WIRELESS SENSOR SCORING WITH AUTOMATIC SENSOR SYNCHRONIZATION

• US 20070173355A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William Klein
• Original Assignee: William Klein
• Inventors: Klein, William
• Application Number:
  US11/561,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20070173355A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/447
• 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 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• 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 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

Embodiments provide mechanisms and methods for measuring shooting performance in multiplayer environments. These mechanisms and methods include automatic synchronization that enables sensors associated with multiple players to interact with one or more control consoles in a common playing area free of interference. The ability to associate sensors to interact with one or more control consoles in a common playing area free of interference make it possible for coaches and players to measure levels of play, build teamwork among multiple players, improve and maintain skills, select players to meet game situations and team requirements, make decisions on player roles, and use playing environment space more efficiently.

Claims

1. A shooting sports measurement system, comprising:

a plurality of first sensors to detect shots taken by a plurality of players,

a plurality of second sensors to determine shots made by the plurality of players,

a console, the console communicatively coupled with the plurality of first sensors and the plurality of second sensors to receive data and determine performance of at least one player based at least in part on the data received; and

a synchronization mechanism to enable the console to learn which of the plurality of first sensors and the plurality of second sensors are associated with the console, thereby enabling the console to determine performance exclusively for players being monitored by the sensors associated with the console.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detection mechanism that detects a position of a player when the player takes a shot, the console determining performance of at least one player based at least in part on information received from the detection mechanism that detects a position of a player.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor comprises a vibration sensor adapted to be attached to the basketball rim or backboard to detect a shot taken.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of an optoelectronic sensor or a counter lever, adapted to be attached to the basketball rim or backboard to determine number of shots made at a specified location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the console acts as an input and output device for each shooting session.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the console includes a time display, wherein the time display is selectively enabled to be at least one of continuously displayed and displayed alternating with display of play information.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the detection mechanism that detects position of a player making shots comprises:

an infrared sensor that automatically detect a player'"'"'s position using a 2-D grid.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the detection mechanism that detects position of a player making shots comprises:

a pressure sensor grid disposed at least a portion of a playing field.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the detection mechanism that detects position of a player making shots comprises:

a camera with a ranging device.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a video device for capturing a video record of a player taking a shot, wherein the video device is triggered when a shot is taken.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless headset for capturing a audio commands from a player taking a shot, wherein the audio commands control recording of information about the shot.

17. The system of claim 2, wherein the detection mechanism includes visual player location indicia that are adapted to be viewed by a console operator such that the console operator can manually enter the indicia into the console.

10. The system of claim 29 further comprising:

a plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field, wherein the plurality of cells indicates a player'"'"'s position when a shot is taken.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field further comprises:

a plurality of cells of varying sizes according to relevance to scoring in the shooting sport under practice superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field further comprises:

a plurality of cells associated with an alphanumeric naming convention facilitating ease of use superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field further comprises:

a plurality of cells arranged according to a playing rule superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field further comprises:

a plurality of cells arranged according to an international playing rule superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field.

18. A computer based method for measuring shooting sports performance, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

determining whether a shot is made;

synchronizing the shot with one of a plurality of players;

determining a location of the player taking the shot when the shot is taken;

receiving information about the player; and

determining performance of the player based on the determining steps.

19. A shooting sports measurement system, comprising:

a sensor to determine shots made,

a detection mechanism that detects a position of a player when the player takes a shot;

a console, the console communicatively coupled with the sensor and the detection mechanism to receive data and determine performance of a player; and

a synchronization mechanism to associate the sensors with the console, thereby enabling the console to determine performance exclusively for players being monitored by the sensors.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the detection mechanism includes visual player location indicia that is adapted to be viewed by a console operation, such that console operator can manually enter the location into the console.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the detection mechanism automatically detects a position of a player when the player take a shot.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the detection mechanism automatically detects a position of a player when the player takes a shot.