Sports Training System

Abstract

A system for sports training comprising an object comprising one or more sensors that allows the system to identify the location of the object. The object also may have a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to allow for transmission of the sensor data via wireless transmission to an external electronic device. A software application running on the electronic device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, receives the sensor data and incorporates the information into a game-like or training application. This application can display to the user which location the object should be for the game. This application can also analyze which patterns the player has difficulties with and suggest certain patterns and other advice to help the player to improve their skills. Use of ultra-wideband communication between objects and base stations can determine the position of objects for use in training in hockey or soccer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 984,421, filed May 21, 2018, entitled “Sports Training System,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present invention relates to sports skill training, and more specifically, a sports training system for maneuvering an object such as a puck or a ball.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It has been recognized that the skill of stickhandling greatly improves a player's ability in a hockey game. Stickhandling is using one's stick to control and maneuver the puck in ice hockey or the ball in lacrosse and field hockey. In order to improve the skill of stickhandling a player must spend significant time practicing. In the past, there have been numerous tools built to help the player practice stickhandling. However, these tools have come up short in regard to keeping the interest of the player in order ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a puck that has a color sensor on the bottom. This allows the puck to figure out which color is underneath it. There is also a light that shines on the bottom of the puck to provide the necessary light for the sensor. The puck also has a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to send data from the sensor and other sensors on the puck via wireless. This data can be received on a mobile phone or tablet and used in a game-like or training application. The application can show which color section the puck should be on for the game or suggest certain patterns and advice to help a player improve their skill.

Problems solved by technology

However, these tools have come up short in regard to keeping the interest of the player in order to allow the player to practice enough to improve.

Also, the existing tools do not have a sufficient way to analyze the players stickhandling and furthermore suggest ways to improve.

Additionally, many hockey training tools are not affordable for average users to purchase.

This method lacks the spontaneity of being challenged by different unexpected patterns.

This shortcoming means there have to be additional sensors to make the game surface larger or to have better sensing resolution which means additional cost.

Certain existing stickhandling tools have used video cameras which have reduced the need for numerous sensors on the playing surface but these systems are very costly and have the disadvantage of the puck potentially being covered by the stick or the body of the stick-handler preventing the video camera from appropriately sensing the puck and playing surface.

Numerous inventions have the disadvantage of forcing the player to look at the game floor to determine were to move the puck next.

Furthermore, they do not pass and shoot well because they cannot focus well on the other players and playing area.

Another deficiency of existing stickhandling tools is lack the ability to redesign and expand the game floor.

Currently, the game floors are fixed and the player cannot create different sized game floors with different areas.

Yet another deficiency is the lack of the ability to recalibrate the game sensors.

The sensitivity of sensors may change over time due to dirtiness or scraping.

If the sensor cannot be recalibrated the functionality can cause inaccurate readings and the user can become frustrated.

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