ANALYTIC SPORT TRAINING DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

Info

Publication number: 20180093160
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 28, 2017
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2018
Inventor: Jacob Morris Alhadeff (Seattle, WA)
Application Number: 15/718,965

Abstract

A system having a ball rebounder for measuring speed, accuracy, and distance in athletic training for ball kicking, the rebounder having a surface or wall that detects a ball strike and a controller that determines and displays the location of the strike as well as other metrics including without limitation distance from an intended strike point, distance of a kicker to the intended target, speed, and a calculated score based on one or more variables.

Description

Description

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to a ball rebounder that measures speed, accuracy, time between impacts, and distance in athletic training for ball projectiles and, in one implementation, to a soccer training device in the form of a surface or wall that detects a ball strike and determines and displays the location of the ball strike, distance from an intended strike point, distance of a kicker to the intended target, the speed of the projectile, the rate at which the user is able to control the object's rebound, and a calculated score based on two or more variables.

Description of the Related Art

The effectiveness with which a player delivers an object, such as a ball, towards an intended target is fundamental to many sports. Effectiveness typically is measured in terms of the accuracy with which the player delivers the object towards the target, the speed at which the object is initially launched, the distance of the object from the target when launched, and, potentially, the time it takes for the user to receive a delivered object before they themselves redirect the object towards the intended target. Two further aspects of a user's technical skill is the effective use of both arms, both feet, or sides of the body, depending on the sport, as well as turning the user's body to redirect the object towards a target that is potentially 180 degrees from where they initially receive the object. The acquisition of these skills is most commonly done through repeated delivery of the object towards the target, often a wall or goal, potentially controlling the object as it returns to the user.

Depending on the sport, the specifics of this process will vary. For tennis, players often use a rebound wall having a line that is three and a half feet tall, the height of the net, and attempt to repeatedly strike the ball just above this line at various targets. For soccer, players often create targets on a wall and as quickly as possible strike these targets. For pitching in baseball, this is often done by creating a target in the shape and size of a strike zone. Players then attempt to throw the ball towards the edges of the strike zone at their highest velocity. What differs in the pitching example from tennis and soccer is that the rate at which they throw the ball is not important because a pitcher is not rushed to pitch the ball, but it is valuable in soccer and lacrosse. Commonalities among these examples are the goal to project an object towards a target accurately, deliver the object with speed, and deliver the object over a given distance. Most analysis of performance is subjective and based on the user's perception of how effectively they achieved their goal.

The commercial solutions to objectively analyzing high intensity training by individuals are prohibitively expensive or ineffective. Some systems utilizing video recordings are prohibitively expensive for many players because of the cost of cameras and the video analysis software. These systems can fail to provide real time feedback because of the significant demands of the software for processing power.

Previous technologies that have attempted to solve these problems are varied. Other methods of analysis include a Doppler radar sensor measuring speed to aforementioned video content analysis, which still suffers from the above-mentioned lack of software power for the video analysis.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for training a player to launch an object, such as a ball or other sports projectile, towards an intended target and analyze their technical performance. The necessarily analyzed attributes are the user's distance from the target, the impact location of the projectile (in fewer words, accuracy), and the velocity with which they launch the projectile. These are the necessary aspects of the disclosure because it ensures that the data we collect is an objective and verifiable measurement of a player's technical skill. If a soccer player is 5 feet from the target when they strike the wall, then the difficulty is significantly less than if the player is 15 yards from the target. In this way ranging validates the other two metrics of projectile velocity and accuracy and resultantly, the users' technical performance data. Similarly, the accuracy with which a soccer player strikes a ball validates the other two metrics because without measuring accuracy the other two pieces of information don't matter. Specific to soccer and lacrosse, but not necessarily applicable to baseball and other sports is the time between impacts because it provides an approximation of the time it took for the player to control the rebound.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided that includes a wall having a surface with a grid of visually perceptible indicators on a surface, the wall further including a plurality of sensors located on or in the surface of the wall, an audio speaker, and a controller coupled to the indicators, the plurality of sensors, and to the audio speaker. The controller is programmed by software to: receive signals from a set of the plurality of sensors in response to an object contacting the wall at a point of contact, process the signals from the set of sensors, generate an output signal to an indicator on the wall that is closest to the point of contact in response to receipt of the output signals, and generate a display on a display device that visually indicates at least one from among a distance between the point of contact and an intended point of contact on the surface of the wall, speed of the object as it contacts the point of contact on the surface of the wall, the user's distance from the wall, the time between impacts, and a score based on one or more parameters.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the software includes a scoring metric to generate the score, the scoring metric that involves the following steps: multiplying a speed of ball [mph] by a distance between a user and the wall (measured in feet) and dividing this product by the product of multiplying accuracy (measured in inches the ball is from the indicated target when it strikes the wall) by the time between instances when the ball impacts the wall(s). This scoring metric is particularly valuable for sports like soccer and lacrosse as the ability to quickly and effectively control a projected object and rapidly launch it towards a subsequent target is valuable and therefore integrated into the scoring algorithm.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, the system can be configured to determine from which side of the body the projectile is launched. The throwing arm, kicking foot, or more generally from which side of the body is launched is not currently integrated into the scoring algorithm, but can be highly valuable information for measuring a player's technical skill and will therefore be analyzed and stored information. Methods for determining from which side of the body a projectile is launched include the use of radio frequency identification (RFID), radar systems, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), video recording and subsequent imaging analysis, and the integration of vibration or force sensors within a player's apparel. Each technology presents its own constraints and concerns. For example, the use of LIDAR requires expensive equipment that can reduce the accessibility of the technology. RFID and vibration or force sensors can require the player to wear sensing or information emitting unit.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for technical performance training and analysis that utilizes a target for a user to deliver an object and that includes an array of a plurality of sensors. The method includes detecting impacts of the object with the target at the plurality of sensors, generating detection signals through the array of the plurality of sensors in response to the detecting the impacts of the object, and determining the location of each impact with the target, velocity of the object at each impact, the user's distance from the target at each impact, and the time between impacts in response to the generating of the detection signals at each of the sensors in the array of the plurality of sensors.

In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided that measures a user's skill at delivering a projectile towards a target based on at least projectile velocity and impact location. The system includes a target having a first surface; an array of a plurality of sensors on the first surface of the target; a plurality of visually perceptible indicators on the target; an audio speaker; a controller coupled to the plurality of indicators, the plurality of sensors, and to the audio speaker, the controller programmed by software to:

receive signals from at least three sensors of the plurality of sensors in response to an object contacting the target at the point of impact;

process the signals from the plurality of sensors to determine a location of the point of impact on the first surface of the target;

generate an output signal to an indicator of the plurality of indicators that is closest to the determined location of the point of impact to provide a visually perceptible indication of the point of impact on the first surface of the target;

generate a display on a display device that visually indicates at least one from among a distance between the point of impact and an intended point of impact on the first surface of the wall, and a score based on an object and a score based on these and other metrics.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing system, each target has a location and orientation relative to the point of origin, each target coupled to the processor with the location and orientation of the respective target saved in the memory associated with the processor. The processor is capable of recognizing each targets location and orientation with respect to the other targets of the plurality of targets. The system further includes a combination of one or more of acceleration sensors, gravity sensors, gyroscopes, linear acceleration sensors, GPS, and geomagnetic field sensors to detect the origination location of the object and to analyze a user's technical skill at receiving the object from a first direction, turning their body to face towards a second direction, and delivering the object in the second direction.

As will be readily appreciated, the foregoing provides a rebound system that gives the user immediate feedback of their accuracy, such as by way of a light or visual indicator at the location where the object or ball actually contacted the wall, the ball speed such as by way of a display associated with the wall, and their overall performance, for example by way of a scoring display associated with the wall.

One unique aspect about the present disclosed device, system, and method of training and analysis is its technological integration. The method combines many of these technologies into a single system to more substantially and verifiably analyze the entirety of a player's technical proficiency. The value here comes from a more holistic method of analysis that verifies the value of this information. For example, accurately projecting an object when two feet from the target is far easier than from twenty feet. Similarly, accurately projecting an object at 5 mph is far easier than accurately projecting an object at 50 mph. More fully, when the user's accuracy in projection is known, the velocity of the projected object, and the distance of the user to the target, the present system provides a better ability to understand the effectiveness with which the object is delivered. This measurement of the user's distance from the target can be used to validate validates the remainder of the system's measurements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a rebound wall formed in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure that shows the placement of sensors on the front face;

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of the rebound wall of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the impact wall showing a sensor and indicator light;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a system according to one implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the controller for the system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A-6H illustrate an alternative implementation utilizing multiple rebound walls; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric rear view of an alternative implementation of the present disclosure showing structural stability mechanisms and electronics housings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various implementations of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components and well-known structures and processes associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the implementations of the present disclosure.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one implementation” or “in an implementation” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in the specification and appended claims, the use of “correspond,” “corresponds,” and “corresponding” is intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of “correspond” or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. A “controller” is used generally to mean one or more of a microprocessor, microcomputer, personal computer, cell phone, tablet, and other known electronic computing devices as described further herein. These computing devices include a memory, a processor that receives and executes instructions, a user interface, and if desired a display device. In some instances a communication module or device is included for wireless or hardwired external communication or both.

The present disclosure is directed in part to a freestanding soccer rebounder. It is to be understood that although the present disclosure is described in the context of the sport of soccer, it can be utilized or configured for use in a variety of sports and other activities where detection of an object strike as well as a display of its location and speed and other metrics are desired. Attached to a surface of the rebounder are a plurality of lights arranged as a grid and a buzzer that cooperate to direct the user towards which area of each target to strike with the ball. The addition of randomized targeting increases the value of training through a higher threshold for success. Instead of success coming simply from kicking the ball anywhere on the rebounder, success now requires that the user kick at a specific section of the rebounder, with pace, from a greater distance, and to quickly control the rebound.

This present disclosure provides a grid of piezoelectric sensors that locate where the user struck the target with the ball, a radar sensor that measures strike speed as well as the distance the user was from the target when striking the ball, and a clock to measure the rate of repetitions. This provides interested parties an analytical breakdown of the technical skill involved with each strike and a user's proficiencies in various situations. To exemplify a depth of this system, it can determine a user's inch-by-inch progress towards increasing their accuracy when attempting to strike a target 3 feet in the air, over 30 miles an hour, after turning 45 degrees to their left, and with less than two seconds to control the previous rebound. In one implementation, the system determines that the player turned 45 degrees to their left or right with the use of multiple walls and with the system software receiving data as to the location of each wall in relation to the other, as explained in more detail below.

The system in one implementation utilizes piezoelectric sensors to specifically measure strike accuracy. The speed of sound traveling through a given material is constant. This means that when a projectile hits a target the wave spreads evenly and predictably enough across the material to determine the impact location. Knowing this speed enables taking the difference between piezoelectric sensor firing times and drawing intersecting hyperbolas that can locate the origin of the wave where the ball hit the wall. Alternatively, in another implementation, an impact location method was provided that included a denser grid of piezoelectric sensors. This denser grid of sensors increases the complexity of the wiring harness, but simplifies the mathematics by measuring each piezo's firing time and locating the first piezo that recognizes a substantial spike in voltage. In yet a further implementation, the device utilizes a grid of force sensitive resistors (FSR) to determine impact location. Other novel aspects of the system include without limitation the integration of metrics and sensors to measure soccer performance and their application on a soccer rebounder. While Doppler sensors have been used to measure the speed of a strike, rangefinders have not been used to measure a player's distance from a target. Even less likely is the previous integration of the combination of these measurements with a clock to measure the rate of repetitions and the novel strike location method disclosed herein. The estimation of rebound control time can be achieved one aspect of the present disclosure through subtracting the time it takes for the ball to get from the user's foot to the wall (determined by the speed of the ball and the user's distance from the target) from the time between impact locations to obtain the difference.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, shown therein is a rebound wall 10 formed in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. In this implementation a target in the form of the rebound wall 10 is used in conjunction with an object, in this case a soccer ball. It is to be understood that various features of the present disclosure may be combined for use with other systems in which an object is launched at a target for practice and competition. This can include, without limitation, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, football, golf, as well as firearms, pellet guns, paintball shooting, and any other activity where an object is launched towards an intended target.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of a front and rear, respectively, of the rebound wall 10. In this implementation, there are two primary structures that make up the rebound wall 10. The first is the support structure 12, preferably made of plastic although it can be wood, a composite material, or metal. The support structure 12 houses most of the electronics (lights, radar sensor, displays, microcontroller, and wiring). The second is the impact wall 14, which is preferably formed of polycarbonate material that is either transparent or translucent. Ideally, the impact wall 14 is formed of a polycarbonate type of material, such as Lexan™.

The wall 14 has a substantially planar front surface 16 and a mutually opposing rear surface 18 with a top edge 20, bottom edge 22, and left and right side edges 24, 26 as viewed from the front surface 16.

Located on the front surface 16 of the impact wall 14 are a plurality of sensors 28. Ideally the sensors 28 are spaced apart, preferably equidistantly, on the front surface 16 to form a grid of sensors 28. In this implementation, the grid is formed of six piezoelectric sensors 28, three positioned adjacent or near the top edge 20 and three positioned adjacent or near the bottom edge 22 of the impact wall 14. They are optimally placed to detect a sound wave traveling from a point of ball impact, through the polycarbonate wall 14, and to the piezoelectric sensors 28.

In order for the system to detect the point of ball impact accurately on the wall 14, the sensors 28 must be placed accurately to enable analytic software in a control system described below to more precisely locate the point of ball impact. The piezoelectric sensors 28 are fixed directly to the rear surface 18 of the wall 16, preferably with epoxy.

More particularly, the piezoelectric sensors 28 are manufactured by CUI, Inc., and preferably is a 6.5 kHz Standard Buzzer Element, 350 Ohm, 30V p-p, with 0.79 inch diameter (20 mm) Wire Leads. Each sensor 28 is mounted through a commercially available, preferably clear, epoxy to the rear surface 18 of the impact wall 14. It is to be understood that the epoxy is optional in some implementations.

Visible through the impact wall 14 are a plurality of indicator lights 30 that are mounted to the support structure 12 as described below in more detail. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, each indicator light 30 is comprised of a ring of lights 32 with a ½ spherical impact absorbent stopper 34 placed in the center of the ring of lights 32 so that when the ball impacts the wall 14 and the wall 14 bends back toward the ring of lights 32, it will contact the stopper 34 and the lights 32 will not be impacted by the ball and will not break. When the impact wall 14 is mounted to the structural support 12, the stopper 34 must not contact the impact wall 14 in order to avoid interfering with the transmission of vibrations from the ball impact point to the sensor 28.

In another implementation of the present disclosure, a rigid wooden core is employed as the rebounding surface and the polycarbonate protective shield is removed. In one aspect of this implementation, two pieces of plywood are used, and the faces of the wood are cut to provide space for the lights, sensors, displays, and wiring. The two pieces of wood were then glued together using epoxy. To protect the electronics, they are contained within a series of vibration dampening pieces of rubber gaskets. This was a necessary alteration because when the polycarbonate overlay was attached to the wooden electronic housing through rubber spacings, it did not have the preferred rigidity to provide an effective rebound to the user. However, a front face of polycarbonate, plexiglass, HDPE, or other plastic may still be used for protection, but the rigidity of the surface the ball strikes is of paramount importance in providing an adequate rebound.

There are two displays, preferably LED displays, located adjacent the top edge 20 of the impact wall 14. These consist of a first display 36 to display the time remaining in the user's training session and a second display 38 is structured to display a total score a user has accumulated in the training session. It is to be understood that the placement of the displays 36, 38 can be altered so long as they remain easily visible to a user. In addition, the information the second display 38 shows could be determined by the user, meaning it can be other information besides a total score.

A single radar sensor 40 is shown in FIG. 1 just to the right of the displays 36, 38 that is angled slightly downwards to optimally pick up the speed of the ball (and the user's distance from the wall) as it impacts the wall 22. This sensor 40 currently only analyzes ball speed. However, it is to be understood that the sensor 40 should also be utilized to include sensing a user's distance from the impact wall 14 for further analysis of the user's performance in using the rebound wall 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the Doppler sensor 40 is mounted to the support structure 12 and receives light through the impact wall 14 and an opening in the support structure 12.

To verify technical performance data, a range finding sensor must be integrated into the device. For implementation in baseball, this will verify that the pitcher is the correct distance from the disclosure when throwing the baseball towards the correct target. For soccer, this will better inform the analysis and ensure that the user is not standing right next to the device and in this way, gaming the system.

Optimal implementation of the range finding sensor requires understanding the situation surrounding a given implementation. For baseball, the optimal implementation is to use a sensor that is highly effective at ranges of 46 feet to 60 feet. This represents the potential distances from the pitching mound to the plate. In this way, the range finding sensor for baseball requires a smaller effective range of distance analysis than soccer where distances will range from as close to 3 feet up to as far as 90 feet. Similarly, placement of the range finder must factor in the field of view and specifically the fact that a pitcher will be on a mound, while in soccer the user will be at the same height as the ground upon which the device rests. Baseball also has fewer requirements with respect distortion due to weather and other outside interference because it is played in less severe weather than for example soccer. This is relevant because any change in the medium in which a wave travels will affect this wave. Both ultrasonic and laser rangefinders will be affected by rain, dust, and other factors, which must be accounted for based on the implementation and likely interference.

Laser based range finders can become highly ineffective when used in snow or fog as this distorts the beam of light. Another consideration is the potential movement of the user. For example, in baseball where the pitcher is throwing the ball from nearly the same place every time a laser range finder may be optimal because of the more limited range of view of laser rangefinders. For soccer, a high quality ultrasonic range finder may be optimal due to the potentially wider range of angles from which the ball moves towards the target. However, high winds can disrupt ultrasonic range finders. These and the other previously mentioned constraints depending on the application may be cause enough to use a low-cost LIDAR sensor for ranging and other analysis.

At least one hand holds 42 are provided to assist in lifting and moving the wall 22.

FIG. 2 shows the rear of the support structure 12. All of the electronics except for the piezoelectric sensors 28 are housed in the support structure 12 to protect them from the continuous stress of a ball impacting the front surface 16 of the impact wall 14. The second reason why the electronics are housed separately is because the more materials directly attached to the front surface 16 or striking surface, the more variables there are in determining ball location. The greater variety of materials touching the impact wall 14, the more the speed of sound traveling through the polycarbonate material of the impact wall 14 is distorted.

The support structure 12 in this implementation is made of wood or plastic, although it can be metal or a composite material. It includes a substantially planar backing wall 44 having a rear surface 46 with a plurality of vertical and horizontal strengthening ribs 48, 49, respectively. A pair of substantially triangular legs 50 are mounted to a vertical rib 49 with a hinge 52 to enable folding of the legs 50 for storage and transportation. The oblong openings 53 in the legs are to place sandbags for stability.

The displays 36, 38 and the Doppler sensor 40 can be seen mounted to the backing wall 44 and wired to a control box 54 that is attached to the backing wall 44. A microcontroller 55 is housed directly down from the displays 52, 54 and adjacent the control box 54.

The impact wall 14 is mounted to the backing wall 44 of the support structure 12 and insulated therefrom with twelve energy absorbing spacers located several inches inside a perimeter of the impact wall 14. The spacers are preferably cylindrical and actually hold the impact wall 14 in place on the backing wall 44. These spacers provide structure and protect the entirety of the support structure 12 and the electronics. These are to insure that none of the sensitive hardware is damaged by the ball impacting the impact wall 14. Ideally there are two spacers at or near the left and right side edges 24, 26 and four at the top and bottom edges 20, 22. They keep the polycarbonate impact wall 14 roughly ¾ of an inch from the backing wall 44 of the support structure 12 that houses most of the electronics hardware. The range of separation is about ½ inch to and including about 1½ inches. As such, the spacers separate the rebound wall 10 into the two distinct structures, the support structure 12 and the impact wall 14. In summary, the spacers have two functions. First, they keep the ball and the polycarbonate impact wall 14 away from the housing or support structure 12 to ensure the electronics are protected. Second, they reduce the amount of variability in the rate of vibrations running through the polycarbonate impact wall 14.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a system 100 formed in accordance with the present disclosure that utilizes at least one rebound wall 10.

Here, the system 100 utilizes a single rebound wall 10 formed in accordance with the present disclosure, such as the soccer ball rebound wall 10 described above. It is to be understood that the system can be configured to utilize more than one rebound wall, which implementation is described in more detail further below in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-6H.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rebound wall system 100 includes at least one rebound wall 10, an onsite management system 101 in the microcontroller 55, which may include an embedded communication system 103 used for control and data transmission internally as well as externally, such as to a local or worldwide network of computers that includes, without limitation, the Internet 102, as well as a host computer 104. Remote and onsite users of the rebound wall system 100 can access the onsite management system 101 via the communication system 103 to control the use of the rebound wall 10 and to obtain data generated by the rebound wall 10 and the onsite management system 101 for viewing, display, processing, and further transmission. The onsite management system 101 utilizes the microcontroller 55 to operate the rebound wall 10, including the electronics on the wall, e.g., sensors 28, including a range sensor 29, and indicators 30, a buzzer 31, which will be described below in more detail.

Ideally the management system 101 is configured to determine the location of each impact with the target, velocity of the object at each impact, the user's distance from the target at each impact, and the time between impacts in response to the generating of the detection signals at each of the sensors in the array of the plurality of sensors. It also provides the user with a comprehensive performance metric by combining at least three of the speed of the object, the distance between a user and the target, the distance between the target and the object's impact location, and the time between impacts.

In one implementation, the on-site management system 101 communicates with a remote management system 106 that may be on a host computer 104, or on a remote computer (not shown) that is connected preferably via a wireless radio frequency communication network. The remote management system 106 may also be directly wired to the onsite management system 101 if desired such as with a USB cable. Various communication configurations may be used to provide for data transfer and control communications between the onsite management system 101 and the remote management system 106, which are known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. Such systems are described generally at the end of this detailed description. Both the onsite management system 101 and the remote management system 106 may be a dedicated server, computer, processor, or other known computing device capable of radio frequency communication, hard-wired or cable communication, and further capable of processing commands and instructions provided by software stored in the respective onsite and remote management systems 101, 106 or communicated to them. The onsite and remote management systems 101, 106 are also capable of transmitting information to remote users, which preferably is via a secure protocol and of receiving commands and queries from remote users as described in more detail below.

Authorized users may use their own personal devices, such as cell phones, tablets, personal computers, all of which are well known in the art, to communicate electronically, such as with wireless communication, with the onsite and remote management systems 101, 106 as will be described in more detail herein. These authorized individuals, such as the user, their coach, trainer, relatives, or authored friends can be given access to use these systems 101, 106 if desired.

In one implementation, the host computer 104 may be connected to the microcontroller 55 via a USB cable and is placed behind the structural support 12 for protection. Ideally the microcontroller 55 connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a nearby laptop or smartphone. This is ideally housed in a protected area of the training ground. This could be in a pocket or bag. This host computer 104 is also the interface with the wall and is used to set the duration and style of their training session, through which a coach or other individual can monitor and track performance through data, analyze performance through visualizations, and update a profile with this training information.

Data visualizations 108 are simple graphical representations of the user's performance such heat maps under variable conditions. Essentially, these data visualizations are an efficient means of data transmission by players and interested third parties. They are seen on screen at the user's profile. Also, this diagram will show not only that data visualizations are connected to the internet, but the user's total training history and overall profile as well.

The system 100 or its various components individually or collectively or in any combination thereof are capable of being connected by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other wireless or wired protocol to a network. This network is connected to the Internet. The system 100 is also enabled to generate data visualization 108 and to send text messages, Tweets, email or other forms of communication to any or all authorized users. All information, both current and historical, is available on the web page to authorized users.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a representative implementation of a method formed in accordance with the present disclosure.

Start—

When the training session begins, targets illuminate, and metrics describing performance are calculated.

Set Mode—

There are different training settings the user can choose. These are things like only training strikes on the ground, so only those targets on the bottom row of the walls will be illuminated. Another option is to change the duration of the training session.

Select Target—

Select target is based on various randomization sequences programmed into the microcontroller. The most basic is total randomization of all lights and walls attached at a given time. Targeting can be customized to only select lights on the bottom of the wall. Any number of other desired settings are possible at this point. The target is the specific light on a specific wall.

Show Target—

Show target is the light actually lighting up and the buzzer sounding to show the user towards which target to kick.

Measure Range—

Measure range is the act of using the Doppler sensor 40 as a rangefinder to determine how far the user is from the target. This is important because it means that the user cannot cheat the system through being exceptionally close to the wall. It provides significantly more valuable analysis because the difficulty in accurately striking a ball 30 mph at a target 10 feet away is very different from the difficulty of striking the same ball from 10 yards away.

Wait for Ball—

In this flow diagram ‘wait for ball’ is specifically referencing the time between when the user's range from the wall is determined for a given strike and when the ball actually hits the wall. The timing of occurrences within the system is relevant for a variety of reasons. If you know when the ball hit the target (wall) and you know how far away the user is from the target then you can accurately estimate when the user kicked the ball. If you also know when the ball last struck the wall, you can subtract the time it took for the ball to travel to the wall from the time between strikes and get an approximation of the time it took the user to control the rebound. Pass control, otherwise known as trapping, efficiency is an incredibly important part of soccer and it is useful for the user to have this information.

Impact—

The ball actually hitting the wall, sending shockwaves through the Lexan, and then rebounding back to the user.

Determine Impact Point—

This is the most critical and complex piece of the system. This is when the piezoelectric sensors receive a spike in electrical current from the sound waves traveling through the Lexan, hitting the piezoelectric sensors, and their metal lattice contracting. The time at which the different piezoelectric sensors show this spike in electrical current is used to calculate where the ball is on the wall. So, if the piezo in the upper right hand corner had an electrical spike at 1.35.01546 minutes into the training session, the bottom central piezo had a spike at 1.35.01626 minutes into the training session, and the upper central piezo spiked at 1.35. 01499 minutes, then it is possible to triangulate where the shockwaves originated.

Show Impact Point—

Once the program has located where the shockwave originated then the closest light to that origination point is lit up to provide the user instant feedback of how well they performed.

Measure Speed—

While the ball is traveling through the air, the Doppler sensor 40 measures the speed at which the user struck the ball. As discussed herein, this measurement may be done via other types of radar.

Display Speed—

It is possible for the displays to show any of the many metrics that are analyzed, including speed. While speed is generally not the most valuable piece of information to be displayed in real time to the user, the system can be configured to do so if desired. Hence, ‘display speed’ is in reference to the potential of the unit to instantly provide this information to the user.

Calculate Score—

Calculate score is the process of using a simple calculation to determine the aggregate skill involved in a given series of controlling the rebound and striking the subsequent target. This is the formula: multiplying ball speed [mph] by a distance between the point of origin of the ball and the wall (measured in feet) and dividing the result by the product of multiplying accuracy (measured in inches the ball is from the indicated target when it strikes the wall) by the time between instances when the ball hits the wall(s) (pace).

Display Score—

This is the act of showing the user's score, based on the formula in the previous section, on one of the two displays at the top of the wall (device or unit).

Store Data—

As information is collected throughout a training session, this data is stored on the attached or associated computer for subsequent analysis by the user or interested third parties. The data may be transmitted wirelessly or via hard wired connection to other computers or display devices as desired.

Data Visualization—

Data visualization is the process of transferring the data points from an SQL format to something more efficiently usable to interested parties. This could be as simple as an average of the user's accuracy when kicking the ball over 30 mph from over 8 yards away or a graph of the user's scores over the course of a month. Or this could be as complex as an aggregate heat map of where the user hits the ball when kicking the ball under 20 mph, from at least 5 yards away, with a rebound control time of less than 1 second, after turning 180 degrees to face the second wall.

Determining Location of Impact by Shock Time of Arrival

1—Problem Description

The point of impact of a soccer ball on a training wall can be determined by measuring the relative time of arrival of the impact shock at an array of piezoelectric sensors with at least three working sensors.

2—Mathematical Representation

The hyperbola formed by the difference in time arrival at two points x₁and x₂is of the form:

√{square root over ((x−x₁)²+(y−y₁)²)}−√{square root over ((x−x₂)²+(y−y₂))}²=(t₁−t₂)v

Where x and y are the coordinates of the impact point, t₁and t₂are the arrival times at x₁and x₂and v is the propagation velocity of a disturbance along the wall. Note that because the time of arrival of disturbance at each focus of the hyperbola is known, one arm of the hyperbola can be neglected entirely.

3—Method of Solution

As a result, any pair hyperbolas intersect at one point only. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be an easy closed form solution for the intersection. Newton's formula can be applied in two dimensions to find the intersection point. Given:

$f (x, y) = 0$ $\sqrt{{(x - x_{1})}^{2} + {(y - y_{1})}^{2}} - \sqrt{{(x - x_{2})}^{2} + {(y - y_{2})}^{2}} - (t_{1} - t_{2}) v = 0$

The value(s) of x and y that satisfy this equation can be determined by linearizing around that point, solving the resulting system of equations, and using that as the “guesstimate” for another round until there is convergence on a solution. The linearization around a point x0, Y0 for a hyperbola with the foci of x₁and x₂is:

$f_{0} (x, y) = f_{1, 2} (x_{0}, y_{0}) + \frac{\partial f_{1, 2}}{\partial x} (x_{0}, y_{0}) (x - x_{0}) + \frac{\partial f_{1, 2}}{\partial y} (x_{0}, y_{0}) (y - y_{0})$

Using the chain rule, the partial derivatives are calculated as follows:

$\frac{\partial f_{1, 2}}{\partial x} (x, y) = \frac{(x - x_{1})}{\sqrt{{(x - x_{1})}^{2} + {(y - y_{1})}^{2}}} - \frac{(x - x_{2})}{\sqrt{{(x - x_{2})}^{2} + {(y - y_{2})}^{2}}}$ $\frac{\partial f_{1, 2}}{\partial y} (x, y) = \frac{(y - y_{1})}{\sqrt{{(x - x_{1})}^{2} + {(y - y_{1})}^{2}}} - \frac{(y - y_{2})}{\sqrt{{(x - x_{2})}^{2} + {(y - y_{2})}^{2}}}$

For sake of convenience in showing the closed form solution of the intersection of the planes resulting from a pair of hyperbolas, the following substitutions can be made:

$A_{1} = f_{1, 2} (x_{0}, y_{0})$ $B_{1} = \frac{\partial f_{1, 2}}{\partial x} (x_{0}, y_{0})$ $C_{1} = \frac{\partial f_{1, 2}}{\partial y} (x_{0}, y_{0})$ $A_{2} = f_{3, 4} (x_{0}, y_{0})$ $B_{2} = \frac{\partial f_{3, 4}}{\partial x} (x_{0}, y_{0})$ $C_{2} = \frac{\partial f_{3, 4}}{\partial y} (x_{0}, y_{0})$

Consequently, the system of equations can be written as:

A₁+B₁(x−x₀)+C₁(y−y₀)=0

A₂+B₂(x−x₀)+C₂(y−y₀)=0

Rearranging and solving for y:

$y = - \frac{(A_{1} - A_{2}) - (B_{1} - B_{2}) x_{0} - (C_{1} - C_{0}) y_{0} + (B_{1} - B_{2}) x}{(C_{1} - C_{2})}$

Substituting and solving for x:

$x = x_{0} + \frac{[C_{1} (\frac{A_{1} - A_{2}}{C_{1} - C_{2}}) - A_{1}]}{[B_{1} - C_{1} (\frac{B_{1} - B_{2}}{C_{1} - C_{2}})]}$

Given a reasonable starting point, this procedure should converge rapidly. The number of hyperbola pairs available is n choose 2, where n is the number of sensors. With six sensors, that gives fifteen pairs. Hence, the cost of losing a few of them to convergence issues is negligible.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, triangulation using hyperbolic convergence is not used. This method of accuracy determination still has value for various applications, but it is not utilized in a soccer device, such as the device described above. It is not necessary to determine a user's inch-by-inch accuracy proficiency in soccer, and instead a piezoelectric sensor (“piezo”) is used behind each target and feedback light, and impact location is determined based on the first piezo to recognize a vibration that reaches a given threshold. This threshold is easily altered based on the average range of force of the ball or a projectile in a given sport. For example, this threshold is significantly lessened for ping pong than soccer. Here the sensors all feed back to the microcontroller and the signal indicates at what time the sensor detected a substantial vibrational acoustic frequency from an impact.

This updated sensor layout can be seen in FIG. 7 as each round housing 211 connected to other round housings 211 through the visible, slim wire harnesses contains an LED, a piezoelectric sensor 28 or accelerometer, a vibration dampening backing, and has an epoxy overmold. In this version, openings are used to connect multiple surfaces 210 attaching two metal tubes 209 that ensure unified stability. To further ensure structural stability, smaller, small or slim openings are provided through which users can stake down the support legs 213. Similarly, an attachment mechanism is provided for a bladder that provides stabilizing weight for the free standing surfaces 212.

In accordance with yet a further alternative implementation, Force Sensitive Resistors (FSR) are used for accuracy determination. Essentially, a printed circuit board is provided with a conductive array and a thinly separated electrically conductive cover sheet for which the level of electrical resistance is a known value. When a projectile strikes the wall surface, the circuit will be completed and there will be a measurable level of electrical resistance. Because the system is directed to only the impact location and not the specific amount of force behind an impact, a binary system can be utilized that shows when and where there was resistance. Of concern is ‘ghosting’, by which unintended measurably resistant pathways are created through multiple impact locations that potentially cause false readings. Also of concern is that determining the exact amount of force behind a given impact can be unreliable. Instead of attempting to solve this through determining the center of the impact point by the location of the most resistance, both problems can be solved by creating the binary system of resistance versus no-resistance. With this the correct impact point can be determined through recognizing the geographic center of where there was any measurable electrical resistance.

The foregoing alternative designs provide for better unit maintenance, scalability to secondary markets, and the creation of a flexible “Smart Wall” concept. By creating self-contained units of both the light and the piezo sensor, it is possible to screw in and unscrew new modules of lights and sensors when either breaks. For the user, this can be as simple as replacing a lightbulb. By using a grid of Force Sensitive Resistors, the user can remove the backing of the rebound wall and replace it with another grid. By using a Force Sensitive Resistant array, the design can be altered for different applications by changing the spacing of the array based on the size of the projectile and the surface area of the projectile that will be in contact with the surface of the rebound surface. The surface area will be impacted by the material properties of the wall, level of ball compression at a range of forces, the inflation of the ball, and other factors. A capacitive array can similarly be used.

A primary reason for using Force Sensitive Resistors for accuracy determination is the ability to create a flexible Smart Wall. This flexible Smart Wall would lower shipping and production costs, enable scalability over larger surface areas, and allow greater customization. In this flexible Smart Wall is integrated a large Force Sensitive Resistor array on flexible printed circuit board material, such as, but not necessarily, silver printed atop polyester or polyimide. The lights are integrated into this sheet, and the components such as the radar sensor, displays, and Arduino are housed in a protective hard case around which the fabric wraps for shipping and storage. The primary difference between the rigid and flexible Smart Wall's is that in the original design the rigid rebounder is the physical wall. However, in the flexible Smart Wall, the wall is not provided and the user can set the flexible portion in front of any rigid surface or wall they have available to them or they can decide that rebounding is not necessary. This is particularly relevant for technical performance analysis of pitching in baseball.

In addition, the device will have a camera mounted on a top of the rebound wall. This will allow users to collect video data for later use in video content analysis of their biomechanical approaches to successful and unsuccessful attempts at delivering a given projectile towards a target as well as the user's kicking foot. This information will not be immediately analyzed do to the constraints of processing power needed for biomechanical video content analysis. This video will also enable determination of the user's kicking foot, throwing arm, or side of the body from which they are delivering a given projectile towards a target. This is important knowledge for determining the technical proficiency of a player in many sports.

Referring next to FIGS. 6A-6H, shown therein is another implementation of the present disclosure. Here, a rebound wall system 200 is shown in graphic illustrations for purposes of showing the use of the system. The system 200 utilizes four rebound walls 10a-10d in the form described above. In FIG. 6A a user, in this case a soccer player 202 uses their right leg 204 to prepare to kick a soccer ball 206 towards the first rebound wall 10a. Each rebound wall 10a-10d shows a green square 208 as the intended target. This is done using the indicator lights 30. However, it is not required to display a square. Rather, a circle or other geometric shape or a single light may be used. A square is shown in

FIGS. 6A-6H are for illustrative purposes only. On the upper right corner of FIGS. 6A-6H is an enlarged view of the targeted rebound wall showing in enlarged detail the lights and displays.

Returning to FIG. 6A, the green square is illuminated to indicate the intended location of the point of impact for the ball 206. In FIG. 6B, the player 202 kicks the ball 206 with their right leg 204, and the ball 206 impacts the rebound wall 10a at the location shown in the display with the red square. In addition, the speed of the ball 206 at impact is shown on the rebound wall 10a as 40 mph. In FIGS. 6C-6D, the player 202 turns to their right and kicks the ball 206 towards the second rebound wall 10B in an attempt to hit the green targeted area 208. The ball impacts the rebound wall 10B to the right of the intended point of impact 208, as shown by the red square in the display. The speed of the ball is now shown as 45 mph. Similarly, in FIGS. 6E-6F, the player 202 turns 90 degrees to their right and kicks the ball 206 at the rebound wall 10C in an attempt to hit the illuminated impact point 208. The ball hits the intended impact point, which turns red as shown in the accompanying display, at a speed of 59 mph. Finally, in FIGS. 6G-6H, the player 202 turns another 90 degrees to their right and kicks the ball 206 at the intended target, the illuminated green impact point 208, and hits the impact point 208, which turns red. The displayed speed is now 60 mph.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the system may include multiple targets, each target of the multiple targets having an array of sensors to detect impacts of the object with the respective target, each target having a location and orientation relative to the point of origin, each target coupled to the processor with the location and orientation of the respective target saved in the memory associated with the processor. A locking and stabilizing mechanism can be provided that physically connects the multiple targets together to form a larger target surface area that resists movement in response to the impacts of the object. This locking mechanism can be constructed from existing commercially available components and will not be described in detail herein.

The data structures and code described in this detailed description are typically stored on a computer readable storage medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computer system.

This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs), DVDs (digital video discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in a transmission medium (with or without a carrier wave upon which the signals are modulated). For example, the transmission medium may include a telecommunications network, such as the Internet.

The present disclosure may be utilized upon any telecommunications network capable of transmitting data including voice data and other types of electronic data. Examples of suitable telecommunications networks for the present disclosure include but are not limited to global computer networks (e.g., Internet), wireless networks, cellular networks, satellite communications networks, cable communication networks (via a cable modem), microwave communications network, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), campus area networks (CAN), metropolitan-area networks (MAN), and home area networks (HAN).

The system of the present disclosure may communicate via a single telecommunications network or multiple telecommunications networks concurrently. Various protocols may be utilized by the electronic devices for communications such as but not limited to HTTP, SMTP, FTP and WAP (wireless Application Protocol). The present disclosure may be implemented upon various wireless networks such as but not limited to 3G, 4G, LTE, CDPD, CDMA, GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX, REFLEX, IDEN, TETRA, DECT, DATATAC, and MOBITEX. The present disclosure may also be utilized with online services and Internet service providers. The Internet is an exemplary telecommunications network for the present disclosure. The Internet is comprised of a global computer network having a plurality of computer systems around the world that are in communication with one another. Via the Internet, the computer systems are able to transmit various types of data between one another. The communications between the computer systems may be accomplished via various methods such as but not limited to wireless, Ethernet, cable, direct connection, telephone lines, and satellite.

The central communication unit may be comprised of any central communication site where communications are preferably established. The central communication units may be comprised of a server computer, cloud based computer, virtual computer, home computer or other computer system capable of receiving and transmitting data via IP networks and the telecommunication networks. As can be appreciated, a modem or other communication device may be required between each of the central communication units and the corresponding telecommunication networks. The central communication unit may be comprised of any electronic system capable of receiving and transmitting information (e.g., voice data, computer data, etc.).

The present disclosure is described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer flow diagrams according to example implementations of the disclosure. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some implementations of the disclosure. These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer, processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, implementations of the disclosure may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions embodied therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, can be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present implementation be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains and having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, another application of the present disclosure would be two foldable surfaces that can be fixed to the inside of a soccer goal. The first surface (front) would essentially be the same as the polycarbonate front with the attached piezoelectric sensors. The second surface (back) would essentially be the same as the support structure 12 that houses the electronics. Another implementation is a change to the location of the piezoelectric sensors 28 by removing the mutually opposing surface 18 and place all of the piezoelectric sensors 28 inside the lights 32. Similarly, in FIG. 3, this would involve placing the piezoelectric sensors 28 inside the lights 32.

Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described above. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. These and other changes can be made to the implementations in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible implementations along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of technical performance training and analysis that utilizes a target for a user to deliver an object and that includes an array of a plurality of sensors, the method comprising:

detecting impacts of the object with the target at the plurality of sensors;

generating detection signals through the array of the plurality of sensors in response to the detecting the impacts of the object; and

determining a location of each impact with the target, velocity of the object at each impact, the user's distance from the target at each impact, and a time between impacts in response to the generating of the detection signals at each of the sensors in the array of the plurality of sensors.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a visual indication of the location of each impact on the target through an array of lights on the target in response to the generation of the detection signals.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user with a comprehensive performance metric by combining at least three of a speed of the object, a distance between a user and the target, a distance between the target and the object's impact location, and a time between impacts.

4. A system for use with at least one object, comprising:

a target;

a plurality of sensors on the target to detect impacts of the object with the target when the object is launched towards the target from a point of origin;

a controller having a processor with an associated memory and coupled to the plurality of sensors to: detect impacts of the object with the target at the plurality of sensors; generate detection signals through the plurality of sensors in response to the detecting the impacts of the object; and determine a location of each impact, velocity of the object at each impact, a distance from the point of origin to the location of each impact of the object with the target, and a time between impacts in response to the generating of the detection signals at each of the sensors in the plurality of sensors.

5. The system of claim 4 comprising multiple targets, each target of the multiple targets having an array of sensors to detect the impacts of the object with the a respective target, each target having a location and orientation relative to the point of origin, each target coupled to the processor with the location and orientation of the respective target saved in the memory associated with the processor.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a locking and stabilizing mechanism that physically connects the multiple targets together to form a larger target surface area that resists movement in response to the impacts of the object.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a floor surface and having at least one of sensors and visual indicators embedded in the floor surface.

8. The system method of claim 1, further comprising a clear impact surface material on the target and a plurality of visual indicators mounted in the clear impact surface material to be protected from the impacts of the object by the clear impact surface material.

9. A system to measure a user's skill at delivering a projectile towards a target based on at least projectile velocity and impact location, the system comprising:

a target having a first surface;

an array of a plurality of sensors on the first surface of the target;

a plurality of visually perceptible indicators on the target;

an audio speaker;

a controller coupled to the plurality of indicators, the plurality of sensors, and to the audio speaker, to execute instructions to: receive signals from at least three sensors of the plurality of sensors in response to an object contacting the target at a point of impact; process the signals from the at least three sensors to determine a location of the point of impact on the first surface of the target; generate an output signal to an indicator of the plurality of indicators that is closest to the determined location of the point of impact to provide a visually perceptible indication of the point of impact on the first surface of the target; generate a display on a display device that visually indicates at least one from among a distance between the point of impact and an intended point of impact on the first surface of the target, and a score.

10. The system of claim 9, comprising a sensor on the target that is configured to detect a distance between the point of impact on the target and an origination location of the object.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect which of an arm, a foot, or a side of the body from which the user launches the object towards the target.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the sensor comprises at least one from among a sensor associated with the arm or foot of the user or a video analysis system that obtains a video of the user and uses video analysis to determine the arm or foot of the user that was used to launch the object.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising a set of performance measures to determine a user's performance when compared to the performance measures.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising multiple targets coupled to the controller, each target having a first surface, an array of a plurality of sensors on the first surface of the target, a plurality of visually perceptible indicators on the target, and an audio speaker.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein each target has a location and orientation relative to the point of origin, each target coupled to the controller with the location and orientation of the respective target saved in a memory associated with a processor in the controller, the processor capable of recognizing each target's location and orientation with respect to the other targets of the plurality of targets; and

the system further including a combination of one or more of acceleration sensors, gravity sensors, gyroscopes, linear acceleration sensors, and geomagnetic field sensors to detect the origination location of the object and to analyze a user's technical skill at receiving the object from a first direction, turning their body to face towards a second direction, and delivering the object in the second direction.