Method, apparatus and system for projecting sports objects

Abstract

Method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for projecting a sports object onto a playing surface based upon player position. The method and system includes monitoring player position and projecting the sports object onto a playing surface using a sports object projection apparatus based upon the monitored player position.

1 . A system for projecting a sports object onto a playing surface, the system comprising:
 a first and second transmitter device, each configured to transmit signals toward the playing surface from a stationary position;   a mobile device configured to receive signals from the first and second transmitter devices while in use by a player; and   a sports projection apparatus comprising: a control system configured to determine a player position based upon a time-component supplied by the mobile device and the transmitted signals from the first and second transmitter device, and a sports object projector configured to project a sports object based upon the determined player position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sports object projector comprises:
 a feeder configured to selectively drop a sports object into a chute;   a pair of counter-rotating wheels, each propelled by a separate controllable motor configured to selectively control each wheel to a selectable speed;   an elevation motor configured to selectively raise and lower the sports object projector for controlling an altitude angle of a projected sports object; and   a swivel drive motor configured to rotate the ports object projector substantially about an axis in a plane parallel to the playing surface.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a hopper configured to receive a plurality of sports objects;   a sensor positioned within compartments of the feeder, the compartments configured to receive sports objects, the sensor configured to detect presence of a sports object within the compartment; and   a drive motor configured to selectively rotate the feeder causing a sports object within the feeder to drop into the chute.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control system is further configured to selectively rotate the feeder to align a compartment of the feeder having a detected sports object to the chute. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control system is further configured to selectively rotate the feeder based upon monitored electrical energy drawn by the drive motor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system further comprises:
 one or more processors for executing programs;   memory configured to store one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors;   the one or more programs comprising instructions for:   monitoring operating parameters of the sports object projector   receiving user supplied control settings;   determining desired operating parameters of the sports object projector for a desired projection event based upon the user supplied control settings and the determined player position; and   executing the projection event after controlling the sports object projector to the desired operating parameters.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control system further includes a user interface configured to accept user supplied operating settings. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control system further includes a network adapted configured to communicatively connect to a network. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the desired projection event is defined by desired trajectory, desired sports object spin characteristics, and desired target position on the playing surface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the user supplied control settings include selections of operating instructions for executing projection events. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the operating instructions for executing projection events are associated with a selection of player skill level. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the playing surface comprises a plurality of target zones wherein the desired target position of the desired projection event is defined by one of the plurality of target zones comprising the playing surface. 
     
     
         13 . A method for projecting a sports object onto a playing surface, the method comprising:
 monitoring player position on the playing surface; and   projecting the sports object onto the playing surface based upon the monitored player position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing audio feedback based on player position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the projecting the sports object is executed without indicating a trajectory of the sports object to the player prior to the projecting the sports object. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the player position is monitored with respect to a predefined playing area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the player position is monitored with respect to a predefined coordinate system and wherein the sports object is projected using the predefined coordinate system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 monitoring operating parameters of the sports object projector;   receiving user supplied control settings;   determining desired operating parameters of the sports object projector for a desired projection event based upon the user supplied control settings and the determined player position;   controlling the sports object projector to the desired operating parameters; and   executing the desired projection event.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the desired projection event is defined by desired trajectory, desired sports object spin characteristics, and desired target position on the playing surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the player position is monitored using information provided by a mobile device configured to receive positional signals from at least one stationary transmitting device. 
     
     
         21 . A nontransitory, computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for controlling a sports projection apparatus, the computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for carrying out the steps of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         22 . A method for projecting a sports object onto a playing surface, the method comprising:
 receiving user supplied control settings associated with operation of a sports object projector apparatus;   monitoring operating parameters of the sports object projector apparatus;   monitoring player position on the playing surface;   determining a desired projection event based upon the user supplied control settings and the monitored player position;   determining a set of desired operating parameters of the sports object projector apparatus based upon the desired projection event;   controlling the sports object projector apparatus to the desired operating parameters; and   executing the projection event.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the desired projection event is defined by desired trajectory, desired sports object spin characteristics, and desired target position on the playing surface. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the target position on the playing surface is defined by at least one of a Cartesian coordinate system and a polar coordinate system. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 receiving altitude information associated with position of the sports object projector apparatus; and   determining the set of desired operating parameters of the sports object projector apparatus based upon the altitude information.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 queuing a plurality of sports objects into a plurality of compartments;   detecting presence of a sports object with each compartment of the plurality of compartments using a sensor; and   controlling operating of the sports object projection apparatus based upon the detected presence of the sports objects.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the user settings include an option associated with frictional characteristics of the sports objects.