Performance monitoring in a shooting sport using sensor synchronization

Abstract

Embodiments provide mechanisms and methods for measuring shooting performance in multiplayer environments. These mechanisms and methods include advanced sensor technology that enables a portable console to determine player performance by monitoring actions of the player and activity at the basket using sensors associated with one or more players and a basket. The ability to determine player performance by monitoring actions of the player and activity at the basket makes it possible for coaches and players to measure levels of play, build teamwork among multiple players, improve and maintain skills, select players to meet game situations and team requirements, make decisions on player roles, and use playing environment space more efficiently.

1 . A shooting sport measurement system, comprising:
 a first sensor to detect an attempted shot taken by one or more participants;   a second sensor to detect a successful shot by one or more participants; and   a console communicatively coupled with the first sensor and the second sensor to determine performance of the one or more participants based at least in part on the attempted shot and the successful shot; and   wherein the first sensor includes a sensor adapted to detect vibration and the second sensor includes a sensor adapted to detect an object passing a target.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the console is a portable console. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the portable console includes at least one of a cellular telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), and an MP3 compatible device. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising,
 a third sensor to determine an effort;   wherein the third sensor is removably connected with the one or more participants.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising the third sensor disposed in a shoe of the one or more participants. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises an accelerometer connected with a rigid or semi-rigid structure near the target to determine the attempted shot based on vibration of the rigid or semi-rigid structure. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the target is a basketball hoop having a basketball net extending therefrom; and   the second sensor is a textile form sensor associated with the basketball net.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the target is a basketball net; and   the second sensor includes a material fixed onto the inside of the basketball net to sense a ball passing through the basketball net.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection mechanism that detects a position of the one or more participants. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the detection mechanism is one or both of an infrared sensor that detects a position of the one or more participants using a 2-D grid and a camera having a ranging device. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the detection mechanism is a pressure sensor grid disposed on at least a portion of a playing field. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field, wherein the plurality of cells indicates a player's position when a shot is taken.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of cells are sized according to scoring relevance. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of cells is associated with an alphanumeric naming convention facilitating ease of use. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a video device for capturing a video record of the attempted shot;   wherein the video device is activated by detection of the attempted shot.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wireless headset for capturing an audio command from the one or more participant for controlling a recording of information.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the detection mechanism includes visual player location indicia that are adapted to be viewed by a console operator such that the console operator can manually enter the indicia into the console. 
   
   
       18 . A computer based method for measuring shooting sports performance, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:
 determining whether a shot is attempted;   determining whether an attempted shot is successful;   determining a location of a participant taking the attempted shot;   receiving information about the participant; and   determining performance of the participant based on the determining steps.   
   
   
       19 . A shooting sports measurement system, comprising:
 a sensor to determine an attempted shot,   a sensor to determine a successful shot,   a detection mechanism that detects a position of a player when the attempted shot is determined;   a console, the console communicatively coupled with the sensors and the detection mechanism to receive data and determine performance of the player; and   wherein the sensor to determine an attempted shot includes at least one sensor disposed to sense vibration and the sensor to determine a successful shot includes at least one sensor to sense a ball passing through a target, thereby enabling the console to determine player performance by monitoring at least one of actions of the player and activity at the target.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the detection mechanism includes visual player location indicia that is adapted to be viewed by a console operator, such that console operator can manually enter a location into the portable console. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the detection mechanism automatically detects a position of a player when the sensor determines an attempted shot is taken by the player. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the detection mechanism automatically detects a position of a player when the sensor determines a successful shot is taken by the player. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the portable console includes at least one of a cellular telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), and an MP3 compatible device.