U.S. patent application number 16/036841 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-15 for system for training lacrosse mechanics using sensors.
The applicant listed for this patent is SNYPR, INC.. Invention is credited to Douglas S. Appleton, Vidyabhusan Gupta, Hilleary C. Hoskinson, John Huber, Cortland Kim, Yevgeniy Spektor.
Application Number | 20180326277 16/036841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58777795 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180326277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Appleton; Douglas S. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2018 |
SYSTEM FOR TRAINING LACROSSE MECHANICS USING SENSORS
Abstract
An apparatus for training lacrosse technique mechanics includes
a lacrosse head which includes a base portion and a housing
removably coupled to the base portion. The housing includes a
sensor for sensing the motion of the lacrosse head and generating
motion data therefrom. The housing also includes a transceiver for
transmitting the motion data to an end user device via a
network.
Inventors: |
Appleton; Douglas S.; (San
Carlos, CA) ; Kim; Cortland; (San Francisco, CA)
; Hoskinson; Hilleary C.; (Woodside, CA) ; Gupta;
Vidyabhusan; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Spektor; Yevgeniy;
(San Francisco, CA) ; Huber; John; (San Francisco,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SNYPR, INC. |
San Carlos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58777795 |
Appl. No.: |
16/036841 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15352396 |
Nov 15, 2016 |
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16036841 |
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62261757 |
Dec 1, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/803 20130101;
A63B 24/0006 20130101; A63B 2024/0068 20130101; A63B 2220/833
20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2024/0015 20130101; A63B
2102/14 20151001; A63B 59/20 20151001; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B
2225/74 20200801; A63B 69/00 20130101; A63B 2220/17 20130101; A63B
2220/30 20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101;
A63B 24/0062 20130101; A63B 2071/0647 20130101; A63B 24/0059
20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00; A63B 59/20 20150101 A63B059/20; A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 71/06 20060101 A63B071/06 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for training lacrosse technique mechanics, the
apparatus comprising: a lacrosse head including a base portion; and
a housing removably coupled to the base portion, the housing
comprising: a sensor for sensing the motion of the lacrosse head
and generating motion data therefrom, and a transceiver for
transmitting the motion data via a network.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a
memory for storing the motion data.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver includes at
least one wireless interface.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion data is transmitted
to an end user device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion data is transmitted
to a server supported website.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a
controller for processing the motion data.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion data is processed
before being transmitted.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion data is not
processed before being transmitted.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes
a light emitting diode (LED) interface.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lacrosse head further
includes a battery housing.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the battery housing is sized
to slide into a hollow core at the top end of a lacrosse shaft.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion data includes at
least one of: motion of a shot, speed of a shot, motion of various
parts of a crosse associated with the lacrosse head, speed of the
various parts of said crosse, number and types of shots and passes
attempted, number of shots and passes and mechanics thereof,
frequency at which a player associated said crosse changes said
crosse from one hand to the other, number of times said player
touches a ball during a game or practice, number of times said
player cradles a ball, time a ball is released from said crosse
after it is caught, number of left handed catches, number of right
handed catches, number of passes made, number of shots made, and
said player's body core rotation and power.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion data is sufficient
to digitally reproduce in three dimensions each motion attempted by
a player associated with the lacrosse head.
15. A method for training lacrosse technique mechanics, using a
lacrosse head comprising a base portion and a housing removably
coupled to the base portion, the housing comprising a sensor and a
transceiver, the method comprising: detecting motion associated
with the lacrosse head; generating motion data associated with said
detected motion; processing said generated motion data; storing
said processed motion data; and transmitting said processed motion
data over a network.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said processed motion data is
transmitted over a wireless network.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said processed motion data is
transmitted to a user device.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein said processed motion data is
transmitted to a server supported website.
19. An apparatus for training lacrosse technique mechanics, the
apparatus comprising: a lacrosse head including a battery housing
and a base portion; and a housing removably coupled to the base
portion, the housing comprising: a sensor for sensing the motion of
the lacrosse head and generating motion data therefrom, a
controller for processing said generated motion data, a memory for
storing said processed motion data, and a transceiver for
transmitting said processed motion data via a wireless network to a
user device, wherein said generated motion data is sufficient to
digitally reproduce in three dimensions each motion attempted by a
player associated with the lacrosse head for display by an
application at the user device.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the application at the user
device includes at least a motion recognition engine, a data
construction module, a model evaluation module, a motion model
library, and a model comparison and feedback module.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/352,396, filed Nov. 15, 2016, which claims
the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/261,757, filed Dec. 1, 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and for all
purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
system and method for training sports mechanics, and more
specifically to a system and method for training lacrosse mechanics
using sensors in a lacrosse head.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In learning to play the game of lacrosse, a player must
learn to throw and catch, scoop a ground ball, dodge, and shoot the
lacrosse ball accurately and with speed. Much of this depends on
developing proper techniques. Players who have these skills are
highly sought after and are of value to a lacrosse team. Players
practice for hours to develop these skills, often taking part in
group and private lessons to learn how to throw and catch, scoop,
dodge, and shoot accurately and with increased speed during
competitive games. Players may also practice these skills on their
own by throwing the lacrosse ball against a wall or pitch-back
rebounder, as well as practice other stick handling techniques
using various drills. Coaches will provide players with drills to
practice on their own. Players often report their number of
repetitions performed in a particular drill back to a coach, or
verbally share their accomplishments with their teammates and
friends. However, coaches must rely on the player to report
accurately the number of repetitions and drills performed. Also,
such method does not allow accurate comparison of number of
repetitions performed among teammates and friends, nor does it
permit progress to be tracked. Also, a player practicing such
skills on his/her own by throwing a ball against a wall can be
boring, and a player will quickly lose interest.
[0004] There are other skills in lacrosse that also need to be
developed through hours of repetition, depending on the specific
position of a player. Face-off players or specialists must work on
technique and timing to ensure they successfully provide his/her
team with possession of the ball. Defensive players must practice
and refine stick checking technique to maximize ability to dislodge
the ball from an opposing player's crosse, and goaltenders
typically receive multiple shots to varying locations from a coach
or player for warming up and to develop their ability to stop the
ball from entering the goal.
[0005] Additionally, coaches spend a significant amount of time in
such practices working with players to develop the proper mechanics
of an effective lacrosse pass or shot. Traditionally, skill
development for throwing/catching, shooting, facing off, defensive
technique and stick checking, and goaltending typically involves a
combination of verbal instruction, coaching demonstration, live
simulation, and repetition. For example, a coach may tell a player
to keep his/her hands high and away from his/her body while
shooting, to point the butt end of the crosse at the intended
target, to push the top hand and pull on the bottom hand on the
crosse to pass or shoot, or to follow through on the shot. However,
this method is hardly scientific and is highly subjective.
[0006] In order to provide more objective data, in some instances,
coaches (or their assistants) will use a radar gun to measure the
speed of a player's shot, and/or will record the player's mechanics
with a video camera for slow-motion replay. In this manner, the
coach and the player have some objective feedback to rely on in
making corrections to the player's shooting mechanics. However,
this feedback is limited. Currently, if a player is being coached
on how to shoot properly, his/her coach will visually observe the
player while shooting, which could be captured with a video camera,
and give feedback on how to improve. However, such methods do not
allow accurate comparison of one shot (or pass or other sport
motion) to another, much less permit progress to be tracked.
[0007] In the context of other sports, sensors are used on the
bodies of the athletes--the wrist or glove, for example--to track
playing mechanics--such as the trajectory of a golf swing, how fast
a baseball player can swing a bat, or how hard a tennis player can
hit a tennis ball. For example, such systems are described at
www.zepp.com/golf/, www.zepp.com/baseball/, www.zepp.com/tennis,
www.quattriuum.com, www.shottracker.com, www.atlaswearables.com,
and www.blastmotion.com. The metrics recorded by these sensors are
used to coach playing mechanics. However, placement of such sensors
on a glove, on other area of the player's body, gives less than
accurate measurements for some metrics, for example, how fast the
head of a lacrosse stick is moving at the time a shot is attempted,
or the angle of the lacrosse stick.
[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide a system for training
lacrosse throwing, catching, shot, dodging and other lacrosse
motion mechanics that provides more data metrics and feedback with
increased accuracy, as well as a way to accurately share that data
with coaches and other players.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Provided herein are embodiments of a lacrosse head which
includes a base portion and a housing removably coupled to the base
portion. Generally, the housing includes a sensor for sensing the
motion of the lacrosse head and generating motion data therefrom.
The housing also includes a transceiver for transmitting the motion
data to an end user device via a network.
[0010] The invention will also have specific applications for
training lacrosse players in throwing and catching mechanics,
shooting technique, face off technique, defensive stick checking
technique and goaltending technique.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one
of the best mode embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for training lacrosse
technique mechanics according to at least one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary lacrosse head
according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary lacrosse head
according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary lacrosse head according
to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary lacrosse
head according to at least one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another exemplary lacrosse
head according to at least one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplary lacrosse
head according to at least one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of another exemplary lacrosse head
according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of another exemplary
lacrosse head according to at least one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an exemplary system for
training lacrosse technique mechanics according to at least one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an exemplary sensor according
to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an exemplary end user device
according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views of an exemplary server
supported website according to at least one embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 15 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an operation
of the system for training lacrosse technique mechanics according
to at least one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The above-described drawing figures illustrate the described
invention and method of use in at least one of its preferred, best
mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the
following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may
be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described
herein without departing from its spirit and scope. While this
invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms,
there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in
detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiment illustrated. Therefore, it should be understood that
what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example
and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present
apparatus and its method of use. In particular, while the
enablements described herein are discussed with particular emphasis
on lacrosse, those having ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that the invention is similarly applicable to other
sports and sports equipment.
[0027] As used in this application, the terms "exemplary" and
"illustrative" mean "serving as an example, instance, or
illustration." Any implementation described as exemplary or
illustrative is not meant to be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other implementations. Further, there is no
intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented
in the preceding background of the invention, brief summary, or the
following detailed description.
[0028] In the following description and in the figures, like
elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of
"e.g.," "etc," and "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives
without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of "including"
or "includes" means "including, but not limited to," or "includes,
but not limited to," unless otherwise noted.
[0029] As used herein, the term "and/or" placed between a first
entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2)
the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity.
Multiple entities listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so conjoined.
Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities
may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations,
values, and the like.
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views and embodiments, FIGS. 1 to 15 illustrates
embodiments of a system and method for training lacrosse technique
mechanics according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 1000 for training lacrosse
technique mechanics according to embodiments of the present
invention. The system 1000 may generally include a sensor 1200
positioned in a lacrosse head (FIGS. 2 to 9) for sensing the motion
of the associated lacrosse head. The sensor may communicatively
couple to an end user device 1400 and/or a server supported website
1800 which may transmit motion data (and/or motion data analytics)
derived from the motion of the lacrosse head, via a network 1600,
for example, a wireless network or the Internet. To train lacrosse
technique mechanics (e.g., shooting, passing, checking, etc.) a
player's attempts at performing one or more techniques may be
measured and analyzed. These measurements may take the form of the
motion data captured by the sensor 1200, which may be located in
the lacrosse head. The motion data may be stored and/or analyzed
for review, for example, by the player, a coach, or a third party.
In this manner, the progress of a player in mastering one or more
techniques may be monitored, logged and tracked. Moreover, review
of the motion data and/or analysis may give objective data points
that the player may use to improve his/her technique mechanics.
[0032] In some embodiments, the sensor 1200 may be located in a
base portion of a lacrosse head. An exemplary lacrosse head 1220 is
illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, according to some embodiments. The
lacrosse head 1220 may include a ball stop area or base portion
1221. The base portion 1221 may include a hollow core 1240 for
sliding over the top end of a lacrosse shaft 1222. The base portion
1221 may define a cavity 1231 for receiving a fixedly removable
housing 1230. The housing 1230 may house the sensor 1200 (not
shown), and at least a printed circuit board (PCB) with electronics
(not shown) as described herein. The housing 1230 may be removably
affixed to the base portion 1221 according to known methods (e.g.
screwed in) such that the housing 1230 is not easily dislodged
during the action of a lacrosse game or practice. In some
embodiments, the housing 1230 may include physical and/or
electronics interfaces, for example, USB port 1232 and
corresponding USB port plug 1234, light emitting diode (LED)
interfaces (not shown), and so on.
[0033] The base portion 1221 may also include a battery housing
1210 for housing battery 1212. In at least one embodiment, the
battery housing 1210 may be sized to fitly slide into the hollow
core 1223 at the top end of the crosse shaft 1222 and held therein
according to known methods (e.g., screwed in, friction or
adhesive).
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the
lacrosse head 1220 with the housing 1230 and crosse shaft 1222
fully affixed to the lacrosse head, according to some embodiments.
In this illustrated instance, the battery housing 1210 is
positioned inside the base portion 1221 and is not shown.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary top view of the lacrosse
head 1220 with the housing 1230 and the crosse shaft 1222 fully
affixed to the lacrosse head, according to some embodiments. In
this illustrated instance, the housing 1230 is affixed to the
lacrosse head base 1221 using two screws 1233. As described herein,
other methods of affixing the housing 1230 to the lacrosse head
base 1221 may also be used.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary sectional side view of the
lacrosse head 1220 with the housing 1230, the battery housing 1210,
and the crosse shaft 1222 fully affixed to the lacrosse head,
according to some embodiments. The battery housing 1210 may include
battery 1212. In this exemplary embodiment, the battery 1212 is
inserted perpendicular to the lacrosse head 1220's plane. Turning
back briefly to FIG. 2, the battery 1212 is shown inserted in the
battery housing 1210 and is perpendicular to the lacrosse head
1220's plane.
[0037] An exemplary lacrosse head 1250 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to
9, according to some embodiments. The lacrosse head 1250 may
include a ball stop area or base portion 1251. The base portion
1251 may include a hollow core 1265 for sliding over the top end of
a lacrosse shaft 1280. The base portion 1251 may define a cavity
1253 for receiving a fixedly removable housing 1260. The housing
1260 may house the sensor 1200 (not shown), and at least a printed
circuit board (PCB) with electronics (not shown) as described
herein. The housing 1260 is removably affixed to the base portion
1251 according to known methods (e.g. screwed in) such that the
housing 1260 is not easily dislodged during the action of a
lacrosse game or practice. In some embodiments, the housing 1260
may include physical and/or electronics interfaces, for example,
USB port and corresponding USB port plug (not shown), LED
interfaces (not shown), and so on.
[0038] The base portion 1251 may also include a battery housing
1270 for housing battery 1272. In at least one embodiment, the
battery housing 1270 may be sized to fitly slide into the hollow
core 1281 at the top end of the crosse shaft 1280 and held therein
according to known methods (e.g., screwed in, friction or
adhesive).
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the
lacrosse head 1250 with the housing 1260 and crosse shaft 1280
fully affixed to the lacrosse head, according to some embodiments.
In this illustrated instance, the battery housing 1270 is
positioned inside the base portion 1251 and is not shown.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary top view of the lacrosse
head 1250 with the housing 1260 and crosse shaft 1280 fully affixed
to the lacrosse head, according to some embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary sectional side view of the
lacrosse head 1250 with the housing 1260, the battery housing 1270,
and the crosse shaft 1280 fully affixed to the lacrosse head,
according to some embodiments. The battery housing 1270 may include
battery 1272. In this exemplary embodiment, the battery 1272 is
inserted perpendicular to the lacrosse head 1250's plane.
[0042] In some embodiments, the housing 1230 (of lacrosse head
1220) and 1260 (of lacrosse head 1250) preferably include: a sensor
unit 1200 for sensing the motion of the lacrosse head 1220/1250 and
generating motion data therefrom, a memory for storing the motion
data, a transceiver for transmitting the motion data to the end
user device 1400 and/or server supported website 1800 via the
network 1600, and one or more interfaces, each communicatively
coupled to a controller. In some embodiments, the electrical and/or
electronics components of the housing 1230 and 1260 may be powered
by one or more internal batteries that may be rechargeable via an
interface, or alternatively may be replaceable disposables.
[0043] As described herein, the sensor unit 1200 may detect the
motion of the lacrosse head as it is being used by the player
during gameplay or practice, and generate motion data therefrom.
The motion data may then be communicated to the memory and
retrievably stored therein. The transceiver may retrieve the motion
data from the memory (or in some embodiments directly from the
sensor unit 1200) and transmit the motion data to the end user
device 1400. In some embodiments, the motion data may be
communicated to a paired device, an application, a server, or a
website. A controller may execute software instructions stored in
the memory for causing the sensor unit 1200, the memory, and the
transceiver to function as described herein. In some embodiments,
the sensor unit 1200, the memory, the transceiver and the
controller may be communicatively coupled via a printed circuit
board ("PCB") or the like. In some embodiments, the transceiver may
include at least one wireless interface known in the art, for
example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE"), and Wi-Fi.
[0044] In some embodiments, the housing 1230 and 1260 may further
include one or more interfaces by which the user may affect or
otherwise control the system parameters and/or functionalities
described herein, an LED for indicating an operating status of the
system, and a USB or micro-USB port for permitting access to the
data stored in the memory. Each may be communicatively coupled to
the controller via the PCB, the controller controlling each in
accordance with the functionality described herein. It will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the PCB may
comprise a single PCB, or multiple PCB's in tandem.
[0045] Exemplary operations of the system 1000 will now be
described with reference to the figures. As illustrated
schematically for example in FIG. 10 and in an exemplary flowchart
2000 in FIG. 15, the sensor 1200 may detect the motion of the
lacrosse head 1220/1250 as it is being used by the player during
gameplay or practice (Step 2010), generate motion data (Step 2020),
process or analyze the motion data (Step 2030), store the processed
or analyzed motion data (Step 2040) in memory and/or data storage,
and transmit the processed or analyzed motion data (Step 2060) to
the end user device 1400, and/or, in some embodiments, to the
server supported website 1800, via the network 1600. As described
herein, in some exemplary operations, the motion data may be
transmitted without having been processed or analyzed. In some
exemplary operations, the sensor 1200 may retrieve the motion data
from data storage (Step 2050) before transmitting the motion data.
The step of retrieving the motion data may be performed as part of
an operation as shown in the flowchart 2000, or may be performed
independently anytime a user (e.g., the player) wishes to retrieve
the stored motion data. The network may include, for example,
Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE"), Wi-Fi, and the Internet.
Additionally, the sensor 1200 may store the motion data in memory.
The motion data may be transmitted at a later time, or may be
retrievable via a wired connection between the sensor 1200 and the
end user device 1400, via for example, the USB port 1346, a
FireWire port (not shown), and/or the like.
[0046] The motion data may include data indicating at least: the
motion of the shot, the speed of the shot, the motion and/or speed
of the various parts of the crosse, the number and/or types of
shots and/or passes attempted (e.g. overhand, sidearm, etc.), the
number of shots and/or passes and the mechanics thereof, the
frequency at which the player changes the crosse from one hand to
the other, how many times a player "touches" the ball during a game
or practice, the number of times a player cradles the ball after it
is caught and before the next pass or shot is made, how quickly the
ball is released from a crosse after it is caught, how many left
handed or right handed catches, passes and shots were made, and the
player's body core rotation, power and other metrics useful for
analyzing (or processing) player shot mechanics. In particular, the
motion data may be sufficient to digitally reproduce each attempted
shot, pass, catch, dodge, scoop a ground ball or other motion
attempted by the player during the course of a practice or game, in
three dimensions for analysis by the player, coach, or a computer
application. In particular, the motion data may include the number
of repetitions of a given technique performed such that players can
compare repetitions (and other training results) and otherwise
compete with each other, via leaderboards and other sharing and
comparison methods.
[0047] As shown for example in FIG. 10, the sensor 1200 may include
an accelerometer 1202, gyroscope 1204, and/or GPS sensor (not
shown). Exemplary sensors are commercially available and described
at www.zepp.com/golf/, www.zepp.com/baseball/, www.zepp.com/tennis,
www.quattriuum.com, www. shottracker.com, www.atlaswearables.com
and www.blastmotion.com.
[0048] In some embodiments, the sensor 1200 may include a unit that
generate the motion data from the motion of the lacrosse head, and
transmit the motion data to a motion data processing module 1206
for processing the motion data in accordance with the embodiments
described herein. The processed (or partially processed) motion
data may then be retrieved by the transceiver, which is
communicatively coupled to the motion data processing module 1206,
to be transmitted to the end user device 1400 and/or the server
supported website 1800 via the network 1600. In some embodiments,
the motion data may be transmitted without having been processed by
the motion data processing module 1206. In such embodiments, the
system 1000 may omit the motion data processing module 1206, or may
utilize motion data processing at alternative stages of the process
described herein. It should be understood that references to
`motion data` or `processed motion data` refer to each or all of
unprocessed, partially processed, and fully processed motion data,
as appropriate.
[0049] As shown for example in FIG. 11, motion data processing
module 1206 of the sensor 1200 may further include a data filtering
module 1206-a, a data normalization module 1206-b, a data
compression module 1206-c, and a data fusion module 1206-d. The
data filtering module 1206-a may filter the incoming motion data in
accordance with the system functionalities described herein. In
other words, the motion data may be filtered in accordance with the
intended analytics use of the motion data. The data filtering
module may employ one or more digital filters, for example, a null
filter, a low pass filter, a high pass filter, etc. The data
normalization module 1206-b may normalize the filtered motion data
in accordance with the intended analytics use of the motion data.
The data compression module 1206-c may compress the normalized
motion data in accordance with the intended analytics use of the
motion data. The data fusion module 1206-d may combine the filtered
motion data, the normalized motion data and the compressed motion
data to generate a processed motion data for transmission by the
transceiver via the network 1600. It should be noted that one or
more of these modules may be present in varying capacities. In some
embodiments, the sensor 1200 may include a magnetometer.
[0050] Returning to FIG. 10, the end user device 1400 may receive
the motion data and process the motion data to be displayed to the
end user, and/or transmitted to the server supported website 1800.
The end user device 1400 may include a transceiver 1408 for
receiving and transmitting the motion data, motion data processing
module 1402 for processing the motion data, and motion recognition
engine 1404 for further processing the motion data according to
motion recognition functionalities described herein, and display
module 1406 for displaying the processed motion data to the user.
In some embodiments, the aforementioned processing by the motion
data processing module 1402 may be an additional processing of the
motion data, or an original processing of the motion data in
accordance with the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the
structure of the motion data processing module 1402 of the end user
device 1400 may be substantially analogous to that of the sensor
1200.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 12, the motion recognition engine 1404
resided in the user device 1400 may further include a data
construction module 1404-a, a model evaluation module 1404-b, a
motion model library 1404-c, and a model comparison and feedback
module 1404-d. The data construction module 1404-a may process the
incoming motion data into resulting data structures amenable for
motion recognition processing. The model evaluation module 1404-b
may compare the recorded motion data to a set of recorded reference
motions using a set of objective functions. These objective
functions may be constructed to enable rapid comparison of the
motion to the library of possible motions (e.g., via model
comparison and feedback module 1404-d). The objective functions may
involve calculation of the least squared error metric as one
possible algorithm, or other algorithms. The motion model library
1404-c may store the possible recognized reference motions that
have been generated in the system either from calibrated motions or
from generic template. It is expected that the model motions
contained herein are not static but rather can be updated over time
by other processes. The model comparison and feedback module 1404-d
may match the recorded motion to possible recognized motions. It
may further facilitate using the comparison output of the model
evaluation module 1404-b to find the closest match in the library
of recognized motions stored in the motion model library 1404-c.
The model evaluation module 1404-b module may also update the
stored motion model that matches the motion closest to make the
model adaptive to small changes in the recorded motion. This module
may also provide parameters to the data construction module 1404-a
that can optimize further matching operations, for example, to
provide an updated gain value to scale the incoming motion data for
better matching.
[0052] As described herein, in some embodiments, the motion data
may be analyzed in the lacrosse head. In these embodiments, a
motion recognition engine 1404 may reside in the lacrosse head.
[0053] Accordingly, the end user device 1400 may receive the motion
data for display to the end user via display 1402. The end user
device may include a smart mobile device, such as an iPhone.RTM.,
iPad.RTM. or Android.TM. device communicatively coupled to the
network 1600 and the display 1402 may include a touch screen or
other conventional display. The end user device may be that of a
coach, the player, or a third person interested in an analysis of
the player's lacrosse motion mechanics and statistics. The end user
device 1400 preferably includes a wireless transceiver 1408 for
receiving the motion data. In some embodiments, the end user device
1400 may receive the motion data directly from the sensor 1200. In
at least one embodiment, as further discussed herein, the motion
data of a player may be received by the end user device 1400 from
the server supported website 1800 having a memory on which the
motion data of the player is retrievably stored.
[0054] As shown for example in FIG. 10, the server 1820 supporting
the website 1800 may receive the motion data (and/or analyzed
motion data) and process it to be transmitted to the end user
device 1400. The server 1820 may include a network interface 1828,
a processor, a memory, and an input/output interface, all known in
the art, for implementing the functionalities of the server
supported website 1800 described herein.
[0055] In some embodiments, the server supported website 1800 may
include an analogous motion data processing module for additional
processing of the motion data, or an original processing of the
motion data in accordance with the embodiments described herein. In
some embodiments, the server supported website may include an
analogous motion recognition engine for additional processing of
the motion data, or an original processing of the motion data in
accordance with the embodiments described herein.
[0056] In some embodiments, the server supported website may
include a user database 1806-1 for storing user information, device
information, user activity information, user-derived analytic
information; an analytics module 1808 for receiving user-derived
information and aggregating or otherwise organizing such
information, such as for example, into lists (e.g. leaderboards,
inactivity lists, etc.); an algorithm database 1806-2 for storing
algorithms for analyzing the user motion data according to the
features and operations discussed herein; an algorithm modeling
module 1812 for adding, subtracting, or otherwise modifying the
modeling algorithms used to match the user movement with recognized
motions; and a user notification module 1810 for generating user
notifications to be transmitted over the network 1600 to the end
user device 1400, via the network interface 1828.
[0057] Turning now to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the user
database 1806 may further include a user information database
1806-a, a user activity database 1806-b, a user specific analytics
database 1806-c, and a general database 1806-d. The elements of
FIG. 13 further describe how the user data may be stored in the
overall data store according to at least one embodiment. User
information database 1806-a may store the data associated with the
user, e.g. username, age, email, handedness, stick length, etc.
User activity database 1806-b may store the activity data
associated with the user, e.g. motion data. There may be zero, one
or more data items for each user per day depending on the activity
that is recorded by the system for that user. The data stored in
this section may also be of a complex datatype that combines
multiple user events into one data item. User specific analytics
database 1806-c may store data generated by analyzing user event
data. Examples of such data include cumulative activity and
comparative data. The overall database structure 1806-d can be
represented as a single database or as a set of related but
separate databases. For complex situations, a NoSQL database can be
used to hold all of the data described here but the schema is
preferably more complex.
[0058] The analytics module 1808 may further include a server
scripts module 1808-a for processing user-derived analytics to, for
example, aggregate the data from a group or groups of users,
validate the data, and to do other server tasks involving the data
including preparing the data for further analytics; a leaderboard
module 1808-b for generating one or more leaderboards to enable
easy comparison between users. Given the multitude of potential
leaderboards, the analytics module 1808 may track and generate
multiple leaderboards involving some or all of the users; and a
leaderboard analytic script module 1808c for generating actionable
notifications if changes to the leaderboards occur for individual
users. For example, if the user moves up or down on a leaderboard
relative to other users, a notification of the movement may be
generated and transmitted to the user according to the operations
and functions described herein.
[0059] Turning now to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the algorithm
modeling module 1812 may further include a user information module
1812-a for identifying the user associated with the transmitted
and/or stored data. Identification of the user may be generic based
on age, height, handedness, for example, or it may be specific to
the username and device information. The algorithm modeling module
1812 may further include an algorithm retrieval module 1812-b for
retrieving the appropriate models from the motion model library
1404-c, given the user identity and associated specificity. For
example, in the case of generic user information, the model
retrieval may be generic as well, while, if the user information is
more specific, user labeled models may be specifically retrieved.
The algorithm modeling module 1812 may still further include a user
specific algorithm module 1812-c for on-the-fly customization of
the retrieved algorithms to make the retrieved algorithm work
better for the user. For example, a generic model may be adjusted
for the specific user's height and/or stick length.
[0060] Generally, in operation, the motion data may be transmitted
to the end user device 1400 where it is displayed as analyzed
motion data, such as usable metrics (e.g. the number of times a
certain technique is executed, etc.). The motion data may be
transmitted directly to the end user device 1400 and processed by
the end user device 1400 to generate the analyzed motion data.
Additionally, the motion data (or analyzed motion data) may be
transmitted from the end user device 1400 to the server supported
website 1800 to be further processed by the server to generate
further analyzed motion data that is transmitted back to the end
user device 1400. Alternatively, the motion data may be transmitted
directly to the server supported website 1800 to be processed by
the server to generate the analyzed motion data that is then
transmitted to the end user device 1400 for display. The analyzed
motion data may be further processed by the end user device 1400
prior to display. In this manner, the motion data may be processed
or partially processed to generate the displayed analyzed motion at
a plurality of the modules described herein.
[0061] Accordingly, it should be noted that while processing of the
motion data is described herein as occurring at each of the
lacrosse head, end user device, and server platforms, the motion
data may be processed entirely at any of these levels or any
combination thereof without departing from the scope of the
invention. Furthermore, where functionalities and operations
utilizing motion data are described herein, it should be understood
that the same functionalities and operations may be applied--in
some embodiments--partially or wholly to analyzed motion data.
[0062] In some embodiments, the player may be able to share motion
data or analysis of, for example, number of repetitions of
throws/catches during a wall ball session, with coaches and friends
and teammates via a leaderboard displayed on the application,
email, social media, and/or an internet website.
[0063] The server supported website 1800 may receive the motion
data and provide an internet accessible portal through which to
receive and/or view that data. In particular, the website may
operate substantially similar to the computer application as
executed on the end user device 1400. The server supported website
1800 may be accessible by the end-user device running the computer
application. The motion data (and/or analysis) of one or more
players may be downloaded/uploaded between the end user device 1400
and the server supported website 1800. In this manner, the motion
data and/or analysis (e.g. player statistics, three-dimensional
motion representation, etc.) may be shared between players,
coaches, etc. for further training recommendations, competitions,
team tryouts, etc. An example of a website through which athletes
can share workouts and workout statistics with others is
www.strava.com, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
[0064] The motion data and/or the results of its analysis may be
retrievably stored by the computer application and/or server
supported website memory. In some embodiments, a detailed record of
every throw/catch repetition or shot may be retrievably stored
(either locally, or remotely via a remote server communicatively
coupled to the network). In some embodiments, the computer
application may display a time-based summary of the player's motion
data so that the player can track improvement. The computer
application may also be configured to display any other set or
subset of motion data and/or analysis, e.g. repetitions, catches,
passes, shots, etc. In some embodiments the server supported
website may comprise a mobile-accessible website for access by
smart phones and the like.
[0065] As described herein, the server 1800 may be accessed via a
computer application ("app") running on the end user device 1400.
Exemplary functionalities of the app are described herein. It
should be understood that the functionalities of the app may be
executed by either the app or the server, either alone or in
tandem, unless otherwise stated. Accordingly, in some embodiments,
the app functions as an interface to the server, which performs the
functionalities described herein.
[0066] The app may generate a user profile from user information
inputted by the user, a coach, or the app itself. The user profile
is then associated with a lacrosse head such that the motion data
of the lacrosse head is associated with the user profile in
accordance with the embodiments described herein. The user profile
may include such information as: name, age, email address, profile
picture, gender, skill level, stick length, team associations (both
real and virtual), position played, dominant hand, geographic
location, and user avatar selection. The user profile information
may be utilized by one or more of the modules described herein to
generate the analyzed motion data for display to the user,
third-parties (e.g. teammates, other players, spectators, fans,
etc.) and/or coach.
[0067] In some embodiments, the user profile may include a user
selected avatar. As the user progresses within the app and achieves
certain milestones, he/she will "unlock" other avatars, from which
they will be able to choose to represent them. Accordingly, the
avatar may be a visual way of displaying to others their progress
and level of activity within the app.
[0068] As the training techniques or games described herein are
completed by the user, the user profile may be updated to include
the metrics or analyzed motion data associated therewith. These
metrics may measure progress and/or be used in a competitive sense
to promote further training. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a
plurality of users may associate themselves with a virtual `team`
for the purposes of competition according to the analytic `games`
described herein. The virtual team may be in addition to a physical
team of the user. The user's association with real or virtual
teammates may be information stored in the user profile.
[0069] In general, the analyzed motion data for the user will be
accessible to the user and may be displayed on the end user device
1400 via the app. In this manner, the user may track performance,
progress, etc.
[0070] In some embodiments, the analyzed motion data for a given
game in which a plurality of users participate may be reflected in
one or more leaderboards accessible to those users. Leaderboards
may be displayed in activity metrics, such as number of reps,
length of time played, achievement of specific skills, shot speed,
accuracy, number of times a player touches the ball, etc.
Leaderboards may be filtered by time period (daily, weekly,
monthly, all time), age of player, number of left-handed reps and
right-handed reps, geographic region, male or female, or any other
data common to the user profiles. Custom leaderboards may be
created by individual users, third-parties and/or coaches. In some
embodiments, when a player moves up or down on the leaderboard, a
notification may be sent to the player by push-notification, text
and/or email. A notification may also be sent out according to a
predetermined schedule, e.g. daily, weekly, etc.
[0071] In some embodiments, the user may earn virtual trophies or
other prizes based on the user's analyzed motion data. For example,
points and/or prizes may be earned as the user's analyzed motion
data indicates the user has mastered one or more techniques, has
prevailed in a competition or challenge, has been ranked at a
certain level in one or more leaderboards, etc. Such points and/or
other rewards preferably may be redeemed for goods via an online
shopping portal supported by the app. In some embodiments, the user
profile may include a virtual trophy room where viewers of the user
profile may view the various trophies and accomplishments of the
user with respect to the training system.
[0072] In some embodiments, the app may include an activity feed
associated with the user for displaying information relevant to the
user. For example, analyzed motion data of the user (and/or of the
user's teammates) may be posted on the user's activity feed for
viewing by the user, third parties, and/or coach. Activity
displayed on the activity feed may include analyzed motion data for
recent games, drills, etc., trophies or other accomplishments, the
status of challenges, and leaderboard changes.
[0073] In some embodiments, the activity feed may include virtual
social activity. For example, the user may post a `poke-check` or
`high-five` or other social message on the activity board of
another user. In at least one embodiment, in order for the user to
post on an activity board of another user, the first user must be
accepted as a `teammate` of the second user. In this manner, the
activity board reflects a type of training specific social
networking application.
[0074] In some embodiments, challenges may be issued between users.
Challenges are specific events within the app in which a user can
compete against one or many other users/players. Challenges may be
initiated by one or more of: players, the system, coaches, or
third-parties (e.g. equipment sponsors, etc.). For example, some
challenges may include determining which player can execute the
most number of reps of a technique within a set time period or with
the highest accuracy percentage, who has the fastest shot, or who
can perform stick tricks or signature moves most effectively.
Challenge invitations may be sent by push notification, text or
email. They can be either accepted or rejected by players. Winners
of challenges can receive reward points, badges, and/or higher
ranking on leaderboards. Challenges may be according to various
formats, including one-to-one, group-to-group, tournament, etc.
[0075] In association with each of the functionalities described
herein, an optional push notification may be implemented such that
the requisite information, challenge and/or message may be supplied
to the user via the end user device 1400.
[0076] A coach's web portal or app may also be provided to coaches.
Preferably, the coach's portal will include functionality in
addition to that of the player app, while retaining some or all of
the player app functionalities described herein. Preferably, the
coach's app may permit the coach's profile to be associated with
the player profiles of those users on the coach's team. Coaches
preferably have access to each of the profiles of their players, as
well as the analyzed motion data of their players. In some
embodiments, the coach's portal may be accessed via the server
supported website 1800, via a user log-in sequence such as those
known in the art. In this manner, coaches utilizing the coach's
portal may be able to monitor their players' practice activity
and/or training development.
[0077] In some embodiments, the coach's portal may enable
communication to team members via push notification, text or email.
Accordingly, the coach's portal may enable the creation and
distribution of specific drills and/or challenges to team members.
Preferably, the coach's portal may be operable to display reports
based on analyzed motion data of team members for review by the
coach. In at least one embodiment, such reports may be periodic. In
at least one embodiment, such reports may be communicated via
email, text message and/or push-notification. Preferably, the
coach's portal may enable monitoring of the team members of a
plurality of teams associated with the coach. In terms of user
interface, each team may have its own tab, and when a coach selects
the tab, the information for players on that team may be
displayed.
[0078] Exemplary analytics will now be described with reference to
exemplary training techniques, e.g., "games."
[0079] As previously described, the analyzed motion data (e.g.,
motion data analytics) may include data indicating the number of
throws and catches made by a player in a game or wall ball practice
session, the motion/speed of the shot, the motion/speed of the
various parts of the crosse during shooting, face offs, defensive
stick checking or goaltending, the number and types of shots or
passes attempted (e.g. overhand, sidearm, etc.), the number of
shots received and/or saved by a goaltender, the player's body core
rotation, power and other metrics.
[0080] The analyzed motion data may be received by the end user
device 1400 and thereafter displayed to the end user. In at least
one embodiment, the analyzed motion data may be displayed on an
online leaderboard and shared between the end user devices of
coaches and other players and/or third parties. The online
leaderboard may be hosted by the server supported website 1800, and
may be accessible via the end user device 1400 or any other such
user interface. In this manner, players may compare repetitions
(and other training results) and otherwise compete with each other
on a local, regional, national or global scale.
[0081] In at least one embodiment, the end user device 1400 may be
caused to display a virtual reproduction of one or more of the
player's shot or pass attempts in three dimensions for viewing
and/or analysis by the player, coach, or a computer application.
The three-dimensional reproduction may be compared to other
exemplary shots of, for example, professional players, coaches,
computer simulations, and the player. The comparison may occur via
the visual representation of one shot being digitally overlaid onto
the visual representation of another shot. Alternatively, the shots
may be compared via side-by-side juxtaposition. Such exemplary
shots may be stored in a local memory of the end user device 1400,
or in the server memory of the server supported website 1800
(accessible via the end user device). Similar analytics may be
implemented for other techniques, including face-off maneuvers,
defensive stick checking techniques, goaltending techniques, and so
on.
[0082] In some embodiments, the comparison may include a comparison
of selected analyzed motion data. For example, the end user device
1400 may be caused to display the speed of the player's attempted
shot juxtaposed against an average shot speed for that player, or
the average shot speed of a selected professional. As another
example, the end user device 1400 may be caused to display a game
summary report that includes how many shots the player took during
the course of a game, the types of shots taken, the average speed
of the shots, the average trajectory of the crosse, and the range
of such metrics. In this way, the player and/or coach may have a
number of data points from which to improve the player's shot
mechanics and lacrosse skill maneuvers in general.
[0083] In some embodiments, the end user device 1400 may be caused
to display suggestions on how to improve the player's shot and pass
mechanics, as well as other skill maneuvers. For example, the end
user device 1400 may be caused to display a comparison between the
player's shot or pass to that of a professional and determine that
the player may benefit from repositioning his/her hands on the
crosse. This comparison may include a visual, numerical, or other
data comparison or juxtaposition, or any combination thereof.
[0084] In this manner, the embodiments described herein may permit
a player to analyze and improve his or her lacrosse motion
mechanics, as well as record other data metrics during practice and
game play, as well as socially connect, play and compete against
other players virtually.
[0085] In some embodiments, the present system 1000 may turn
athletic practice into creative, competitive and connected virtual
games. The system 1000 may leverage the convergence of trends and
technologies to make sports practices more compelling. These trends
and technologies may include, for example: (1) the deep penetration
of smartphone devices; (2) the widespread use of social
applications; and (3) the explosive emergence in wearables. The
system 1000 may make sports practice a measurable and competitive
game by socially connecting an athlete's results to teammates and
peers. The system 1000 may also enable an athlete to mimic the form
and moves of elite and professional players, ultimately creating a
library and marketplace of wearable-enabled virtual signature
moves.
[0086] In some embodiments, the player's user device 1400 may
include a sensor. The sensor may include at least an accelerometer
and a gyroscope. In these embodiments, the system 1000 may use the
sensor in the player device 1400 to track the motion of the player.
The player device 1400 may include a smart phone, which, for
example, may be attached to the arm of the player using, for
example, a compression sleeve or other device. The player device
1400 may also include wearables such as a smart watch worn on at
least one wrist of the player. The motion data may be cached on the
player device 1400, and synchronized with data at the server, for
example, server 1820 described herein.
[0087] In some embodiments, at least one sensor 1200 may be
positioned in at least one wrist of a player. For example, the
sensor 1200 may be positioned in a wrist band.
[0088] As described herein, whether the motion data are recorded
using sensor in a phone, on a wrist, or in a lacrosse head, the
algorithms described herein in the app and in the server may record
the motion data, and synchronize them to a leaderboard.
[0089] The enablements described in detail above are considered
novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to
the operation of at least one aspect of the invention and to the
achievement of the above-described objectives. The embodiments
described above include one or more sensors in a lacrosse head.
However, the invention may also be applicable to sensors located in
other parts of the lacrosse stick. The invention may also be
applicable to other sports equipment. The words used in this
specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be
understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined
meanings, but to include by special definition in this
specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the
commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in
the context of this specification as including more than one
meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all
possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or
words describing the element.
[0090] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described
herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements
which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
material or acts for performing substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements described and its various embodiments or that a single
element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
[0091] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a
person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,
are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope
intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the
art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what
incorporates the essential ideas.
[0092] Furthermore, the functionalities described herein may be
implemented via hardware, software, firmware or any combination
thereof, unless expressly indicated otherwise. If implemented in
software, the functionalities may be stored as one or more
instructions on a computer readable medium, including any available
media accessible by a computer that can be used to store desired
program code in the form of instructions, data structures or the
like. Thus, certain aspects may comprise a computer program product
for performing the operations presented herein, such computer
program product comprising a computer readable medium having
instructions stored thereon, the instructions being executable by
one or more processors to perform the operations described herein.
It will be appreciated that software or instructions may also be
transmitted over a transmission medium as is known in the art.
Further, modules and/or other appropriate means for performing the
operations described herein may be utilized in implementing the
functionalities described herein.
[0093] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that the named inventors believe that the claimed subject matter is
what is intended to be patented.
* * * * *
References