Customizable tennis ball throwing machine with portable memory device

Abstract

A tennis ball throwing machine includes a processor mounted on the machine for controlling the operation of the machine. The processor is adapted to operatively communicate with a portable memory device. The portable memory device is adapted to provide operating instructions to the machine and to save a record of the actions of the machine.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tennis ball throwing machine comprising:
 a throwing machine;   a processor mounted on the machine, the processor controlling the operation of the machine;   a portable memory device, wherein the processor is adapted to operatively communicate with the portable memory device;   wherein the portable memory device is adapted to provide operating instructions to the machine and to save a record of the operating actions of the machine.   
     
     
         2 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the processor controls the speed, spin, location and frequency of throws by the machine, and
 the portable memory device comprises instructions for a preprogrammed drill set of throws by the machine.   
     
     
         3 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 2 , wherein the portable memory device comprises a plurality of instructions for preprogrammed drill sets of throws by the machine. 
     
     
         4 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the processor is adapted to allow a user to create a custom drill set of throws, and the custom drill set of throws may be saved on the portable memory device. 
     
     
         5 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the portable memory device saves a record of the number and type of throws of the machine and the time of those throws. 
     
     
         6 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the processor stores the time, total number of throws and user of the throwing machine for each drill set of throws. 
     
     
         7 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a diagnostic function, wherein each of the moving components of the machine is automatically tested for operational fitness, and that fitness is reported to a machine operator. 
     
     
         8 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the portable memory device is a memory stick, and the processor and memory stick have mating electronic parts. 
     
     
         9 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 8 , wherein the mating electronic parts are USB ports. 
     
     
         10 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 1 , wherein the portable memory device may download and save a drill set of throws from a second processor. 
     
     
         11 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 10 , wherein the drill set of throws is a preprogrammed drill set of throws created by a third party. 
     
     
         12 . A tennis ball throwing machine as described in  claim 10 , wherein the drill set of throws is a customizable set of throws created by a user.