U.S. patent application number 11/988632 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for sensory coordination system for sports, therapy and exercise.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANDO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Louis M. Bavaro, William K. Durfee, Arthur G. Erdman, James E. Fairman, Christopher S. Monnier.
Application Number | 20090117525 11/988632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37637500 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090117525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bavaro; Louis M. ; et
al. |
May 7, 2009 |
Sensory Coordination System for Sports, Therapy and Exercise
Abstract
A sensory coordination system for sports, occupational therapy,
physical therapy and general exercise.
Inventors: |
Bavaro; Louis M.; (St. Paul,
MN) ; Durfee; William K.; (Edina, MN) ;
Erdman; Arthur G.; (New Brighton, MN) ; Fairman;
James E.; (Bloomington, MN) ; Monnier; Christopher
S.; (Eden Prairie, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER, 80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Assignee: |
PANDO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Bloomington
MN
|
Family ID: |
37637500 |
Appl. No.: |
11/988632 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
July 13, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2006/027411 |
371 Date: |
November 12, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60699046 |
Jul 13, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20130101;
A63B 69/0071 20130101; A63B 2024/0046 20130101; A63B 2225/15
20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 69/0053 20130101; A63B
71/0605 20130101; A63B 2071/0625 20130101; A63B 69/002 20130101;
A63B 2071/0627 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/247 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A sensory coordination system, comprising: an electronic
controller; a first display, the first display controlled by the
controller and capable of providing one or more cues to a user to
indicate an action to be performed by the user in accordance with
at least one signal from the controller; at least one sensor in
communication with the controller, the at least one sensor capable
of determining whether the action has been performed by the user
and further capable of reporting at least one attribute of the
action performed by the user to the controller; and a second
display, the second display controlled by the controller and
capable of displaying at least one measure of the action performed
by the user in accordance with the at least one attribute reported
to the controller by the sensor; wherein the sensory coordination
system is used to train the user to manipulate a ball in a sequence
programmed into the electronic controller.
2. The sensory coordination system of claim 1, wherein the ball is
selected from the group consisting of a basketball, a soccer ball,
a baseball, a cricket ball, a volleyball, a football, a tennis
ball, a lacrosse ball or a hockey puck.
3. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at least
one sensor is disposed on a floor.
4. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at least
one sensor is disposed on a vertical or near vertical surface.
5. The sensory coordination system of claim 3, wherein the at least
one sensor is a mechanical contact switch comprising two conductive
elements that are brought into contact when the ball impacts the
switch.
6. The sensory coordination system of claim 3, wherein the at least
one sensor is disposed in a mat in contact with the floor.
7. The sensory coordination system of claim 5, wherein a plurality
of sensors are disposed in the mat.
8. The sensory coordination system of claim 7, wherein nine sensors
are disposed in the mat.
9. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at least
one sensor is selected from the group consisting of a capacitive
sensor, an infrared detector and an acoustic sensor.
10. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at
least one sensor is placed in the base of a sports cone and is
capable of sensing a ball within a predetermined area in the
vicinity of the cone.
11. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at
least one sensor communicates with the controller via wired
electrical communication.
12. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at
least one sensor communicates with the controller via wireless
signal.
13. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the at
least one sensor communicates with the controller via light
signal.
14. The sensory coordination system of claim 3, wherein a plurality
of sensors are distributed across the floor to create a course for
the user to navigate while simultaneously performing the indicated
actions.
15. The sensory coordination system of claim 2, wherein the
position of at least one of the user's feet is determined in
addition to the actions of the user.
16. The sensory coordination system of claim 1, wherein the first
display comprises an auditory output capable of emitting an
auditory cue.
17. The sensory coordination system of claim 1, wherein the
auditory output is further capable of emitting recorded musical
signals.
18. The sensory coordination system of claim 1, wherein the
electronic controller is capable of directing the first display to
provide feedback to the user.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/699,046 filed Jul. 13, 2005, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a sensory coordination system for
sports, occupational therapy, physical therapy and general
exercise. The invention more particularly relates to a method and
apparatus for improving basketball-handling skills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sports training requires repetition of various actions in
order to improve a player's skill in performing the action, to
increase the speed at which a player can perform the action and to
make certain actions reflexive or automatic. Such training is
optimally done in the presence of a coach or skilled player who can
evaluate and correct the actions being performed as necessary.
Often, however, players must carry out such training for long
periods with no such supervision. Therefore, a system with which a
player could interact and that would provide meaningful feedback
regarding parameters of a performance would be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides training methods that will help users
improve their hand-eye coordination along with their
proprioception, which refers to sensory and muscle movements. This
training will be accomplished by teaching, and improving, a user's
ability to look up and at the same time control an external object
(such as a basketball, soccer ball, etc) based on direction from
external stimuli. In one embodiment, the training is directed
toward basketball skills and may teach players to look up and react
to external stimuli while improving their dribbling skills.
[0005] In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a
sensory coordination system having an electronic controller, a
first display, wherein the first display is controlled by the
controller and is capable of providing one or more cues to a user
to indicate an action to be performed by the user in accordance
with at least one signal from the controller, at least one sensor
in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor
capable of determining whether the action has been performed by the
user and further capable of reporting at least one attribute of the
action performed by the user to the controller and a second
display, wherein the second display is controlled by the controller
and is capable of displaying at least one measure of the action
performed by the user in accordance with the at least one attribute
reported to the controller by the sensor and wherein the sensory
coordination system is used to train the user to manipulate a ball
in a sequence programmed into the electronic controller. For the
purpose of the present invention, the term "ball" includes almost
any object manipulated for sporting purposes. The ball may be a
basketball, a soccer ball, a baseball, a cricket ball, a
volleyball, a football, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball or a hockey
puck.
[0006] The sensor or sensors may be disposed on a floor.
Alternatively, the sensor or sensors may be disposed on a vertical
or near vertical surface, such as a wall, a fence, a tennis net, a
volleyball net, a basketball backboard, boards on a hockey rink, or
another target surface. The sensor or sensors may be a mechanical
contact switch (such as a switch having two conductive elements
that are brought into contact when the ball impacts the switch), a
capacitive sensor, an infrared detector or an acoustic sensor. The
sensor or sensors may be disposed in a mat in contact with the
floor. The sensor or sensors may be placed in the base of a sports
cone and be capable of sensing a ball within a predetermined area
in the vicinity of the cone. The sensor or sensors may communicate
with the controller via wired electrical communication, wireless
signal or light signal. A plurality of sensors may be distributed
across a floor to create a course for the user to navigate while
simultaneously performing actions indicated by the first display.
The sensory coordination system may also be capable of determining
the position of at least one of the user's feet in addition to the
actions of the user. The first display may include an auditory
output capable of emitting an auditory cue and may be capable of
emitting recorded musical signals. In addition, the electronic
controller may be capable of directing the first display to provide
feedback to the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates the relationship of a sensory trigger or
output and an input component for sensing reaction by a user.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a mat input component with four
sensor areas.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a mat input component with
sensors arrayed in a circular pattern.
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a mat input component with no
guides or indicia present on the mat in a default mode.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a sensory trigger configuration with
indicators for movement by a user and a real-time feedback
indication.
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a mat input component
wherein the mat is a hard plastic such as a LEXAN.RTM.
polycarbonate and has sensor components in communication with a
wireless (e.g. radio or infrared) communication means for enabling
communication between the mat input component and the sensory
trigger.
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts a sensory trigger configuration in which
performance results for two players can be displayed side by
side.
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts a sensory trigger configuration in the shape
of a basketball and which may be used in conjunction with a mat
input component that is similarly shaped.
[0015] FIG. 9 depicts a mat input component with basketball court
markings.
[0016] FIG. 10 depicts a mat input component with sensors arrayed
in a circular pattern.
[0017] FIG. 11 shows a front view of a sports cone according to the
present invention with a sensor mounted on the side.
[0018] FIG. 12 shows a bottom perspective view of a sports cone
according to the present invention with the remote communications
system visible.
[0019] FIG. 13 shows a flow chart of an exemplary training system
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The training system may consist of two components: an output
component or sensory trigger which indicates how a user needs to
respond and an input component that uses sensors to indicate a
response to the output. In one system, the output component may be
a scoreboard and the input component may be a mat or other sensory
input device. Different sections of the output component (such as a
scoreboard) can light tip indicating to the user where to dribble
the ball on corresponding sections of the mat. The user can either
stand in the middle of the mat and the sections for dribbling will
surround the user or the user may stand off of the mat and move to
separate sensors. The mat may have one or more rings surrounding a
portion or portions of the mat with which a user may be directed to
interact. A scoreboard and mat useful in this system is shown in
FIG. 1. The training system may have an indoor version for use on
carpeted or wood floors, an outdoor version for use on hard floors
such as pavement or concrete, and an arcade version.
[0021] In one embodiment, eight sensors may be placed within a
square mat. Four sensors are placed equidistant from each other in
a square pattern at a first distance from the center of the mat and
four more sensors may be placed equidistant from each other in a
second square pattern and at a second distance from the center of
the mat. The two square patterns are offset by 45.degree.. The
first distance may be eighteen to thirty six inches and the second
distance may be twenty two to forty inches. In one embodiment, the
first distance is eighteen inches and the second distance is twenty
six inches.
[0022] The sensory input may consist of the following: an input
signal that can be active or passive; a signal that is generated by
the player or of the system or any of the components of the system
including the input component, the output component, the player,
and/or the corresponding athletic equipment used by the player of
the system. The signal may be sensed or measured by, but is not
limited to utilizing, physical (such as mechanical, pressure or
contact switches), acoustical inputs (such as vibrations, sonar, as
shown in), optical (such as laser beams, image recognition), and/or
position related sensors (such as GPS, local GPS, RFID).
[0023] If the input component uses acoustical inputs, a single
acoustic microphone may be used to sense interaction with a sensor
region. The acoustic microphone detects the sound and the resulting
signal is then processed by the system. Each sensor can be fixed or
independently arrayed and each sensor responds to interaction with
the use by emitting a unique sound.
[0024] The input component may use which a single camera or light
receiving device is used to sense interaction with a sensor region.
Each sensor can be fixed or independently arrayed and each sensor
responds to interaction with the use by emitting a unique light
signal. The signal is detected by the light-receiving device and is
then processed by the system.
[0025] In any case, the generated signal is either "on" or "off"
and "on" or "off" are labeled as "correct" or "incorrect", labeling
depends on whether the system is active or passive. A sensor will
be used to measure the "correct" or "incorrect" signal and may
utilize physical actuation (such as a switch mat) or non-physical
actuation (such as lasers). The sensors may be attached as one
piece with multiple sensors, or they may be individual entities. If
individual entities, the sensors may be located anywhere within a
designated area. The design of the mat may change and the mat will
be constructed in such a way as to allow for customized
designs.
[0026] The output component may consist of a computerized program
and/or a physical case or scoreboard and may have a counter which
tallies the "correct" and/or "incorrect" signals received from the
input component. The signals may be received from the input
component using a vision system capable of registering and
recording actions of a user and relaying those actions to a host
component. The vision system may use visible or other (such as IR)
light spectra.
[0027] The output component may generate an output signal to the
user that is visual or auditory. The output signal or the level of
difficulty may be based upon the input signal, the counted "on"
and/or "off" inputs, and/or the time. The output component may
display values or quantities of interest such as score, length of
time, level, and other related values and may contain an adjustable
timer. The output component may utilize a digital/analog/LCD
display that visually shows the number of correct sensors hit
compared to those attempted. The system may contain the ability to
retain high scores and/or send the scoring to database via a
wireless or other connection to the internet.
[0028] The training system may contain and generate auditory
sounds, music, songs, voices, noises based on the input provided by
the user's activity or independent of the user's activity. The
training system may use auditory stimuli including notes, music,
lyrics, voices, songs, sounds or random noises, thereof and may use
stimuli that correspond to correct or incorrect inputs. In one
embodiment, the stimuli may contain commentary from a well known
coach or announcer, or consist of a crowd cheering or booing. The
training system may possess the ability to connect a music playback
apparatus, such as an MP3 player or an iPod.TM. music player (Apple
Computer, Inc.), to the device to play personal music selections or
may contain predetermined music. The training system may contain a
microphone for recording and play back purposes.
[0029] The training system may be fabricated and/or decorated to
look like various athletic equipment. That is, the mat can be
patterned to look like a basketball court or basketball and the
output component scoreboard to look like a basketball court or a
basketball, etc.
Versions of the Training System
[0030] The following lists how the game may be programmed as well
as other versions of the above-described system: [0031] A
preprogrammed version that consists of a set pattern for the
indicator lights on the scoreboard for the different levels, which
the user attempts to repeat on the input portion of the system. As
the user attempts to repeat and match the pattern in real time, the
system will measure the speed and accuracy of the attempt. The
pattern will get increasingly difficult as user progresses through
the levels. [0032] A programmable version that would allow for a
user or their coach or therapist to determine what pattern should
be followed with the ability to focus on specific areas. The
pattern can change for each individual and be unique from the
default version. The patterns can be stored and retrieved for each
unique individual user. [0033] A one-on-one competitive version
where one player creates their own individual unique pattern which
another player must immediately replicate to avoid negative
feedback or losing. [0034] A version where each individual sensor
has a unique note, sound or portion of a song associated with it. A
user can string together notes, sounds or portions of songs by
hitting sensors in succession to create musical patterns. A user
will be able to save the musical patterns created. [0035] Other
versions or additions may focus on training footwork, training the
use of peripheral vision, or training other related hand-eye and/or
foot-eye and/or other skills. Versions will allow for a user to
turn on or off the auditory component and will allow for choice in
auditory styles, for example: basketball sounds like squeaking
shoes, horns or whistles; hip-hop sound and music; rock sounds and
music; country music, etc. [0036] The device can be produced for
use in most sports involving hand-eye and/or foot-eye coordination:
Soccer (shot placement, ball dribbling), Baseball (pitch placement,
hit placement), Hockey (shot placement, foot work), Tennis (hit
placement), Boxing, Volleyball, etc. The input component described
earlier may be placed vertically against a wall or other hard
surface, or may be placed horizontally against the floor or other
hard surface. [0037] A version may consist of an input and/or
output component that may be directly connected to a television or
monitor or through a gaming system such as Playstation (Sony
Corporation), Gamecube (Nintendo), Xavix (SSD Company Limited) or
XBOX (Microsoft) or future related gaming system. [0038] A version
may consist of a device where the input and output component are
combined into one device that may utilize a visual projection
system to both indicate where to dribble and also sense where the
dribbling has occurred (use of lights or lasers that are broken
indicating a "on" or "off" input). [0039] A version may consist of
a device where the input and output component are combined into one
device that is located on the floor.). [0040] A version may utilize
movable sections and/or sensors to increase dribbling distance
and/or change the sensor layout, or it may consist of individual
sensors that are separate from one another as shown. [0041] A
version may have multiple player capabilities either using the same
mat sequentially or using more than one mat at the same time by
connecting them so multiple players may use them. [0042] A version
with a digital video camera or recorder that can be used to capture
play by play action, which can then be replayed at another time on
a TV using a DVD or VHS player. [0043] A version capable of
connection to the internet in which: [0044] players can compete
against one another via a web-based interface; or [0045] players
can be assigned (based, for example, on measured performance
criteria or by cumulative win-loss ratio) or can self-assign to a
skill level to compete against similarly skilled players; or [0046]
scores for single player or multiplayer games can be uploaded; or
[0047] software for new games can be accessed as they become
available; or [0048] software updates can be accessed as they
become available.
EXAMPLES
[0049] A system according to the present invention is composed of a
series of independent remote stations, each of which includes an
infrared sensor, microcontroller, and wireless transmitter,
installed in standard orange sports cones that transmit information
wirelessly to a base station. Each remote station is capable of
detecting a basketball (or any other object, such as a soccer ball)
within a certain area in front of the cone in which it is housed.
FIG. 13 shows a complete flow chart of the entire system.
[0050] As discussed above, the remote station is packaged inside an
orange sports cone. This makes each remote station easily portable
and relatively inconspicuous on a basketball court, as cones are
often used in basketball drills. The range finding sensor is
mounted to the inside surface of the cone, which protects it from
direct impact by the basketball while also making it easy to orient
toward the location of the dribbling target.
[0051] When the basketball is detected in fiont of the sensor, the
microcontroller in the remote station then starts the process of
sending data to the base station.
[0052] The wireless receiver in the base station receives the
wireless signal broadcast by each of the remote station and
triggers the microprocessor in the base station to update the game
conditions.
[0053] To engage users of the system, the front end utilizes a
semi-animated basketball, continually updated simulated LCD
scoreboard, and various sound clips.
[0054] The game is very straightforward--the player simply dribbles
in front of the cone that corresponds to the position where the
basketball is displayed onscreen. The onscreen configuration
naturally maps to the real-world configuration, so dribble
placement is intuitive for players. Each time the player
successfully dribbles in front of the cone they have been prompted
to dribble in front of, they earn points. Points are calculated
based on the time between when the new position of the ball is
shown onscreen and when the player successfully dribbles in front
of the corresponding cone. The less time between a screen update
and a successful dribble, the more points that are awarded.
[0055] Clips of popular songs, such as rock and hip hop songs, and
other songs played at sporting events may be played.
[0056] At a predetermined time, a crowd begins to cheer, and the
familiar crowd-rousing cheer (two foot stomps and 1 hand clap),
begins to play. This further engages users with the intent of
simulating a situation one might experience as a close basketball
game draws to a close.
[0057] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous
modifications can be made to this disclosure without departing from
the spirit on the inventions described herein. Therefore, it is not
intended to limit the breadth of the invention to the embodiments
illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to
be interpreted by the appended claims and their equivalents. Each
publication, patent, patent application, and reference cited herein
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *