Sports technique and reaction training system

• US 4,702,475 A
• Filed: 07/25/1986
• Issued: 10/27/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Training Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innovating Training Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Faret, Svein, Elstein, Rick A., Gazzo, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shapiro, Paul E.
• Application Number:
  US06/890,716
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1 GC, 273/1 GA, 273/1 GE, 273/29 A, 273/55 R, 272/76-78, 272/DIG. 5, 434/247, 434/258, 434/307, 364/708
• US Class Current: 273/445
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• 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 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• 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 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A system for technique and accelerated reaction training of a person by a training program in which an array of lights is positioned visibly in front of the person, with each light signifying a different particular movement pattern to be executed by the person in a given amount of time. A control system selectively energizes one light of the array at a time, signifying a particular movement pattern to be executed, in a sequence of lighting of the array of lights unknown to the person undertaking the training program. In this program, the sequence of lighting of the array appears to be random, such that the person waits for an unknown light to be energized, and must then react in a measured time period with the particular movement pattern to be executed in response to that particular light. The control system is programmable to enter a different individual time period of response for each different light, and then times each individual time period of response. Additionally, an audible feedback is supplied to the person by an acoustic transducer which is activated by the control system at the end of each individual time period of response to audibly signal, such as by a beep, to the person the end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the control system is microprocessor programmed and operated. The microprocessor is coupled to an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus, and each of the array of lights, as well as additional controlled features said as a voice synthesizer which provides audible instructions, is coupled to and controlled by the microprocessor by signals issued on the address bus, the control bus, and the data bus. The array of lights comprises an array of six lights arranged in top and bottom horizontal rows of three lights, with the top and bottom rows being aligned vertically with respect to each other. Moreover, the system is preferably constructed and provided in a portable carrying case, wherein the array of lights is mounted in the top portion of the carrying case, and the control system and programming keyboard therefor is located in the bottom portion.

Claims

1. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training of a person by a training program, comprising:

a. an array of lights to be positioned visibly in front of the person, with each light signifying a different particular movement pattern to be executed by the person in a given amount of time;

b. a control system for selectively energizing one light of the array at a time, signifying a particular movement pattern to be executed, in a sequence of energizing of the array of lights unknown to the person undertaking the training program, with the sequence of lighting of the array appearing to be random to the person, such that the person waits for an unknown light to be energized, and must then react in a measured time period with the particular movement pattern to be executed in response to that particular light, and the person then waits for the next unknown light to be energized, and must then react in a measured time period with the particular given movement pattern to be executed in response to that particular light, with the control system being programmable to enter a different individual time period of response for each different light, and also timing each individual time period of response; and

c. an acoustic transducer activated by said control system at the end of every individual time period of response to audibly signal to the person the end of every individual period, whereby the person in the program works to complete the particular movement pattern to be executed prior to hearing the audible signal.

2. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 1, said array of lights comprising an array of six lights arranged in top and bottom horizontal rows of three lights, with the top and bottom rows being aligned vertically with respect to each other.

3. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 2, wherein the system is constructed in a portable carrying case openable to top and bottom portions of the carrying case, and wherein the array of lights is mounted in the top portion of the carrying case, and the control system is located in the bottom portion of the carrying case.

4. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a microprocessor operated control system.

5. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 4, wherein a training program is stored in an external memory mounted in a cartridge which is insertable into a port associated with the contol system, with the cartridge having stored in memory a sequence of lighting of the particular lights in the array of lights, along with different individual time periods of response for each light, whereby different training programs can be used in the system merely by changing program cartridges.

6. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cartridge contains several different training programs stored in memory with different sequences of lights and different individual time periods of response.

7. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cartridge comprises at least a beginner training program, an intermediate training program, and an advanced training program.

8. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cartridge is programmed with a weakness drill program wherein at least one particular light in the array of lights is energized more frequently in the program than other lights, with that particular light signifying a weakness movement pattern to be executed by the person, such that the program works on strenthening the particular weakness movement pattern.

9. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system is also programmed for a warm-up program which is run prior to the training program and a cool-down program which is run after the training program.

10. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 4, wherein the microprocessor operated control system is programmable by a keypad entry array of keys, including a keypad entry display for displaying the entries being made into the system.

11. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 10, wherein the individual time periods of response for each light stored in memory are changeable and reprogrammable by operation of the keypad entry array.

12. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 10, wherein a percentage faster key is provided on the keypad entry array to actuate a percentage faster processing routine to change the time periods of response in the program to make them a given percentage of time faster, and a percentage slower key is provided on the keypad entry array to actuate a percentage slower processing routine to change the time periods of response in the program to make them a given percentage of time slower.

13. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 4, including at least one transducer coupled to the control system which is actuated by the person at the end of the particular movement pattern being executed, and wherein the control system measures the actual period of time taken by the person to actuate the transducer, and stores each measured time period of actual response in memory.

14. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 13, including a pressure touch pad for each light to be energized in the training program, and wherein the control system measures the actual period of time taken by the person to touch each pressure pad, and stores each measured time period of actual response in memory.

15. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 14, including a training mat having marked areas of position and marked areas of response thereon, and the touch pads being positioned at different marked areas of response on the training mat, such that the person orients himself with respect to a marked area of position on the training mat, and then reacts to the energiztion of individual lights in the array of lights to execute particular movement patterns, at the end of which the person touches a marked area of response on the training mat.

16. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control system further includes voice synthesizer circuits for instructing the person on correct operation of the system, and during the training program.

17. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 4, wherein the microprocessor is coupled to an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus, and each of the array of lights is coupled to and controlled by the microprocessor by signals issued on the address bus, the control bus, and the data bus.

18. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 4, wherein the system is constructed in a portable carrying case openable to top and bottom portions of the carrying case, and wherein the array of lights is mounted in the top portion of the carrying case, and the control system is located in the bottom portion of the carrying case.

19. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 18, wherein the microprocessor operated control system is programmable by a keypad entry array of keys in the bottom portion of the carrying case, including a keypad entry display for displaying the entries being made into the system.

20. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 19, wherein the individual time periods of response for each light stored in memory are changeable and reprogrammable by operation of the keypad entry array.

21. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 20, including at least one transducer coupled to the control system which is actuated by the person at the end of the particular movement pattern being executed, and wherein the control system measures the actual period of time taken by the person to actuate the transducer, and stores each measured time period of actual response in memory.

22. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 21, including a pressure touch pad for each light to be energized in the training program, and wherein the control system measures the actual period of time taken by the person to touch each pressure pad, and stores each measured time period of actual response in memory.

23. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 22, wherein a training program is stored in an external memory mounted in a cartridge which is insertable into a port in the bottom portion of the carrying case, with the cartridge having stored in memory a sequence of lighting the particular lights in the array of lights, along with different individual time periods of response for each light, and the pause duration time period between the end of one individual time period of response and the beginning of the next individual time period of response, whereby different training program can be used in the system merely by changing program cartridges.

24. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 23, wherein said control system further includes voice synthesizer circuits for instructing the person on correct operation of the system, and during the training program.

25. A system for technique and accelerated reaction training as claimed in claim 24, said array of lights comprising a array of six lights arranged in top and bottom horizontal rows of three lights, with the top and bottom rows being aligned vertically with respect to each other.

26. A method of accelerated reaction training by improving predetermined patterns of sequenced muscle performance for participants in athletic endeavors, comprising the steps of:

defining a plurality of discrete predetermined movement patterns relative to a base position, each including a discrete predetermined pattern of sequenced muscle performance;

positioning a participant at said base position;

providing a plurality of selectively energizable discrete visible action signals, each indicative of a predetermined pattern of movement from said base position;

randomly activating one of said available plurality of discrete action signals to initiate performance of the discrete movement pattern indicated by the activated signal signal by said participant; and

indicating the time period within which an initiated pattern of performance is to be completed by an audible signal which is generated after every discrete action signal to provide an audible timing signal to the participant for every discrete action signal.

27. The method as set forth in claim 26, wherein the step of randomly activating one of said available plurality of discrete action signals is affected by said participant.

28. The method as set forth in claim 26, wherein the step of randomly activating one of said available plurality of discrete action signals is initiated by the participants completion of the movement pattern initiated by the preceding activated signal.

29. A stimuli battery for accelerated reaction training for participants in athletic endeavors, comprising:

a plurality of lamp members disposed in predetermined spatial relation with each other;

an ignition circuit for each of said lamp members;

cyclically operable switch means for sequentially closing each of said ignition circuits;

remote trigger means for effecting randon ignition of an individual lamp member in accord with the position of said cyclically operable switch means; and

means for emitting an audible signal at a predetermined time follwing lamp ignition after every lamp ignition to provide an audible timing signal to the participant for every lamp ignition.

30. A stimuli battery as set forth in claim 29, wherein said plurality of lamp members comprises six lamp members positioned in two parallel banks of three.

31. A method of accelerated reaction training by improving predetermined patterns of sequenced muscle performance for participants in athletic endeavors;

comprising the steps of;

defining a plurality of discrete predetermined movement patterns relative to a base position, each including a discrete predetermined pattern of sequenced muscle performance;

positioning a participant at said base position;

providing a plurality of selectively energizable discrete visible action signals, each indicative of a predetermined pattern of movement from said base position;

randomly activating one of said available plurality of discrete action signals to initiate performance of the discrete movement pattern indicated by the activated signal by said participant, and wherein said step of randomly activating one of said available plurality of discrete action signals is initiated by a return of the participant to the base position; and

indicating the time period within which an initiated pattern of performance is to be completed by generating an audible signal after every discrete action signal to provide an audible timing signal to the participant for every discrete action signal.