Video-based system for tennis training

Abstract

The inventive system comprises a first plurality of cameras disposed around a first point in a practice area to generate a plurality of first images of an individual positioned at the first point in the course of the execution of a swing by the individual. A second plurality of cameras is disposed around a second point in a practice area, the second point being displaced from the first point. The second plurality of cameras is symmetrically positioned with respect to the first plurality of cameras about an axis defined by the position of a first theoretical line positioned between the first and second plurality of cameras, and transverse to a second theoretical line extending between the first and second plurality of cameras. The second plurality of cameras generating a plurality of second images of an individual positioned at the second point in the course of the execution of a swing by the individual. The inventive mat is placed in the practice area at a position below that damaged by the cameras, in order to guide the movements of an individual practicing tennis swings.

1 . Apparatus for training an individual to play tennis, comprising:
 (a) a first plurality of cameras disposed around a first point in a practice area to generate a plurality of first images of an individual positioned at said first point in the course of the execution of a swing by said individual; and   (b) a second plurality of cameras disposed around a second point in a practice area, said second point being displaced from said first point, said second plurality of cameras being symmetrically positioned with respect to said first plurality of cameras about an axis defined by the position of a first theoretical line positioned between said first and second plurality of cameras, and transverse to a second theoretical line extending between said first and second plurality of cameras, said second plurality of cameras generating a plurality of second images of an individual positioned at said second point in the course of the execution of a swing by said individual.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the practice area is a tennis court. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising indicia for indicating the position where a person being trained is to stand. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said swing is associated with a range of likely trajectories for a ball being swung at and hit, said cameras in said first and second plurality of cameras being positioned outside the space defined by said likely trajectories. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said practice area comprises a surface marked with lines defining a tennis court and a net dividing the court into two areas, said first plurality of cameras being disposed on one side of said net and said second plurality of cameras being disposed on the other side of said net. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said practice area comprises a surface marked with lines defining a tennis court and a net, said tennis court having a real or imaginary line dividing the court into two areas, said line extending between the two areas and oriented to transverse the net, said first plurality of cameras being disposed on one side of said line and said second plurality of cameras being disposed on the other side of said line, said first plurality of cameras being disposed on the same side of said net as said second plurality of cameras. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above said first point and said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above said second point and wherein said first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to the side of said first point and said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to the side of said second point. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein said first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above said first point and said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above said second point and wherein said first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned on two sides of said first point and said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned on two sides of said second point. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said cameras comprise video cameras. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as in  claim 9 , further comprising still cameras. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said cameras comprise still cameras. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said practice area comprises a court surface and said points are defined by demarcations of foot positions disposed over said court surface. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a video recorder for recording the output of one or more of said cameras and, simultaneously or after a period of time, playing back said recorded video. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein said practice area comprises a surface marked with lines defining a tennis court and a net, said tennis court having a real or imaginary line dividing the court into two areas, said line extending between the two areas and oriented to transverse the net, said first plurality of cameras being disposed on one side of said line and said second plurality of cameras being disposed on the other side of said line, said first plurality of cameras being disposed on the same side of said net as said second plurality of cameras. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as in  claim 14 , wherein said first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above said first point and said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned above said second point and wherein said first plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to the side of said first point and said second plurality of cameras comprises a camera positioned to the side of said second point. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein said markings are provided by an electronic display. 
     
     
         17 . A method using the apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a user stands apart from the display and follows the movement of the display with his feet.