Hockey practice system

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments provide techniques for developing and improving technical hockey skills. An electronic computing device that includes one or more image acquisition devices is mounted in front of a user (hockey player). The electronic computing device includes a user-facing display that includes one or more augmented reality elements. During use, the user manipulates a hockey workpiece, such as a hockey puck, hockey ball, or other suitable workpiece in a way to interact with the one or more augmented reality elements. A variety of exercises and drills are provided for users to develop stick handling and shooting techniques, which can translate to improved gameplay for the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for hockey practice, comprising:
 recording a plurality of video frames from an image capturing device that is configured to obtain a downward viewpoint of an area in front of a user;   performing an object tracking process on a hockey workpiece;   rendering, on a user-facing electronic display, a video sequence that includes the plurality of video frames;   providing one or more augmented reality elements overlaid on the rendering of the video sequence;   computing one or more performance metrics based on a travel path of the hockey workpiece; and   displaying the one or more computed performance metrics on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more augmented reality elements includes at least one target. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein performing an object tracking process on a hockey workpiece comprises performing an object tracking process on a hockey puck. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein performing an object tracking process on a hockey workpiece comprises performing an object tracking process on a ball. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining that at least one image of the hockey workpiece is overlapping with a region defined by the at least one target;   modifying a performance metric based on the overlapping; and   presenting the performance metric on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one target comprises multiple targets, the method further comprising:
 determining that at least one image of the hockey workpiece is overlapping with a corresponding region defined by each of the multiple targets, wherein each target of the multiple targets has a corresponding region;   modifying a performance metric based on the overlapping;   recording an elapsed time for each corresponding region to undergo an overlapping condition; and   presenting the performance metric and the elapsed time on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a hockey workpiece speed between two augmented reality elements from the one or more augmented reality elements; and   presenting a hockey workpiece speed value on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 recording hockey workpiece speed values corresponding to multiple shots; and   presenting a hockey workpiece speed history on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an electronic computing device comprising:
 a user-facing electronic display; 
 a memory having stored thereon a hockey performance assessment module; 
 a network interface which enables the electronic computing device to connect to, and exchange data with, at least one second electronic computing device; and 
 a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the memory, and the network interface, and which executes program code of the hockey performance assessment module, which enables the electronic computing device to: 
 record a plurality of video frames from an image capturing device that is configured to obtain a downward viewpoint of an area in front of a user; 
 perform an object tracking process on a hockey workpiece; 
 render, on the user-facing electronic display, a video sequence that includes the plurality of video frames; 
 provide one or more augmented reality elements overlaid on the rendering of the plurality of video frames; 
 compute one or more performance metrics based on a travel path of the hockey workpiece; and 
 display the one or more computed performance metrics on the user-facing electronic display. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein further, the processor of the electronic computing device:
 provides one or more augmented reality elements that include at least one target;   determines that at least one image of the hockey workpiece is overlapping with a region defined by the at least one target;   modifies a performance metric based on the overlapping; and   presents the performance metric on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one target comprises multiple targets, and wherein further, the processor of the electronic computing device:
 provides one or more augmented reality elements that include multiple targets;   determines that at least one image of the hockey workpiece is overlapping with a corresponding region defined by each of the multiple targets, wherein each target of the multiple targets has a corresponding region;   modifies a performance metric based on the overlapping;   records an elapsed time for each corresponding region to undergo an overlapping condition; and   presents the performance metric and the elapsed time on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein further, the processor of the electronic computing device:
 determines a hockey workpiece speed between two augmented reality elements from the one or more augmented reality elements; and   presents a hockey workpiece speed on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a stand configured and disposed to hold the electronic computing device at a height ranging from 1 meter to two meters above a floor surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the electronic computing device comprises a tablet computer, and wherein the tablet computer comprises a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the stand further comprises an angled bracket disposed within a field of view (FOV) of the rear-facing camera, and wherein the angled bracket comprises a mirrored surface, such that the rear-facing camera acquires the downward viewpoint. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions that when executed by a processor of an electronic computing device comprising a user-facing display, configure the electronic computing device to perform functions comprising:
 recording a plurality of video frames from an image capturing device that is configured to obtain a downward viewpoint of an area in front of a user;   performing an object tracking process on a hockey workpiece;   
       rendering, on the user-facing electronic display, a video sequence that includes the plurality of video frames;
 providing one or more augmented reality elements overlaid on the rendering of the plurality of video frames; 
 computing one or more performance metrics based on a travel path of the hockey workpiece; and 
 displaying the one or more computed performance metrics on the user-facing electronic display. 
 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , further comprising program instructions for:
 providing one or more augmented reality elements that include at least one target;   determining that at least one image of the hockey workpiece is overlapping with a region defined by the at least one target;   modifying a performance metric based on the overlapping; and   presenting the performance metric on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , further comprising program instructions for:
 providing one or more augmented reality elements that include multiple targets, wherein each target of the multiple targets has a corresponding region;   determining that at least one image of the hockey workpiece is overlapping with a corresponding region defined by each of the multiple targets;   modifying a performance metric based on the overlapping;   recording an elapsed time for each corresponding region to undergo an overlapping condition; and   presenting the performance metric and the elapsed time on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , further comprising program instructions for:
 determining a hockey workpiece speed between two augmented reality elements from the one or more augmented reality elements; and   presenting a hockey workpiece speed on the user-facing electronic display.   
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , further comprising program instructions for:
 recording hockey workpiece speed values corresponding to multiple shots; and   presenting a hockey workpiece speed history on the user-facing electronic display.