Tennis training device using virtual targets

Abstract

A virtual target system, for training multiple sports, and in an example, tennis, can include a projector system that can display a virtual target on a surface, like a tennis court. A sensor system can detect activity near the virtual target, for example, the movement or impact of a tennis ball. A processor can be linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity. In one example, the display of the virtual target may or may not change in reaction to the collected activity data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A virtual target system, comprising:
 a projector system displaying a virtual target on a surface;   a sensor system detecting activity near the virtual target;   a processor linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity;   wherein the displaying of the virtual target is not changed in reaction to the collected activity data.   
     
     
         2 . The virtual target system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a physical interaction device linked to the processor and changing a physical condition near the virtual target;   wherein the physical interaction device changes the condition in response to the collected activity data.   
     
     
         3 . The virtual target system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor further comprises:
 a remote device linked to the processor and controlling at least one of the projector system, the sensor system, the physical interaction device, and displaying the collected activity data.   
     
     
         4 . The virtual target system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the surface is a tennis court;   the activity is a movement of a tennis ball;   the physical interaction device is a tennis ball launching machine; and   the remote device is at least one of a Smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop.   
     
     
         5 . A training system to train a tennis player on a tennis court using at least a tennis ball, comprising:
 a projector system displaying at least one virtual target on the court;   a sensor system detecting activity near the virtual target; and   a processor linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity;   wherein the activity data is at least one of motion of the tennis ball in proximity to the virtual target, an impact of the tennis ball on the tennis court over the virtual target, a trajectory of the tennis ball, or a velocity of the tennis ball; and   wherein the displaying of the virtual target is changed in response to the activity data.   
     
     
         6 . The training system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a tennis ball launching machine linked to the processor and activated in response to the collected activity data.   
     
     
         7 . The training system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor further comprises:
 a remote device linked to the processor and controlling at least one of the projector system, the sensor system, the tennis ball launching machine, and displaying the collected activity data.   
     
     
         8 . The training system of  claim 7 , wherein the remote device provides feedback to the tennis player based on the collected activity data,
 wherein the feedback includes at least one of information regarding the ball proximity to the virtual target, the ball impact, the trajectory of the tennis ball, or the velocity of the tennis ball.   
     
     
         9 . The training system of  claim 7 , wherein the changed display of the virtual target comprises at least one of moving the virtual target, displaying a new virtual target, changing a color of the virtual target, changing a size of the virtual target, displaying a virtual trajectory of the tennis ball on the court as it moved toward the virtual target, or displaying the velocity of the tennis ball as it moved toward the virtual target. 
     
     
         10 . A method of training a tennis player on a tennis court using at least a tennis ball, comprising the steps of:
 projecting a virtual target on the court using a projector system;   sensing activity near the virtual target using a sensor system;   collecting, using a processor, activity data based on the virtual target and the activity, and further comprises the step of collecting at least one of information regarding a proximity of the ball to the virtual target, an impact of the ball over the virtual target, a trajectory of the tennis ball, or a velocity of the tennis ball; and   changing the virtual target based on the activity data.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the changing step comprises at least one of the steps of:
 moving the virtual target;   displaying a new virtual target;   changing a color of the virtual target;   changing a size of the virtual target;   displaying a virtual trajectory of the tennis ball on the court as it moved toward the virtual target; or   displaying the velocity of the tennis ball as it moved toward the virtual target.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of activating a tennis ball launching machine in response to the collected activity data.