System and method for launching balls

Abstract

An apparatus configured to launch balls may include a container configured to hold a plurality of balls; a plurality of launchers, each of the launchers configured to launch balls to a different location; and a controller configured to launch balls according to a pattern.

What it claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured to launch objects, the apparatus comprising:
 a container configured to hold a plurality of objects;   a plurality of launchers, each of the launchers configured to launch objects to a different location; and   a controller configured to launch objects according to a pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the objects include tennis balls. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern is a predetermined pattern stored in a memory of the controller. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern includes instructions for the apparatus to perform:
 launching a first ball from a first launcher of the plurality of launchers to a first location;   launching a second ball from a second launcher of the plurality of launchers to a second location,   wherein an interval between launching the first ball and launching the second ball is less than or equal to a first value.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein
 the apparatus is aligned with an axis,   the first launcher is configured to launch the first ball at a first angle with respect to the axis,   and the second launcher is configured to launch the second ball at a second angle with respect to the axis, the second angle being greater than the first angle.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first value is 0.5 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to store setting information respectively in association with a plurality of users. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern includes a plurality of patterns, each of the patterns corresponding to a training exercise. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first launcher is configured to feed balls to a distant location and the second launcher is configured to feed balls to a proximal location. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first launcher is configured to feed balls to a baseline location and the second launcher is configured to feed balls to a service box corner location. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the launchers is configured to feed balls with a different power. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to launch balls to a user on a same side of a net of a tennis court as the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a detachable hopper. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of launchers in configured to have an adjustable ejection angle. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a single housing configured to accommodate the plurality of launchers. 
     
     
         16 . A method of launching balls, the method comprising:
 launching a first ball, by a first launcher, to a first location;   launching a second ball, by a second launcher, to a second location different from the first location;   wherein an interval between launching the first ball and launching the second ball is set to a predetermined value.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein balls are launched according to a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 changing a parameter of a ball launching apparatus based on a user determined to be using the ball launching apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a feeder configured to supply balls to each of the plurality of launchers, the feeder comprising a serpentine track. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes an electronic control unit configured to communicate with a mobile device.