Method and system for creating and controlling a vehicular robot athlete

{
  "publication_number": "US9259634B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Method and system for creating and controlling a vehicular robot athlete",
  "abstract": "Devices, systems, and methods for training players of team sports are presented. A robot athlete emulates a sports player and includes a motive system for moving about a sports field. The robot athlete also includes an anthropomorphic figure with mechanisms for rotating the torso, raising the arms, and a lifting the torso to emulate a stretch or jump. An inventive method and system for controlling the robot athlete may include resetting the body of the robot athlete to a neutral position and determining if one of a plurality of modes of operation has been selected. Exemplary modes of operation may include an automatic mode, a pursuit mode, and a remote control mode. In the automatic mode, the robot athlete may monitor an array of sensors with a control system that responds to human player movement with one or more sets of predefined motion routines.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A robot athlete comprising: a vehicle subsystem for propelling the robot athlete; an anthropomorphic body coupled to the vehicle subsystem, the anthropomorphic body being adjustable to a plurality of heights; the anthropomorphic body further comprising a head and arms, the arms being adjustable to a plurality of positions so as to simulate a blocking action of an athlete; a chassis which is part of the vehicle subsystem and is supported by a plurality of wheels; a power system supported by said chassis and providing energy to power said vehicle subsystem; a motive system supported by said chassis, activated by a control system, and operative to propel said vehicle by engagement with one or more of said plurality of wheels; a base column mounted to and extending upwardly from said chassis along a substantially vertical axis; a torso assembly comprising a primary torso column and secondary torso column, the secondary torso column being slideably engaged with said base column, wherein said torso assembly is selectively movable via a first motor of a torso lift subsystem from a base position to an extended position along a path that is substantially parallel to said vertical axis, the secondary torso column being coupled to the base column with a bearing, the secondary torso column being slideably engaged with the primary torso column, the torso assembly comprising a second motor coupled to the primary torso column and the secondary torso column for rotating the secondary torso column relative to the primary torso column; an arm assembly connected to said torso assembly wherein said arm assembly is selectively rotatable by an arm drive subsystem about a substantially horizontal axis in order to move the arms; and a programmable control system supported by said chassis and electrically connected to said power system, said motive system, said torso lift subsystem, and said arm drive subsystem, wherein said programmable control system comprises a microprocessor, a wireless receiver, and a remote console comprising user interface controls in communication with said microprocessor via said wireless receiver.",
    "2. The robot athlete of claim 1, wherein said one or more other supports comprises a support selected from the group comprising of rigid casters, swivel casters, spherical wheels, runners, and skids.",
    "3. The robot athlete of claim 1, wherein said torso assembly further comprises: a torso body supported by said primary torso column, and wherein said torso lift subsystem comprises: the first motor connected to said primary torso column and operative to rotate a lift pinion that is engaged with a stationary rack that is connected to said chassis; and a spring assembly connected to said chassis and biased to assist said first motor in lifting said torso assembly.",
    "4. The robot athlete of claim 1, wherein the vehicle subsystem propels the robot athlete in order to simulate human running or walking movement.",
    "5. The robot athlete of claim 1, wherein the anthropomorphic body simulates twisting and jumping movements of a human athlete.",
    "6. The robot athlete of claim 1, wherein the anthropomorphic body simulates twisting and jumping movements of a human athlete."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The following disclosure relates generally to sports training equipment and, more particularly, to vehicular robotic systems for training players of team sports such as basketball. Basic skills training for team sports players, especially beginners, often involves personal, one-on-one attention and direction. Players learn and develop important offensive skills when they can play against one or more defensive players. Offensive skills are further developed through practice and repetition, preferably in an environment that is most like the situations encountered in a competitive contest. The task of providing player training and practice using repetitive drills in game-like situations requires participation by a coach, a trainer, a teammate, or another person with knowledge of the fundamental skills of the game. Devoting such a person to the task of running drills is a continuing challenge because most teams have limited able-bodied personnel and tight practice schedules. For example, coaches and trainers have the skills, but running repetitive drills is not the best use of their coaching talent or their limited time with the entire team. Hence the need for a specialized training dummy in the context of organized practices.\n\nAlso, most team sports players benefit from practicing basic skills, such as the jump shot in basketball, and doing so over and over again, on their own time, outside of team practices. The benefits of traditional solo training are limited, especially in team sports where practicing against another player is best and no one else is present to control or manipulate a training dummy.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63B 69/0071",
    "A63B 2071/025",
    "A63B 2071/063",
    "A63B 2220/13",
    "A63B 2220/802",
    "A63B 2220/803",
    "A63B 2220/805",
    "A63B 2220/808",
    "A63B 2220/833",
    "A63B 2220/89",
    "A63B 2225/093",
    "A63B 2225/50",
    "A63B 24/0075",
    "A63B 69/34",
    "B25J 11/003",
    "B25J 5/007",
    "G09B 19/0038"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63B 69/00",
    "A63B 69/34"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BOUSE EARL L"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "BOUSE EARL L"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-10-08",
  "publication_date": "2016-02-16",
  "grant_date": "2016-02-16",
  "priority_date": "2012-10-08",
  "application_number": "US-201213647351-A",
  "family_id": "55275270",
  "citations": [
    "US2009098955A1",
    "US2012208660A1",
    "US2013211594A1",
    "US3379441A",
    "US3573867A",
    "US3692309A",
    "US6198247B1"
  ]
}