TENNIS TRAINING DEVICE USING VIRTUAL TARGETS

Abstract

A virtual target system, for training multiple sports, and in an example, tennis, can include a projector system that can display a virtual target on a surface, like a tennis court. A sensor system can detect activity near the virtual target, for example, the movement or impact of a tennis ball. A processor can be linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity. In one example, the display of the virtual target may or may not change in reaction to the collected activity data.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a training device. Specifically, the invention is a system and method to project virtual targets to train tennis players.

BACKGROUND

The training methods for every level of player in a sport like tennis can be difficult to balance by level of player and the availability of trainers or suitable partners. For very young players, it is difficult to keep their attention when the drills can consist of repetitive swinging exercises and attempting to hit stationary targets like cones or training spots. For more advanced players, just the use of rebound net or ball launcher may not be enough to truly test their skill as can a real opponent.

Thus, there is a need for a training device to both engage younger players and provide appropriate challenges for more advanced players.

SUMMARY

A virtual target system, for training multiple sports, and in an example, tennis, can include a projector system that can display a virtual target on a surface, like a tennis court. A sensor system can detect activity near the virtual target, for example, the movement or impact of a tennis ball. A processor can be linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity. In one example, the display of the virtual target is not changed in reaction to the collected activity data.

The virtual target system can also include a physical interaction device linked to the processor (e.g. a tennis ball launching machine) which can change a physical condition near the virtual target (e.g. launch a tennis ball at the player). The physical interaction device can change the condition in response to the collected activity data.

In another example, the system or processor can also have a remote device linked to the processor and controlling at least one of the projector system, the sensor system, the physical interaction device, and displaying the collected activity data. The remote device can be at least one of a Smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop.

Another example of a training system to train a tennis player on a tennis court uses the projector system, the sensor system, and the processor above but the display of the virtual target is changed in response to the activity data. As above, the tennis ball launching machine can be linked to the processor and activated in response to the collected activity data as well as the remote device. Here, the remote device can provide feedback to the tennis player based on the collected activity data, which includes any one of information regarding the ball proximity to the virtual target, the ball impact, the trajectory of the tennis ball, or the velocity of the tennis ball.

In a further example, the changed display of the virtual target can include at least one of moving the virtual target, displaying a new virtual target, changing a color of the virtual target, changing a size of the virtual target, displaying a virtual trajectory of the tennis ball on the court as it moved toward the virtual target, or displaying the velocity of the tennis ball as it moved toward the virtual target.

The invention can also include a method of training a tennis player on a tennis court by projecting a virtual target on the court using the projector system, sensing activity near the virtual target using the sensor system, collecting, using the processor, activity data based on the virtual target and the activity, and changing the virtual target based on the activity data. The activity data collected can be similar to that described above.

In an example, the changing step can include moving the virtual target, displaying a new virtual target, changing a color of the virtual target, changing a size of the virtual target, displaying a virtual trajectory of the tennis ball on the court as it moved toward the virtual target, or displaying the velocity of the tennis ball as it moved toward the virtual target. The method can also include the tennis ball launching machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is described with particularity in the appended claims. The above and further aspects of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention indoors;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a court with virtual targets projected thereon;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate different examples of configurations of the system;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an example of the system of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the system, including the processor;

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the system;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example of a method of the invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a further example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of present invention. In this example, a tennis court is illustrated, but the invention can be used in similar situations. A tennis court 10 has a net 12 typically dividing the court 10 in half. A standard tennis court is 36 feet wide to the outside lines and 78 feet long, making the distance for half the court 39 feet. The net 12 is at half court and typically 3 feet high in the center.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example where the court 10 is indoors. A virtual target training system 100 can be mounted on a ceiling 16 of the indoor court 10. The system 100 can include a projector 102, a sensor 104, and a processing unit 106. The projector 102 and sensor 104 are coupled to the processor 106. The processor 106 can coordinate the projector 102 and sensor 104 as follows.

The processor 106 can be, in one example, a desktop, laptop, or portable computer programmed to project images to the projector 102 and receive input from the sensor 104. The projector 102 can be any projector 102 configured to project images from the processing unit 106. The projector 102 can be mounted above the court 10, or, using a short or ultra short throw projector, the projector 102 can be mounted closer to a surface 14 of the court 10. For example, a regular projector with a 1.5:1 throw ratio has to be approximately 7.5 feet away from the surface to project a 60-inch wide image. A short throw projector with a throw ratio of 0.6:1 can project the same image when placed less than three feet away, while an ultra short throw projector with a 0.37:1 throw ratio can project the same image from just 1.85 feet away. One or more projectors 102 can be modified to have a projection area 108 that covers portions, half, or the entire court 10. Further, the system 100 can be fixedly mounted or portable, depending on the configurations below and the location.

The sensor 104 has a sensor area 110 approximately coincident with the projection area 108. The sensor 104 can be a camera, or any other motion sensing device. In one example the camera 104 can detect objects or motion in the sensor area 110 and relay that information back to the processor 106. The sensor 104 can be a camera, including a basic “webcam,” as long as it can transmit information back to the processor 106.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate examples of different combinations of projector 102 and sensor 104 placement to project areas 108, 110 on to the court 10. FIG. 3A illustrates an example where the projector 102 and sensor 104 are mounted to the ceiling 16 over the court 10. This is most advantageous for indoor courts 10. FIG. 3B illustrates a short or ultra short throw projector 102 near the surface 14. The sensor 104 can be again close to the projector 102, keeping its sensor area 110 close to the court surface 14. In this way, the system 100 can minimize the sensing of movements above a certain height above the court 10. FIG. 3C separates the projector 102 and sensor 104, allowing one to be at a height above the other. In the illustration, the projector 102 is closer to the court surface 14 while the sensor 104 is higher up. The examples in FIGS. 3B and 3C can be used for both indoor and outdoor courts. Note that bright lighting can affect the visibility of the images from the projector 102.

The system 100 can be programmed to display a virtual target 200 on the court surface 14. The virtual targets 200 can be any geometric shape or image, from bullseyes to images of professional tennis players. Further, moving virtual targets 202 can be displayed, moving across the court 10 in any direction or pattern. The processor 106 can coordinate the projected images 200, 202 with the feedback received from the sensor 104 and can change the images 200, 202 accordingly. For example, a virtual bullseye 200 is projected on the surface of the court 14. A player 18 hits a ball 20 in an attempt to strike the bullseye 200. The sensor 104 senses the motion of the ball 20 and the processor 106 can determine the position at which the ball 20 impacts the surface of the court 14. Whether the ball 20 “hits” or “misses” the target 200, 202 can determine a change in the projected targets 200, 202 or acknowledge a tally.

To be explicit, one example of the system 100 does not have any physical targets to be hit. All of the targets 200, 202 presented to the user are virtual by the fact that they are images projected by the projector 102. Impacts to the target 200, 202 are not registered by any physical means (e.g., pressure transducer, electrical or magnetic detection). The impacts are detected solely by the position of the ball 20 detected by the sensor 104 and relating that to the position of the virtual targets 200, 202. Thus, the surface 14 of the court 10 does not need modification to accommodate physical sensors, and the targets 200, 202 can be “moved” by virtue of the change in the projected image, no physical movements of the targets are required.

In different examples for hit/miss options, the target 200, 202 can increase or decrease in size, change shape or color, stop or start moving, change movement speed or pattern, or exhibit some graphical changes. Further examples, can include sound effects to match the hit/miss options. In an example, the targets 200, 202 can “break” when hit, which would include corresponding graphics and matching sound effects, like breaking glass, or the like. In examples, the system 100 can accommodate audio outputs to an existing audio system or can be equipped with its own amplifiers and speakers, etc.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B the sensor 104 can track actual movement in addition to just the point of impact of the ball 20. This can allow the system 100 to compute trajectories and velocities of the ball 20 and use them accordingly. The system 100 can be adapted to use multiple types of sensors 104 or specifically calibrate the sensors for this task. In an example, two sensors can be used, a camera 104A and a radar gun 104B (and its accompanying sensor area 112), to provide all of the data to the processor 106 necessary to make the trajectory/velocity determinations. Thus, for training, the system can determine if the ball 20 passed a certain point at a certain height, thus compensating to act as if an opponent was standing at the target 200 and not just aiming at the surface 14. The system can project the trajectories 204 on the surface 14 and provide some other indication of speed (e.g. color changes).

Further, the system 100 can include one or more tennis ball launchers 114 linked to the processor 106. The launchers 114 can be controlled to “return” a ball to the player 18, as if an opponent hit the ball as delivered by the player 18. This can more accurately simulate game conditions since the return ball 22 can be launched to the player 18 based on the trajectory/velocity of the player's ball 20. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate that the ball 20 delivered by the player has a certain position in space. Instead of waiting for the ball 20 to impact the surface 14, the processor 106 can instruct launcher 114B to launch a return ball 22 since it is the closest to where the player ball 20 would have been returned from if a real opponent hit it. If the trajectory/velocity differed, other launchers 114A, 114C can be instructed to launch the return ball 22. Alternately, a single launcher 114 can have an oscillator to nearly mimic the return ball position.

The system 100 can thus more accurately mimic a match against a real opponent. The projector 102 can place and move the target 200, 202 to simulate the position of the opponent. The sensor(s) 104 can track the movement of the player's ball 20 over the court. The processor 106 can then have the launcher(s) 114 fire a return ball 22 from a position that would approximate where the player's ball 20 would have been returned from. The processor 106 can also attribute a “speed” to the “opponent” to determine where to next place the target 200, 202 and if the “opponent” would be able to return the player's volley.

In another example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the system 100 can be controlled remotely through any portable device 116. This can include the use of an application on a Smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other device remotely communicating with the processor 106. In one example, the typical projector 102 and sensor 104 can be physically connected to the processor 106. The processor 106 can be in a laptop or desktop computer 300 with the appropriate ports 302 (VGA, USB, etc.), and the computer 300 can have a display 304 and one or more input devices 306 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pointing device, touch screen, etc.). The computer 300 can further have a memory 308 to store the software needed to operate the system 100, including the drivers for the projector 102 and sensors 104, and a CPU 310 to run the software. The launcher 114 can be linked to the computer 300 either by wire, or wirelessly, e.g. through wireless antenna 312. The launcher 114 and computer 300 can communicate via networking protocols, Bluetooth, etc.

Further, the portable device 116 can also be remotely or wirelessly linked to the computer 300. As above, the portable device can be as simple as a multi-button remote to a tablet running an application. A speaker 314 can also be included to provide audio commentary, tips, music, or sound effects appropriate to the training regime or targets 200, 202 being projected. Network connectivity can also be used. In this example, the trainer need not be physically present with the player 18. The trainer can be in a different area of the court, or even the world, but can control the training from the networked portable device 116.

Using the system 100 with a speaker 314, a trainer can provide comments and guidance to the player 18, in real time as the player 18 engages the targets 200, 202. Alternately, the system 100 can have preprogrammed/pre-recorded comments so the player 18 can practice without the need for a human trainer. Alternately, using the portable device 116, a single trainer can engage multiple players of various skill levels by changing the difficulty as that player enters the court 10. Thus, novice and experienced players can be trained during the same training session, on the same court, to maximum advantage. Alternately, the portable device 116 can be controlling multiple systems 100 over multiple courts at the same time, each court accommodating a different skill level of player or just multiple groups of players. The system 100 can also, in another example, recognize the individual players or certain marking indicia, to automatically change the skill level to the appropriate skill level for that player by using the sensor 104 to detect the player or indicia (e.g. face recognition, colored shirts, etc.).

FIG. 6 illustrates another example, this time where the player 18 is on the same side as the system 100. The player 18 can be placed within the projection and sensor areas 108, 110. The projector 102 can project a virtual tennis ball 204 and the player 18 can be instructed to hit the “ball” 204 with the appropriate forehand or backhand swing. The sensors 104 can detect the player's movement and determine if the swing was in proper form or if the ball 204 was correctly hit. In addition, since the sensor 104 can be a camera, in one example, the system 100 can play back an image of the player's swing for analysis. The image can be played back in real time to the portable device 116 for a trainer supervising the player, or stored in memory 308 and played back at a later time for the trainer, the player, or both. Further, a real ball 20 can also be used with the system to determine swing proficiency. The trainer or the launcher 114 can direct a ball for the player 18 within the areas 108, 110 as well.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of training the tennis player 18 on the tennis court 10 using at least the tennis ball 20. The method can include the steps of projecting a virtual target 200 on the court 10 using a projector system 102 (step 300), sensing activity near the virtual target 200 using a sensor system 104 (step 302), collecting activity data based on the virtual target and the activity (step 304), using the processor 106, and changing the virtual target 200 based on the activity data (step 306). The activity data can be at least one of information regarding a proximity of the ball to the virtual target, an impact of the ball over the virtual target, a trajectory of the tennis ball, or a velocity of the tennis ball.

Further, the changing step can have at least one of the steps of moving the virtual target 200 (step 308), displaying a new virtual target 202 (step 310), changing a color of the virtual target 200 (step 312), changing a size of the virtual target 200 (step 314), displaying a virtual trajectory 204 of the tennis ball 20 on the court 10 (step 316), and displaying the velocity of the tennis ball 20 (step 318). An additional step of activating a tennis ball launching machine 114 in response to the collected activity data (step 320) can also be included.

Turning now to other sports, this present invention can be easily adapted for ping pong. Many, if not all, of the same elements can apply, albeit on a smaller scale. Further, examples of the present invention can be used, as illustrated in FIG. 8, for golf. Here, two projectors 102A, 102B (projection projector areas 108 and 118) and two sensors 104A, 104B (having sensor areas 110 and 112) can be used to provide virtual targets and training images to a golfer 30. One pair of projectors/sensors 102A, 104A can project the ball 32 location or monitor the golfer 30 and her swing. Alternately, the system can generate a virtual ball. A second projector/sensor 102B, 104B pair can project the fairway on a wall or screen 34 and determine the ball flight path.

Additionally, using a similar configuration, an example of the invention can be used for baseball batting practice. The launcher 114 can now be a baseball pitching machine that projects the balls through the screen/wall 34. It can also be used for pitching practice, or for football quarterback practice by projecting batters, strike zones, or receivers on the wall/screen 34.

This system can be used for numerous other sports, namely any other racket, bat or club sport (e.g. squash, badminton, racket ball, hand ball, cricket, croquet, etc.) or ball sports like soccer and volleyball in accordance with the above examples.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims

1. A virtual target system, comprising:

a projector system displaying a virtual target on a surface;

a sensor system detecting activity near the virtual target;

a processor linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity;

wherein the displaying of the virtual target is not changed in reaction to the collected activity data.

2. The virtual target system of claim 1, further comprising:

a physical interaction device linked to the processor and changing a physical condition near the virtual target;

wherein the physical interaction device changes the condition in response to the collected activity data.

3. The virtual target system of claim 2, wherein the processor further comprises:

a remote device linked to the processor and controlling at least one of the projector system, the sensor system, the physical interaction device, and displaying the collected activity data.

4. The virtual target system of claim 3, wherein:

the surface is a tennis court;

the activity is a movement of a tennis ball;

the physical interaction device is a tennis ball launching machine; and

the remote device is at least one of a Smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop.

5. A training system to train a tennis player on a tennis court using at least a tennis ball, comprising:

a projector system displaying at least one virtual target on the court;

a sensor system detecting activity near the virtual target; and

a processor linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity;

wherein the activity data is at least one of motion of the tennis ball in proximity to the virtual target, an impact of the tennis ball on the tennis court over the virtual target, a trajectory of the tennis ball, or a velocity of the tennis ball; and

wherein the displaying of the virtual target is changed in response to the activity data.

6. The training system of claim 5, further comprising:

a tennis ball launching machine linked to the processor and activated in response to the collected activity data.

7. The training system of claim 6, wherein the processor further comprises:

a remote device linked to the processor and controlling at least one of the projector system, the sensor system, the tennis ball launching machine, and displaying the collected activity data.

8. The training system of claim 7, wherein the remote device provides feedback to the tennis player based on the collected activity data,

wherein the feedback includes at least one of information regarding the ball proximity to the virtual target, the ball impact, the trajectory of the tennis ball, or the velocity of the tennis ball.

9. The training system of claim 7, wherein the changed display of the virtual target comprises at least one of moving the virtual target, displaying a new virtual target, changing a color of the virtual target, changing a size of the virtual target, displaying a virtual trajectory of the tennis ball on the court as it moved toward the virtual target, or displaying the velocity of the tennis ball as it moved toward the virtual target.

10. A method of training a tennis player on a tennis court using at least a tennis ball, comprising the steps of:

projecting a virtual target on the court using a projector system;

sensing activity near the virtual target using a sensor system;

collecting, using a processor, activity data based on the virtual target and the activity, and further comprises the step of collecting at least one of information regarding a proximity of the ball to the virtual target, an impact of the ball over the virtual target, a trajectory of the tennis ball, or a velocity of the tennis ball; and

changing the virtual target based on the activity data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the changing step comprises at least one of the steps of:

moving the virtual target;

displaying a new virtual target;

changing a color of the virtual target;

changing a size of the virtual target;

displaying a virtual trajectory of the tennis ball on the court as it moved toward the virtual target; or

displaying the velocity of the tennis ball as it moved toward the virtual target.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of activating a tennis ball launching machine in response to the collected activity data.