Robotic Moveable Hoop for Fatigue-Free Athletic Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional athletic training systems fail to provide an optimal training experience that simulates real-world, in-game variable movement within a compressed training area, lacking the ability to effectively develop dynamic eye-hand coordination without causing fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A robotically controlled moveable athletic training device equipped with sensors and a user interface, allowing players to practice dynamic shooting or other athletic interactions without the fatigue associated with accelerating and decelerating their body, by moving a hoop or target in various directions and velocities, while tracking and analyzing the player's performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a player practices dynamic shooting by accelerating and decelerating their body, then dynamic eye-hand coordination is improved, but player fatigue increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic eye-hand coordinationVSAvoidplayer fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the player's body to simulate game conditions, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the player stationary and moving the hoop/target through robotic automation. This maintains the training effect for dynamic eye-hand coordination while eliminating the physical fatigue of repeated acceleration and deceleration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of human body movement with an automated robotic system that moves the hoop and target. This substitution allows the training device to simulate real-game movements and trajectories without requiring the player to physically accelerate and decelerate, thus reducing fatigue while maintaining coordination training effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If conventional training systems use fixed hoops and static positions, then training area can be compressed, but real-world variable movement simulation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining areaVSAvoidvariable movement simulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms the fixed, static hoop into a dynamic, mobile target through robotic automation. The hoop and target can now move in multiple directions and at various velocities, simulating real-game conditions while maintaining a compact training area. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide versatile movement simulation without expanding the physical space required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic training device serves multiple functions: it can position the hoop statically for basic shooting practice, move it dynamically for simulation training, adjust its velocity and trajectory, and provide varied target positions. This multi-functionality allows the compact device to replace multiple conventional training setups, providing both space efficiency and comprehensive movement simulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11446550B2Entertainment forum digital video camera, audio microphone, speaker and display device enabling entertainment participant and remote virtual spectator interaction, apparatus, system, method, and computer program product
Publication Date: 2022.09.20 DECARLO CHRISTOPHER
  • US11446550B2 patent drawing
  • US11446550B2 patent drawing
  • US11446550B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide an electronically and programmably controlled remote virtual spectator/viewer device enabling viewer interaction with an entertainment participant in an entertainment forum via an exemplary digital video camera, digital audio microphone, speaker system, and display device system coupled via at least one communications interface to a communications network to allow a remote viewer to virtually interact with and communicate with the entertainment participant in the entertainment forum. Embodiments may include a graphical user interface configured to allow control of a digital video camera, and digital microphone in the entertainment forum, by a remote user from a remote location.