Video analysis tool for sports instruction

Abstract

A method for providing instruction to a student in golf or other sports is provided. In accordance with the method, a video file is received of the student practicing the sport. The video is then assembled into an executable viewer file accessible on a web site, and the student is notified when the viewer file is available on the web site.

1 . A method for providing sports instruction to a student, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving video footage of the student engaging in the sport;    programming the video footage into an executable viewer file accessible on a web site; and    notifying the student when the viewer file is available on the web site.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sport is golf.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the student is notified by email when the executable file is available on the web site.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the executable file is password protected.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the video is received electronically from the student's instructor.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the steps of receiving the video and assembling the video into an executable file are performed by an entity that charges the instructor a fee for these services.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the video footage is converted from a video file into a series of picture sequences.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the picture sequences are .jpeg files.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the video footage is converted from a video file into an animated .gif file.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the video file is an .avi file.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animated .gif file is converted into a .jpeg sequence.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the executable viewer file contains both video of a student's technique and picture files corresponding to key points of the student's technique.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the executable viewer file contains a folder which includes video files of a student's technique, and a text file which includes hot links to the video files.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the viewer file further comprises picture files corresponding to key points of the student's technique, and wherein the text file includes hot links to the picture files.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of assembling the video footage into an executable viewer file includes the steps of selecting key frames from the video footage and converting those frames into a sequence of image files.  
   
   
       16 . A method of doing business, comprising the steps of: 
 creating a business entity; and    executing a contract with at least one sports instructor having at least one student associated therewith whereby, in exchange for the payment of a fee by the sports instructor, the business entity agrees to (a) receive video footage from the sports instructor, and (b) create, from the video footage, an executable viewer file that may be accessed and viewed on a web site.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the business entity has a website associated therewith, and wherein the executable viewer file may be accessed and viewed on the business entity's web site.  
   
   
       18 . A business, comprising: 
 a business entity;    a client associated with said business entity; and    a contract between said business entity and said client, wherein the contract provides that, in exchange for the payment of a fee by the client, the business entity agrees to (a) receive video footage from the client, and (b) create, from the video footage, an executable viewer file that may be accessed and viewed on a web site.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the business entity has a website associated therewith, and wherein the executable viewer file may be accessed and viewed on the business entity's web site.  
   
   
       20 . A software program disposed in a tangible medium and containing suitable instructions for performing the steps of: 
 creating an executable viewer file from video footage of a student practicing an activity;    publishing the viewer file to a website; and    issuing a notification when the executable file is available on the web site.    
   
   
       21 . The software program of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of receiving the video file via electronic mail.  
   
   
       22 . The software program of  claim 20 , wherein the step of issuing a notification includes the step of sending a message to the student when the executable file is available on the web site.  
   
   
       23 . A website, comprising: 
 a software program disposed in a tangible medium and containing suitable instructions for publishing the web site of  claim 20.