GB2505506B

GB2505506B - System and apparatus for free-kick practicing

Info

Publication number: GB2505506B
Application number: GB1215698.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nagar Eldad
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-03
Filing date: 2012-09-03
Publication date: 2019-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-03
Also published as: GB201215698D0; GB2505506A

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FREE-KICK PRACTICING FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for training players in ball-kicking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Soccer or Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players each. This game is one of the most popular sport games in the world and attracts millions of viewers and fans. Soccer players are often required to practice direct and indirect free-kicks by having a stationary wall placed between the kicker and the goal, where the player practices by attempting to kick the ball into the goal passed the wall apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall apparatus for free kick practicing by a practicing player, comprising: a) a base member; b) a plurality of wall members for simulating a plurality of soccer players, each of said wall members being movably connected to said base member; c) a movement mechanism for mechanically moving each of said plurality of wall members; d) at least one wireless receiver for receiving signals from at least one remote transmitter of a sensor device to be worn by the practicing player, said sensor device being configured for detecting kick related movements of the practicing player; and e) a controller configured for controlling said movement mechanism by moving at least one wall member while the practicing player practices free kicking of a ball to a goal, in response to each kick movement identified by said sensor.

[0004] According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of wall members is configured to simulate a single player in size and shape.

[0005] According to some embodiments, the movement mechanism comprises a pneumatic system connecting to each of the wall members for moving thereof by using pressured gas. This pneumatic system may optionally comprise at least one piston, at least one gas tank and at least one compressor connected thereto for enabling to compress the gas from the tank, wherein each of the wall members connects to the pneumatic system allowing the pneumatic system to control each of the wall members separately, wherein each piston connects to a respective wall member for enabling a linear movement thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, the pneumatic system further comprises at least one pressure regulator and pressure measurement device for regulating, measuring and indicating the pressure delivered to the wall member.

[0006] Optionally, each of the plurality of wall members has a head portion shaped according to a size and configuration that resembles a human head and a torso portion resembling a human torso, wherein each wall member is held, in a stationary position, at a height that simulated an average human player's height.

[0007] The apparatus comprises a plurality of wall members and at least one wireless receiver for receiving signals from at least one remote transmitter of a sensor device attached to the player, wherein the sensor device is configured for detecting kick related movements of the player for allowing moving the at least one wall member in response to each identified kick movement. According to some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of wall members is operated once a movement of the player is identified and wherein the wall member movement includes linearly lifting at least one of the plurality of wall members to increase the height thereof. The controller may operate an algorithm for operating the plurality of wall members in response to received signals indicative of the player's movements, wherein the algorithm may be based on random calculations, wherein upon receiving a signal indicative of some movement of the player one or more of the plurality of wall members is randomly moved. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of each of the plurality of wall members such as lifting height selected one or more wall members for lifting and the like, according to the signals received form said sensor device, at each given timeframe.

[0008] Optionally, the controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of the plurality of wall members of each given timeframe, according to which the at least one wall member is operated, wherein the operational characteristics comprise at least one of: (i) specific one or more wall members that are selected to be operated within the respective time frame; (ii) operation duration of each selected wall member; (iii) motion characteristics of each selected wall member.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the invention, the movement mechanism comprises at least one motor or at least one piston configured for linearly moving the plurality of wall members.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, there provided a system for free kick practicing by a practicing player, comprising: a) a sensor device that is attachable to the practicing player's body, said sensor device being configured for sensing movements of the practicing player and outputting a signal indicative thereof; and b) a wall apparatus comprising: • a base member; • a plurality of wall members for simulating a plurality of soccer players in size movably connected to said base member; • a movement mechanism for mechanically moving each of said plurality of wall members along at least one movement axis, said movement mechanism is configured to connect to each of said plurality of wall members; • a controller configured for controlling said movement mechanism; and • a receiver for receiving output data from said sensor device, said receiver communicates with said controller, wherein said controller is configured for operating said movement mechanism in response to movements of the practicing player as sensed by said sensor device.

[0011] Optionally, the sensor device comprises at least one motion sensor capable of sensing motion, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting signals indicative of sensor's output. The transmitter may be configured for transmitting Infra-Red (IR) or Radio Frequency (RF) signals to the receiver, and the receiver is configured for receiving IR or RF signals, respectively, wherein the receiver and transmitter are configured for respectively receiving and transmitting signals within the same frequency band.

[0012] Optionally, the sensor device further comprises at least one leg patch for attaching the at least one sensor to the player's leg.

[0013] The controller may optionally be configured for determining operational characteristics of the plurality of wall members, according to the signals received form the sensor device, at each given timeframe.

[0014] Optionally, the controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of the plurality of wall members, according to the data received form the sensor device, at each given timeframe.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for practicing soccer free kicks by a practicing player, said method comprising: a) sensing kick related movements of the practicing player by using a sensor device attached to the practicing player's leg; b) transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed kick related movement to a wall apparatus configured for operating a plurality of wall members comprised thereby; c) receiving the transmitted signal, using said wall apparatus; and d) operating at least one of said plurality of wall members according to the sensed movements of the player.

[0016] The method may further include determining operational characteristics that define the manner in which the wall members are to be operated, according to the received signal. Optionally these characteristics include at least one of: (i) specific one or more wall members that are selected to be operated within the respective time frame; (ii) operation duration of each selected wall member; (iii) motion characteristics of each selected wall member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system for free kick practicing, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a pneumatic movement mechanism of the system described in Fig. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating how the free kick practice system operates, using a pneumatic based system enabling moving each wall member thereof via pneumatic pistons, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the invention, there are provided a wall apparatus and a system for allowing players to practice free kicks in an efficient manner that simulates the reality of free kick scenarios in which a number of players form a human-wall, where each player can move and jump to various directions once the ball is kicked by the kicker.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the invention, the system includes one or more sensor devices, each including one or more motion sensors attached to the kicker's (free kick player) body such as the player's leg(s) or foot/feet and a transmitter for transmitting signals indicative of the motion detected at each given timeframe. The system also includes a wall device that simulates the human-wall having a plurality of wall members all in the shape and size/width of a real human player (the wall members are also referred to as "dummies" in this document). The wall apparatus receives signals from the sensor device and electronically operates a mechanism that mechanically moves the wall members in response to the movement of the player's leg/foot.

[0023] The movement may be linear along a single axis, per wall member, or include various optional movement directions depending on the mechanical abilities of the system. The wall apparatus also includes a receiver for receiving the sensor device's outputted signals; the movement mechanism; a controller for controlling the movement mechanism and the wall members.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the invention, upon receiving each signal or several signals over a timeframe from the sensor device (through the receiver), the controller calculates if and how the wall members should be operated in response, according to a predefined program embedded therein. The controller may be a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) such as MicroLogics 1100 16 I/O, Simens -SIMATIC S7-200, LinMot(RTM) - Controller E1001/E1100 (for linear motors), and the like.

[0025] In cases in which the movement of each wall-member (dummy) can only be linear (e.g. up and back down only), the algorithm may be programmed for deciding which wall member or members should be operated at any given time frame (i.e. deciding which of the dummies should be lifted within a predefined fixed timeframe), where "operation" includes turning the wall member on/off since each can only lift to a certain height and retract back into its non-lifted position. The number of tumed-on wall members at each given moment may be determined randomly, where a detection of a leg movement of the player, without considering the characteristics of the movement such as speed/acceleration, direction and the like. To do so, the controller may be programmed to operate a random-engine which determines the operation of the wall apparatus (how many and which of the wall members will be operated at each given moment or any other timeframe). According to some embodiments each piston may be able to be lifted to various different heights by controlling air pressure, allowing thereby simulating wall players of different heights and/or vertical movements of the players.

[0026] Alternatively, if the movement mechanism is configured to allow moving each wall member in various directions, the algorithm may determine other more advanced operational characteristics of each wall member at each given timeframe, according to results of an analysis of the player's leg movements taken from the outputs of the sensor device. This may require both analyzing the movement of the player's leg at each given timeframe for determining other operational characteristics of the wall members such as duration of operation, tilting and specific height of lifting (if enabled mechanically by the system), tilting features of the wall members that are to be operated and the like. These embodiments may require much more sophisticated and complicated controller and movement mechanism configurations.

[0027] The movement mechanism may be any system that can translate data/signals such as electronic signals into mechanical movement such as a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, a motor based system and the like. Each wall member may be operated separately by the movement mechanism for allowing selecting specific one or more wall members that are to be moved at each given timeframe.

[0028] A "player" or a "kicker" may be any human who practices free kicking to a goal. The term soccer or football refers to any sports game requiring kicking a ball into a goal.

[0029] The term "free kick" or "free kicking" refers to the known term as used in soccer and football including both direct and indirect free kicking rules.

[0030] Reference is now made to Fig. 1, schematically illustrating a system 100 for free kick practicing, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The free kick practice involves a player 50 kicking a ball 20 towards a goal (not shown) while trying to pass a wall apparatus 110 simulating a wall of human players trying to block the kicking player's ball path by standing between the kicking player and the goal.

[0031] The system 100 includes a wall apparatus 110 and a sensor device 120, where the sensor device 120 includes a motion sensor 121 attached to a player's 50 ankle through a patch 122, where the senor 121 also has a wireless transmitter 123 for transmitting signals indicative of the sensed data via a wireless communication link such as via Radio Frequency (RF) or Infrared (IR) based communication within a predefined RF/IR frequency range.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the invention, the motion sensor 121 can identify movement, measure movement characteristics such as measuring the velocity and acceleration of the movement to determine force applied by the player's leg to identify a "kick" motion and to determine its features such as direction, momentum and the like.

[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a plurality of wall members 111a, 111b and 111c shaped as dummies having a size that simulates an average player's torso dimensions and a head shape, where the wall members 111a, 111b and 111c are attached to a base member 118 which is a cover and frame structure holding the wall members 1 lla- ll lc. Each wall member llla/lllb/lllc can be separately and only linearly moved by a movement mechanism upwards to a lifted position adding a height of "h" to the height "H" of the wall member llla/lllb/lllc at its non-lifted position. In some embodiments, each wall member llla/lllb/lllc can only be lifted to a height of (H+h) and there are no in-between positions. In other embodiments the wall members llla/lllb/lllc can be lifted to various heights between a given height range.

[0034] According to other embodiments, other operational characteristics can be determined according to the sensed leg movements of the player such as, for example: selected one or more wall members 111a, 111b and/or 111c and operated; operation duration of each selected wall member; and/or motion characteristics of each selected wall member (e.g. lifting height, tilting characteristics, effects such ash shaking of the respective wall member and the like).

[0035] The height H from the ground may be adapted to at least a portion of an average height of players according to the players' respective gender and/or age group. This means that for children the height "H" is designed according to their age group and for adults according to an average adult player's height.

[0036] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the wall apparatus 110 of the system 100 illustrated, according to some embodiments of the invention. The wall apparatus 110 includes: (i) the wall members (dummies) 111a, 111b and 111c; The base member 118; a controller 112; a receiver 114; and (iii) a pneumatic movement mechanism 130.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the invention, the receiver 114 receives wireless signals (e.g. radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) signals), indicative of the movement of the player's 50 leg. The signal is transmitted by the transmitter 123 of the sensor device 120 over a respective wireless communication link defined within a certain frequency band. The controller 112 receives output data of the receiver 114 and operates the pneumatic movement mechanism 130 according to the received data and according to a predefined calculation method/algorithm. To control the Pneumatic movement mechanism 130, the controller 112 and/or movement mechanism 130 includes a set of one or more relays allowing electronically switching on/off the entire movement mechanism 130 or parts thereof for operating the wall members 11 la-111c.

[0038] According to some embodiments, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the pneumatic movement mechanism 130 includes: a solenoid valve 134; a gas tank 131; a compressor 132; pneumatic pistons 115a, 115b and 115c connected to the gas tank 131 via pipes 133a, 133b and 133c and optionally via a gas faucet respectively for enabling operating each piston 115a/115b/115c separately. Each piston 115a/115b/115c connects to a different wall member llla/lllb/lllc respectively for allowing lifting thereof once operated to a predefined lifting height H+h from the ground. The respective wall member llla/lllb/lllc is retrieved to a non-lifted position at a height of H once the respective piston 115a/115b/115c is deactivated.

[0039] Gas (e.g. air) compressed by the compressor 132 into the tank 131, connected thereto via piping 135, is pushed into the pistons 115a/115b/115c for operating thereof to lift each selected respective wall member llla/lllb/lllc. The solenoid valve 134 connects to a relay switch 113 of the controller 112 for switching the pneumatic moving mechanism 130 on/off Once a leg movement is identified by the controller 112 it switches on the moving mechanism 130 and in this example, lifts all wall members 111a, 111b and 111c for a lifting duration that can be either fixed and permanent or determined according to characteristics/features of the signal (indicative of the characteristics of the movement (kick).

[0040] According to some embodiments of the invention, the pneumatic movement mechanism 130 further includes gas pressure regulation and measuring devices such as devices 116a, 116b and 116c for regulating, measuring and indicating the pressure delivered to each wall member llla/lllb/lllc through the pistons 115a/115b/115c, respectively.

[0041] In the embodiments illustrated by Figures 1-2 only three wall members 111a, 111b and 111c were shown but the system 100 may (i) include a different number of wall members but at least two; and/or (ii) enable adding wall members, and removing wall members to leave at least two, for simulating the real game situation in which the number of wall forming players is decided on the spot and is not limited as well as for enabling the practicing player to practice free kicking in various situations simulating various numbers of wall forming players.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the invention, the sensor(s) can sense and indicate other aspects of the sensed kick related movements such as the kick impact intensity, direction and the like, where this information is transmitted to the wall apparatus for determining the operational characteristics for operating the wall members according to the received information. Alternatively, the sensor only senses and indicates that a kick has been identified within the sensing timeframe allowing the wall members to be controlled and lifted whenever a kick is identified.

[0043] Additionally, or alternatively, the movement mechanism allows separately moving each wall member in more than one linear direction and manner. For example each wall member may be connected to a set of motors each enabling moving the respective wall member in different direction and way. For instance, one motor can create linear vertical movement for changing the wall member's height, while another enables a linear horizontal movement for changing the location of the wall member and its distance from an adjacent wall member, another motor may allow cyclic movement, etc. This may allow the controller to set complicated and versatile movement characteristic to each operated wall member at each given timeframe according to the sensor device's output signal and optionally after the transmitted signal is analyzed by the controller to identify the player's movement features and to determine the operational characteristics of the wall apparatus accordingly.

[0044] To begin practice, the wall apparatus is located at a desired distance from a goal and the kicker player begins at a desired practicing position at a distance from the wall apparatus to simulate a free kick game scenario. Once the wall apparatus and player are in places, the wall apparatus and sensor device can be activated to begin the practice.

[0045] According to some embodiments of the invention, the wall apparatus can be configured to allow adding and removing wall members to allow changing the number of wall members (dummies) to two or more, according to practice requirements. To do so, the wall apparatus may include, for example, ten pistons allowing installing up to ten wall members for simulating any number of wall-forming players up to the maximal number according to the soccer/football game rules. This will also allow changing and defining the distances between each two adjacent wall members by deciding to which piston the respective wall member will be connected.

[0046] Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a flowchart schematically illustrating how a pneumatic free kick practice system operates, according to one embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, the sensor device senses the player's impact with the ball at a given timeframe "ti" 31 and transmits a signal indicative thereof to the controller of the wall apparatus 32. The signal is received by the wall apparatus 33 receiver and is analyzed 34 to identify, for instance, kicks and optionally also their characteristics such as direction momentum and the like. Once a kick is identified 35 the controller of the wall apparatus defines an operation layout of the respective timeframe ti 36, which defines which wall member(s) are selected and how they are to be operated (e.g. define operational characteristics as exemplified above). The selected wall member(s) are(is) then operated by the controller according to the operation layout 38, where first the pneumatic movement mechanism is operated via the solenoid valve 37. These steps can be repeated for each timeframe, which may be of several seconds of tenths of a second, as long as the system is operated.

[0047] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims.

[0048] The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

Claims

1. A wall apparatus for free kick practicing by a practicing player, comprising: a) a base member; b) a plurality of wall members for simulating a plurality of soccer players, each of said wall members being movably connected to said base member; c) a movement mechanism for mechanically moving each of said plurality of wall members; d) at least one wireless receiver for receiving signals from at least one remote transmitter of a sensor device to be worn by the practicing player, said sensor device being configured for detecting kick related movements of the practicing player; and e) a controller configured for controlling said movement mechanism by moving at least one wall member while the practicing player practices free kicking of a ball to a goal, in response to each kick movement identified by said sensor.

2. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of wall members is configured to simulate a single player in size and shape.

3. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movement mechanism comprises a pneumatic system connecting to each of said wall members for moving thereof by using pressured gas.

4. The wall apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said pneumatic system comprises at least one piston, at least one gas tank and at least one compressor connected thereto for enabling gas from the tank to be compressed, wherein each said plurality of wall members connects to said pneumatic system allowing said pneumatic system to control each of said plurality of wall members separately, wherein each said piston connects to a respective said wall member for enabling a linear movement thereof.

5. The wall apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said pneumatic system further comprises at least one pressure regulator and pressure measurement device for regulating, measuring and indicating the pressure delivered to each of said plurality of wall members.

6. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said plurality of wall members has a head portion shaped according to a size and configuration that resembles a human head and a torso portion resembling a human torso, wherein each of said plurality of wall members is held, in a stationary position, at a height that simulates an average human player's height.

7. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of wall members is operated once a movement of the player is identified and wherein said wall member movement comprises linearly lifting the respective at least one of the plurality of wall members to increase the height of the lifted said at least one wall member.

8. The wall apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said controller operates an algorithm for operating said plurality of wall members in response to received signals indicative of the player's movements, said algorithm being based on random calculations, wherein upon receiving a signal indicative of some movement of the player one or more of said plurality of wall members is randomly moved.

9. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of said at least one wall member, according to the signals received form said sensor device during a given timeframe.

10. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of each of said plurality of wall members during a given timeframe, according to which said each of plurality of wall members is operated, said operational characteristics comprising at least one of: (i) specific one or more wall members that are selected to be operated within the respective time frame; (ii) operation duration of each selected wall member; (iii) motion characteristics of each selected wall member.

11. The wall apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movement mechanism comprises at least one motor or at least one piston configured for linearly moving of a respective one of said plurality of wall members.

12. A system for free kick practicing by a practicing player, comprising: a) a sensor device that is attachable to the practicing player's body, said sensor device being configured for sensing movements of the practicing player and outputting a signal indicative thereof; and b) a wall apparatus comprising: • a base member; • a plurality of wall members for simulating a plurality of soccer players in size movably connected to said base member; • a movement mechanism for mechanically moving each of said plurality of wall members along at least one movement axis, said movement mechanism is configured to connect to each of said plurality of wall members; • a controller configured for controlling said movement mechanism; and • a receiver for receiving output data from said sensor device, said receiver communicates with said controller, wherein said controller is configured for operating said movement mechanism in response to movements of the practicing player as sensed by said sensor device.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said sensor device comprises at least one motion sensor capable of sensing motion, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting signals indicative of sensor's output

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said transmitter is configured for transmitting Infra-Red (IR) or Radio Frequency (RF) signals to said receiver, and said receiver is configured for receiving IR or RF signals, respectively, wherein the receiver and transmitter are configured for respectively receiving and transmitting signals within the same frequency band.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein said sensor device further comprises at least one leg patch for attaching said at least one sensor to the player's leg.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein said controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of each of said plurality of wall members, according to the signals received form said sensor device, at each given timeframe.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein said controller is configured for determining operational characteristics of each of said plurality of wall members, according to the data received form said sensor device, at each given timeframe.

18. A method for practicing soccer free kicks by a practicing player, said method comprising: a) sensing kick related movements of the practicing player by using a sensor device attached to the practicing player's leg; b) transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed kick related movement to a wall apparatus configured for operating a plurality of wall members comprised thereby; c) receiving the transmitted signal, using said wall apparatus; and d) operating at least one of said plurality of wall members according to the sensed movements of the player.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising determining operational characteristics that define the manner in which the wall members are to be operated, according to the received signal.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said characteristics comprise at least one of: (iv) specific one or more wall members that are selected to be operated within the respective time frame; (v) operation duration of each selected wall member; (vi) motion characteristics of each selected wall member.