Practice aid system

Abstract

A practice aid system includes: a practice aid device; a hoop sensor system, including first and second pairs of an optical transmitter and receiver, which are mountable on a rim of a basketball hoop; an intelligent ball, including an inflatable ball body, a ball control unit, a ball light source; an intelligent shoe, including a shoe body, a shoe control unit, a motion sensor, a vibrator, and a shoe light source.

Claims

1. A practice aid system, comprising: a) a practice aid device; and b) a hoop sensor system, including: a first sensor pair, comprising: a first optical transmitter, which is configured to be mounted on a first side of a hoop rim of a basketball hoop; and a first optical receiver, which is configured to be mounted on a second side of the hoop rim, such that the first and second sides are first opposing sides of the hoop rim, such that the first optical receiver receives a first optical emission from the first optical transmitter when there is no blockage of a first opening between the first optical transmitter and the first optical receiver, and such that the first optical receiver is configured to detect a first blockage of the first opening when the first optical emission is not received; and a second sensor pair, comprising: a second optical transmitter, which is configured to be mounted on a third side of the hoop rim; and a second optical receiver, which is configured to be mounted on a fourth side of the hoop rim, such that the third and fourth sides are second opposing sides of the hoop rim, such that the second optical receiver receives a second optical emission from the second optical transmitter when there is no blockage of a second opening between the second optical transmitter and the second optical receiver, and such that the second optical receiver detects a second blockage of the second opening when the second optical emission is not received; wherein the practice aid device is configured to register a score when the first sensor pair and the second sensor pair detect simultaneous first and second blockages of respectively the first and second openings.

2. The practice aid system of claim 1, wherein the practice aid device is configured to be mounted on a forearm of a user.

3. The practice aid system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor pair is configured to be perpendicularly mounted on the hoop rim relative to the first sensor pair.

4. The practice aid system of claim 1, wherein the hoop sensor system further comprises: a mounting structure; wherein the first optical transmitter is mounted on a first side of the mounting structure; wherein the first optical receiver is mounted on a second side of the mounting structure; wherein the second optical transmitter is mounted on a third side of the mounting structure; and wherein the second optical receiver is mounted on a fourth side of the mounting structure.

5. The practice aid system of claim 4, wherein the mounting structure is a ring-shaped mounting ring.

6. The practice aid system of claim 4, wherein the second sensor pair is perpendicularly mounted on the mounting structure relative to the first sensor pair.

7. The practice aid system of claim 4, wherein the practice aid system further comprises the basketball hoop, which comprises the hoop rim; wherein the mounting structure is connected to the hoop rim, such that the mounting structure is mounted under the hoop rim.

8. The practice aid system of claim 1, further comprising: an intelligent ball, comprising: an inflatable ball body; a ball control unit; and a ball light source, such that the ball light source is mounted to the inflatable ball body; wherein the ball control unit is connected to the ball light source such that the ball control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the ball light source, in communication with the practice aid device.

9. The practice aid system of claim 8, wherein the ball light source is mounted inside the inflatable ball body, and wherein the inflatable ball body is at least semi-transparent.

10. The practice aid system of claim 8, wherein the ball light source comprises a light emitting diode assembly.

11. The practice aid system of claim 1, further comprising: an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a motion sensor, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the motion sensor, such that the shoe control unit is configured to receive motion information from the motion sensor, in communication with the practice aid device.

12. The practice aid system of claim 1, further comprising: an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a vibrator, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the vibrator, such that the shoe control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the vibrator, in communication with the practice aid device.

13. The practice aid system of claim 1, further comprising: an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a shoe light source, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the shoe light source, such that the shoe control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the shoe light source, in communication with the practice aid device.

14. A practice aid system, comprising: a) a practice aid device, which is configured to be mounted on a forearm of a user; and b) an intelligent ball, comprising: an inflatable ball body; a ball control unit; and a ball light source, such that the ball light source is mounted to the inflatable ball body; wherein the ball control unit is connected to the ball light source such that the ball control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the ball light source, in communication with the practice aid device.

15. The practice aid system of claim 14, further comprising: a hoop sensor system, including: a first sensor pair, comprising: a first optical transmitter, which is configured to be mounted on a first side of a hoop rim of a basketball hoop; and a first optical receiver, which is configured to be mounted on a second side of the hoop rim, such that the first and second sides are opposing sides of the hoop rim, such that the first optical receiver receives a first optical emission from the first optical transmitter when there is no blockage of a first opening between the first optical transmitter and the first optical receiver, and such that the first optical receiver is configured to detect a first blockage of the first opening when the first optical emission is not received; and a second sensor pair, comprising: a second optical transmitter, which is configured to be mounted on a third side of the hoop rim; and a second optical receiver, which is configured to be mounted on a fourth side of the hoop rim, such that the third and fourth sides are opposing sides of the hoop rim, such that the second optical receiver receives a second optical emission from the second optical transmitter when there is no blockage of a second opening between the second optical transmitter and the second optical receiver, and such that the second optical receiver detects a second blockage of the second opening when the second optical emission is not received; wherein the second sensor pair is configured to be perpendicularly mounted on the hoop rim relative to the first sensor pair; and wherein the practice aid device is configured to register a score when the first sensor pair and the second sensor pair detect simultaneous first and second blockages of respectively the first and second openings.

16. The practice aid system of claim 15, further comprising: a mounting structure; wherein the first optical transmitter is mounted on a first side of the mounting structure; wherein the first optical receiver is mounted on a second side of the mounting structure, such that the first and second sides are opposing sides of the mounting structure; wherein the second optical transmitter is mounted on a third side of the mounting structure; and wherein the second optical receiver is mounted on a fourth side of the mounting structure.

17. The practice aid system of claim 16, wherein the mounting structure is a ring-shaped mounting ring.

18. The practice aid system of claim 14, further comprising: an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a motion sensor, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the motion sensor, such that the shoe control unit is configured to receive motion information from the motion sensor, in communication with the practice aid device.

19. The practice aid system of claim 14, further comprising: an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a vibrator, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the vibrator, such that the shoe control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the vibrator, in communication with the practice aid device.

20. The practice aid system of claim 14, further comprising: an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a shoe light source, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the shoe light source, such that the shoe control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the shoe light source, in communication with the practice aid device.

21. A practice aid system, comprising: a) a practice aid device, which is configured to be mounted on a forearm of a user; and b) an intelligent shoe, comprising: a shoe body; a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body; and a shoe light source, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the shoe light source, such that the shoe control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the shoe light source, in communication with the practice aid device.

22. The practice aid system of claim 21, further comprising: a hoop sensor system, including: a first sensor pair, comprising: a first optical transmitter, which is configured to be mounted on a first side of a hoop rim of a basketball hoop; and a first optical receiver, which is configured to be mounted on a second side of the hoop rim, such that the first and second sides are opposing sides of the hoop rim, such that the first optical receiver receives a first optical emission from the first optical transmitter when there is no blockage of a first opening between the first optical transmitter and the first optical receiver, and such that the first optical receiver is configured to detect a first blockage of the first opening when the first optical emission is not received; and a second sensor pair, comprising: a second optical transmitter, which is configured to be mounted on a third side of the hoop rim; and a second optical receiver, which is configured to be mounted on a fourth side of the hoop rim, such that the third and fourth sides are opposing sides of the hoop rim, such that the second optical receiver receives a second optical emission from the second optical transmitter when there is no blockage of a second opening between the second optical transmitter and the second optical receiver, and such that the second optical receiver detects a second blockage of the second opening when the second optical emission is not received; wherein the second sensor pair is configured to be perpendicularly mounted on the hoop rim relative to the first sensor pair; and wherein the practice aid device is configured to register a score when the first sensor pair and the second sensor pair detect simultaneous first and second blockages of respectively the first and second openings.

23. The practice aid system of claim 22, further comprising: a mounting structure; wherein the first optical transmitter is mounted on a first side of the mounting structure; wherein the first optical receiver is mounted on a second side of the mounting structure, such that the first and second sides are opposing sides of the mounting structure; wherein the second optical transmitter is mounted on a third side of the mounting structure; and wherein the second optical receiver is mounted on a fourth side of the mounting structure.

24. The practice aid system of claim 23, wherein the mounting structure is a ring-shaped mounting ring.

25. The practice aid system of claim 21, wherein the intelligent shoe further comprises: a motion sensor, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the motion sensor, such that the shoe control unit is configured to receive motion information from the motion sensor, in communication with the practice aid device.

26. The practice aid system of claim 25, wherein the intelligent shoe further comprises: a vibrator, which is mounted to the shoe body; wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the vibrator, such that the shoe control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the vibrator, in communication with the practice aid device.

27. The practice aid system of claim 25, wherein the shoe control unit is configured to calibrate a position of the intelligent shoe, by successively positioning the intelligent shoe in four corners of a playing field.

28. The practice aid system of claim 21, further comprising: an intelligent ball, comprising: an inflatable ball body; a ball control unit; and a ball light source, such that the ball light source is mounted to the inflatable ball body; wherein the ball control unit is connected to the ball light source such that the ball control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off the ball light source, in communication with the practice aid device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a part of a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a part of a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a practice aid device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a practice aid device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a practice aid server, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.

[0045] The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

[0046] In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a system for practice aid system 100 with reference to FIG. 1, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.

[0047] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a practice aid system 100 can include: [0048] a) a practice aid device 104, which can be configured to mount on a forearm of a user; [0049] b) A hoop sensor system 110, including: [0050] i. a first sensor pair 212, including: [0051] a first optical transmitter 214, which is configured to be mounted on a first side of a hoop rim 260 of a basketball hoop; and [0052] a first optical receiver 216, which is configured to be mounted on a second side of the hoop rim 260, such that the first and second sides are opposing sides of the hoop rim 260, such that the first optical receiver 216 receives a first optical emission from the first optical transmitter 214 when there is no blockage of a first opening between the first optical transmitter 214 and the first optical receiver 216, and such that the first optical receiver 216 detects a first blockage of the first opening when the first optical emission is not received; and [0053] ii. a second sensor pair 222, including: [0054] a second optical transmitter 224, which is configured to be mounted on a third side of the hoop rim 260; and [0055] a second optical receiver 226, which is configured to be mounted on a fourth side of the hoop rim 260, such that the third and fourth sides are opposing sides of the hoop rim 260, [0056] such that the second optical receiver 226 receives a second optical emission from the second optical transmitter 224 when there is no blockage of a second opening between the second optical transmitter 224 and the second optical receiver 226, and [0057] such that the second optical receiver 226 detects a second blockage of the second opening when the second optical emission is not received; and [0058] wherein the second sensor pair 222 is configured to be perpendicularly mounted on the hoop rim 260 relative to the first sensor pair 212; [0059] wherein the practice aid device 104 can be configured to register a score when the first sensor pair 212 and the second sensor pair 222 detect simultaneous first and second blockages of respectively the first and second openings; [0060] c) an intelligent ball 130, including: [0061] i. an inflatable ball body 332; [0062] ii. a ball control unit 334; [0063] iii. a ball light source 336, which for example can be a light emitting diode assembly, such that the ball light source 336 is mounted to the inflatable ball body 332, for example inside the inflatable ball body 332, in a shell of the inflatable ball body 332 or on a surface of the inflatable ball body 332; [0064] wherein the ball control unit 334 is connected to the ball light source 336 such that the ball control unit is configured to control switching on and switching off of the ball light source 336, in communication with the practice aid device 104; [0065] d) an intelligent shoe 140, including: [0066] i. a shoe body 342; [0067] ii. a shoe control unit 344, which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the shoe body 342; [0068] iii. a motion sensor 349, which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the shoe body 342; [0069] iv. a vibrator 348, which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the shoe body 342; [0070] v. a shoe light source 346, which for example can be a light emitting diode assembly, such that the shoe light source 346 is mounted to the shoe body 342, for example inside the shoe body 342 or on a surface of the shoe body 342; [0071] wherein the shoe control unit 344 is connected to the motion sensor 349, such that the shoe control unit 344 can be configured to receive motion information from the motion sensor 349, in communication with the practice aid device 104; [0072] wherein the shoe control unit 344 is connected to the vibrator 348 such that the shoe control unit 344 can be configured to control switching on and switching off of the vibrator 348, in communication with the practice aid device 104; [0073] wherein the shoe control unit 344 is connected to the shoe light source 346 such that the shoe control unit 344 can be configured to control switching on and switching off the shoe light source 346, in communication with the practice aid device 104.

[0074] In a related embodiment, the shoe control unit 344 can be configured to calibrate a position of the intelligent shoe 140, by successively positioning the intelligent shoe 140 in the four corners 162 of the playing field 160, such as a basketball court 160.

[0075] In another related embodiment, the practice aid device 104 can be configured to transmit the registered score to an electronic scoreboard 150, which can include a conventional scoreboard 150, a television 150, a tablet device 150, or some other form of display device 150.

[0076] In other related embodiments, the first and second sensor pair 212 222 can be similar in design to conventional garage sensors and can for example employ an optical transmitter 214, 224, which can be an infrared or laser emitter.

[0077] In other related embodiments, the inflatable ball body 332 can be at least semi-transparent, including transparent or translucent, wherein the ball light source 336, is mounted inside the inflatable ball body 332, such that light emitted from the ball light source 336 is externally visible.

[0078] In another related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B, the hoop sensor system can further include: [0079] a mounting structure 230, which can be a ring-shaped mounting ring 230; [0080] wherein the first optical transmitter 214 is mounted on a first side of the mounting structure 230; and [0081] wherein the first optical receiver 216 is mounted on a second side of the mounting structure 230, such that the first and second sides are opposing sides of the mounting structure 230; and [0082] wherein the second optical transmitter 224 is mounted on a third side of the mounting structure 230; and [0083] wherein the second optical receiver is mounted on a fourth side of the mounting structure 230, such that the third and fourth sides are opposing sides of the mounting structure 230; and [0084] wherein the second sensor pair 222 is substantially perpendicularly mounted on the mounting structure 230 relative to the first sensor pair 212; [0085] such that the mounting structure 230 for example can be connected to the hoop rim 260, such that the mounting structure 230 is mounted directly under the hoop rim 260, for example as shown on an outer side of a hoop netting 270.

[0086] In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a practice aid device 104 can include: [0087] a) A processor 402; [0088] b) A non-transitory memory 404; [0089] c) An input/output component 406; [0090] d) A display 408, which can be a touch screen 408; [0091] e) A hoop controller 410, which can be configured to control functions of the hoop sensor system 110, such that the hoop controller 410 registers a score when the first sensor pair 212 and the second sensor pair 222 register a simultaneous blockage of respectively first and second optical transmission signals; [0092] f) A ball controller 412, which can be configured to control functions of the intelligent ball 130, such that the ball controller 412 is configured to control switching on and switching off of the ball light source 336 in communication with the ball control unit 334; and [0093] g) A shoe controller 414, which can be configured to control functions of the intelligent shoe 140; [0094] such that the shoe controller 414 is configured to receive motion information from the motion sensor 349 in communication with the shoe control unit 344; [0095] such that the shoe controller 414 is configured to control switching on and switching off of the vibrator 348 in communication with the shoe control unit 344; [0096] such that the shoe controller 414 is configured to control switching on and switching off of the shoe light source 346 in communication with the shoe control unit 344; all connected via [0097] h) A data bus 420.

[0098] In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a practice aid system 100 can further include a practice aid server 302, which is connected to the hoop sensor system 110, the intelligent ball 130, and the intelligent shoe 140, such that the practice aid device 104 controls functions of the practice aid system 100 in communication via the practice aid server 302.

[0099] In another related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a practice aid device 104 can be configured for use by a coach 324 or manager 324 to receive real-time data and provide instructions in communication with the practice aid system 100, for example for the purpose of training or evaluation.

[0100] In yet another related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a practice aid device 104 can be configured for use by a referee 326 or umpire 326 to receive real-time data and provide gameplay decisions and instructions in communication with the practice aid system 100.

[0101] In related embodiments, the practice aid system 100 can be used for basketball and other sports using a ball, such as for example baseball, American football, tennis, soccer, etc.

[0102] In a related embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a user 122 operating a practice aid device 104 via interaction with the touch screen 408.

[0103] In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a practice aid server 102 can include: [0104] a) A processor 602; [0105] b) A non-transitory memory 604; [0106] c) An input/output component 606; [0107] d) A hoop manager 610, which can be configured to control functions of the hoop sensor system 110, such that the hoop manager 610 registers a score when the first sensor pair 212 and the second sensor pair 222 register a simultaneous blockage of respectively first and second optical transmission signals; [0108] e) A ball manager 612, which can be configured to control functions of the intelligent ball 130, such that the ball manager 612 is configured to control switching on and switching off of the ball light source 336 in communication with the ball control unit 334; and [0109] f) A shoe manager 614, which can be configured to control functions of the intelligent shoe 140; [0110] such that the shoe manager 614 is configured to receive motion information from the motion sensor 349 in communication with the shoe control unit 344; [0111] such that the shoe manager 614 is configured to control switching on and switching off of the vibrator 348 in communication with the shoe control unit 344; [0112] such that the shoe controller 414 is configured to control switching on and switching off of the shoe light source 346 in communication with the shoe control unit 344; all connected via [0113] g) A data bus 620; [0114] such that the hoop controller 410 of the practice aid device 104 can control functions of the hoop sensor system 110 in communication with the hoop manager 610; [0115] such that the ball controller 412 of the practice aid device 104 can control functions of the intelligent ball 130 in communication with the ball manager 612; and [0116] such that the shoe controller 414 of the practice aid device 104 can control functions of the intelligent shoe 140 in communication with the shoe manager 614.

[0117] In related embodiments, the practice aid device 104 can include configurations as: [0118] a) A mobile app, executing on a mobile device, such as for example a smart phone, and ANDROID phone or IPHONE, or any wearable mobile device; [0119] b) A tablet app, executing on a tablet device, such as for example an ANDROID or IOS tablet device; [0120] c) A web application, executing in a Web browser; [0121] d) A desktop application, executing on a personal computer, or similar device; [0122] e) An embedded application, executing on a processing device, such as for example a smart TV, a game console or other system.

[0123] It shall be understood that an executing instance of an embodiment of the practice aid system 100, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A, can include a plurality of practice aid devices 104, which are each tied to one or more users 122, for example as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0124] An executing instance of an embodiment of the system for practice aid system 100, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, can similarly include a plurality of practice aid servers 102.

[0125] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, and 6 are block diagrams and flowcharts, methods, devices, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. It shall be understood that each block or step of the block diagram, flowchart and control flow illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram, flowchart and control flow illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions or other means. Although computer program instructions are discussed, an apparatus or system according to the present invention can include other means, such as hardware or some combination of hardware and software, including one or more processors or controllers, for performing the disclosed functions.

[0126] In this regard, FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, and 6 depict the computer devices of various embodiments, each containing several of the key components of a general-purpose computer by which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a computer can include many components. However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. The general-purpose computer can include a processing unit and a system memory, which may include various forms of non-transitory storage media such as random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The computer also may include nonvolatile storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, where additional data can be stored.

[0127] FIG. 3B shows a depiction of an embodiment of the practice aid system 300, including a practice aid server 302, and the practice aid device 104. In this relation, a server shall be understood to represent a general computing capability that can be physically manifested as one, two, or a plurality of individual physical computing devices, located at one or several physical locations. A server can for example be manifested as a shared computational use of one single desktop computer, a dedicated server, a cluster of rack-mounted physical servers, a datacenter, or network of datacenters, each such datacenter containing a plurality of physical servers, or a computing cloud, such as AMAZON EC2 or MICROSOFT AZURE.

[0128] It shall be understood that the above-mentioned components of practice aid server 102 and the practice aid device 104 are to be interpreted in the most general manner.

[0129] For example, the processors 402 602 can each respectively include a single physical microprocessor or microcontroller, a cluster of processors, a datacenter or a cluster of datacenters, a computing cloud service, and the like.

[0130] In a further example, the non-transitory memory 404 and the non-transitory memory 604 can each respectively include various forms of non-transitory storage media, including random access memory and other forms of dynamic storage, and hard disks, hard disk clusters, cloud storage services, and other forms of long-term storage. Similarly, the input/output 406 and the input/output 606 can each respectively include a plurality of well-known input/output devices, such as screens, keyboards, pointing devices, motion trackers, communication ports, and so forth.

[0131] Furthermore, it shall be understood that the practice aid server 102 and the practice aid device 104 can each respectively include a number of other components that are well known in the art of general computer devices, and therefore shall not be further described herein. This can include system access to common functions and hardware, such as for example via operating system layers such as WINDOWS, LINUX, and similar operating system software, but can also include configurations wherein application services are executing directly on server hardware or via a hardware abstraction layer other than a complete operating system.

[0132] An embodiment of the present invention can also include one or more input or output components, such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and the like. A display can be provided for viewing text and graphical data, as well as a user interface to allow a user to request specific operations. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to one or more remote computers via a network interface. The connection may be over a local area network (LAN) wide area network (WAN), and can include all of the necessary circuitry for such a connection.

[0133] In a related embodiment, the practice aid device 104 can communicate with the practice aid server 102, or directly with the hoop sensor system 110, intelligent ball 130, and/or intelligent shoe 140 over a network, which can include the general Internet, a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network, or another form of communication network, transmitted on at least one or a combination of wired or wireless connections. Wireless networks can for example include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, and NFC. The communication can be transferred via a secure, encrypted communication protocol.

[0134] Typically, computer program instructions may be loaded onto the computer or other general-purpose programmable machine to produce a specialized machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable machine create means for implementing the functions specified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that when loaded into a computer or other programmable machine can direct the machine to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts.

[0135] In addition, the computer program instructions may be loaded into a computer or other programmable machine to cause a series of operational steps to be performed by the computer or other programmable machine to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable machine provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block diagram, schematic diagram, flowchart block or step.

[0136] Accordingly, blocks or steps of the block diagram, flowchart or control flow illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block or step of the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts, as well as combinations of blocks or steps, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions, that perform the specified functions or steps.

[0137] As an example, provided for purposes of illustration only, a data input software tool of a search engine application can be a representative means for receiving a query including one or more search terms. Similar software tools of applications, or implementations of embodiments of the present invention, can be means for performing the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present invention may include computer software for interfacing a processing element with a user-controlled input device, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen display, scanner, or the like. Similarly, an output of an embodiment of the present invention may include, for example, a combination of display software, video card hardware, and display hardware. A processing element may include, for example, a controller or microprocessor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), or control unit.

[0138] Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the . . . device, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

[0139] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0140] For example, alternative embodiments can reconfigure or combine the components of the practice aid server 102, and the practice aid device 104. The components of the practice aid server 102 can be distributed over a plurality of physical, logical, or virtual servers. Parts or all of the components of the practice aid device 104 can be configured to operate in the practice aid server 102, whereby the practice aid device 104 for example can function as a thin client, performing only graphical user interface presentation and input/output functions. Alternatively, parts or all of the components of the practice aid server 102 can be configured to operate in the practice aid device 104, as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0141] Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.