Routine machine

Abstract

A programmable electronic timing device for use in any sport that requires a routine, worn on the belt with an audible tone that signals when the pre-shot routine of an athlete begins and another tone that sounds when the shot or release of energy should take place according to that athlete's own natural acts. The electronic timing device, here after known as the Routine Machine, contains a timer to be used to time the entire amount of time an athlete should take in their pre-shot routine from start to finish, and provides the results on an easily read digital display. The Routine Machine also contains a metronome function which works in unison with the timing function and produces a tone intermittently from one-half second up to five-second intervals which will assist the athlete with rhythm and tempo training.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of training an athlete to perform an athletic endeavor that requires a paced routine comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a controller operatively located within a housing and programmed to produce a plurality of timing pattern signals in response to an entered set of said athletic endeavor timing data, wherein said controller further comprises an adjustment device for adjusting said timing pattern according to desired individual parameters;    b) providing a LCD display on which timed results are visually displayed;    c) providing a transmitter operatively controlled by said controller for transmitting audible signals corresponding to said timing pattern;    d) transmitting an initialization signal in response to said athlete's activation of said controller to indicate said athletic endeavor starting point; and    e) transmitting a second signal that indicates said athletic endeavor completion time according to said athlete's entered set of endeavor timing data.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further providing a means of inputting into said controller, by way of said adjustment device, athlete's individual parameters for said athletic endeavor comprising the steps of: 
 a) said athlete's timing a routine from a first movement toward said endeavor by first activating an “ON/OFF” button in communication with said controller to engage a stopwatch-mode of operation;    b) said athlete then activates a “START” button at athlete's first movement of said endeavor which starts said stopwatch mode into a timer function;    c) said athlete then activates said “START” button a second time exactly at a point in time corresponding to said athletic endeavor completion time;    d) said athlete's observing the entire time of athlete's routine as preserved on said LCD display;    e) said athlete's then activating a “TIME” button, and then activating a “SET” button to set their time into a time-mode of operation using up/down “RATE” buttons; and    f) said athlete's then activating said “SET” button which stores the time into the memory of said controller.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further providing a means for an athlete to perform an athletic endeavor requiring a routine motion in rhythm with a predetermined tempo comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a controller programmed to output a timing pattern in response to a preselected set of athlete endeavor timing data;    b) said athlete's inputting into said controller by way of said adjustment device a time interval for rhythmic training;    c) providing a transmitter in communication with said controller for transmitting signals corresponding to said timing pattern;    d) transmitting to said athlete an initialization signal indicating an athletic endeavor starting point; and    e) transmitting to said athlete a second plurality of signals corresponding to sequential points of said athletic endeavor, thereby allowing said athlete to perform said athletic endeavor at a tempo synchronous with said tempo set by said second plurality of signals.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further providing a means of inputting into said controller, by way of said adjustment device, a time interval for rhythmic training comprising the steps of: 
 a) said athlete's activating a “MET” button to enter a metronome-mode of operation;    b) said athlete's then activating a “SET” button;    c) said athlete's then activating up and down “RATE” buttons to select a desired time interval for rhythmic training; and    d) said athlete's then activating said “START” button to initiate metronome operation.