ADVANCED SYSTEM FOR PHYSICAL CONDITIONING AND SPORTS TRAINING
The present disclosure provides a system for conditioning and training, generally comprising a floor portion and at least one guide within a line of sight of the floor portion. The guide is configured to display training programs for a user to use to improve sports skills, such as hockey skills for example. In an embodiment, the floor portion has RFID tags to determine where a puck or other object is located. In another embodiment, the system has an apparatus to determine, verify or display a puck location. The apparatus can be either a camera or an AR unit such as glasses. Based on information provided and received, the system can tailor exercises for a user and provide enhanced statistics to improve skills.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/068,699, entitled “Advanced System for Physical Conditioning and Sports Training” filed on Aug. 21, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELDThe disclosure relates to the field of training, and more specifically to an advanced interactive system for physical conditioning and sports training.
SUMMARYIn an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for conditioning and training comprising: a floor portion further comprised of a plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags; and, at least one guide in within a line of sight from the floor portion, wherein the system displays instructions on the at least one guide and determines a correct position of an object on the floor portion, and wherein data is generated to improve conditioning and training an operator.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for conditioning and training comprising: at least one guide in within a line of sight from a surface area; and, at least one apparatus, wherein the system displays instructions on the at least one guide and the at least one apparatus determines a correct position of at least one object on the surface area, and wherein data is generated to improve conditioning and training an operator.
From a very broad point of view this system works as follow: first, an instruction is given to the player via screen such as a tablet, mobile or via voice command and the user then tries to recreate/follow the said instruction as quickly as possible and/or as accurately as possible. The system is then able to track the movement and location of the puck (or other) and analyze the users' performance. Scoring and points can be recorded to gamify the training and to enable the user to see an improvement in performance. On top of being able to record the user performance, the system is using AI technology to further recommend or adjust the training routines of the user based on the data patterns available so as to target training to areas of improvement. There is also means for the system to share the scoring with other users via an online platform. With the online platform, the user has a means to compare their performance with other individuals from the same age group but also can provide those numbers to trainers that can further help the user in developing specific skills. There are two different categories of training that are available to choose from. The first type of training is game-like, where precision is not necessarily required but it will help the player to build up his speed, stickhandling, heads up capability and his confidence overall. In the other type of training, puck placement precision is important, as well as the speed at which the puck is being moved. In this case, the training is meant to be less of a game and more geared towards actual performance from the athlete. Here, the data analytics will help players and coach to improve specific skill and also, in some extent, be able to compare various players in different skill area of the game. Over time, the player will be able to track their improvements, which, with some help of statistical analysis, could even help forecast what performance can be expected in the future.
Stickhandling, puck control, speed and precision of puck placement are the three main aspects the systems described herein are recording and analyzing. In shooting, the puck speed and the accuracy are the main components recorded. Here, the systems record the amount of shots taken, the amount of target hit and the time spent between the moment the signal was given and the target being hit to evaluate what the reaction time of the user is. Passing is another aspect that may be recorded, where the puck placement and speed would be analyzed.
In accordance with the present embodiment, there is a puck comprising of an RFID antenna used to detect passive RFID tags placed throughout the training area on top of the tiles used to confirm the position of the puck on the surface. The puck may also have a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to allow the puck to send data from the RFID reader and/or other sensors on the device wirelessly. A software application running on a device with computing capabilities, such as a tablet, mobile phone or even dedicated computer, receives the data from the puck analyses it and further incorporates it in an advanced training application. It should also be noted that the opposite is also possible, where the RFID readers are located within or under the surface and the RFID tag is moving with the puck.
This application can display to the user where to locate the puck on the training surface. Furthermore, the application can recognize the user's weaknesses in implementing a training pattern that will help overcome the said weakness. This application may also analyze which stickhandling patterns the players have difficulty with and suggests certain patterns and other advice to help the player improve their skills.
In another embodiment, there is a device that includes a camera or multiple cameras that oversee the training surface and are able to send the data via wireless means to a software running on an electronic device that can follow the movement of the puck. This application can compare the movement of the puck with the training instructions given to the user and adjust the training instructions according to weaknesses detected during the said training. This system is particularly advantageous, as it does not require the user to use a puck filled with electronics, allowing the user to practice shooting skills using multiple pucks, as they would normally do. It is noted that an infrared camera could be used to help track the puck movement if the puck is equipped with a small infrared light or reflector on both sides.
In another embodiment, not only there is a camera used to track the movement of the puck but the user is also wearing glasses that are equipped with augmented reality (AR) technology that allows the user to see, in real time, training instructions without having to look at a screen. Those glasses are connected to a computer that analyzes the data from the camera and the software then provide up-to-date score and tips to help further the player.
In another embodiment where the player is training for shooting accuracy, some targets are placed in front of a net or another surface and lights are used to indicate which target the player should aim for. Using video technology or other type of technology, the system can detect if an attempt was made to hit the target and if the target was indeed hit. This allows for the software to then analyze not only how long it took for the player to hit certain target but how many attempts it took and adjust the training in the future in a way that help the user to improve in the areas where those weaknesses were detected.
The following figures serve to illustrate various embodiments of features of the disclosure. These figures are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting.
The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that various modifications and/or alterations to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the disclosure and any modifications and/or alterations are within the scope of the contemplated disclosure.
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Another embodiment for the vision technology (camera 170) will be in its use to determine a player's proper form while performing training and allow for a feedback loop to the player so as to improve their stance amongst various training activities.
The floor portion 115 is further comprised of markers 145 to assist a user with stickhandling drills. Indeed, the markers 145 are preferably illuminated under the floor portion 115; however, a worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the markers 145 could be painted dots, stickers, friction rubber dots either on the top surface or underneath a transparent floor portion 115.
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A conductive material such as copper, silver, gold, or any other conductive material can be used as the positive and negative terminal of the sensor. Conductive fiber imbedded fabrics, conductive foam, or conductive tape can also be used as the positive and negative terminal of the sensor. The semiconductive material has an internal volumetric resistance that changes when pressure is applied to the material. Combining these properties with electrical connections allows to detect a change in voltage throughout the target using a voltage divider or a microcontroller throughout the target. The different layering method of conductive, semiconductive, and non-conductive materials are used to provide a target with either or both mechanical and electrical pressure sensing abilities allowing to vary the intensity of any routines from the present system.
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Each connected training system 810 sends training data to game control device 820 in real time. The data is saved locally using a local database for further processing. After completing a training session the data is further cleaned and sent to a cloud system 830 to be accessed on a game analytics device.
The cloud system 830 is responsible for maintaining all historical data for players' training, analyze their progress using AI and machine learning methods. A recommendation engine is used to propose new training patterns and schedules to the players which can be displayed on a Game analysis device 840. Game Analysis Device 840 is a display device/application that collects historic training and analyses data from the cloud and presents it to a user.
The Game Control Device 820 and the Game Analysis Device 840 allow players to connect with other players, and the ability to train together physically and remotely. The system 800 lets users to challenge other user or allows them to participate in a training challenge.
The Game Control Device 820 and the Game Analysis Device 840 also allows users to share their training stats, challenge performance, training pattern and training progress with other players.
The game control device 820 and game analysis device 840 can be different devices or can be on a single device allowing for both functions of the control and analysis devices. A worker skilled in the relevant art would be familiar with the implementation of available software architecture to combine both features into a single device.
A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that although the present embodiments are directed to hockey training specifically, the systems 10, 110, 210 could be used for other sports, including but not limited to soccer, baseball, football, racket ball, etc or simply general conditioning and fitness. A worker skilled in the art would also appreciate that each of the systems 10, 110, 210 will analyze the training and conditioning to generate data that is used to improve the ability of the operator of the systems 10, 110, 210.
Claims
1. A system for conditioning and training comprising:
- a floor portion further comprising a plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags; and,
- at least one guide within a line of sight from the floor portion,
- wherein the system displays instructions on the at least one guide and determines a correct position of an object on the floor portion,
- and wherein data is generated to improve conditioning and training an operator.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one guide is a display unit.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the object is a puck having at least one printed circuit board.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the puck communicates with the display unit.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising the display of past results and results from other systems for conditioning and training.
6. A system for conditioning and training comprising:
- at least one guide within a line of sight from a surface area; and,
- at least one apparatus,
- wherein the system displays instructions on the at least one guide and the at least one apparatus determines a correct position of at least one object on the surface area,
- and wherein data is generated to improve conditioning and training an operator.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the object is a puck.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising targets for use with the puck.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a printed circuit board in the targets for communicating with the at least one guide.
10. The system of claim 7 further comprising a wall portion with target areas for use with the puck.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one guide is a display unit.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a game control device and game analysis device.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the game control device connects an n-number of systems for conditioning and training to the game analysis device.
14. The system of claim 6 wherein the apparatus is a camera.
15. The system of claim 6 wherein the apparatus is an AR unit in the form of glasses.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 23, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 24, 2022
Applicant: HockeyShot Inc. (Scoudouc)
Inventors: Jonathan THERIAULT (Shediac River), Paul BRUN (Grand-Barachois), Aaron BIDDINGTON (Boudreau-Ouest)
Application Number: 17/409,389