EP0253920B1 - Trainingssystem für Sporttechnik und Reaktionsvermögen - Google Patents

Trainingssystem für Sporttechnik und Reaktionsvermögen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0253920B1
EP0253920B1 EP86113366A EP86113366A EP0253920B1 EP 0253920 B1 EP0253920 B1 EP 0253920B1 EP 86113366 A EP86113366 A EP 86113366A EP 86113366 A EP86113366 A EP 86113366A EP 0253920 B1 EP0253920 B1 EP 0253920B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
person
lights
program
response
control system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP86113366A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0253920A3 (en
EP0253920A2 (de
Inventor
Rick Allan Elstein
Svein Faret
John J. Gazzo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
INNOVATIVE TRAINING PRODUCTS Inc
Original Assignee
INNOVATIVE TRAINING PRODUCTS Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/890,716 external-priority patent/US4702475A/en
Application filed by INNOVATIVE TRAINING PRODUCTS Inc filed Critical INNOVATIVE TRAINING PRODUCTS Inc
Priority to AT86113366T priority Critical patent/ATE72407T1/de
Publication of EP0253920A2 publication Critical patent/EP0253920A2/de
Publication of EP0253920A3 publication Critical patent/EP0253920A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0253920B1 publication Critical patent/EP0253920B1/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0053—Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0024—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for hockey
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0073—Means for releasably holding a ball in position; Balls constrained to move around a fixed point, e.g. by tethering
    • A63B69/0075—Means for releasably holding a ball in position prior to kicking, striking or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/38—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for tennis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/30—Maintenance
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/38—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for tennis
    • A63B69/385—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for tennis for practising the serve

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a Sports Technique And Reaction Training (START) system which is a highly sophisticated training system with programming capabilities designed particularly for improving, progressing, and testing the development pattern of skilled motor functions(engrams) in sports, rehabilitation, and health and fitness.
  • STT Sports Technique And Reaction Training
  • the subject invention should prove valuable and have particular utility in providing measured objective evidence of recovery from an injury. This is particularly useful in professional sports in gauging the ability of an injured player to perform under competitive situations, and also has utility in legal situations involving compensation, for example, in cases involving an injured employee or worker.
  • U.S. Patent 3,933,354 discloses a marshall arts amusement device having a picture, such as a display of a combatant, which is adapted to be struck by a participant, a series of lights mounted behind the picture, preferably each located at a different key attack or defensive position on the body of the combatant.
  • the display detects when the picture is struck in the vicinity of a light, and is responsive to the detection for illuminating one of the lights and for controlling which light in the series is next illuminated when the picture is hit.
  • the participant In order to demonstrate high performance or win against an opponent, the participant must rapidly extinguish each light in the series by touching or hitting the picture at the illuminated light.
  • the lights are illuminated in a pseudo-random order which the participant cannot anticipate, and therefore his relaxation, coordination, balance and speed are tested much the same as they would be in combat in determining the quality of his performance.
  • the Goldfarb system comprises to generate a signal only upon the successful completion of a combatant's move or strike, not after each and every visual signal.
  • Goldfarb discloses an amusement device for use in simulating some of the essential competitive features of the Oriental martial arts such as karate which utilizes a pair of identical pictures of combatants, one picture for each participant.
  • the picture of each combatant camouflages a series of 10 lights, each light being located at a key attack/defense point on the combatant's body. At the start, one of these ten lights is turned on and the participants each try to hit their light to turn it off.
  • the first "hit” causes both first lights to extinguish and a second light in each series to illuminate.
  • the player to make the first "hit” gets a scoring credit for that "hit”.
  • the participants strike at the second light and so on as the 10 lights are sequenced in a pseudo-random order.
  • Hurley U.S. Patent 4,027,875 discloses a reaction training device which includes a pair of spaced apart, electrically connected stands, each being provided with electrical switch boxes. Each of the switch boxes is provided with an external plunger, with the plunger being connected to electrical circuitry and acting as a switch. A timer is connected to the electrical circuitry, such that that the time required for a person to activate the timer by touching the plunger on one switch box and stop the timer by touching the plunger on the other switch box is recorded.
  • Groff U.S. Patent 4,493,655 discloses a radio controlled teaching system in which a portable, self-powered, radio-controlled teaching device is provided for each student of a classroom, such that the teacher maintains a high level of student alertness by remaining in radio contact with each and every student during selected periods of the classroom day.
  • a teaching device electronically transmits teacher-selected data to each student which, in turn, requires individual student responses to the data without the necessity of wired connections between the teacher and students.
  • the teaching device is used to instantly and extemporaneously test the students in the class on a selected subject area.
  • U.S. Patent 4,534,557 discloses a reaction time and applied force feedback training system for sports which includes at least one sports training device, and a stimulus indicator located near and associated with the sports training device.
  • the stimulus indicator generates a plurality of ready signals at random time intervals
  • a sensor in the sports training device is receptive of a force applied to the sports training device for generating an electrical signal having a magnitude proportional to the magnitude of the applied force.
  • a control unit controls the emanation of the ready signals, and determines and displays the reaction time from emanation of the ready signal to sensing the applied force, along with the magnitude of the applied force.
  • Bigelow provides a reaction time measuring system which provides an audible indication of only failures.
  • lines 33-40 in the event that a ready signal is generated and the user of the Biegelow system is unable to react in time as set by the time setting switch, only then the control unit functions to deliver a miss signal, or in the preferred embodiment, a tone in a loudspeaker of the stimulus circuit shown in Fig. 5. This provides feedback to the user that his reaction time was not fast enough.
  • none of the aforementioned prior art provides an integrated system for technique and accelerated reaction training having the general applicability and versatility of the subject invention with its many significant attributes as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
  • the START system of the present invention trains an individual in actual game situations using the identical movements that are necessary and at the same speed required by the sport.
  • the specificity of training is tremendously improved in the following areas: quicker reaction to outside stimulus and response with proper technique; aerobic-anaerobic fitness; strength; power; agility; balance and endurance.
  • the specificity of training is very high because the athlete is motivated by competing against an audible feedback at the end of a measured period of time to perform at maximum levels on each movement in order to perform within the measured time period, which is analagous to a victory over an opponent.
  • the present invention may be briefly described as an improved system for improving predetermined patterns of sequenced muscle performance, and in reducing the reaction time for the initiation thereof.
  • the system includes the provision of a plurality of individually available external stimuli in the form of a cyclically repetitive sequence of available action signals, each of which requires a particular pattern of sequenced muscle performance in response thereto, in association with what normally appears to the participant to be a random energization of a single stimulus or action signal from the available plurality thereof.
  • the order of energization of the external stimuli is repetitive and is known to the person undertaking the program.
  • the subject invention includes effecting the apparent random energization of particular stimuli signals by the act or sensed position of the performer and the provision of a performance rating signal indicative of the nature of the participants time and/or spatial response to the stimulus.
  • the subject invention provides a system for technique and accelerated reaction training of a person by a training program in which an array of lights is positioned visibly in front of the person, with each light signifying a different particular movement pattern to be executed by the person in a given amount of time.
  • a control system selectively energizes one light of the array at a time, signifying a particular movement pattern to be executed, in a sequence of lighting of the array of lights unknown to the person undertaking the training program.
  • the sequence of lighting of the array appears to be random, such that the person waits for an unknown light to be energized, and must then react in a measured time period with the particular movement pattern to be executed in response to that particular light, and the person then waits for the next unknown light to be energized, and must then react in a measured time period with the particular given movement pattern to be executed in response to that particular light.
  • the control system is programmable to enter a different individual time period of response for each different light, and then times each individual time period of response.
  • an audible feedback is supplied to the person by an acoustic transducer which is activated by the control system at the end of each individual time period of response to audibly signal, as by a beep, to the person the end thereof, such that the person in the program works to complete the particular movement pattern to be executed prior to hearing the audible signal or beep.
  • the array of lights comprises an array of six lights arranged in top and bottom horizontal rows of three lights, with the top and bottom rows being aligned vertically with respect to each other.
  • the array of lights can represent movements in 360°, forward lateral and backward movements as they pertain to upper and lower body movements.
  • the START system is preferably constructed and provided in a portable carrying case, wherein the array of lights is mounted in the top portion of the carrying case, and the control system therefor is located in the bottom portion.
  • control system is a microprocessor programmed and operated control system.
  • the microprocessor is coupled to an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus, and each of the array of lights, as well as additional controlled features, is coupled to and controlled by the microprocessor by signals issued on the address bus, the control bus, and the data bus.
  • the training program is stored in an external memory mounted in a cartridge which is insertable into a port in the bottom portion of the carrying case.
  • the cartridge has stored in memory a sequence of lighting of the particular lights in the array, along with different individual time periods of response for each light, and the pause duration time period between the end of one individual time period of response and the beginning of the next individual time period of response, such that different training programs can be used in the system merely by changing program cartridges.
  • each cartridge preferably contains several different training programs stored in memory with different sequences of lights and different individual time periods of response. For instance, a cartridge can have stored in memory at least a beginner training program, an intermediate training program, and an advanced training program.
  • a cartridge can be programmed with a weakness drill program wherein at least one particular light in the array of lights is energized more frequently than other lights, with that particular light signifying a weakness movement pattern to be executed by the person, such that the program works on strenthening a particular weakness movement pattern.
  • the system is also preferably programmed to provide a warm-up program which is run prior to the training program and a cool-down program which is run after the training program.
  • the microprocessor operated control system is programmable by a keypad entry array of keys in the bottom portion of the carrying case, which includes a keypad entry display for displaying the entries being made into the system.
  • the individual time periods of response for each light stored in memory are changeable and reprogrammable by operation of the keypad entry array, particularly to suit the development and training of the person undertaking the training program.
  • a percentage faster key is provided on the keypad entry array to actuate a routine to change the time periods of response in the program to make them a given percentage of time faster
  • a percentage slower key is also provided to actuate a routine to change the time periods of response in the program to make them a given percentage of time slower.
  • At least one transducer is coupled to the control system which is activated by the person at the end of the particular movement pattern being executed, and the control system measures the actual period of time taken by the person to activate the transducer, and stores each measured time period of actual response in memory.
  • a separate pressure touch pad transducer is provided for each light to be energized in the training program, and the control system measures the actual period of time taken by the person to touch each pressure pad, and stores each measured time period of actual response in memory.
  • One advantageous feature of the present invention is the ability to obtain a print out from the computer memory of the performance of the person in the program.
  • the print out can include the individual measured response times, averages thereof, plotted curves thereof, and additional displays of the response data stored in memory.
  • a preferred embodiment of the subject invention also incorporates therein voice synthesizer circuits for instructing the person on correct operation of the system, and also during the training program.
  • the present invention also provides a training mat which has been developed particularly for use in conjunction with the START system, particularly for rehabilitation programs and in the measurement of timed responses.
  • the training mat has on the upper surface thereof marked areas of position and marked areas of response.
  • the training mat is generally rectangular in shape, and the marked areas of response are arranged in a pattern around the periphery thereof, with the marked areas of position being marked integrally with the marked areas of response.
  • the pressure touch pads can be positioned at different marked areas of response on the mat or constructed integrally therein, such that a person orients himself with respect to a marked area of position, and then reacts to input stimulus signals to execute particular movement patterns, at the end of which the person touches a marked area of response on the training mat.
  • the training mat preferably has a generally square shape, and the marked areas of response include a plurality of contiguous square areas positioned around the periphery thereof.
  • Each side of the training mat is preferably between four and ten feet in length, most preferably six feet, and includes six square areas of response arranged contiguously along the length thereof.
  • a central square area is thereby delineated on the central area of the training mat inside the square marked areas of response, and is adapted to receive one of several different central mat sections to be selectively placed centrally on the training mat.
  • Another advantage of the subject invention is the enhancement of performance and results obtainable in a physical therapy program designed particularly for athletes desirous of returning to competitive activity following an injury or other physical disablement, as well as for enhanced general physical conditioning. Still other advantages of the practice of the subject invention are the development of improved cardio-vascular fitness, improved reaction times, improved balance, agility and speed, as well as an enhanced resistance to injury in the performance of athletic functions, and enhanced recovery from injury resulting from athletic or related physical endeavors.
  • the methods hereinafter described are generally directed to accelerated reaction training, and in particular to the training of athletes to adopt and become increasingly proficient in such basic movement patterns through the utilization of randomly generated stimuli signals coupled with movement pattern responsive indicia to provide immediate positive or negative reinforcement for properly or improperly executed movements or patterns thereof.
  • FIG l is illustrative of the practice of the present invention in enhancing the performance of an athlete in a basic side to side movement pattern such as is commonly employed in tennis. Such side to side movement involves a predetermined pattern of sequenced muscle performance.
  • a stimuli battery generally designated l0, positioned on the court center line and in view of the player l2.
  • the stimuli battery l0 contains three lamps l4, l6 and l8 mounted in horizontal array on a support 20. As shown in Figure 2, the lamps l4, l6 and l8 are adapted to be sequentially and repetitively individually energized by a continuously operating cyclic switch 22 included in the energized circuits therefor. However, such lamps will remain in an unlit condition due to the presence of a normally open and remotely operable switch 24 in the power circuit.
  • an athlete 30 positions himself on the baseline 32 in generally straddle relationship with the center line 34.
  • the athlete 30 may initiate the drill by manual operation of a trigger transmitter of the type conventionally employed to trigger garage door opening devices.
  • a receiver element 40 is associated with the switch 24 and, upon receipt of a signal from the trigger transmitter, operates to close the switch 24.
  • the power circuit is completed and the particular lamp whose energizing circuit is then closed or is the next to be closed by the operation of the cyclically operable switch 22 will light.
  • activation by the trigger transmitter by the player 30 will result in a purely random selection of one particular lamp to be lit, thus precluding conscious or subconscious anticipation of a movement direction by the player.
  • the athlete 30 initiates the drill by activation of the transmitter trigger.
  • the stimuli battery l0 responds immediately to the trigger signal by illuminating a randomly selected one of the plurality of lights l4, l6 or l8.
  • the outermost lights, for example l4 and l8, correspond to different movement pattern directions, for example, movement pattern to the left and movement pattern to the right.
  • the lamp energizing circuits may be designed to maintain lamp illumination for a predetermined but selectable period of time within which the particular movement pattern should be completed.
  • the transmitter trigger by the athlete 30, although providing for random light selection, permits the athlete to train at his own pace.
  • the transmitter trigger could also be held by an instructor, who can then control the pace of the drill as well as observe, and correct where necessary, the movement patterns being employed by the player during the drill. Repetitive drills in accord with the foregoing will improve both the athlete's reaction time and rapidity of performance by the particular movement pattern through enhanced sequenced muscle performance and, in addition, will function to condition the muscles involved therein.
  • the transmitter trigger may be dispensed with and the stimuli battery l0 actuated by a photosensor unit 46.
  • a photosensor unit 46 may be placed behind the baseline 32 coaxially with the centerline 34.
  • the athlete 30 initiates the drill by physical interposition in the path of the photocell sensor beam. Operation is as described hereinabove except that the system automatically recycles each time the athlete 30 returns to the base line starting position.
  • a preferred multipurpose stimuli battery in the form of a plurality of lamps ll2, ll4, ll6, ll8, l20 and l22 mounted in a generally rectangular array on a support structure l24 above a base l26. Included within the base l26 is a power supply l28 connectable to any convenient source of electricity, not shown, through a line plug l30.
  • a normally open and remotely operable switch l32 disposed intermediate the power supply l27 and a continuously operating cyclic switch l34 which sequentially completes individual energizing circuits for the lamps ll2, ll4, ll6, ll8, l20 and l22.
  • the continuously operating cyclic switch l34 selectively and sequentially completes the energizing circuits for the lamps.
  • such lamps will remain in an unlit condition due to the presence of the normally open and remotely operable switch l32.
  • Activation of the switch l32 may be effected, for example, by a manually operable trigger transmitter l36, such as a transmitter of the type conventionally employed to trigger garage door opening devices or by a photocell response or the like.
  • a manually operable trigger transmitter l36 such as a transmitter of the type conventionally employed to trigger garage door opening devices or by a photocell response or the like.
  • a power circuit is completed between the power supply l28 and the particular lamp whose energizing circuit is either then closed or is the next to be closed by the operation of the cyclically operable switch l34.
  • activation of the trigger transmitter l36 results in a purely random selection of one particular lamp to be lit, dependent upon the status of the cyclic switch l34 at the time of transmitter activation.
  • the stimuli battery illustrated in Figure 4 can provide a plurality of randomly selected action signals.
  • ignition of lamp ll6 can initiate a predetermined movement pattern to the right as indicated by the arrow ll6a, Figure 3.
  • selective ignition of lamps ll8 and l22 can be employed to initiate diagonal movement patterns
  • selective ignition of lamps ll4 and l20 can be employed to initiate backward and forward movement patterns respectively.
  • elevation or jumping patterns could also be initiated by single or combinational lamp energization.
  • FIG 4 illustrates another and more complicated tennis drill employing the stimuli battery shown in Figure 3 and described above.
  • the stimulis battery means ll0 comprises the previously described six lights ll2, ll4, ll6, ll8, l20 and l22, again placed within view of the athlete on the far side of the court.
  • Stimuli battery means ll0 is here electronically coupled to a plurality of photosensor means 220, 222, 224, 226, and 228, and to an electronic clock 232.
  • the athlete 30 can initiate the drill by serving the ball and moving netward through the zone of focus 229 of a first photosensor means 220, with the zone of focus 229 being proximate to and substantially parallel to the usual location of the tennis court service line 293 along the central segment thereof.
  • the stimuli battery ll0 responds to the movement of the athlete through the second zone of focus 234 by selecting and illuminating one light of the available plurality thereof.
  • lamps ll8 and l22 would direct movement toward additional focus zones 236 and 238, respectively.
  • Each light corresponds to one of a plurarity of additional zones of focus, i.e., light l20 for moving forward, light ll4 for moving back, etc.
  • Each of such additional zones of focus 236, 238, and 239 is located in a different direction from each other with respect to the second zone 234.
  • the athlete responds to the stimuli battery ll0, for example, the illumination of lamp ll8, by moving rapidly towards and through the zone corresponding to the illuminated light, for example 238. When the athlete moves through the zone, for example 238, his motion causes the digital clock to stop and display the time elapsed from his motion through the first zone.
  • FIG 5 is a side elevation of a photosensor assembly 240 such as is used in the drills described in Figures l2 and l3. It includes a photosensor 24l, a support means 242, and a tripod base 244. Photosensor means 24l is a conventional photocell with appropriate means to provide a signal in response to a change in marginal light thereon. Connector 246 electrically connects photosensor means 24l to a remotely located control unit not shown.
  • FIG 6 shows a light source designed to provide illumination for photosensor 24l of Figure 5 in marginal light conditions.
  • This light source generally designated 247, comprises a lamp 248, a support 250, a tripod base 252, and a power cord 254 leading to a power source, not shown.
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts an electrical control circuit for use with the stimuli battery means ll0 of the type shown in Figure 3.
  • a signal from a trigger transmitter l36 is received by a resistor l37 and transmitted to a cyclic switch l34.
  • the cyclic switch l34 can be in the form of a cyclic generator providing six discrete output signals at a frequency of approximately l0 KHz.
  • the cyclic switch l34 is connected through lines l40 to individual one shot trigger circuits l42, l44, l46, l48, l50 and l52, each of which is adapted to provide an output signal of predetermined duration when triggered by a signal from the cyclic switch l34.
  • the output signals are utilized to effect ignition of the lamps ll2, ll4, ll6, ll8, l20 and l22, respectively.
  • Each of the one shot trigger circuits includes means, such as the illustrated adjustable resistor, to provide for user control of the time duration of the output signals from the one shot triggers, and hence the duration of lamp ignition.
  • the termination of the output signal from the one shot trigger circuits is utilized to activate an audio signal, indicating that the period during which a predetermined movement pattern should have been completed has expired.
  • the circuit also includes means such as logic circuit l56 to provide for user controlled disablement of particular lamps in accord with the nature of the movement patterns being utilized for training.
  • a preferred commercial embodiment of the present invention has been designed to have general applicability to many training programs in different sports, or in rehabilitation and general health and fitness.
  • the preferred embodiment is designed as a portable unit which unfolds, similar to a traveling case, into an upper section 300, Figure 8, having a top display panel, which may or may not be separable from the bottom section 302, Figure 9, of the unit with appropriate electrical connections thereto.
  • the unit is microprocessor controlled and programmable, as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
  • the top display panel provides an array of six (6) high intensity lamps 304 that are strobed on/off in a pre-programmed sequence as dictated by the program number indicated by the documentation, and selected via a numeric data entry keypad, and a loudspeaker 306.
  • the time that each lamp is illuminated, as well as the pause time between lamp strobes is also a pre-programmed parameter set for the selected program number, but these parameters can be changed and reprogrammed as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
  • the control system which is microprocessor controlled and programmable is mounted in the bottom section 302, Figure 9, along with a control and programming keypad 308 of control keys, three (alternative embodiments might incorporate four or more) LED seven segment digit displays 3l0, an external ROM (XROM) memory cartridge port 312, a microprocessor expansion port 3l4, a volume control 3l6, an external speaker (horn) switch 3l8, a remote advance unit and pocket therefor 320, a battery charger unit and pocket therefor 322, an XROM cartrdige storage pocket 324 wherein several XROM program cartridges can be stored, and a screwdriver 326 for assistance in servicing the unit, such as in changing fuses or bulbs.
  • XROM external ROM
  • horn external speaker
  • the keypad 308 allows the user to vary the on/off times as well as the pause times in any selected program drill for any individual or multiple numbers of lamps by simply entering the desired times. This feature allows the user to custom tailor each pre-programmed training drill to the individual talents/progress of the person in training.
  • the design of the unit accomodates the development environment as well as the end user environment.
  • the development environment is enhanced by allowing the system training program developers to set the various sequences of drills as well as default timing periods that are used to generate the final programs that are contained in response training drill cartridges.
  • the user environment allows the selection of these program sequences via the keypad, and allows for selective alteration and reprogramming of the default lamp/pause timing periods by the user.
  • the base system is equipped with the basic response training programs in an external ROM (XROM) memory memory cartridge plugged into port 3l2, and is also designed with an expansion port 3l4 that allows the user to plug in subsequently developed program and/or feature enhancements as offered by the manufacturer. These subsequent programs and/or feature enhancements will be available in cartridge type devices that will simply plug into the expansion port 3l4.
  • XROM external ROM
  • the manufacturer developed sequences, as well as the applications software are stored in volatile memory, and allow for over-writing in the operation of the microprocessor.
  • the START system provides the following basic features in an external ROM (XROM) module plugged into port 3l2:
  • Figure l0 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of an exercise mat 340 developed for use in association with the START system, particularly for rehabilitation programs and in the measurement of timed responses.
  • the training mat has the upper surface thereof marked with areas of position 342 and areas of response 344.
  • the training mat is generally rectangular in shape, and is prefereably square, and the marked areas of response 344 are arranged in a pattern around the periphery thereof, with the marked areas of position 342, being marked integrally therein.
  • touch pads 345 can be positioned beneath different marked areas of response on the mat, or can be integrally constructed therein, such that a person orients himself with respect to a marked area of position, and then reacts to input stimulis signals to execute particular movement patterns, at the end of which the person touches a marked area of response on the training mat.
  • each side of the training mat is preferably between four and ten feet in length, most preferably six feet, and includes a minimum of four, a maximum of sixteen, and in one preferred embodiment six square areas of response 344 arranged contiguously along the length thereof.
  • a central square area 346 is thereby delineated on the central area of the training mat inside the square marked areas of response, and is adapted to receive one of several different central mat sections, with one mat section being illustrated in phantom in the drawing, to be selectively placed centrally on or in the training mat.
  • Figure ll is a block diagram of the major components of a preferred embodiment of a microprocessor controlled START system.
  • the START system includes the following major functional elements, a power supply 350, a microprocessor 352 with address 354, control 356, and data 358 busses, a remote advance and coaches module 360, lamp drivers 362 and lamps 364, speech synthesis chips including a processor chip 366 and a speech PROM chip 368, a keyboard 308 and LED digit displays 3l0, an external ROM cartridge 370 and an expansion port 372, decoder/latches 374 and bus interfaces 376.
  • the microprocessor contains both PROM memory that provides the program execution instructions as well as certain data constants, and RAM memory that contains variables, registers, etc. that enable various processing steps and modifications.
  • the various system devices are peripherals to the microprocessor, whose selection are controlled by the microprocessor address bus and control bus.
  • Each peripheral has its own unique address, stored as permanent data in the microprocessor memory.
  • the control bus maintains a read (RD) function, which is used by the microprocessor to transfer data to a peripheral device.
  • the data bus 358 is a bidirectional bus which contains, under program control, the data that is read from or written to a selected peripheral device.
  • the microprocessor determines the address of the device, and configures the address bus, which includes placing the proper address thereon, to perform the device selection.
  • the data that is to be placed on the data bus is provided by the microprocessor for a write function and by a peripheral for a read function.
  • a read or write strobe then causes the data to be accepted by the appropriate device (microprocessor or peripheral). In this manner, a number of bits equal to the data bus size (8) is transferred between the microprocessor and the peripheral.
  • Some devices require all eight (8) bits of data (e.g. speech synthesis phrase selection), while some require less than eight (8) bits (e.g. lamps require one bit for on/off.)
  • the microprocessor via the stored program control logic as described hereinbelow, determines the functions to be performed, the timing requirements, the processing required, etc.
  • the microprocessor program determines that a lamp is to be turned on for a specific period of time, it determines the address of the particular lamp required, configures the address but 354, places the appropriate data on the data bus 358, and issues a write command. The data is then latched in the decoder latch 374, which turns on the lamp driver 362 and lamp 364. The microprocessor then performs the timing function required to accurately time the lamp on state. When the time expires, the microprocessor re-addresses the lamp, but now configures different data on the data bus, which causes the lamp driver/lamp to enter the opposite, off, state.
  • the microprocessor program determines that the speech processor is to output a tone, a word, or a phrase, it determines the location in memory of the word(s) required, configures the address bus 354 to select the speech processor, places the word location on the data bus 358, and then issues a write command.
  • the speech processor 366 receives and stores the selected word(s) location, and intereacts with the speech memory PROM 368 to provide an analog output that represents the speech data.
  • the PROM 368 contains the Linear Predictive Coded (LPC) speech data as well as the frequency and the amplitude data required for each speech output.
  • LPC Linear Predictive Coded
  • the filter and amplifier section of the circuit provides a frequency response over the audio spectrum that produces a quality voice synthesis over the loudspeaker 306 and possibly over a remote speaker (HORN).
  • the speech synthesis technology utilized well known designs incorporating the National Semiconductor MM54l04 DIGITALKER speech synthesis processor and INTEL CORP 2764 EPROMS for speech memory storage.
  • the displays 310 are common cathode seven segment LED displays that are driven by a decoder driver.
  • the decoder driver takes a BCD input, and provides an appropriate output configuration to translate this input to the proper segment drives to display the required character. These outputs apply a high current drive to all necessary segments, and the circuit is completed (and displays lit) by pulling the common cathode to ground.
  • the keyboard is an XY matrix, which allows a particular crosspoint to be made when that position on the matrix is depressed by the operator.
  • the microprocessor combines the energizing of the displays with the scanning of the keyboard for operator input.
  • the displays and keyboard are constantly scanned by the microprocessor to provide a power saving multiplexing of the displays and a continuing scanning of the keyboard for operator input.
  • the common cathode of the display is provided with the same address as the X (row) location of the keyboard matrix. Therefore, energizing a display member also results in energizing the X (row) number of the keyboard.
  • the microprocessor determines the address of the display to be energized (which is the same X (row) on the keyboard), and determines the data to be written on that display.
  • the common display decoder driver latch address is determined, the address placed on the address bus 354 , and the data to be displayed is placed on the data bus 358.
  • a write (WR) strobe is then issued which causes this data to be written and stored in the latch.
  • the microprocessor determines which digit display is to be energized, places that address on the address bus, places the data to be writen on the data bus, and issues a write strobe. This causes the selected common cathode to be energized and latched, as well as the scan input to the selected X (row) of the keyboard.
  • the microprocessor To determine if a key has been depressed, the microprocessor reads the column (Y) output of the keyboard via the bus interface and places this on the address bus 354. This is decoded and the column data selected for application to the bidirectional data bus 358. The microprocessor 352 then issues a read (RD) command which causes this data to be stored in a bus memory location. Analysis of this bit pattern allows the microprocessor to determine if a keyboard crosspoint was made, corresponding to an operator selector. This scanning operation is performed at a sufficiently high rate to detect normal keystrokes as well as to provide a multiplexed output that is bright and appears nonflickering to the human eye.
  • RD read
  • the external ROM contains the preprogrammed drill sequence data used to run an operator selected drill. This design approach provides great flexibility in setting up drills while using the resources of the microprocessor controlled peripheral devices.
  • the XROM is programmed with data, in sequence, that allows the microprocessor to perform the following tasks:
  • plug-in cartridge XROMS allows a variety of sequence drills to be developed, equipped and executed with little if any programming by the user.
  • a variety of plug-in cartridges can be developed for specific sports, weakness drills, rehabilitation programs, etc.
  • the microprocessor 352 determines that the user has selected the START/END key, and is thereby requesting the initiation of a drill sequence, it obtains the address of the present step to be executed in the XROM, and places this address on the system address bus 354. The XROM is then activated, and places the selected data on the data bus 358. The microprocessor 352 then issues a read command, which causes this data to be stored in the microprocessor register for interpretation and processing.
  • the XROM storage formats are fixed, so that if a lamp-on command is read from the XROM, the microprocessor knows that the next sequential address contains the lamp-on operation time.
  • the microprocessor continues the execution of the XROM instructed drill sequence until the drill operation time has expired, or until the user stops the drill manually. It should be noted that each drill sequence is comprised of a limited finite number of steps (locations) in the XROM memory. The microprocessor continually cycles through the steps to perform the drill. However, to achieve a truly random nature for a drill, the microprocessor does not always start each sequence at the initial step (location), but rather starts at some randomly indexed namable location, as explained further hereinbelow with reference to figure l8.
  • the START system preferably is controlled and run by a single chip microprocessor, and in one embodiment the particular microprocessor used was the P8749H type chip from the Intel Corporation which contains an 8-bit Central Processing Unit, 2K ⁇ 8 EPROM Program Memory, l28 ⁇ 8 RAM Data Memory, 27 I/O lines, and an 8-bit Timer/Event Counter. Details of the architecture and use of this chip are described in detail in numerous publications by the manufacturer, including a manual entitle INTEL MCS-48 FAMILY OF SINGLE CHIP MICROCOMPUTERS USER'S MANUAL.
  • the resident firmware that controls the operation of the unit can, for the purposes of explanation, be divided into four major categories. These are: the foreground task, the background task, the utility subroutines, and the data tables. It should be noted that although the word “task” is intermixed throughout this firmware description with the word “program”, indeed no true task structure associated mechanism (i.e. task switching/scheduling) has been implemented.
  • the foreground task has as its responsibilities, hardware and software initialization, start-up device diagnostics, user interaction (including input error checking and feedback), drill selection and modification, drill execution, and overall device state control (e.g. running/paused/idle).
  • This portion of the program performs its duties by both interacting with the free-running background task to interface with the hardware environment, the tracks all time dependent functions as well as calling upon the various subroutines that exist to carry out their predetermined assignments.
  • These subroutines include: reseeding of the pseude-random drill index, fetching and executing selected drill data from the external ROM (XROM), general purpose muliplication by ten, binary to decimal conversion, speech processor invocation, computation of "warm-up” and “cool-down” times, user preparation prompting, crosspage jump execution, service SVC request flag manipulation (both setting and checking for completion), and local/remote mode determination.
  • XROM external ROM
  • these routines are called solely by the foreground program, they can be thought of as an extension thereof which have been demarcated for the purpose of saving Program Memory as well as to allow for their independent development/testing.
  • the background task which is functionally described in greater detail hereinbelow, has as its responsibilities, event timer control, I/O execution/timing control, LED display refreshing, and keyboard scanning and debouncing.
  • the data tables which are located on a special "page" of Program Memory to maximize look-up speed and efficiency, supply sythesized speech address and script information, keyboard matrix translation information, present-to-next state transition data, and warm-up/cool-down duration ratios.
  • the foreground program is activated upon power-up, at which time it initializes ( Figures 12 through 16) both hardware and software environments to a known condition.
  • a diagnostic test of the device LED display, XROM interface, clock circuitry, speech synthesizer ans associated filters/amplifier/speaker
  • Any detected failure causes the user to be notified and the device to be powered-off barring further unpredictable operation.
  • the program enters a loop awaiting either the expiration of a watchdog timer that serves to preserve battery power if the device is left unattended, or the inputting of drill selection/modification commands by the user via the front panel mounted keyboard.
  • the foreground task retrieves the drill steps from the XROM, formulates the necessary SVC requests, and passes them to the background task for execution.
  • an interrupt is generated by the timer/counter circuitry causing suspension of the foreground program and activation of the background program to check for outstanding or in progress I/O requests, event timer expiration, keyboard entry, and updating of the LED displays.
  • Coordination of the two programs is achieved through the use of the service (SVC) request flags and shared buffers.
  • SVC service
  • any event an expired timer, keystroke, etc.
  • the background task results in the examination of the current machine state by the foreground program and the subsequent table-driven change to the next appropriate state.
  • the four possible machine states are 0 IDLE, l ENTRY, 2 MODIFY, and 3 DRILL, which together with the three drill state definition of WARM-UP, NORMAL, and COOL-DOWN and the five entry mode classifications of PROGRAM, MODIFY, DURATION, LAMP and TIMER serve to keep the foreground program informed at all times of the ongoing activity as well as the correct next-state progression.
  • the interrupt clock is managed by two routines: the clock initialization and the interrupt handler.
  • the initialization code sets the clock interrupt interval and starts the clock. This function is performed only upon power-up/restart.
  • the clock interrupt routine is called each time an interrupt is generated by the real-time clock.
  • the interrupt handler immediately (after context switching from foreground background) reinitializes the clock to allow for the generation of the next clock pulse.
  • the interrupt handler then passes control to the background program via a call to the SYSTEM subroutine.
  • the background program starts its time management duties by checking the SVC control word for an outstanding 30 second multiple timing request (e.g. drill warm-up duration timer). If found, an additional check is made to determine if this is an initial or a subsequent request. In the case of the former, the associated first pass flag is cleared in the SVC control word, and the .01, 1.0 and 30 second cascaded timers are initialized. In the case of the latter, the .01, 1.0, and 30 second prescalers are updated (in modulo-N manner) and a check is made for overall timer expiration. If detected, the associated request flag is cleared in the SVC control word, signalling to the foreground program that the event timer has expired and appropriated action should be taken.
  • an outstanding 30 second multiple timing request e.g. drill warm-up duration timer
  • the background program then assess what (if any) I/O control is required by checking the SVC control word for an outstanding pause, beep, or lamp request. If one (they are mutually exclusive) is found, an additional check is made to determine if this is an initial or a subsequent request. In the case of the former, the associated first pass flag is cleared in the SVC control word and the .0l second I/O prescaler is initialized. A further test is made to determine if the request was for a pause which, although treated in a identical manner up to this point as a beep or lamp request, requires no actual hardware manipulation and would free the background task to perform its display and keyboard scanning functions.
  • a beep or lamp request would instead cause the background task to interface to the appropriate decoders to turn the requested device on, skipping the display/keyboard scanning function in this pass.
  • the .0l second I/O prescaler is updated and checked for expiration. If not yet expired, no further I/O control is perfomed, and the background program continues with its display/keyboard duties. Upon expiration, the associated request flag is cleared in the SVC control word as a signal to the foreground program that the I/O is completed.
  • the background program simultaneously interfaces to the appropriate decoders to turn off the requested device. In any case (pause/beep/lamp), the background task advances to the display/keyboard scanning function.
  • the algorithm for driving the display uses a block of internal RAM as display registers, with one byte corresponding to each character of the display.
  • the rapid modifications to the display are made under the control of the microprocessor.
  • the CPU quickly turns off the display segment driver, disables the character currently being displayed, and enables the next character. This sequence is performed fast enough to ensure that the display characters seem to be on constantly, with no appearance of flashing or flickering.
  • a global hardware flag is employed as a "blank all digits" controller, while individual digits may be blanked by the writing of a special control code into the corresponding display register.
  • each character of the display is turned on, the same signal is used to enable one row of the keyboard matrix. Any keys in that row which are being pressed at the time will pass the signal on to one of several return lines, one corresponding to each column of the matrix. By reading the state of these control lines and knowing which row is enabled, it determines which (if any) keys are down.
  • the scanning algorithm employed requires a key be down for some number of complete display scans to be acknowledged. Since the device has been designed for "one finger" operation, two-key rollever/N-key lockout has been implemented. When a debounced key has been detected, its encoded position in the matrix is placed into RAM location "KEYIN". Thereafter the foreground program need only read this shared location repeatedly to determine when a key has been pressed. The foreground program then frees the buffer by writing therein a special release code.
  • the hardware initialization as set forth in the top block is performed automatically upon power-up reset.
  • the system components in the second block are then initialized.
  • the third block represents a pause of 500 milliseconds.
  • the last block on Figure 12 and the top of Figure 13 represents a routine to light each of the six lamps in turn for 50 milliseconds. After that, the LED displays are initialized to display a 9, and the speech synthesizer simultaneously voices "nine" for .5 seconds.
  • the lower section of Figure 13 represents a routine wherein that same function is repeated for 8, 7, etc. until the digit 0 is reached.
  • the LED displays are then disabled, and the byte at a given set location in the XRON cartridge is read out, which byte should correspond to a test byte pattern. If so, the location in XROM is incremented for a second test byte pattern. If both test patterns match, the logic flow continues to Figure 15. If either of the test patterns do not match, a speech subroutine is called to vocalize "error", and the system power is shut off.
  • the top blocks therein represent a routine for proceeding through fourteen sequential XROM test instructions, after which the remote input is checked to determine if remote control is indicated. If local control is indicated by the switch on the control panel, the blink counter is set to l0, and if remote control is indicated, the blink counter is set to ll.
  • the routine at the top of Figure 16 causes a blinking of the LED displays for 250 milliseconds and the successive decrementing of the blink counter to 0.
  • the speech synthesizer is invoked to voice "START is ready", and the diagnostics are now completed.
  • the system is then prepared for operation by initializing all flags and starting the idle counter, which is a power-saving counter to shut the system off after 10 minutes if no input commands, such as pressing the START key, are received.
  • the system then enters the main program loop of Figure 17, which allows an operator to select a particular drill and set up all selected parameters of the drill, after which the operator presses the START key.
  • the top of Figure 17 represents the speech synthesizer being invoked to enable a key "click" to be heard after each entry, and the idle counter is reset after each entry.
  • the right portion of Figure 17 represents 32 different routines corresponding to the possible keystrokes, the more complicated of which routines are illustrated in Figures 28 through 35.
  • the middle left of Figure 17 represents four state routines of the system, the l, 2 and 3 states of which are illustrated in Figures 25, 26 and 27.
  • the 0 state routine is an idle state, during which the idle counter is running.
  • the l state routine, Figure 25, is a numeric state routine in which a selected numeric mode is displayed in accordance with each key entry.
  • the 2 state routine, Figure 26, is a time modify display routine, and the 3 state routine Figure 27, is a drill running routine. After completing one of the four state routines, the routine of Figure 17 is repeated.
  • Figure 18 is a high level overview of the background tacks, and represents the background clock interrupt routine which serves as the entry and exit mechanism to the background tasks.
  • the background clock interrupt routine which serves as the entry and exit mechanism to the background tasks.
  • the real-time clock interrupt (every millisecond) the present state of the system is stored in memory for later restoration by selecting alternating sets of registers.
  • the clock is reloaded with the necessary divisor for subsequent interrupt generation, and a call is made to the "system" subroutine to perform all timekeeping functions, keyboard scanning, LED refreshing and any outstanding I/O.
  • the clock interrupt routine Upon return from the "system" subroutine, the clock interrupt routine re-seeds the psudo-random number generator for use as the starting drill index into the XROM, effectively giving the drill program its random nature.
  • Figures l9 through 24 represent background tasks which are performed approximately once every millisecond, and the logic flow diagrams of Figures l9 through 24 are all interconnected as shown throughout those Figures, such that the actual operation of the logic flow is dependent entirely on the state of the overall system.
  • the system proceeds to the timing routine of Figure 20, and then returns back to Figure l9 on input B3 to the same logic point in Figure l9 as when no timer is on.
  • the routine then checks if any pause, beep or lamp has been requested, and if not, proceeds to the keyboard scanning function and LED display refresh routine of Figure 22. If a request was present, a check is made as to whether this a first request, and if not, it proceeds to the Input/Output (I/O) pass routine of Figure 21. If the request is a first request, a first pass flag of the requested I/O is cleared so that subsequent passes merely decrement the associated timer until time expires. If the I/O request was for a pause, the routine proceeds to the keyboard scanning and LED refresh routine of Figure 22, and if not, the data bus is configured to activate the lamp or beep as requested, and the routine then exits from the background task routine.
  • I/O Input/Output
  • Figure 20 represents the logic flow diagram for a .0l second counter, a l.0 second counter, and a 30 second counter.
  • the microprocessor described herein is an eight bit machine, and accordingly contiguous bytes are utilized to obtain the necessary timing resolution.
  • the first pass flag is cleared and the .0l sec., l.0 sec., and 30 sec. prescalers are initialized. The prescalers are then incremented as shown in this routine, which is fairly standard in the art.
  • Figure 21 represents an I/O pass routine for generally checking the state of the light times, and more particularly on resetting the I/O prescalers, clearing the I/O request flags, and configuring the data bus to turn off a lamp or beep as requested, and also is a straight forward routine.
  • Figure 22 represents the LED display refresh and keyboard matrix scanner which are interdependent as described hereinabove.
  • the n digit display data is initially obtained, and the inhibit display flag is then checked. If it is set (i.e. inhibit requested), the digit segement display data is replaced by a special "null data" code which forces the LED decoder driver to turn all segments off on the selected digit. If not set, the address bus, control bus and data bus are configured to drive the LED digit cathode and keyboard row, and then read and interpret the output from that row of the keyboard. If a key was depressed, the program proceeds to the key detect and debouncing routine of Figures 23 and 24, which again is a fairly standard routine in the art. If a key was depressed, the key row and column are encoded and a scan flag is set as an indicator that the debounce counter should be reinitialized upon exit from the background task.
  • the routine then proceeds to the key detect and debouncing routine of Figures 23 and 24, depending upon whether the same key had been previously detected as being pressed on either inputs G3 or E3 as shown.
  • the key detecting and debouncing routine of Figures 23 and 24 is a fairly standard routine, and accordingly is not described in detail herein.
  • the background routines of Figures l9 through 24 is exited. As noted hereinabove, these background routines are repeated every .00l seconds.
  • Figures 25, 26 and 27 represent the 0l numeric display routine, the 02 modify display routine, and the 03 drill running state routines of Figure l7.
  • the number to be displayed is converted into 3 bit decimal numbers, which are then decoded and drive the LED displays.
  • the 02 modify display routine the modify byte at the modify index is mulitplied by five, the resultant number is converted into 3 bit decimal numbers which are then decoded and drive the LED displays.
  • the 03 drill running state routine the status of a run flag is checked, if it is not set to run, the routine exits.
  • each XROM cartridge contains a number of drills, each of which consists of a number of sequential commands to the end. At the end, a new random command ( Figure l8) is selected, so the drill starts at some random state in the middle thereof and then proceeds to the end, after which a new random command is entered, etc., until the expiration of the drill time period.
  • the user decides to select drill #4 from the XROM which he does by first depressing the "program” key forcing an exit from the main program loop to the "prog” routine .
  • a test is then made for the valid current mode of "idle”, which permits the "prog” routine to prepare for subsequent entry of the drill # as follows.
  • the minimum and maximum drill # limits are set, the program mode is changed from “idle” to "entry”, the entry type flag is set to "program”, and the temporary digit entry number is set to 0.
  • the user then enters the digit 4 from the keyboard, causing execution to resume at the numeric processor "four", which like its counterparts "zero...nine", change the temporary digit entry number and test for the valid mode of "entry”.
  • Numeric entries of more than one digit would simply cause the previous entry to be adjusted through multiplication by ten and the result added to the entered digit. In this manner a maximum of three digits may be processed, with a digit counter incremented upon receipt of each digit, and the background task displaying the running total (in the example "004") via the routine in Figure 22.
  • the user must then terminate his numeric entry by depressing the "enter” key, forcing the main loop to pass control to the "enter” program.
  • a test is made for the valid "entry” mode, which if satisfied causes an additional limit check of the entered value as per the minimum and maximum numbers mentioned above.
  • the "enter” program decides which field (drill/lamp/ duration/timer) is to be replaced with the entered value based on the flag previously set to "program”.
  • the mode is then reset to "idle”, and the LED inhibit flag set before the main program loop is re-entered. Note that at any time prior to pressing the "enter” key the user can delete the current numeric entry by pressing the "clear” key which invokes the "clear” routine to reset the temporary digit entry number to zero.
  • the user decides to start the selected drill (#4) by pressing the "start/stop” key causing the main loop to branch to the "start” routine.
  • a test is made to see if the mode is already set to "drill” in which case the request would have been interrpreted as “stop” and the mode changed to "idle". Since it is not, the "start” routine computes the XROM drill pointers based upon drill # and skill level and adjusts the starting step index based upon the random number seed. The mode is then changed to "drill” and the run/pause flag is set to "run”.
  • the system commands contained in the XROM are then executed to allow for introductory speech, instructions, etc.
  • the selected drill is now executed, step by step, as shown in Figure 27.
  • the user may elect to temporarily suspend the drill by pressing the "pause” key, invoking the "pause” routine causing the run flag to be toggled from “run” to "pause” (and subsequently back to "run"), which informs the drill running routine of Figure 27 to forego execution of the next drill step.
  • the drill then continues running in this manner until stopped by the user as mentioned above, or upon expiration of the timer as shown in Figure l7.

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Claims (14)

  1. System für Technik- und beschleunigtes Reaktionstraining einer Person durch ein Trainingsprogramm mit von der Person auszuführenden Bewegungsmustern, wobei das System
    - eine Anzeige aus sichtbar vor der Person (30) positionierten Lichtquellen,
    - ein Steuersystem zum wahlweisen Steuern der Anzeige in einer Zufallsfolge gesteuerter Ereignisse, und
    - einen an das Steuersystem gekoppelten akustischen Wandler zum Erzeugen eines akustischen Signals am Ende eines obengenannten gesteuerten Ereignisses
    aufweist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    - die Anzeige ein Array (10, 110, 300) aus Lichtquellen (14, 16, 18, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 304) ist,
    - das Steuersystem (22, 126, 140) ein programmierbares Steuersystem (22, 126, 140) ist,
    - jede Lichtquelle (14, 16, 18, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 304) zu einer jeweiligen vorbestimmten Richtung in dem Bewegungsmuster korrespondiert,
    - der akustische Wandler (136) durch das Steuersystem (22, 126, 140) in einer Weise aktiviert ist, daß er das akustische Signal am Ende jedes der gesteuerten Ereignisse erzeugt,
    und daß das Steuersystem ein digital betriebenes Steuersystem aufweist, welches zum Eingeben verschiedener individueller Ansprechzeitperioden für verschiedene Lichtquellen programmierbar ist und überdies jede individuelle Ansprechzeitperiode zeitlich festlegt.
  2. System nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Sensoreinrichtung zum Abtasten der Reaktion der Person vorgesehen ist, die mehrere so angeordnete Sensoren (46, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228) aufweist, daß sie ein Muster (229, 234, 236, 238, 239) von Bewegungen der Person abtasten.
  3. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein externer Speicher in einer in eine mit dem digitalen Steuersystem verbundene Öffnung einsetzbaren Kassette (324) befestigt ist, wobei die Kassette im Speicher eine Folge zum Erleuchten der einzelnen Lichtquellen in dem Array (10, 110, 300) aus Lichtquellen zusammen mit verschiedenen individuellen Ansprechzeitperioden für jede Lichtquelle gespeichert hat, wobei verschiedene Trainingsprogramme in dem System durch nur Änderung von Programmkassetten (324) verwendbar sind.
  4. System nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kassette (324) mehrere verschiedene im Speicher gespeicherte Trainingsprogramme mit verschiedenen Folgen zum Erleuchten der einzelnen Lichtquellen und verschiedenen individuellen Ansprechzeitperioden enthält.
  5. System nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kassette (324) mit einem Schwächedrillprogramm programmiert ist, wobei wenigstens eine spezielle Lichtquelle im Array (10, 110, 300) aus Lichtquellen häufiger in dem Programm erregt wird als andere Lichtquellen, wobei die spezielle Lichtquelle ein durch die Person (30) derart auszuführendes Schwächebewegungsmuster anzeigt, daß das Programm zum Stärken des speziellen Schwächebewegungsmusters arbeitet.
  6. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das digital betriebene Steuersystem mit einem eine Tastenblock- oder Fernbedienungs-Eingabeanzeige (310) aufweisenden Tastenblock-oder Fernbedienungs-Eingabearray (308) aus Tasten verbunden ist.
  7. System nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß auf dem Tastenblock- oder Fernbedienungs-Eingabearray (308) eine Um-Prozente-Schneller-Taste zum Ändern der Ansprechzeitperioden in dem Programm vorgesehen ist.
  8. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, gekennzeichnet durch wenigsten einen an das digitale Steuersystem (126) gekoppelten Wandler (42 - 46; 220 - 229), der durch die Person (30) am Ende des ausgeführten speziellen Bewegungsmusters betätigt wird, und wobei das digitale Steuersystem (126) die von der Person (30) genommene tatsächliche Zeitperiode mißt, um den Wandler zu aktivieren, und jede gemessene tatsächliche Ansprechzeitperiode in einem Speicher speichert.
  9. System nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in dem Trainingsprogramm ein Druckberührungspolster für jede Lichtquelle zu erregen ist, und wobei das digitale Steuersystem (126) die von der Person (30) genommene tatsächliche Zeitperiode mißt, um jedes Druckpolster zu berühren, und jede gemessene tatsächliche Ansprechzeitperiode in einem Speicher speichert.
  10. System nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß auf einer Trainingsmatte Positionsfelder und Ansprechfelder markiert sind, und ein/ die Berührungspolster an verschiedenen markierten Ansprechfeldern der Trainingsmatte derart positioniert sind, daß die Person (30) sich selbst in bezug auf ein markiertes Positionsfeld auf der Trainingsmatte orientieren kann und dann auf die Erregung individueller Lichtquellen in dem Array (10, 110, 300) aus Lichtquellen reagieren kann, um besondere Bewegungsmuster auszuführen, an deren Ende die Person (30) ein markiertes Ansprechfeld auf der Trainingsmatte berührt.
  11. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das digitale Steuersystem (126) ferner Sprachsynthesizerschaltungen (366, 368) aufweist.
  12. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das digitale Steuersystem einen Mikroprozessor (352) aufweist, der an einen Adressbus (354), einen Steuerbus (356) und einen Datenbus (358) gekoppelt ist, und daß jedes Array (10, 110, 300) aus Lichtquellen an den Mikroprozessor (352) gekoppelt und durch den Mikroprozessor (352) durch auf dem Adressbus (354), den Steuerbus (356) und den Datenbus (358) ausgegebene Signale gesteuert ist.
  13. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das System als ein tragbares Trägergehäuse, das an einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt des Trägergehäuses geöffnet werden kann, konstruiert ist, und daß das Array (10, 110, 300) aus Lichtquellen in dem oberen Abschnitt des Trägergehäuses montiert ist und das Steuersystem (126) in dem unteren Abschnitt des Trägergehäuses sich befindet.
  14. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Array (110, 300) aus Lichtquellen ein Array aus sechs Lichtquellen (112 - 122; 304) aufweist, die in einer horizontalen oberen Reihe und unteren Reihe aus jeweils drei Lichtquellen angeordnet sind, wobei obere Reihe und untere Reihe vertikal in bezug zueinander ausgerichtet sind.
EP86113366A 1986-07-25 1986-09-29 Trainingssystem für Sporttechnik und Reaktionsvermögen Expired - Lifetime EP0253920B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86113366T ATE72407T1 (de) 1986-07-25 1986-09-29 Trainingssystem fuer sporttechnik und reaktionsvermoegen.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US890716 1986-07-25
US06/890,716 US4702475A (en) 1985-08-16 1986-07-25 Sports technique and reaction training system

Publications (3)

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EP0253920A2 EP0253920A2 (de) 1988-01-27
EP0253920A3 EP0253920A3 (en) 1988-08-17
EP0253920B1 true EP0253920B1 (de) 1992-02-05

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EP86113366A Expired - Lifetime EP0253920B1 (de) 1986-07-25 1986-09-29 Trainingssystem für Sporttechnik und Reaktionsvermögen

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EP (1) EP0253920B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE72407T1 (de)
AU (1) AU587305B2 (de)
BR (1) BR8700669A (de)
CA (1) CA1260579A (de)
DE (1) DE3683852D1 (de)
IE (1) IE870289L (de)
IL (1) IL81494A0 (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0422144A1 (de) * 1989-03-29 1991-04-17 Urs Stoller Verfahren und einrichtung zum trainieren des menschlichen reaktions- und leistungsvermögens
GB9010021D0 (en) * 1990-05-03 1990-06-27 Macgregor Williams Limited Floor exercise equipment
FR2713944B1 (fr) * 1993-12-16 1996-01-26 Lamarre Thierry Dispositif de contrôle, d'évaluation, et d'aide à l'entraînement physique du déplacement et du temps de réaction par rapport à des signaux aléatoires multidirectionnels, destiné à des milieux sportifs.

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3933354A (en) * 1974-09-18 1976-01-20 Brunswick Corporation Reflex testing amusement device
US4058113A (en) * 1975-11-13 1977-11-15 Fields Louis G Time perception device
US4534557A (en) * 1981-03-23 1985-08-13 Bigelow Stephen L Reaction time and applied force feedback

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4169592A (en) * 1977-02-22 1979-10-02 Hall David J Electronic reflex game
US4702475A (en) * 1985-08-16 1987-10-27 Innovating Training Products, Inc. Sports technique and reaction training system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3933354A (en) * 1974-09-18 1976-01-20 Brunswick Corporation Reflex testing amusement device
US4058113A (en) * 1975-11-13 1977-11-15 Fields Louis G Time perception device
US4534557A (en) * 1981-03-23 1985-08-13 Bigelow Stephen L Reaction time and applied force feedback

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1260579A (en) 1989-09-26
BR8700669A (pt) 1988-03-01
ATE72407T1 (de) 1992-02-15
EP0253920A3 (en) 1988-08-17
IL81494A0 (en) 1987-09-16
AU6864887A (en) 1988-01-28
EP0253920A2 (de) 1988-01-27
IE870289L (en) 1988-01-25
AU587305B2 (en) 1989-08-10
DE3683852D1 (de) 1992-03-19

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