U.S. patent application number 12/623177 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for video-based system for tennis training.
Invention is credited to Gordon A. Uehling, III.
Application Number | 20110124445 12/623177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44062502 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110124445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uehling, III; Gordon A. |
May 26, 2011 |
VIDEO-BASED SYSTEM FOR TENNIS TRAINING
Abstract
The inventive system comprises a first plurality of cameras
disposed around a first point in a practice area to generate a
plurality of first images of an individual positioned at the first
point in the course of the execution of a swing by the individual.
A second plurality of cameras is disposed around a second point in
a practice area, the second point being displaced from the first
point. The second plurality of cameras is symmetrically positioned
with respect to the first plurality of cameras about an axis
defined by the position of a first theoretical line positioned
between the first and second plurality of cameras, and transverse
to a second theoretical line extending between the first and second
plurality of cameras. The second plurality of cameras generating a
plurality of second images of an individual positioned at the
second point in the course of the execution of a swing by the
individual. The inventive mat is placed in the practice area at a
position below that damaged by the cameras, in order to guide the
movements of an individual practicing tennis swings.
Inventors: |
Uehling, III; Gordon A.;
(Cresskill, NJ) |
Family ID: |
44062502 |
Appl. No.: |
12/623177 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/806 20130101;
A63B 24/0003 20130101; A63B 69/38 20130101; A63B 2024/0012
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/461 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/38 20060101
A63B069/38 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for training an individual to play tennis, comprising:
(a) a first plurality of cameras disposed around a first point in a
practice area to generate a plurality of first images of an
individual positioned at said first point in the course of the
execution of a swing by said individual; and (b) a second plurality
of cameras disposed around a second point in a practice area, said
second point being displaced from said first point, said second
plurality of cameras being symmetrically positioned with respect to
said first plurality of cameras about an axis defined by the
position of a first theoretical line positioned between said first
and second plurality of cameras, and transverse to a second
theoretical line extending between said first and second plurality
of cameras, said second plurality of cameras generating a plurality
of second images of an individual positioned at said second point
in the course of the execution of a swing by said individual.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the practice area is a tennis
court.
3. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising indicia for
indicating the position where a person being trained is to
stand.
4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said swing is associated with a
range of likely trajectories for a ball being swung at and hit,
said cameras in said first and second plurality of cameras being
positioned outside the space defined by said likely
trajectories.
5. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said practice area comprises a
surface marked with lines defining a tennis court and a net
dividing the court into two areas, said first plurality of cameras
being disposed on one side of said net and said second plurality of
cameras being disposed on the other side of said net.
6. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said practice area comprises a
surface marked with lines defining a tennis court and a net, said
tennis court having a real or imaginary line dividing the court
into two areas, said line extending between the two areas and
oriented to transverse the net, said first plurality of cameras
being disposed on one side of said line and said second plurality
of cameras being disposed on the other side of said line, said
first plurality of cameras being disposed on the same side of said
net as said second plurality of cameras.
7. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said first plurality of cameras
comprises a camera positioned above said first point and said
second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above
said second point and wherein said first plurality of cameras
comprises a camera positioned to the side of said first point and
said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to
the side of said second point.
8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said first plurality of cameras
comprises a camera positioned above said first point and said
second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above
said second point and wherein said first plurality of cameras
comprises a camera positioned on two sides of said first point and
said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned on
two sides of said second point.
9. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cameras comprise video
cameras.
10. Apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising still cameras.
11. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cameras comprise still
cameras.
12. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said practice area comprises a
court surface and said points are defined by demarcations of foot
positions disposed over said court surface.
13. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a video recorder
for recording the output of one or more of said cameras and,
simultaneously or after a period of time, playing back said
recorded video.
14. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said practice area comprises
a surface marked with lines defining a tennis court and a net, said
tennis court having a real or imaginary line dividing the court
into two areas, said line extending between the two areas and
oriented to transverse the net, said first plurality of cameras
being disposed on one side of said line and said second plurality
of cameras being disposed on the other side of said line, said
first plurality of cameras being disposed on the same side of said
net as said second plurality of cameras.
15. Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said first plurality of
cameras comprises a camera positioned above said first point and
said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned
above said second point and wherein said first plurality of cameras
comprises a camera positioned to the side of said first point and
said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to
the side of said second point.
16. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said markings are provided by
an electronic display.
17. A method using the apparatus of claim 16, wherein a user stands
apart from the display and follows the movement of the display with
his feet.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. ______ filed substantially concurrently with this application
and directed to Video-Based Training System Incorporating Mats, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to apparatus and methods for training
athletes in the sport of tennis.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Tennis, as compared to other sports, presents players with a
unique set of physical, temporal and mental challenges. More
particularly, in tennis, the ball is in play between opposing
players who are located at relatively close distances. This
challenge is compounded by the speed with which a tennis ball is
put into play and the range of movements available to the opposing
player including direction, speed, spin and so forth. At the same
time, compared to, for example, paddle tennis, the physical
requirements of the sport, both in terms of strength and endurance,
are substantial. All of these factors plus the rapid pace of the
game underline the need for good form, which tends to conserve
energy and maximize the impact of a swing, by making statistically
likely to be successful movements reflexive responses which are
moderated or varied in the execution to accommodate the particular
objectives associated with a particular shot.
[0005] Accordingly, over the years, there has been a great emphasis
on teaching proper form. Likewise, the sport has undergone
considerable evolution with the introduction of new techniques,
such as the two-handed backhand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Effective tennis training, unlike training in baseball,
golf, badminton and other sports using a device (such as a bat,
club or racket) to hit the ball or other object in play, requires a
training regimen which is highly rigorous. While existing training
systems such as those disclosed by Fishman et al. (US Patent
Application Publication No. US 2002/0064764 Al) which describes
multimedia analysis systems utilizing at least one video camera for
acquiring video data of a player performance and storage of the
same followed by the storage of another performance to implement
synchronization and superimposition of two sets of video data, the
acquisition of data is taken from a selection of points which are
not key to particular types of swings, types of players
(right-handed and left-handed) and so forth. Likewise, such systems
are employed in training tennis, such as the Dartfish system and
software, which are used with substantially random and variable
camera positions.
[0007] While prior art systems do provide the opportunity for
observing a particular swing and comparing it to other swings, the
present invention remedies the failure of the prior art to provide
a multiple camera arrangement which can be reliably used in
segmented fashion to deal with different swings, and right and
left-handed players in a reproducible and effective fashion, while
minimizing the amount of equipment and complexity of the method
involved.
[0008] The present invention recognizes that while a single camera
or set of cameras can be moved to a position where it can be used
to make a video recording of player motion in the execution of any
tennis swing, such an arrangement cannot, from a practical
standpoint, be employed to accurately and reliably determine
differences in a variety of player swings. While such prior art
systems can be used to achieve desired degrees of detail, field of
view and so forth, such a system cannot function to memorialize and
document player performance under a wide variety of swings and
conditions.
[0009] The inventive system, in contrast, will accommodate a wide
range of player motions and swings for a wide variety of players
and allow an exceptionally efficient and effective matching and
comparison algorithm to be employed with efficiency and speed, as
compared to conventional systems.
[0010] While the system of the present invention may involve the
use of fixed cameras, and thus the versatility of such a system may
be argued to be compromised, at least in principle, fixed cameras
facilitate the achievement of performance benchmarks not reachable
with conventional systems.
[0011] The inventive system comprises a first plurality of cameras
disposed around a first point in a practice area to generate a
plurality of first images of an individual positioned at the first
point in the course of the execution of a swing by the individual.
A second plurality of cameras is disposed around a second point in
a practice area, the second point being displaced from the first
point. The second plurality of cameras being symmetrically
positioned with respect to the first plurality of cameras about an
axis defined by the position of a first theoretical line positioned
between the first and second plurality of cameras, and transverse
to a second theoretical line extending between the first and second
plurality of cameras. The second plurality of cameras generating a
plurality of second images of an individual positioned at the
second point in the course of the execution of a swing by the
individual. The inventive mat is placed in the practice area at a
position below that damaged by the cameras, in order to guide the
movements of an individual practicing tennis swings.
[0012] The practice area may be a tennis court. The system may
further comprise indicia for indicating the position where a person
being trained is to stand. It is contemplated that the swing is
associated with a range of likely trajectories for a ball being
swung at and hit, the cameras in the first and second plurality of
cameras being positioned outside the space defined by the likely
trajectories.
[0013] The practice area may comprise a surface marked with lines
defining a tennis court and a net dividing the court into two
areas. The first plurality of cameras is disposed on one side of
the net and the second plurality of cameras being disposed on the
other side of the net.
[0014] The practice area may comprise a surface marked with lines
defining a tennis court and a net. The tennis court having a real
or imaginary line dividing the court into two areas. The line
extending between the two areas and oriented to transverse the net.
The first plurality of cameras is disposed on one side of the line.
The second plurality of cameras is disposed on the other side of
the line. The first plurality of cameras is disposed on the same
side of the net as the second plurality of cameras.
[0015] The first plurality of cameras may comprise a camera
positioned above the first point. The second plurality of cameras
may comprise a camera positioned above the second point and wherein
the first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to the
side of the first point. The second plurality of cameras may
comprise a camera positioned to the side of the second point.
[0016] The first plurality of cameras may comprise a camera
positioned above the first point. The plurality of cameras may
comprise a camera positioned above a second point. The first
plurality of cameras may comprise a camera positioned on two sides
of the first point. The second plurality of cameras may comprise a
camera positioned on two sides of the second point.
[0017] The cameras may comprise video cameras or still cameras.
[0018] The practice area may comprise a court surface and the
points may be defined by demarcations of foot positions disposed
over the court surface.
[0019] The inventive apparatus may further comprise a video
recorder for recording the output of one or more of the cameras
and, simultaneously or after a period of time, playing back the
recorded video and/or still video images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The operation of the invention will become apparent from the
following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a flow chart generally illustrating a general
implementation of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Turning to FIG. 1, the inventive video monitored court 10
comprises a first array 12 of cameras. Array 12 comprises cameras
14, 16, 18 and 20. The inventive video monitored court 10 also
comprises a second array 22 of cameras. Array 22 comprises cameras
24, 26, 28 and 30. Cameras 14-20 and 24-30 may be of any standard
quality, for example, a common no-frills video camcorder of the
type conventionally sold to consumers at retail electronics outlets
and typically ranging in cost from about $200-$500. However, a
higher quality video camera with high resolution is preferred,
mostly from an aesthetic standpoint, although high resolution will
also achieve a finer comparison in evaluation of player movement.
Such a comparison and evaluation of player movement is of
particular value in a number of cases, for example, in the case of
relatively advanced players. Such a higher level of performance is
also of particular value where a player's performance at a
particular point in time is being compared to earlier performance
by the same player.
[0024] In accordance with the invention, array 12 is provided with
a monitor 32. In similar fashion, array 22 is provided with a
monitor 34. In accordance with the invention, it is further
contemplated that player evaluation will be conducted while the
player is on the court and that the player will be informed
respecting the nature of his movement and then be allowed to,
perhaps repeatedly, view that movement, sometimes overlaid with
that of a standard performance done by a highly skilled player, or,
at other times, overlaid with an earlier performance of the same
player to evaluate changes in player movement. In accordance with
the invention, it is contemplated that such changes in a player's
style may be of a positive or negative nature, or may point the
direction for future development.
[0025] Optionally, there may only be one monitor for the whole
court placed in the corner or in the middle of the court on the
side wall.
[0026] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that
the system may incorporate more than one monitor. In this case, it
may be advantageous for both monitors to be showing the same images
of the individual who is being trained. In accordance with the
invention, it is further contemplated that while, in principle,
more than one or two images may be displayed on the screen, given
the limitations and the size of the screen, sending two images to
the screen at one time offers good imaging of the person
practicing. Likewise, if desired, a single image may be used from
any one of the eight cameras in the system. The provision of images
to a monitor is largely a function of obtaining a relatively
comprehensive picture of good quality subject to user preferences.
Likewise, as larger screens become economically available, more
than two images may be displayed simultaneously with high quality.
Finally, a single monitor may be used. Unlike the cameras, it is
contemplated that the monitor or monitors may be moved to
accommodate easy viewing during the employment of the invention in
a teaching exercise. For example, a monitor may be positioned where
the student is naturally facing while performing a training
exercise.
[0027] While a wide range of monitor sizes may usefully be
employed, in accordance with the present invention, it is
contemplated that relatively large monitors are to be employed.
Monitors 32 and 34 may, for example, have a standard diagonal
measurement of 42 inches (or smaller but preferably larger) and are
sufficiently large for a player to easily enough view movements and
receive instruction while he is using the inventive video monitored
court 10.
[0028] Similarly, a wide range of monitor technologies may be
employed. More particularly, monitors 32 and 34 may use, for
example, plasma technology. Generally, currently plasma technology
is believed by the inventor to be of superior value in the
implementation of the invention, because of the very large screen
sizes that can be achieved by plasma technology. However, given
that liquid crystal technology can produce screens in the 46 inch
(115 centimeters) range, it is expected that the brighter output or
other advantages of liquid crystal screens (and perhaps other
technologies) will make them increasingly effective, as the
technology is implemented in larger size and brighter displays.
[0029] It is also preferred that monitors 32 and 34 be protected
from mechanical impacts, for example, tennis balls which stray to
the sides of court 10. Video monitors 32 and 34 may be housed in a
protective cage made of clear transparent plastic, heavy gauge wire
or metal rod stock. Alternatively, a shield of clear transparent
plastic, for example plastic having a thickness of a 1.25 cm, may
be used to protect the monitors.
[0030] Bright displays are of value because tennis is often played
under bright lighting conditions, including direct sunlight.
However, in accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that
the inventive video monitored court 10 most often would be deployed
in an indoor configuration. However, the invention is equally
applicable to deployment outdoors.
[0031] The configuration of the inventive system for two trainee
positions 36 and 38 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The inventive
arrangement of cameras is deployed on a tennis court of
conventional dimension.
[0032] Camera 14 is positioned at a distance 44 of about, for
example, 18 feet in front of net 46 and a distance 48 of, for
example, 6-12 feet to the left of length 50 (the "doubles line"),
of the court. Camera 14 is positioned at a height of roughly, for
example, about 78 inches above the surface of the court (although a
wide range of heights will work adequately) and aims, for example,
at the net at an area adjacent and on the same side of the net as a
person being trained, at a point approximately 34 inches above the
surface of the court, roughly corresponding to a point
approximately at the waist of the person using the inventive court
10. Such a person working at the net may be working on his
transition game or his volleys and overheads.
[0033] Camera 16 may be positioned at a distance 52 of one foot in
front of the baseline or width 54 of the court and a distance 56 of
about six to twelve feet, for example, to the left of length 50 of
the court. Camera 16 is positioned at a height of roughly about 78
inches above the surface of the court and aims generally at player
position 36 at a point approximately three feet above the surface
of the court, roughly corresponding to a point approximately at the
waist of the person using the inventive court 10. In accordance
with the invention, it is contemplated that the player will be
centered in the center of the monitor. More particularly, it is
contemplated that the monitor will display the player centered on
the screen with an area above and below the player. The area above
the player visible on the monitor will be about four or five feet
above the player, being generally determined by the height needed
to fully show the motion of the server and his racquet, as well as
the path of the ball. The area below the player on the screen may
be relatively small but large enough to ensure that during the
entire movement the feet of the player are seen on the screen.
[0034] Camera 18 is positioned at a distance 58 of, for example,
roughly 15 to 25 feet in front of baseline 42 at a distance 60 of,
for example, roughly ten to fourteen feet to the right of length 50
of the court. Camera 18 is positioned at a height of, for example,
eight to twelve feet above the surface of the court and aims
directly at player position 36, centered, for example, at a height,
for example, roughly about three feet above the surface of the
court where the player is standing, roughly corresponding to a
point approximately at the waist of the person using the inventive
court 10. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that
the cameras will use wide angle lenses, although narrower lenses,
for example lenses having a field of view of approximately
40.degree. or 80.degree., for example may be used. This means that
the viewing area associated with, for example, camera 28 would vary
from approximately twice the angular width 59 of the student to the
full angular width 61 of the court baseline. Likewise, camera 26 is
selected to have a field of view which encompasses expected ranges
of position for the player during the particular exercise.
[0035] Camera 20 is positioned at a distance 62 of roughly about 35
to 37 feet in front of net 46 and a distance 64 of roughly about 10
to 14 feet to the right of length 50 of the court. Camera 20 is
positioned at a height of roughly about 20 to 30 feet above the
surface of the court, as may be permitted by the height of the
ceiling of the facility, and aims directly down at player position
36. Alternatively, it may be aimed directly across to the opposing
side and the position 38 occupied by a student on the other side of
the net and have an angular width 63. In accordance with the
invention, it is contemplated that the mat will be put in the
illustrated position in the case of instruction of younger players.
In the case of more advanced players, it is expected that the mat
will be put outside the baseline of the court, typically in a
position where a player is located when hitting groundstrokes
during a game. Moreover, the mat is less relevant, if at all, to
use during the training of high performance high level players.
[0036] Optionally, the inventive video-monitor court 10 may be
provided with an area demarcation 66 which may be tape, paint or
other indicator applied to the surface of the court. Another option
is for area demarcation 66 to take the form of a mat with a
plurality of foot position indicators which are used to guide the
student being trained in the execution of particular shots. Such
mats are described in the above-referenced co-pending related
applications, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0037] However, there is no need to have a student limited to
practicing at a single position since a wide angle lens will be
able to capture a large area and record the same. In this regard
overlays of images may be varied, in position to correct for
positional variation, for example, when comparing two
performances.
[0038] Cameras 24, 26, 28 and 30 are associated with the area
demarcation 68, which may be a simple rectangle or a mat or
footprint demarcations printed or adhered to the surface of the
court, as may be the case with respect to area demarcation 66. If a
mat is not being used the student can simply locate himself looking
in the monitors, however it is preferred thatt a marking be
included in the inventive court in order to have uniformity in the
display of players by using the same player position and same
camera position. Area demarcation 68 provides an optimized viewing
position for certain swings with respect to which training may not
be appropriate with the player position over area demarcation 66.
Accordingly, as we discussed in detail below, area demarcation 66
and 68 are particularly valuable in connection with training of
certain shots which training depends upon whether the student being
trained is right-hand dominant or left-hand dominant. The result is
a highly efficient and effective training method.
[0039] Camera 24 may have an angular field of view 67, while camera
26 may have an angular field of view 69.
[0040] It is also noted that an arrangement of the inventive system
with both positions on the same side of the net as illustrated in
FIG. 2, where like numerals designate analogous elements may be
used.
[0041] Returning to FIG. 1, the positions of cameras 24, 26, 28 and
30 are disposed in a mirror image with respect to cameras 14, 16,
18 and 20, respectively, and are symmetrical about net 46. Cameras
24-30 are positioned at the same height as cameras 14-20
respectively and are also aimed a little above the waist of the
player. For example, camera 24 is positioned at a distance about,
for example, 18 feet in front of net 46 and a distance of about,
for example, 6 to 12 feet to the right of the doubles line of the
court. Camera 24 is positioned at a height of 78 inches above the
surface of the court and aims perpendicular to the doubles line to,
for example, photograph a player standing in front of it and in its
field of view at a point approximately three feet above the surface
of the court, roughly corresponding to a point approximately at the
waist of the person using the inventive court 10. In accordance
with the invention, it is also contemplated that camera 30 may be
used to video a player in position 38, as a variation of the
embodiment disclosed above, if that is desired by the individual
using the system.
[0042] During use, the student is positioned, for example for the
case of a young student, in position 36 or 38, as is appropriate.
More advanced players may be positioned further from the net. The
student may throw a ball up in the air or bounce a ball to allow
the student to practice a shot during the videoing of the student's
movement. Alternately, a ball pitching machine may be used. After
the student has practiced swinging a tennis racket, an instant
replay may occur on the monitor that is closest to the student in
order for her to see her performance and receive guidance from the
instructor.
[0043] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
a tennis player, for example a professional tennis player whose
form is to be emulated, performs swings and is videoed in the
inventive court 10. Such videos would be generated for a plurality
of different swings.
[0044] After a student being trained performs a particular swing,
the video of the professional player doing the same swing is
played, optionally superimposed over and synchronized to the swing
of the student. This enables the student to see differences and
perhaps better understand how to improve performance.
[0045] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that
particular advantage can be achieved by the generation of mirror
images of the performance of the swing by the professional player.
For example if a student being trained is left-hand dominant and
the professional player is right-hand dominant, a mirror image
video of the professional player may be superimposed on the video
of the student's swing.
[0046] Optionally, after the student being trained performs a
particular swing, a videotape of that student's own swing can be
played and superimposed to show changes in the style of the
student, perhaps good changes or perhaps changes which represent a
deterioration in performance.
[0047] In accordance with the invention, it is also contemplated
that a trainer may choose to show the video to the student prior to
the student's execution of a particular swing in order to provide
some general guidance to the student. In such event, the use of
mirror images of players of opposite hand dominance may be used,
and the proper orientation of the same provides a lower mental
overhead and thus ease of use as compared to merely looking at a
video of a professional player to be emulated.
[0048] In all of the above examples, the uniformity provided by
having a fixed position of play and fixed cameras, which are fixed
during the time that the student is using the inventive court 10
and are in the same positions when the professional player to be
emulated is generating the training videos used in the system,
provides significant advantages. Likewise, the student at an
earlier point in time would have assumed the same position
facilitating assessment of his swing at a later point in time.
Uniformity in student and player position can be achieved by
placing a player position marking on the court.
[0049] Likewise, because the system may be used by both right hand
dominant and left-hand dominant players, the provision of
symmetrical camera arrangements allows the transposition of
left-handed training to right-handed students and vice versa.
[0050] Moreover, enhanced accuracy in the inventive system may be
achieved through the use of mats which include demarcations, for
example printed demarcations, indicating positions for the feet
showing various portions of particular tennis swings.
[0051] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that
certain swings would be performed in different positions depending
upon the particular swing being practiced and whether the
individual is right-hand or left-hand dominant.
[0052] For example, player position 36 would be appropriate for
filming of both students being trained and professionals to be
emulated when performing a backhand, a backhand volley, backhand
overhead, and a backhand approach shot, provided that the players
are right-hand dominant.
[0053] Conversely, player position 38, for right-hand dominant
students being trained and right-hand dominant professionals to be
emulated, is appropriate for training an overhead swing, a forehand
volley, a forehand approach shot, a serve, and a forehand. During
filming and training, they should be positioned, for example, over
demarcation area 68 or other positions as appropriate for the swing
being practiced.
[0054] For left-hand dominant players, who should be positioned,
for example, over a demarcation area 66, player position 36 is
appropriate for filming of both students being trained and
professionals to be emulated when performing a forehand, a serve,
an overhead, a forehand approach swing and a forehand volley.
[0055] Conversely, left-hand dominant players may be trained at
player position 38 for a backhand swing, a backhand overhead, a
backhand approach swing, and a backhand volley.
[0056] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that
the positions of the cameras may be controlled electronically, for
example, in response to a remote control or other console.
Alternatively, software may be used to control camera orientation
to automatically determine proper viewing angle and zoom setting
(i.e. focal length).
[0057] It is also noted that the control of the cameras may be
varied between an adult and a junior orientation, or perhaps an
adult, junior and young junior orientations.
[0058] The possibility also exists to use artificial intelligence
software to convert existing images to images standardized to the
system, thus allowing comparison with players who have not
performed at the standardized inventive court.
[0059] Similarly, artificial intelligence software may be provided
to adjust the position, orientation and zoom setting of the cameras
to emulate the position, orientation and focal length of a camera
with which existing footage was taken. In connection with this, the
positions of the cameras including their position, orientation and
focal length may be computer-controlled using a robotic arm, track
system or other mechanical artifice.
[0060] In accordance with the invention it is also contemplated
that the position of the cameras may be varied by computer during
the practicing of different swings, with the objective of
optimizing the display of the position of the person being videoed,
but at the same time keeping the position of the cameras during the
reference video, whether it be that of a professional to be
emulated, or the person being trained at another time. Such camera
positions may be stored in memory to allow maximum flexibility in
the system and the ready use of prerecorded swings.
[0061] The use of the inventive video monitored tennis training
court 10 may be better understood with reference to its use by a
right-handed player practicing a backhand swing.
[0062] It is also contemplated in accordance with the invention
that the video monitors may be employed in a so-called "split
screen" mode, with simultaneous display of different views of the
individual being trained. For example, one camera may be directed
at the feet of the individual while another camera may be directed
at the torso of the individual.
[0063] It is also contemplated that mats having foot positions
indicated may be used, and also that the mat may be replaced with a
video screen with a moving or static image of a marking or
indicator indicating the position of the feet of the user during
the execution of a particular swing. In accordance with this
embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the individual
receiving instruction would move his feet, keeping each of his feet
over the indication for that particular foot for the duration of
the swing. At the same time the video monitor can display to the
individual being trained the accuracy with which he is following
the moving indication of his foot position as his foot, in order to
keep his feet along the course in which each of his feet should be
moving during the execution of the particular swing. It is also
contemplated that the moving positions of the markings may be
displayed during an initial period in which the student observes
and studies that movement, perhaps without moving his feet.
Alternatively, the student may stand at a position beside the video
display of the markings and move along with the display without
putting his feet over the markings, optionally while a video
recording is being made.
[0064] While various modifications will be obvious to those of
ordinary skill in the art, it is contemplated that such
modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention
which is defined and limited only by the appended claims.
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