Training devices for trajectory-based sports

• US 9,238,165 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2013
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• 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., Carter, John
• Primary Examiner(s): MYHR, JUSTIN L
• Application Number:
  US14/089,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20140092253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• 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 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/086 deflectable under excessive loads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo 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 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• 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 2243/0037 : Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• 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 63/083 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30224 : Ball; Puck
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30241 : Trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/20 : Analysis of motion motion estimation for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/43, H04N19/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 : Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80

Abstract

Methods and apparatus related to improving player performance for trajectory-based sports are described. In particular, sporting devices are described that can be utilized to improve player performance in basketball. The sporting devices can include a camera-based system configured to capture and analyze the trajectory of a shot taken by a player. The camera-based system can be configured to provide feedback that allows a player to optimize the trajectory mechanics associated with shooting a basketball. In one embodiment, the camera-based system can be used in conjunction with a training aid that is attached to a basketball rim. The training aid can be configured to improve the trajectory mechanics of individuals utilizing the modified basketball rim to practice their shooting.

Claims

1. A training device for use in basketball, said training device comprising:

a mechanism designed to be coupled to a basketball hoop said mechanism configured to cause shots proximate to a front of the basketball hoop that pass through the hoop without the mechanism installed to be deflected away from the basketball hoop to encourage users to aim their shots deeper in the basketball rim behind a geometric center of the hoop, the mechanism comprising (1) a solid portion which extends above a top surface of the basketball hoop and (2) an attachment mechanism which attaches the training device including the solid portion to the basketball hoop; and

a track which is coupled to the basketball hoop wherein the solid portion is configured to fit inside the track and move along the track to adjust its position relative to the basketball hoop.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism solid portion extends around a portion of the circumference of basketball hoop.

3. The training device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured to allow shots that clear the mechanism to deflect off a back portion of the basketball rim and pass through the hoop.

4. The training device of claim 1 wherein a cross section of the solid portion is triangular.

5. The training device of claim 1 wherein a top of the solid portion is between 2 and 2.5 inches above a top of the basketball hoop.

6. The training device of claim 1 wherein the solid portion covers between 90 degrees and 110 degrees around a circumference of the basketball hoop.

7. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to actuate such that the solid portion is moved from a first position to a second position along the track.

8. The training device of claim 1, wherein the solid portion includes a rigid section and a flexible section wherein the rigid section is configured to deflect a shot away from the basketball hoop and wherein the flexible section allows the shot to pass through the basketball hoop.

9. The training device of claim 1 wherein the solid portion is asymmetric around a line passing through a shot location for one of the shots and the geometric center to correct a shooting error which is biased towards a left or right of the geometric center of the basketball hoop for the one shot.

10. The training device of claim 1, wherein the solid portion extends into an interior of the basketball hoop.

11. The training device of claim 1, wherein the solid portion extends away from the basketball hoop toward the geometric center thereby reducing a width of an opening defined by the basketball hoop and through which basketballs may pass.

12. A basketball training method, comprising:

coupling a mechanism to a basketball hoop, the mechanism configured to cause shots proximate to a front of the basketball hoop that pass through the hoop without the mechanism installed to be deflected away from the basketball hoop thereby encouraging users to aim their shots deeper in the basketball rim behind a geometric center of the hoop, the mechanism extending above a top surface of the basketball hoop; and

sliding the mechanism along a track coupled to the hoop to adjust a position of the mechanism relative to the basketball hoop.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sliding is performed by a motor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the mechanism extends away from the basketball hoop toward the geometric center thereby reducing a width of an opening defined by the basketball hoop and through which basketballs may pass.