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  Athlete reaction training systemUSPTO Application #: 20080102991Title: Athlete reaction training system Abstract: What is new in this invention is the capability to reproducibly measure athlete's reaction times and virtual save/intercepts to actual competition intercept positions, using a computer display of simulated sports projectiles and their direction, and contact, magnetic, or light triggered position detectors in actual athlete intercept positions, using their own equipment, and incorporating the critical first step. Also new is software to calculate the reaction time and virtual save/intercept from a visual cue to the appropriate intercept position, and real time reporting of the reaction times permitting real time adjustments, in reproducible ways has not been available for sports other than track and swimming. The training system enabled by this new invention consists of sessions of prescribed, measurable reaction training for athletes—which has not been previously available—random and sequence sessions for positioning, reaction time, and virtual save/intercept, with reporting allowing standardized reaction time comparisons over time and between athletes. (end of abstract) Agent: Thomas Clark Hawkins - Marblehead, MA, US Inventor: Thomas Clark Hawkins USPTO Applicaton #: 20080102991 - Class: 473422 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080102991. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]Provisional Patent Application No. 60/863,345 Filed Oct. 27, 2006 Athlete Reaction Training System (ARTs) Thomas Clark Hawkins, inventor STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not Applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003]Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004]An athlete's reaction time to a specific intercept position is one critical skill of ball/puck sports such as hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, squash, and others--particularly for goalies, and especially for close in shots. With the current art, there is no realistic, reproducible, measurable way for an athlete to improve their reaction times from ball/puck visualization to correct glove/stick/racquet intercept positions. Current art ball/puck interception training consists of someone or a machine hitting/throwing to the athlete in repetitions, trying to be both consistent for training, and variable to reproduce game conditions. This process does not isolate or improve one central performance skill, reaction time--from visualization to attempted contact. Also with the current art, there is no way to reproducibly feedback correct first step foot position corresponding to simultaneous correct glove/stick/racquet placement. [0005]For goalies to make critical game saves, or other athletes to make close range intercepts through improved reaction time to specific positions in games, it is difficult with the current art to improve the basic skill with shooting practice or game experience. Coaches can work with goalies one on one with position/stance and movement, but there is no way for them to reproducibly monitor on their own what they have been taught--using personal, immediate feedback. [0006]There are no other products--not in lacrosse or hockey catalogs, sports performance web sites--for training reaction time to specific locations. There are track, swimming timing products with contact pads, auditory stimuli, designed for large meets, less for repetitive individual improvement, with the spatial movements accounted for by Athletes. Games involving reaction times are not usable for athlete training even as a basis for modification. [0007]Swim timing contact pads are not durable enough for contact sports and other inventors have described light-based position detectors, but not the system of visual cues and athlete position specific reaction time training. More recently, a game accessory firm built a dancepad (foot contact pads) for a dance game. Scientific research firm specializing experiments and web site design can measure and reported reaction times, but they didn't have a sports application. This inventor's original idea GRAx (goalie reaction time training) was three years ago, and since then the concept has been revised, and the application broadened to other athletes and less expensive position detection now available. [0008]What's needed for realistic athlete reaction time training is a portable (indoor/outdoor), self-operated (no one else needed) system using an athlete's own equipment, their actual positions to intercept, with immediate feedback of reaction time to be viewed in real time. In addition for coaches and athletes, a reproducible, unbiased (anticipation eliminated through random sequencing), standardized training system--monitored for improvement using standard protocols--will improve the level of athlete performance and evaluations. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]This invention addresses the need for a reproducible, unbiased, standardized way for athletes to improve several core skills in hitting/catching/stopping an incoming ball or puck: coordination needed to place the athlete hand/foot/stick in the correct position to intercept the ball or puck, and in quick enough time to make the intercept. Athlete reaction time performance improvement requires reaction time (speed) training specific to the position the athlete needs to achieve for ball/puck interception position (muscle memory) in competition. [0010]This Athlete Reaction Training System (also ARTs) is the computer generated visual ball/puck direction display, athlete position detectors, timing mechanism, and training system designed to improve an athlete's reaction time to specific intercept positions. Such sports include but are not limited to lacrosse, hockey, baseball, and soccer goalies and field players. Athlete ball/puck interception skills can be reproducibly and measurably improving these basic skills: [0011]1. Position achievement--the muscle memory to get stick, glove, or racquet in the correct intercept position, simultaneously with the correct first foot step [0012]2. Reaction time--from visual trigger through detection by the appropriate position detector [0013]3. Virtual Intercept or Miss--combining reaction time/position detection with calculated ball/puck speed/distance [0014]The ARTs reaction timing system begins with a flashed ball/puck simulation, and its direction to one of eight simulated positions around an athlete on a computer screen facing the athlete. Timing stops when athlete triggers a position around them corresponding to the simulated position on the computer screen. Process is repeated with time feedback to the athlete attempting to reduce the reaction time or improve the virtual save/intercept percentage. [0015]The ARTs training sequence consists of ARTs sessions which combine sequential, individual position, and random drills of three skills (position achievement, reaction time, and virtual intercept/save) to each sport-specific intercept position, moving from basic improvement through game simulation. The random position sequences ensure unbiased reaction times which reflect actual competition and are not influenced by biased muscle tone and premature movement. ARTs is a tool which fits within an overall athlete coaching program of position, stance, movement, footwork, clearing, game strategy--and supports, not replaces, several of the basic skills within an athletes overall performance. The system also permits coaches to evaluate this basic reaction time skill across athletes and settings in a reproducible, unbiased, measurable manner. Importantly, this system permits this skill improvement indoors, in short sessions, and without requiring other players. BRIEF DESCRIPTION of the SEVERAL VIEWS of the DRAWING [0016]FIG. 1: ARTs Overall apparatus layout Option 1: athlete, computer, 1-8 contact triggered athlete position detectors on the athlete's frame of reference [0017]FIG. 2: ARTs overall apparatus layout Option 2: athlete, computer, 1-8 light or magnetic triggered position detectors on the athlete's frame of reference [0018]FIG. 3: ARTs Computer Shot Display--Athlete ready with impending shot indicator [0019]FIG. 4: ARTs Computer Shot Display--Timing begins with a simulated ball/puck direction indicator [0020]FIG. 5: ARTs Computer Immediate Results Display--After each shot: position achievement status, reaction time, virtual save/intercept/miss indication. [0021]FIG. 6: ARTs Computer End of Session Display--After each training session: all position-specific results Continue reading... Full patent description for Athlete reaction training system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Athlete reaction training system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Athlete reaction training system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ball holding apparatus Next Patent Application: Sports swing trainer apparatus and method Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Athlete reaction training system patent info. 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