Abstract:
A method and system of enhancing a sports game. The method comprises the player initiating an operation of the game by activating an input. A receiver relays the input to the processor which compares the input to a database stored in the game. The processor then generates an output in response to the processing of the input. The transmitter sends the output to an output member wherein the output attracts at least one of the senses of a player of the game in order to stimulate the player. The system comprises a housing having an input member and an output member. A receiver positioned within the housing is adapted to receive an input via the input member. A processor positioned within the housing and in communication with the receiver generates an output based on the input. A transmitter positioned within the housing and in communication with the processor sends the output via the output member to attract at least one of the senses of a player in order to stimulate the player such that the player responds to the output.

Description:
[0001]     The present disclosure relates to a method and system for enhancing a sports game. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a method and system which enhances a game by generating outputs which attract the players of the game in order to stimulate the players during the game.  
         [0002]     In the field of sports, games such as basketball, hockey or soccer require a variety of moves and techniques which are used by a single player or in tandem with other players. Instructional booklets provide a common method of teaching these moves and techniques by displaying pictures of the play of the game. Coaches provide another common method of teaching the moves and techniques by showing the players the interactions of the game. Thus, the instructional booklet or the coach provides the training techniques of playing the game. In these training techniques, the players try to absorb the instructions of the book/coach and try to replicate the instructions to further advance the moves or techniques of the game. These teaching techniques work only in one dimension for the player, though, since the player must first read the instructions and then try to replicate the instructions later during play of the game. As such, these techniques are not conducive for the players to simultaneously learn and practice the moves and techniques of the game.  
         [0003]     When a player practices a game such as basketball, the instructional booklet is not conducive for advancing the player&#39;s training and enjoyment of the game. For example, when playing alone the player must read the instructions, move to the playing court, recall the instructions and try to replicate the instructions while performing the moves and techniques of the game. As such, the instructional booklet prohibits a player from learning the moves and techniques during real time practice of the game since the player has to reciprocate back and forth between the instructional booklet and the court while performing during practice sessions. As such, the player loses continuity of the play while practicing the game.  
         [0004]     Stimulating the player while practicing the game further advances the training and enjoyment of the game. In a practice session for the game, however, motivating crowds and/or announcers are not present to stimulate the players. Thus, during practice, players miss an important opportunity for stimulation in order to advance their learning and enjoyment of the game.  
         [0005]     During practice, the player does not have motivational support from other players, crowds, announcers or coaches which limits the stimulation of the player during the practice session. For example, during an actual game, a crowd cheers a player while the announcer analyzes and reports the action of the game. Additionally, the crowd or announcer typically recites a countdown sequence of the score board during the later portion of a period such as the last ten seconds of a quarter. This countdown sequence enhances the player&#39;s energy and alertness to further enhance the final portions of the game. Additionally, the countdown sequence enhances the player&#39;s enjoyment of the game due to the heighten activity of the crowd and announcer. As such, when a player or a small number of players practice the game, the players do not experience this heightened activity during the practice session which reduces the energy and enjoyment of the game during the practice session.  
         [0006]     Information and enjoyable experiences are crucial for a beneficial practice regimen. As such, players need valuable instructions while simultaneously practicing the moves and techniques of the game. Additionally, players need motivation to stimulate the players during practice sessions in order to advance the enjoyment of the game for the players. Accordingly, a need exists for an information and motivational system which assist players during a practice session of the game.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The present disclosure relates to a method and system for enhancing a sports game. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a method and system which enhances a game by generating outputs which attract the players of the game in order to stimulate the players during the game. In an embodiment, the method comprises the player initiating an operation of the game by activating an input. A receiver then relays the input to the processor which compares the input to a database stored in the game. The processor then generates an output in response to the processing of the input. Next, the transmitter sends the output to an output member wherein the output attracts at least one of the senses of a player of the game in order to stimulate the player.  
         [0008]     In an embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a system which includes a housing having an input member and an output member. A receiver positioned within the housing is adapted to receive an input via the input member. The system further includes a processor positioned within the housing and in communication with the receiver, wherein the processor generates an output based on the input. A transmitter positioned within the housing and in communication with the processor, sends the output via the output member to attract at least one of the senses of a player in order to stimulate the player such that the player responds to the output. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a game system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating components of the game system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  are elevational views of housing embodiments of the game system of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method for enhancing a game in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates in an elevational view an embodiment of the present disclosure generally shown as system  10 . The system  10  is used with a player  12  or players  12  playing a game  14 , wherein  FIG. 1  illustrates the game  14  as basketball. The system  10  may be fixed to a game element  16  such as a pole used during the game  14 . Additionally, the system  10  may be removably attached to the element  16  by an attachment  18  such as a handle or straps to provide portability of the system  10 . The attachment  18  is configured to attach the system  10  to the game element  16  in any suitable and convenient manner.  
         [0015]     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the system  10  is shown in a schematic view wherein the system  10  comprises a housing  20 , the attachment  18 , an input member  22 , a receiver  24 , a processor  26 , a database  28 , a transmitter  30  and an output member  32 . The housing  20  may comprise a weather resistant and durable material to withstand exposure to the elements and to withstand impact from elements of the game  14  such as contact by balls or players  12 . Additionally, the housing  20  is sized and shaped for portability in order to efficiently and conveniently connect to the game element  16  ( FIG. 1 ) by the attachment  18 .  
         [0016]     The input member  22  comprises a device for the player  12  to initiate operation of the system  10 . The input member  22  may comprise an electromechanical device such as a keypad. The input member  22  may also comprise a sensor such as an optical sensor, a voice recognition sensor or an infrared sensor. The output member  32  comprises another device for the system  10  to attract the player  12 . The output member  32  may comprise an electromechanical device such as a speaker. The output member  32  may also comprise an illumination device such as lights. The output member  32  may also comprise a display such as a video screen.  
         [0017]     The receiver  24 , processor  26  and transmitter  30  are components positioned within the housing  20  wherein the receiver  24  communicates an input  34  from the input member  22  to the processor  26 . The transmitter  30  communicates an output  36  from the processor  26  to the output member  32 , as will be discussed. The receiver  24  is configured to relay the input  34  to the processor  26  which compares the input  34  with the database  28 . The processor  26  generates the output  36  based on the processed input  34 . The transmitter  30  is configured to relay the output  36  to the output member  32  to attract the player  12 . The database  28  may include pre-programmed information  38  as will be discussed.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the player  12  activates the input  34  while playing the game  12 . The input  34  may include engaging the input member  22  such as pressing the keypad. The input  34  may also include sending an optical signal  40  such as a movement by the player  12  during the game  12 . The input  34  may also include sending an infrared signal  42  such as a remote control command. Furthermore, the input  34  may comprise sending a voice recognition signal  16  such as a voice command from the player  12 .  
         [0019]     The output  36 , meanwhile, is configured to alert the player  12  by attracting at least one of the senses  54  of the player  12 . As such, the output  36  may comprise an audio signal  46 . In an embodiment, the audio signal  46  may comprise reciting instructions  48  relating to the game  14 . In another embodiment, the audio signal  46  may comprise reciting a countdown sequence  50  relating to the game  14 . The output  36  may also comprise a visual signal  52 . In an embodiment, the visual signal  52  may comprise displaying the instructions  48  relating to the game. In another embodiment, the visual signal  52  may comprise displaying the countdown sequence  50  relating to the game  14 . The visual signal  52  may also comprise illumination of lights.  
         [0020]     Turning to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , the system  10  is shown having a plurality of housings  20 . The housings  20  may represent components of the game  14  such as a scoreboard, direction arrow or basket. Regardless of the configuration of the housing  20 , the housing  20  may be removably connected to the game element  16  ( FIG. 1 ) by the attachment  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , the output member  32  is illustrated as a speaker.  
         [0021]     Turning to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 , the system  10  attracts at least one of the senses  54 , such as sight, or hearing of the player  12  to stimulate the player  12  while engaged with the game  14 . During use, the player  12  may input information  38  into the database  28  wherein the information  38  relates to the output  36  desired by the player  12 . As such, the information  38  may relate to the instructions  48  of the game  14 . For example, the instructions  48  may state the procedure for certain techniques of the game  12  such as but not limited to: a cross over dribble, a lay-up or jump shot for basketball; a penalty kick set up, a scissor kick or bender kick for soccer; or a wrist shot or a check for hockey.  
         [0022]     To input the information  38 , a player  12  may voice record the information  38  via the processor  26 . Thus, the player  12  may record the information  38  such as instructions  48  of the game  14  as the voice of the player  12 . In another embodiment, the player may download the instructions  48  into the processor  26  of the system  10 . Still further, the player  20  may video record himself/herself performing moves and techniques of the game  14  and download the video recording into the processor  26 . As such, in these embodiments, the player  12  personally creates the instructions  48  to match the individual preferences of the player  12  on explaining and/or showing the instructions  48  of the game  14 .  
         [0023]     In another embodiment, the instructions  48  of the game  14  may be preprogrammed into the database  28  of the processor  26  by the manufacturer. In this embodiment, the manufacturer may voice record the instructions  48  of the game  14  into the processor  26 . Additionally, the manufacturer may download the instructions  48  of the game  14  into the processor  26 . Still further, the manufacturer may input video showing the instructions  48  of the game  14  into the processor  26 . In these embodiments, the manufacturer may create the database  28  having all the instructions  48  of the game  14 .  
         [0024]     Regardless of whether the player  12  or manufacturer inputs the instructions  48  into the database  28  of the processor  26 , the instructions  48  are stored to provide the player  12  access to the instructions  48  via the system  10 . Additionally, the instructions  48  stored in the database  28  are not limited to any particular game  14 . Further, the database  28  and processor  26  are configured to hold instructions  48  for a plurality of games in a plurality of forms such as voice recordings, text and/or video.  
         [0025]     To input information  38  into the database  28  in another embodiment, the player  12  may also voice record the information  38  such as the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14 . In another embodiment, the player may download the countdown sequence  50  into the processor  26  of the system  10 . Still further, the player  20  may video record the countdown sequence  50  and download the countdown sequence  50  into the processor  26 . As such, in these embodiments, the player  12  creates the countdown sequence  50  to match the individual preferences of the player  12  illustrating the countdown sequence  50 .  
         [0026]     In another embodiment, the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14  may be preprogrammed into the database  28  of the processor  26  by the manufacturer. In this embodiment, the manufacturer may voice record the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14  into the processor  26 . Additionally, the manufacturer may download the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14  into the processor  26 . Still further, the manufacturer may download video showing the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14  into the processor  26 .  
         [0027]     Regardless on whether the player  12  or manufacturer inputs the countdown sequence  50  into the database  28  of the processor  26 , the countdown sequence  50  is stored to provide the player  12  access to the countdown sequence  50  via the system  10 . Table 1 illustrates examples of the countdown sequence  50 .  
                                                   10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!           5, 4, 3, 2, 1!           3, 2, 1!           He Shouts, He Scores!           Up for the Shot and Is Fouled!                      
 
         [0028]     After inputting the information  38  into the database  28 , the player  12  activates the input  34  in order to initiate operation of the game  14 . The input  34  may comprise an action such as the player  12  manually operating the input member  22  such as the keypad. The input member  22  then signals actuation of the system  10  according to commands entered into the keypad. The input  18  may also comprises an optical signal  40  such as the player  12  making a movement wherein the movement activates an optical sensor on the input member  22 . The input  34  may also comprise a voice recognition signal  44  such as the player  12  stating a voice command wherein a voice recognition sensor on the input member  22  starts activation of the system  10 . The input  34  may also comprise an infrared signal  42  sent by a remote input device  56  wherein an infrared sensor on the input member  22  starts actuation of the system  10 .  
         [0029]     The receiver  24  then receives the input  34  from the input member  22  wherein the receiver  24  relays the input  34  to the processor  26 . The processor  26  then compares the input  34  with the information  38  stored in the database  28 . The processor  26  then generates the output  36  wherein the transmitter  30  relays the output  36  to the output member  32 . The output  36 , in turn, attracts at least one of the senses  54  of the player  12  to stimulate the player  12 .  
         [0030]     The output member  32  is configured to transmit the output  36  as the audio signal  46  to attract the hearing of the player  12 . The output member  32  is also configured to transmit the output  36  as the visual signal  52  to attract the sight of the player  12 . The output member  32  is also configured to transmit the output  36  as a combination of the audio signal  46  and the visual signal  52 . In an embodiment, the audio signal  46  may comprise instructions  48  for the game  14 . In another embodiment the audio signal may comprise the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14 . Still further, in an embodiment, the visual signal  52  may comprise instructions  48  of the game  14 . Additionally, in another embodiment, the visual signal  52  may comprise the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14 .  
         [0031]     In an embodiment, the audio signal  46  representing the instructions  48  of the game  14  recites the instructions  48  to the player  12  while the player  12  simultaneously plays the game  14 . Additionally, the audio signal  46  representing the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14  recites the desired countdown sequence  50  to the player  12  while the player  12  simultaneously plays the game  14 . In an embodiment, the visual signal  52  representing the instructions  48  of the game  14  displays the instructions  48  to the player  12  while the player  12  simultaneously plays the game  14 . Additionally, the visual signal  52  representing the countdown sequence  50  of the game  14  displays the desired countdown sequence  50  to the player  12  while the player  12  simultaneously plays the game  14 . Depending on the information  38  within the database  28 , the visual signal  52  may display the information  38  as text or video.  
         [0032]     In an example, information  38  such as the instructions  48  of a cross over dribble for a basketball game are inputted into the database  28  of the processor  26  by either the player  12  or manufacturer. The instructions  48  of a cross over dribble may be inputted into the database  28  by inputting video of performing a cross over dribble. Additionally, the instructions  48  of the cross over dribble may be inputted into the database  28  by reciting steps of the cross over dribble. Next, the player  12  may activate the input  34  by the voice recognition signal  44  by stating a voice command such as: “cross over dribble”.  
         [0033]     The input member  22  then communicates the input  60  to the receiver  24 . The receiver  24 , in turn, relays the input  34  to the processor  26 . The processor  26  then processes the input  34  by comparing the input  34  to the database  28  having the information  38 . The processor  26  will then processes the input  34  (“cross over dribble”) and compare that with the information  38  relating to the game  14 . The processor  26  will then generate the output  36  wherein the transmitter  30  relays the output  36  to the output member  32 . The output member  32  then sends the output  36  as the audio signal  46  to attract the senses  54  of the player  12  where the audio signal  46  states the instructions  48  on performing a cross over dribble. The output member  32  may also send the output  36  as the visual signal  52  wherein the visual signal  52  displays video footage of a cross over dribble.  
         [0034]     in another example, the countdown sequence  50  such as “Three, two, one,” for a basketball game is inputted into the processor  26  by either the player  12  or manufacturer. The countdown sequence  50  may be inputted by voice recording the countdown sequence  50  as previously described. The countdown sequence  50  may also be inputted by downloading video of the countdown sequence  50 . Next, the player  12  activates the input  34  such as sending the infrared signal  42  by the remote control device  56  to the input member  22 .  
         [0035]     The input member  22  then communicates the input  34  to the receiver  24 . The receiver  24 , in turn, relays the input  34  to the processor  26 , The processor then processes the input  34  by comparing the input  34  to the database  28 . The processor  26  will then generate the output  36  wherein the transmitter  14  relays the output  36  to the output member  32 . The output member  32  then sends the output  36  as the audio signal  46  where the audio signal  46  recites the countdown sequence  50 . The output member  32  may also send the output  36  as the visual signal  52  wherein the visual signal  49  displays video footage of the countdown sequence  50 . As such, the output  50  attracts at least one of the senses  54  of the player  12  to stimulate the player  12 .  
         [0036]     While the present disclosure describes players, games, audio and video, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to a set number of players or games described or the audio and video examples described in the disclosure. Additionally, while the concepts of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected by the following claims.