BALL SPORTS TRAINING SYSTEM

Abstract

A ball sports training system has a processor(s) and a memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor(s), causes the one or more processors to: cause a ball passing system to move between a first position and a second position different from the first position; (b) determine when the ball passing system is in the second position; and (c) responsive to the determining, cause the ball collection station to release the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls is moved on a delivery travel path. The second position is selected to position the second receiving portion in the delivery travel path of the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the second receiving portion is configured to receive the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls.

Description

FIELD

This invention is related to sports training equipment Specifically, but not intended to limit the invention, embodiments of the invention are related to basketball training systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

A number of ball sports training devices exist. However, new and innovative features are desired.

SUMMARY

An exemplary ball sports training system has a ball collection station having a first receiving portion shaped to receive a first plurality of sports balls and a delivery portion. The system has a ball passing system having a second receiving portion shaped to receive at least one of the first plurality of sports balls from the ball collection station and a passing portion shaped and configured to selectively pass the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls. The system has one or more processors, one or more sensors, a user interface, and a memory. The memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: (a) cause the ball passing system is to move between a first position and a second position different from the first position; (b) determine when the ball passing system is in the second position; and (c) responsive to the determining, cause the ball collection station to release the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls is moved on a delivery travel path. The second position is selected to position the second receiving portion in the delivery travel path of the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the second receiving portion is configured to receive the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an exemplary ball sports training system;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the system;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the system;

FIG. 4 is a first side view of the system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system with some aspects in transparent lines;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the system with some aspects in transparent lines;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an exemplary system; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, shown is a ball sports training device 100. The training device may have a ball collection station 102 and a ball passing system 104.

The ball collection station 102 may have a first receiving portion 106 shaped to receive a first plurality of sports balls 108 and a delivery portion 110. In some embodiments, the ball collection station 102 is configured to electro-mechanically release one or more balls in response to a mechanical operation on the ball collection station 102 by a user. In some embodiments, a lever 130 may be moved manually to release one or more balls in the ball collection station 102. In some embodiments, the lever 130 may be electro-mechanically operated, such as a solenoid operation in response to a processor as described in other paragraphs herein. In some embodiments, a UHF-based long-distance RFID communication means may be provided to enable instructions to the lever 130. In some embodiments, an optical sensor may be provided to enable instructions to the lever 130.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the ball collection station 102 may have a base system 134 and a netting system 136. The base system 134 may have at least one roller 138, whereby the base system134 is transportable. For example, the base system 134 may be movable between a storage location and a training location, such as under or near a basketball net. The netting system 136 may be shaped and configured to receive balls, such as balls shot at or near the basketball net. The netting system 136 may be collapsible, whereby an envelope size of the ball collection station 102 is reducible for storage. For example, one or more supports 140 or rods may support a net 142. The supports 140 may be movable relative to the base system 134 to collapse the net 142 for storing. In some embodiments, the netting system 136 may be removable from the base system 134, such as for storage or transportation. In some embodiments, the overall height of the ball collection station 102 may be adjustable using means known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, hydraulic manual or automated controls, ratcheting, or spring action systems.

In some embodiments, the ball passing system 104 may include components and/or concepts described in co-owned PCT Publication WO 2020/023442 A1, published on Jan. 30, 2020 and entitled “Ball Sport Training Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all proper purposes. The ball passing system 104 may have a second receiving portion 112 shaped to receive at least one 114 of the first plurality of sports balls 108 from the ball collection station 102 and a passing portion 116 shaped and configured to selectively pass the at least one 114 of the first plurality of sports balls. In some embodiments, the ball passing system 104 has a third receiving portion 132 different from the second receiving portion 112. The third receiving portion 132 may be configured to receive a sports ball different from the plurality of sports balls. For example, the third receiving portion 132 may be shaped and positioned to allow a user to manually feed one or more balls to the ball passing system independent of the ball collection station 102.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ball sports training device 100 may also have one or more processors 118, 120, one or more sensors or transceivers 122, 124, and a user interface 126, 128.

Turning now to FIG. 7 a block diagram of features of the sports training device 100 of FIG. 1 are described in more detail. As shown, a system 700 may include a ball collection station 102, 702 and a ball passing system 104, 704.

The ball collection station 702 may have a processor 732, a memory 734, a transceiver 736, a controls system 738, a user interface 740, a sensor 742, and a delivering mechanism 744.

The ball passing system 704 may have a processor 712, a memory 714, a transceiver 716, a controls system 718, a user interface 720, a sensor 722, a propulsion mechanism 724, a passing mechanism 726, a motor 728, and a navigation mechanism 730.

Collectively or individually, the memory 734, 714 may store program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 732, 712, causes the one or more processors 732, 712 to cause the ball passing system 704 is to move between a first position and a second position different from the first position. For example, the processor 712 may cause the ball passing system 704 to move from a first position on a basketball court to a second position on a basketball court. In some embodiments, the second position may be a docking position relative to the ball collection station 102. The docking position may be substantially as illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the ball passing system 704, 104 is adjacent or proximal to the ball collection station 702, 102.

The processor 712 may determine when the ball passing system 704 is in the second position. The processor 712 may determine when the ball passing system 704 is in the second position in response to information shared directly between the ball collection station 702 and the ball passing system 704, such as by way of a communication means 758 between transceivers 736, 716. The processor 712, 732 may determine when the ball passing system 704 is in the second position in response to information shared indirectly. For example, a communication means 748, 752 across a network 708 including information from a GPS system 710, 746 may provide data enabling the processor(s) 712, 732 to determine when the ball passing system 704 is in the second position. The communication means 748, 758, 752 may include wireless communication means such as WiFi communication. The network 708 may be a wireless network.

In some embodiments, responsive to the determining, the processor(s) 712, 732 may cause the ball collection station702 to release the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls is moved on a delivery travel path. In some embodiments, responsive to the determining, the processor(s) 712, 732 may communicate with a user, such as a player, having a device 706 with an application and communication means 754, 756 for controlling the ball collection system 702 and/or ball passing system 704. For example, the ball collection system 702 may await a “go” signal from the device 706 to release the at least one ball into the delivery path. In some embodiments, the communication means 754, 756 may include a wireless communication means. The wireless communication means may include infrared (IR) communication, radio communication, peer-to-peer communication, Bluetooth communication, optical sensing, and/or radio frequency identification (RFID.) In some embodiments, the IR communication may include an infrared sensor on one of the ball passing system 104 or the ball collection station 102 and an infrared signal on the other one of the ball passing system 104 or the ball collection station 102, whereby the system 100 may establish the location of the ball passing system 104 relative to the ball collection station 102. Other direct or peer-to-peer communication means 754, 756 are contemplated.

In some embodiments, the second position is selected to position the second receiving portion 112 (see FIG. 1) in the delivery travel path of the at least one 114 of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the second receiving portion 112 is configured to receive the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls.

In some embodiments, the ball passing system 104 is configured to hold between zero and a maximum number of sports balls. The maximum number may be four. The maximum number may be five. The maximum number may be eight. The maximum number may be ten. The maximum number may be greater than ten.

In some embodiments, the memory 714 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 712, causes the one or more processors 712 to determine when the ball passing system is holding the maximum number of sports balls, determine when the ball passing system is holding zero sports balls, and/or determine when the ball passing system is holding greater than zero and less than the maximum number of sports balls. Responsive to determining the ball passing system is holding zero sports balls, the one or more processors 712 may be configured to cause the ball passing system 704 to move to the second position. Here, the ball passing system 704 may communicate directly or indirectly with the ball collection station 702. For example, the ball passing system 704 may “request” that the ball collection station 702 release a plurality of balls, or the user may be required to “request” that the ball collection station 702 release a plurality of balls. The processor or processor(s) 712, 732, may be configured to determine when the ball collection station 702 itself is empty. For example, sensors may be provided in either device 702, 704 that detect motion or changes in weight, which would be indicative of balls passing from the ball collection station 702 to the ball passing system 704, and, where no change is detected, a determination that the ball collection station 702 is empty may be made.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 712, 732, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to cause the ball passing system 704, 104 to move between the first position and a third position different from the first position and the second position. That is, the ball passing system 704, 104 may be operated to move, such as by way of propulsion mechanism 724 to two different locations on a basketball court.

One or more sensors 722, 742 may include one or more camera systems or LiDAR systems to detect a location of the ball passing system 704 and/or the ball collection station 702 relative to each other. A GPS system 710 may be used to determine locations of the devices 702, 704. Transceivers 716, 736 may enable the ball passing system 704 and/or the ball collection station 702 to communicate with each other for determining relative locations and suitability for passing balls, such as to a user, and/or delivering balls from the ball collection station to the ball passing system. The GPS system 710 may be in wireless communication with other components of the system such as via WiFi communication. In some embodiments, the sensors 722, 742 may include one or more camera systems. The sensors 722, 742 may detect and support navigation of the ball passing system 704 and/or the ball collection station 702 relative to each other.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to cause the second position to be adjusted based at least in part on a determination that a location of the ball collection station 702, 102 has been adjusted.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to, responsive to an input from a user interface 720, cause the ball passing system 704 to pass one or more sports balls positioned in the ball passing system 704. The user interface 720 may include or be responsive to a hand-held device 706 having a sports training app for controlling the ball passing system 704 and or ball collection station 702.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to, responsive to an input from the one or more sensors 722, 742, determine a location of the ball passing system 704 relative to the ball collection station 702.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to adjust a passing direction of a ball passing through the ball passing mechanism 726, which may be referenced herein as a ball passing portion 116. For example, a controller may cause a guide on the mechanism 116 to move between a position that is parallel to the ground, -30 degrees, and +30 degrees, to simulate direct passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. In some embodiments, the ball passing portion 116 may be mechanized. In some embodiments, the ball passing portion 116 may be adjusted and/or fixed manually.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to adjust a launch speed of a ball passing through the ball passing mechanism 726 or ball passing portion 116. The launch speed may be set in response to a user input or may be automatically adjusted, fixed, or randomly selected.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to adjust a vertical of a ball passing through the ball passing mechanism 726 or ball passing portion 116. The vertical may be set in response to a user input or may be automatically adjusted, fixed, or randomly selected.

In some embodiments, the memory 714, 734 stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors 712, 732 to analyze data collected from one or more sensors sensors 722, 742, such as a camera or the camera previously described herein and, responsive to the analyzing perform a skeletal mapping of a player or user. In response to the skeletal mapping, the method may include tracking and/or analyzing shooting performance. The tracking or analyzing may include calculating a speed and/or direction of travel of a player.

Turning now to FIG. 8, an exemplary method 800 is now described. The method 800 may include detecting 802 a start signal, such as from a user executing an operation on a user interface on a ball passing system, a ball collection station, or an app controlling the device or station. The method 800 may include detecting 804 a location of a ball passing system. The method 800 may include detecting 806 a location of a ball collection system. The method 800 may include determining 808 if the ball passing system is in a suitable start position relative to the ball collection station. If no, the method 800 may include causing the ball passing system to move 810 to the suitable start position. If yes, the method 800 may include determining 812 if balls are in the ball passing system. If no, the method 800 may include moving 818 the ball passing system to a reload position and reloading 820 balls. The method may include determining 822 if the ball passing system is holding the maximum number of balls. If no, the method 800 may include another reload 820 of balls. If yes, the method 800 may include moving 816 the ball passing system to a new location. If balls are determined 812 to be in the ball passing system, the method 800 may include passing 814 a single ball and moving 814 the ball passing system to a new location. The method 800 may continue until a stop signal is received from the user, such as by operation on a user interface or hand-held device application, or until it is determined that the reloading 820 is not reloading as intended. Other safety and stop procedures may be included.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may be executed by the device 100 and/or system 700 disclosed herein.

Each of the various elements disclosed herein may be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled.

As but one example, it should be understood that all action may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, the disclosure of a “fastener” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “fastening” —whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there only disclosure of the act of “fastening”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “fastening mechanism”. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

Moreover, the claims shall be construed such that a claim that recites “at least one of A, B, or C” shall read on a device that requires “A” only. The claim shall also read on a device that requires “B” only. The claim shall also read on a device that requires “C” only.

Similarly, the claim shall also read on a device that requires “A+B”. The claim shall also read on a device that requires “A+B+C”, and so forth.

The claims shall also be construed such that any relational language (e.g. perpendicular, straight, parallel, flat, etc.) is understood to include the recitation “within a reasonable manufacturing tolerance at the time the device is manufactured or at the time of the invention, whichever manufacturing tolerance is greater”.

Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein.

Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Claims

1. A ball sports training system, comprising: a ball collection station having a first receiving portion shaped to receive a first plurality of sports balls and a delivery portion;a ball passing system having a second receiving portion shaped to receive at least one of the first plurality of sports balls from the ball collection station and a passing portion shaped and configured to selectively pass the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls;one or more processors;one or more sensors;a user interface; anda memory, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: cause the ball passing system is to move between a first position and a second position different from the first position;determine when the ball passing system is in the second position; andresponsive to the determining, cause the ball collection station to release the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls is moved on a delivery travel path, whereinthe second position is selected to position the second receiving portion in the delivery travel path of the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls, whereby the second receiving portion is configured to receive the at least one of the first plurality of sports balls.

2. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the ball passing system comprises a third receiving portion different from the second receiving portion, the third receiving portion configured to receive a sports ball different from the plurality of sports balls.

3. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the ball passing system is configured to hold between zero and a maximum number of sports balls; andthe memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: determine when the ball passing system is holding the maximum number of sports balls;determine when the ball passing system is holding zero sports balls;determine when the ball passing system is holding greater than zero and less than the maximum number of sports balls; andresponsive to determining the ball passing system is holding zero sports balls, cause the ball passing system to move to the second position.

4. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the first plurality of sports balls comprises up to ten sports balls.

5. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the ball collection station comprises a base system and a netting system, the base system having at least one roller, whereby the base system is transportable, the netting system shaped and configured to receive balls, the netting system collapsible, whereby an envelope size of the ball collection station is reducible for storage.

6. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: cause the ball passing system is to move between the first position and a third position different from the first position and the second position.

7. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: cause the ball passing system is to move between the first position and a third position different from the first position and the second position.

8. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: cause the second position to be adjusted based at least in part on a determination that a location of the ball collection station has been adjusted.

9. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: responsive to an input from the user interface, cause the ball passing system to pass one or more sports balls positioned in the ball passing system.

10. The ball sports training system of claim 1, wherein: the memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: responsive to an input from the one or more sensors, determine a location of the ball passing system relative to the ball collection station.