with a user to receive a selection of at least one sporting goal routine;

at least one processor;

at least one input device coupled to said at least one processor;

at least one output device coupled to said at least one processor;

at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor; and

further comprising at least one of;

wherein said user interface comprises at least one of;

a display device,

said at least one input device,

said at least one output device,

a keyboard, or

a touchscreen;

wherein said at least one processor is configured to save or retrieve said at least one sporting goal routine from said at least one memory;

wherein said at least one processor is configured to randomize at least one challenge by said at least one sporting goal;

or

wherein said processor is configured to at least one of;

combine a plurality of previously saved of said at least one sporting goal routine, or

shuffle a plurality of previously saved of said at least one sporting goal routine.

22. The sporting goal robotic device apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said at least one sporting goal device comprises being configured to at least one of:

automatically adjust;

automatically move;

move, adjust or modify position;

move in at least to directions;

move or adjust with respect to player position;

move with at least one of velocity, or acceleration;

automatically move in at least one of a horizontal, or a vertical, plane;

adjust or move at least one goal;

adjust or move at least one target;

adjust or move in up to five axes of freedom relative to a support;

adjust or move with at least one fixed dimension;

adjust or move within a precise vertical or horizontal dimensional range;

provide at least one sporting goal for a game;

provide a plurality of sporting goals for a game;

provide an adjustable or moving goal;

provide at least one goal automatically moveable based on a received input;

or

provide at least one goal stationary for at least a predetermined interval.

23. The sporting goal robotic device apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said at least one sporting goal device comprises at least one of:

a target;

a goal;

a ring;

a closed loop;

a closed polygon with an opening therein;

a ring between the user and a final target;

a border with an aperture therethrough;

or

a ring between the user and a final goal.

24. The sporting goal robotic device apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said at least one sporting goal device comprises at least one of:

a goal;

a basketball goal;

a soccer goal;

a target;

a hockey goal;

a field hockey goal;

a hockey goal;

a winter sports goal;

a summer sports goal;

a shooting sports target;

an archery goal;

a field goal;

a lacrosse goal;

a tennis target;

a golf target;

a football target;

an intermediate goal;

a plurality of goals;

or

a frisbee golf goal.