U.S. patent application number 11/053310 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for real-time wireless sensor scoring.
Invention is credited to William M. Klein.
Application Number | 20060160639 11/053310 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36684667 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060160639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klein; William M. |
July 20, 2006 |
Real-time wireless sensor scoring
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms and
methods for measuring shooting performance. These mechanisms and
methods for measuring shooting performance make it possible for
coaches and players to obtain information they need to measure
levels of play, improve and maintain skills, select players to meet
game situations and team requirements, and make decisions on player
roles.
Inventors: |
Klein; William M.; (Los
Altos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLIESLER MEYER, LLP
FOUR EMBARCADERO CENTER
SUITE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
36684667 |
Appl. No.: |
11/053310 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60643988 |
Jan 14, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2024/0037 20130101;
A63B 2220/13 20130101; A63B 71/0669 20130101; A63B 69/0071
20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2220/806 20130101; A63B 63/00
20130101; A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B
2024/0025 20130101; A63B 71/0605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/476 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00 |
Claims
1. A shooting sports measurement system, comprising: a first sensor
to detect shots taken, a second sensor to determine shots made, a
detection mechanism that detects a position of a player when the
player takes a shot; and a console, the console communicatively
coupled with the first sensor, the second sensor and the detection
mechanism to receive data and determine performance of a
player.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a delay
factor to avoid double counting the same shot when multiple
triggering events occur.
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 at least one
of a clock with display, time and date, RF receivers from a
vibration sensor and a counter sensor, a court location diagram
illustrating a plurality of cells imposed upon at least a portion
of a playing field, a buzzer, a warning voice, a standard memory
card slot for storing data and a user interface for data input.
7. The system of claim 1, 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 2D
grid.
8. The system of claim 1, 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 1, wherein the detection mechanism that
detects position of a player making shots comprises: a camera with
a ranging device.
10. The system of claim 1, 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 Cartesian
coordinates 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 polar
coordinates superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing
field.
15. 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 in the form of concentric
circular arcs superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing
field.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. The system of claim 1, 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.
19. A computer based method for measuring shooting sports
performance, the method comprising the computer implemented steps
of: determining whether a shot is made; determining a location of a
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.
20. 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; and a console, the
console communicatively coupled with the sensor and the detection
mechanism to receive data and determine performance of a
player.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the detection mechanism
includes visual player location indica that is adapted to be viewed
by a console operation, such that console operator can manually
enter the location into the console.
22. The system of claim 1 wherein the detection mechanism
automatically detects a position of a player when the player take a
shot.
23. The system of claim 20 wherein the detection mechanism
automatically detects a position of a player when the player takes
a shot.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This U.S. Patent Application claims the benefit of a U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/643,988 entitled REAL TIME
WIRELESS SENSOR SCORING, by William M. Klein, filed Jan. 14, 2005
(Attorney Docket KLEIN-01000US0), which is incorporated herein by
reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The current invention relates generally to measuring
shooting performance, and more particularly to a mechanism for real
time wireless sensor scoring.
BACKGROUND
[0004] There is an outstanding need in amateur and professional
sports to identify players with the potential for development and
to provide measurement and training tools to improve performance of
existing players. No where is this more true than in the shooting
sports, such as basketball, tennis, hockey, golf and others, in
which the outcome of an entire game can be determined by the
performance of a single player taking a shot.
[0005] Currently, the selection, development, training and
evaluation of players is almost completely dependent on the
experience and observations of coaches and scouts and based upon
observing actual play. These simple methods, however, lack any
quantitative measure of shooting proficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is functional block diagram of an example playing
environment in which techniques for measuring shooting performance
in one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.
[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C are block diagrams illustrating a high level
overview of a console apparatus for measuring shooting performance
of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIGS. 3A-3D are functional block diagrams of example playing
environments having a plurality of superimposed cells indicating
location for measuring shooting performance in one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0009] FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams illustrating a high level
overview of screens displayed by a console apparatus for measuring
shooting performance of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is functional diagram of an example encoding
technique for qualifying shot types in the playing environment
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is functional diagram of example historical
performance measurements being tracked for a shooting session in
the playing environment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a high
level overview of a technique for measuring shooting performance of
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 8A-8C are functional diagrams of example presentations
for displaying performance measurements in the playing environment
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a high level overview
of a screen displayed by a software embodiment for transferring
information to and from a console apparatus of one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a hardware block diagram of an example computer
system, which may be used to embody one or more components of an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms and
methods for measuring shooting performance. These mechanisms and
methods for measuring shooting performance make it possible for
coaches and players to obtain information they need to measure
levels of play, improve and maintain skills, select players to meet
game situations and team requirements, and make decisions on player
roles.
[0017] In one embodiment, the invention provides a system for
measuring shooting performance. One embodiment of the system
includes a first sensor to detect shots taken and a second sensor
to determine shots made. A console is communicatively coupled with
the first sensor and the second sensor to receive data and
determine performance of a player. Embodiments include one or more
location sensors that automatically detect the position of the
player when shots are taken and record positional information along
with information about the shot. This ability to obtain information
to measure levels of play makes it possible to improve skills,
select players to meet game situations and team requirements, and
make decisions on player roles.
[0018] While the present invention is described herein with
reference to example embodiments for measuring basketball players'
performance, the present invention is not so limited, and in fact,
the real time measurement techniques provided by embodiments of the
present invention are broadly applicable to a wide variety of
shooting sports. As used herein, the term shooting sports is
intended to be broadly construed to include any sport in which a
player makes a shot, including without limitation basketball,
tennis, hockey, water polo, polo, lacrosse, golf and other shooting
sports.
[0019] FIG. 1 is functional block diagram of an example playing
environment in which techniques for measuring shooting performance
in one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. As
shown in FIG. 1, a performance measuring system embodiment is being
used in a basketball-playing environment. The system embodiment
includes a first sensor 102 to detect number of shots taken, a
second sensor 103 to determine number of shots made. The first
sensor includes a delay to avoid double counting the same shot when
multiple triggering events occur. For example, in one embodiment,
the first sensor includes a time delay, enabling the first sensor
to avoid double counting the same shot from multiple vibrations of
the rim or backboard. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 1, the
first sensor 102 and second sensor 103 include a wireless RF
communication link to a console 101. The console 101 incorporates
hardware, software or a combination thereof, to measure, track and
record shooting session performance results. In one embodiment, the
first sensor 102 is a vibration sensor that is attached to the
basketball rim or backboard to detect a shot taken. In one
embodiment, the second sensor includes a counter lever attached to
a basketball rim or backboard to track shots made. In an
alternative embodiment, the second sensor includes an
opto-electronic sensor attached below the basketball rim or
backboard. Proximity sensors can also be employed as well as other
types of optical, electrical and mechanical sensors.
[0020] Embodiments include one or more location sensors that
automatically detect the position of the player and record
positional information. In one embodiment, a pressure sensitive
grid comprising a plurality of cells indicating location is
disposed over the playing field in order to detect the location of
the player when making a shot. In another embodiment, an infrared
sensor matrix is used to superimpose a plurality of location cells
comprising a grid over the playing field. In a yet further
embodiment, a camera coupled with a range detection device can be
used to detect the location of the player with respect to cell
locations in the playing environment. Examples of cells comprising
a location grid is discussed in further detail below with reference
to FIGS. 3A-3D.
[0021] In one embodiment, a wireless headset 104 is worn by the
player during play to communicatively couple the player to the
console 101. Using voice recognition functionality in conjunction
with the headset 104, the player can input voice commands,
including type of shot to be taken, number of shots to be
attempted, a time period for shooting and so forth without
interrupting play. Further, in one play mode, the player can call
out the types of shots using the headset 104 as the player takes
the shot.
[0022] In one embodiment, a video camera 105 is operatively
disposed to record shots the player takes. The video camera 105 can
be constantly operating or can be triggered using a command from
the wireless headset 104, a motion sensor (not shown) directed at
the player, or by input of a command at the console 101 by a coach
or another player.
[0023] In one embodiment, the vibration sensor and counter lever
include wireless RF receiver communication links to the console
101. The console 101 (FIGS. 2A-2C) includes input keys and an LED
display of key information for each shooting session. Various
system embodiments may also include one or more of a timer, buzzer
and warning device to signal the player. In one embodiment, a
player or coach inputs the shooting session parameters and starts
the program. When the player shoots from the specified court
location, the console 101 records success or failure of each shot,
along with the shot type and player location, for the desired
period of time or number of shots. A warning voice projects elapsed
time in one-minute increments as well as a countdown starting with
10 seconds of shooting time remaining or 10 shots left to take. The
system's buzzer announces the completion of the session and the
relevant performance data is displayed and saved if desired. All
shot session data may be stored on a memory card and archived on a
personal computer (PC) for historical analysis, review and
comparison to other players. Alternatively, the console 101 can be
directly linked to a computer.
[0024] FIG. 2A-2C are block diagrams illustrating a high level
overview of a console apparatus for measuring shooting performance
of one embodiment of the present invention. The console embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2A includes a first display area 202 that
provides prompting to the player or coach using text messages,
graphics, icons or a combination thereof. Example prompts for a
training session are discussed below with reference to FIG. 4A. A
second display area 204 provides a view of the playing field to the
player or coach. Display area 204 can be used to indicate the
location from which the player takes shots. Display areas 202 and
204 may be implemented as different screens depicted on a single
display in some embodiments. In one embodiment, a warning voice
(not shown) projects elapsed time in one-minute increments.
Additionally, one or more input keys 208, a reset key 210, start
key 212 and select key 214 receive commands input manually from a
player or a coach. An LED display 206 provides key information
about each shooting session to the player or coach such as
presenting a countdown starting with 10 seconds of shooting time
remaining or 10 shots left to take. Various console embodiments
will also include a timer, buzzer and warning device (not shown). A
memory card slot 220 is provided for receiving a memory card upon
which performance data may be stored. The memory card may enable
the console 101 to interface with a computer to populate a database
with historical performance data, prepare charts and display
graphs. Alternatively, the console 101 can be directly linked to a
computer using a USB port or other communications interface. FIG.
2B illustrates another console embodiment, in which a computer
style keyboard 216 provides a mechanism for a player or coach to
enter information and respond to prompts. FIG. 2C illustrates a
further console embodiment, in which the shooter or coach can
configure display area 204 to display one or more cells
superimposed on the playing field in order to select shot
locations. Cells may be arranged according to any number of
arrangements, including without limitation the arrangements
illustrated by FIGS. 3A-3D. One or more keys 208 include
alphanumeric inputs to enable players or coaches to enter player
names and so forth as well as numeric data. An LED display 206
provides the player or coach with information and control
capabilities from the console. Shooting session indicators
including a shots taken display 222, shots made display area 224,
percentage made display 226 and location display 228 present
shooting session statistics to the player or coach at the end of a
shooting session or in real time. A display key 216 enables the
shooter or coach to display the results of the last several
shooting sessions on the console 101. Some embodiments include the
capability to define a custom shooing routine or choose "random".
For example, in one embodiment, a player or coach could define a
three point shooting cycle by entering numbers of cells to shoot
from, storing the locations in a memory and associating a code with
the stored sequence. Alternative embodiments implement the
functionality of console 101 as software executing on a laptop or
portable computer, personal data assistant (PDA), cell phone or
other wireless device, wearable personal computer worn by the
player or other devices.
[0025] FIGS. 3A-3D are functional block diagrams of example playing
environments having a plurality of superimposed cells indicating
location for measuring shooting performance in one embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, in one example playing
environment 300, a plurality of cells indicating location of a
player are superimposed on the playing environment. Shooting
locations in playing environment 300 are arranged according to a
convention in which odd numbered shooting locations are disposed to
the right hand side of the playing area and even numbered shooting
locations are on the left hand side of the playing area. Of course,
in some embodiments, odd and even numbered cells may be on opposite
sides from the ones illustrated in FIG. 3A. Such naming conventions
of shooting locations are provided by embodiments of the present
invention in order to facilitate easier player (or coach)
identification of the player locations. Further, playing
environment 300 includes cells having different sizes in areas
considered to be of special interest to the player or relevance to
scoring in the particular shooting sport under practice, such as
the foul line or the 3 point line in basketball, for example. FIG.
3B illustrates another example playing environment 302, in which
the plurality of cells indicating location of a player is arranged
in a Cartesian grid of uniform cell size and shape. A Cartesian
coordinate pair identifies each cell. FIG. 3C illustrates a further
example playing environment 304, in which the plurality of cells
indicating location of a player is arranged using polar
coordinates. Cells in playing environment 304 are in a preferred
embodiment of uniform cell size and shape. A polar coordinate pair
identifies each cell. FIG. 3D illustrates a yet further example
playing environment 306, in which playing locations are designated
by concentric semi-circles. Each shooting location varies in area
and may be identified by a number, letter, color, combination
thereof or other conventions that are contemplated.
[0026] Shooting location detection may be achieved using various
techniques in embodiments of the present invention. For example, in
one embodiment, a pressure sensitive grid comprising a plurality of
cells indicating location is disposed over the playing field in
order to detect the location of the player when making a shot. Such
techniques are especially useful when cells vary in size and shape,
such as the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3A. In another
embodiment, an infrared sensor matrix is used to superimpose a
plurality of location cells comprising a grid over the playing
environment. In this embodiment, a device that includes an infrared
sensor and an infrared light source produces pulses of infrared
light and uses optics to focus reflections from the infrared light
pulse from different portions of the playing environment to
different detectors in a 2D array detector. The detector produces
indications of the distance to the closest object in an associated
portion of the playing environment. A processor receives the
indication of the infrared sensor to determine the player location.
An exemplary infrared sensor for use in the present invention is
available from Canesta, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Details of such
infrared sensors are described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,932 and
published patent applications US 2002/0140633 A1, US 2002/0063775
A1, US 2003/0076484 A1 each of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Such techniques are especially useful when cells are of
uniform size and shape, such as the embodiment illustrated by FIG.
3B. In a further embodiment computer touch screen techniques can be
used. In a yet further embodiment, a camera 105 coupled with a
range detection device can be used to detect location of the player
with respect to cell locations on the playing environment. Such
techniques are especially useful when cell location may be
determined using a range, such as the embodiments illustrated by
FIGS. 3C-3D. The player location determined by any one of these
techniques may be stored along with other data about the shot.
[0027] FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams illustrating a high level
overview of screens displayed by a console 101 for measuring
shooting performance of one embodiment of the present invention. As
shown by FIG. 4A, one or more prompts may be displayed in display
area 202 of console 101 to prompt a player or coach to input one or
more parameters for the shooting session. In the embodiment
illustrated by FIG. 4A, the player (or a coach) inputs the
appropriate court location, shot type, desired period of time
and/or number of shots, and presses the start key 212 to initiate
the program. In an alternative embodiment, the prompts shown in
FIG. 4A may be provided to the player audibly via headset 104, and
the player's responses received and analyzed using voice
recognition processing to obtain responses from the player, thereby
providing a "hands free" mode of operation. An "Enable Dual
Shooters" prompt enables multi-player competition mode, in which
the scores of multiple players are tracked individually to
encourage team practice. FIG. 4B illustrates another example
screens displayed by a console 101 in which a multi-player mode is
provided. As shown in FIG. 4B, in multi-player mode, the number of
shooters playing and optionally shooter ids and/or names for the
shooters may be entered using the keys 208 shown by FIG. 2C for
example. FIG. 4C illustrates an example shooting session summary
screen displayed in display area 202 or 204 of console 101 after a
player completes a shooting session. As shown in FIG. 4C, shooting
session summary statistics may be presented to the player or coach
in a format emulating a basketball (or other sport) scoreboard.
Other embodiments will display the output using other formats
appropriate to the shooting sport being practiced.
[0028] Encoding schemes may be used in some embodiments to simplify
storage of shot types in databases or other storage mechanisms. For
example, FIG. 5 is a functional diagram of an example encoding
technique for qualifying shot types in the playing environment
illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown by FIG. 5, an encoding scheme can
associate a number with a shot type. Such encoding techniques can
enable analysis based upon statistics developed for different shot
types and in certain cases simplify storage of historical shooting
session information. While FIG. 5 illustrates one encoding scheme
for basketball, other embodiments will employ other encoding
techniques appropriate to the shooting sport being practiced.
[0029] FIG. 6 is functional diagram of example historical
performance measurements being tracked for a shooting session in
the playing environment illustrated in FIG. 1. The example table
illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a list of parameters describing the
results of a basketball shooting session in one embodiment. Various
mechanisms for storing and tracking parameter data gathered from
shooting sessions are made available in embodiments. For example,
in one embodiment, a database is used to store and organize
parameter information, such as shown by FIG. 6. Other embodiments
will employ other storage and organization techniques, and store
different parameters, appropriate to the shooting sport being
practiced.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a high
level overview of a technique for measuring shooting performance of
one embodiment of the present invention. The technique for
measuring shooting performance shown in FIG. 7 is operable with
console 101 of FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C. As shown in FIG. 7, a user enters
his shooter id number (or name) (block 701). The player selects the
number of shots to take or a period of time to shoot (block 702).
The player selects a shot location cell (block 703). As described
above, some embodiments will automatically determine the location
from which the shot is made. The player selects the type of shot
(block 704). The player enters the number of shooters (block 705).
The player presses a start key to begin play (block 706). The
player can then take the shots (block 707). Once the session is
complete, the system automatically determines and displays results
of the session, in the form of session statistics, to the player
(block 708). Some embodiments include different operational
characteristics, such as, for example automatically determining the
shot location using one of the techniques described above instead
of receiving it from the player (block 703) or receiving the type
of shot via headset 104 to accommodate "hands-free" operation
(block 704) and so forth.
[0031] FIGS. 8A-8C are functional diagrams of example presentations
for displaying performance measurements in the playing environment
illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 8A, shooting session
historical performance measurements may be presented to the player
or coach in display area 202 or 204 of console 101. Other types of
reports can be provided to assist the player or coach in evaluating
the results of play. For example, FIG. 8B illustrates an example of
a report organized by week. Table 1 illustrates other types of
reports provided by various embodiments: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1
Reports by Type Report Type Reports Calendar 1. Weekly summary by
day 2. Monthly summary by week 3. Yearly summary by month 4.
Cumulative by shooter Location 1. All shot types 2. By shot type 3.
Summary for 3 pointers Shot type 1. All shot types 2. By shot type
3. Summary for 3 pointers Summaries 1. Top 10 shooting sessions by
% made (by date) 2. Top 10 shooting locations (location) 3. Top 10
shot types (type) 4. Top 10 shot types by location (type/loc.)
[0032] Some embodiments provide the capability to view the results
of play in graph or other tabular formats. For example, FIG. 8C
illustrates an example of a graph for providing results of play in
graphical format. Other embodiments will display other statistics
appropriate to the shooting sport being practiced.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a high level overview
of a screen displayed by a software embodiment for transferring
information to and from a console apparatus of one embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, console 101 can include
software that enables a variety of functions, including without
limitation: 1) Connect/interface the console 101 with a PC via a
USB port or other communications interface; 2) Display performance
data in a variety of formats, such as illustrated by FIGS. 8A-8C;
3) Download performance data to the PC; 4) Enable automatic
generation of standardized performance data reports; 5) Provide for
upload of firmware upgrades; 6) Allow performance data to be sent
via email; 7) Transfer status information about operation of the
console 101 and associated hardware and software back to
manufacturer. Table 2 illustrates other types of menu options
provided in an embodiment: TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Menu Options Pull
down menus Sub-menus 1. Enter shooter I.D. 2. Select shot location
3. Select shot type 4. Select calendar/dates Cumulative Annual
Monthly Weekly 5. Select report type Standard Top 10 shooting
sessions Top 10 shot locations Top 10 shot types by location
[0034] Various embodiments will include other functions readily
apparent to persons skilled in the art but not mentioned here for
brevity.
[0035] In one embodiment, a path made by the ball during a shot is
tracked by the console 101. The path information may be used to
locate the ball as it goes through the hoop or may be used to track
the path of the ball in order to analyze the shooter's technique.
One technique for tracking the ball path during play involves
adding a radio frequency identification ("RFID") chip to the ball.
The RFID chip can signal a tracking unit integrated into or
cooperatively coupled with the console 101, enabling the console
101 to track the path of the ball. In another technique, the video
camera 105 and image processing software may be used to track the
path of the ball during the shot. An exemplary arc tracking
analyzer for use in the present invention is available from Pillar
Vision, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif. (www.noahbasketball.com) and by
Radar Golf, Inc. of Roseville, Calif. (www.radargolf.com).
[0036] In other aspects, the invention encompasses in some
embodiments, computer apparatus, computing systems and
machine-readable media configured to carry out the foregoing
methods. In addition to an embodiment consisting of specifically
designed integrated circuits or other electronics, the present
invention may be conveniently implemented using a conventional
general purpose or a specialized digital computer or microprocessor
programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure, as
will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art.
[0037] Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by
skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present
disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software
art. The invention may also be implemented by the preparation of
application specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an
appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0038] The present invention includes a computer program product
which is a storage medium (media) having instructions stored
thereon/in which can be used to program a computer to perform any
of the processes of the present invention. The storage medium can
include, but is not limited to, any type of rotating media
including floppy disks, optical discs, DVD, CD-ROMs, microdrive,
and magneto-optical disks, and magnetic or optical cards,
nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any type of media
or device suitable for storing instructions and/or data.
[0039] Stored on any one of the computer readable medium (media),
the present invention includes software for controlling both the
hardware of the general purpose/specialized computer or
microprocessor, and for enabling the computer or microprocessor to
interact with a human user or other mechanism utilizing the results
of the present invention. Such software may include, but is not
limited to, device drivers, operating systems, and user
applications.
[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary processing system 900,
which can comprise the console 101 of FIGS. 2A-2C. Turning now to
FIG. 9, an exemplary computing system is illustrated that may
comprise the console 101 of FIGS. 2A-2C. While other alternatives
might be utilized, it will be presumed for clarity sake that
components of the systems of FIGS. 2A-2C are implemented in
hardware, software or some combination thereof in at least one
embodiment.
[0041] Computing system 900 comprises components coupled via one or
more communication channels (e.g., bus 901) including one or more
general or special purpose processors 902, such as a Pentium.RTM.,
Centrino.RTM., Power PC.RTM., digital signal processor ("DSP"), and
so on. System 900 components also include one or more input devices
903 (such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, pen, and so on), and
one or more output devices 904, such as a suitable display,
speakers, actuators, and so on, in accordance with a particular
application. (It will be appreciated that input or output devices
can also similarly include more specialized devices or
hardware/software device enhancements suitable for use by the
mentally or physically challenged.)
[0042] System 900 also includes a computer readable storage media
reader 905 coupled to a computer readable storage medium 906, such
as a storage/memory device or hard or removable storage/memory
media; such devices or media are further indicated separately as
storage 908 and memory 909, which may include hard disk variants,
floppy/compact disk variants, digital versatile disk ("DVD")
variants, smart cards, read only memory, random access memory,
cache memory, and so on, in accordance with the requirements of a
particular application. One or more suitable communication
interfaces 907 may also be included, such as a modem, DSL,
infrared, RF or other suitable transceiver, and so on for providing
inter-device communication directly or via one or more suitable
private or public networks or other components that may include but
are not limited to those already discussed.
[0043] Working memory 910 further includes operating system ("OS")
911 elements and other programs 912, such as one or more of
application programs, mobile code, data, and so on for implementing
system 900 components that might be stored or loaded therein during
use. The particular OS or OSs may vary in accordance with a
particular device, features or other aspects in accordance with a
particular application (e.g. Windows, WindowsCE, Mac, Linux, Unix
or Palm OS variants, a cell phone OS, a proprietary OS, Symbian,
and so on). Various programming languages or other tools can also
be utilized, such as those compatible with C variants (e.g., C++,
C#), the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition ("J2EE") or other
programming languages in accordance with the requirements of a
particular application. Other programs 912 may further, for
example, include one or more of activity systems, education
managers, education integrators, or interface, security, other
synchronization, other browser or groupware code, and so on,
including but not limited to those discussed elsewhere herein.
[0044] When implemented in software (e.g. as an application
program, object, agent, downloadable, servlet, and so on in whole
or part), a learning integration system or other component may be
communicated transitionally or more persistently from local or
remote storage to memory (SRAM, cache memory, etc.) for execution,
or another suitable mechanism can be utilized, and components may
be implemented in compiled or interpretive form. Input,
intermediate or resulting data or functional elements may further
reside more transitionally or more persistently in a storage media,
cache or other volatile or non-volatile memory, (e.g., storage
device 908 or memory 909) in accordance with a particular
application.
[0045] Other features, aspects and objects of the invention can be
obtained from a review of the figures and the claims. It is to be
understood that other embodiments of the invention can be developed
and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention and claims.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present
invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and
variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain
the principles of the invention and its practical application,
thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments and with various modifications
that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended
that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims
and their equivalence.
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