Patent Publication Number: US-2021187377-A1

Title: Practice aid system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. Non-Provisional Application is a Continuation-In-Part of International Application No. PCT/US2020/40434, filed Jul. 1, 2020; which claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/460,698, filed Jul. 2, 2019; both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of systems and methods for sports practice, and more particularly to methods and systems for providing corrective feedback and information about scores and gameplay. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In practice of game play of sports requiring handling of a ball, trainers, referees, and players may frequently wish to register, transmit or receive game information and corrective feedback, for example relating to registering scores and communicating penalties or timeout. 
     However, conventional methods of communication, such as oral communication or hand signals, may be disruptive to game play. 
     As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for providing corrective feedback and information about scores and gameplay. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model for providing information about scores and gameplay. 
     In an aspect, a practice aid system can include:
         a) a practice aid device, which can be mounted on a forearm of a user;   b) a hoop sensor system, which can include:
           i. a first sensor pair which can include:
               a first optical transmitter, which is mountable on a first side of a basketball hoop rim; and   a first optical receiver, which is mountable on a second side of the hoop rim, such that the first optical transmitter and receiver are opposedly mounted relative to the hoop rim; and   
               ii. a second sensor pair, which can include:
               a second optical transmitter, which is mountable on a third side of the hoop rim; and   a second optical receiver, which is mountable on a fourth side of the hoop rim, such that the second optical transmitter and receiver are opposedly mounted relative to the hoop rim; and   
               wherein the second sensor pair is configured to be perpendicularly mounted on the hoop rim relative to the first sensor pair;   wherein the practice aid device can be configured to register a score when the first sensor pair and the second sensor pair detect simultaneous first and second blockages;   
           c) an intelligent ball, which can include:
           i. an inflatable ball body;   ii. a ball control unit;   iii. 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;   
           d) an intelligent shoe, including:
           i. a shoe body;   ii. a shoe control unit, which is mounted to the shoe body;   iii. a shoe motion and location sensor, which is mounted to the shoe body;   iv. a vibrator, which is mounted to the shoe body;   v. a shoe light source, which is mounted to the shoe body;   wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the shoe motion and location sensor, such that the shoe control unit receives motion information from the shoe motion and location sensor, in communication via the practice aid device;   wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the vibrator, such that the shoe control unit control switching on and switching off the vibrator, in communication via the practice aid device;   wherein the shoe control unit is connected to the shoe light source, such that the shoe control unit controls switching on and switching off the shoe light source, in communication via the practice aid device.   
               

     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a part of a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a part of a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a practice aid system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a practice aid device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a practice aid device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a practice aid server, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     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. 
     In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a system for practice aid system  100  with reference to  FIG. 1A , in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B  a practice aid system  100  can include:
         a) a practice aid device  104 , which can be configured to be mounted on a forearm of a user/player  122 ;   b) a hoop sensor system  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B , including:
           i. a first sensor pair  212 , including:
               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   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  215  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   
                   
               ii. a second sensor pair  222 , including:
               a second optical transmitter  224 , which is configured to be mounted on a third side of the hoop rim  260 ; and   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 ,
                   such that the second optical receiver  226  receives a second optical emission  225  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   such that the second optical receiver  226  detects a second blockage of the second opening when the second optical emission is not received; and   
                   
               wherein the second sensor pair  222  is configured to be perpendicularly mounted on the hoop rim  260  relative to the first sensor pair  212 ;   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;   
           c) an intelligent ball  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , including:
           i. an inflatable ball body  332 ;   ii. a ball control unit  334 ;   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 ; and   iv. a ball motion and location sensor  339 , which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the inflatable ball body  332 , wherein the ball motion and location sensor  339  is configured to determine ball motion information of the intelligent ball  130  wherein the ball motion information can include a location/position and a velocity of the intelligent ball  130 ;   wherein the ball control unit  334  is connected to the ball light source  336 , such that the ball control unit  334  is configured to control switching on and switching off of the ball light source  336 , in communication with the practice aid device  104 , such that the ball light source  336  can be configured to emit a game information ball light signal  136 , which provides game information to players  122  and spectators  124 , wherein the game information ball light signal  136  can be configured in various forms, such as with varying colors, varying rate of on/off pulsation, and/or varying intensity, in order to communication varying forms of game information, such as related to scores, game strategy, game statistics, etc.;   wherein the ball control unit  334  is connected to the ball motion and location sensor  339 , such that the ball control unit  334  is configured to receive the ball motion information, such that the ball control unit  334  can communicate the ball motion information to the practice aid device  104  and/or the practice aid server  302 ;   
           d) an intelligent shoe  140 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , including:
           i. a shoe body  342 ;   ii. a shoe control unit  344 , which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the shoe body  342 ;   iii. a shoe motion and location sensor  349 , which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the shoe body  342 , wherein the shoe motion and location sensor  349  is configured to determine shoe motion information of the intelligent shoe  140 , wherein the shoe motion information can include a location/position and a velocity of the intelligent shoe  140 ;   iv. a vibrator  348 , which is mounted to, including on a surface of or inside, the shoe body  342 ;   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 ;   wherein the shoe control unit  344  is connected to the shoe motion and location sensor  349 , such that the shoe control unit  344  can be configured to receive shoe motion and location information from the shoe motion and location sensor  349 , in communication with the practice aid device  104 , wherein the motion information can include a location/position and a velocity of the intelligent shoe  140 ;   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 , such that the vibrator  348  is configured to emit a game information vibration signal  347 , which is received by the player  122  who is wearing the intelligent shoe  140 , wherein the game information vibration signal  347  provides game information to the player  122 ;   wherein the shoe control unit  344  is configured to start a timer  345  when the shoe motion and location sensor  349  indicates the player  122  has entered a defensive key zone  168  (of the basketball court  160 ), such that the timer  345  stops when the player  122  has left the defensive key zone  168 , such that the vibrator  348  is configured to emit a game information vibration signal  347 , which is a warning vibration signal, when the timer  345  reaches two seconds, to warn the player  122  of a potential three second key zone violation, which can be used for training or during gameplay. The warning vibration signal can for example be a continuous relatively strong and fast vibration, which stops when the player leaves the defensive key zone  168 ; and   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 , such that the shoe light source  346  is configured to emit a game information shoe light signal  148 , which can be seen by other players  122  and spectators  124 , such that the game information shoe light signal  148  provides game information to players  122  and spectators  124 .   
               

     In related embodiments, the shoe control unit  344  can be configured to use motion and location information provided by the shoe motion and location sensor  349  to detect gameplay violations such as “offside” in soccer, entering a “red zone” or other designated game field area, or detecting that a player is deviating from a current deviation from play strategy, such as a “triangle offense; wherein any detected violation, deviation, or condition can be signaled to the player  122 , players  124 , or spectators using the shoe light source  346 , the shoe vibrator  348 , the ball light source  336 , or a combination of these. 
     In a related embodiment, when the practice aid device  104  registers the score, the ball control unit  334  can be configured to control the ball light source  336  to emit the game information ball light signal  136  as a point scored ball light signal, in order to communicate the score. The point scored ball light signal can for example be a relatively fast pulsating green light, wherein for example each on-pulse (i.e. light on) has a duration of 0.1-0.3 seconds followed by an off-pulse (i.e. light off) of a duration of 0.05-0.1 seconds. 
     In another related embodiment, the game information vibration signal  347  can be selected from the group consisting of (i.e. can be one of the following options):
         a) a defensive mode game information vibration signal, which is a first predetermined vibration signal to indicate to the player that the player should assume a predetermined defensive playing style (or strategy); and   b) an offensive mode game information vibration signal, which is a second predetermined vibration signal to indicate to the player that the player should assume a predetermined offensive playing style (or strategy), such as for example a “triangle offense” offensive playing strategy used in basketball;   wherein, as an example, the defensive mode game information signal can be a relatively slow pulsing signal followed by an equally long pause (compared to length of preceding slow pulse signal), and the offensive mode game information signal can be a relatively fast pulsing signal followed by a half-length pause (compared to length of preceding fast pulse signal).       

     In yet another related embodiment, when the practice aid device  104  registers the score, the shoe control unit  344  can be configured to control the shoe light source  346  to emit the game information shoe light signal  136  as a point scored shoe light signal, in order to communicate the score. The point scored shoe light signal can for example be a relatively fast pulsating green light, wherein for example each on-pulse (i.e. light on) has a duration of 0.1-0.3 seconds followed by an off-pulse (i.e. light off) of a duration of 0.05-0.1 seconds. The point scored shoe light signal can be activated on both shoes of scoring player  122  or can alternatively be activated on both shoes of all players  122  of scoring team, or on all players  122  from both teams. The point scored shoe light signal(s) and point scored ball light signal can provide additional game excitement and can also be used to inform spectators  124  of a score when the spectators  124  may not be able to see the scoring clearly from a distance. 
     In yet a related embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the hoop sensor system  110  can further include a hoop control unit  314 , which can be connected to the first and second optical transmitters  214 ,  224 , the first and second optical receivers  216 ,  226 , an the at least one programmable light  232 , such that the hoop control unit  314  is configured to control functions of the first and second optical transmitters  214 ,  224 , the first and second optical receivers  216 ,  226 , and the at least one programmable light  232 ; wherein the in communication with the practice aid server  302 , or alternatively in communication with the practice aid device  104   
     In a related embodiment, the shoe control unit  344  can be configured to calibrate a position/location of the intelligent shoe  140 , by successively positioning the intelligent shoe  140  in the four corners  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164  of the playing field  160 , such as a basketball court  160 , such that the position/location of the intelligent shoe  140  provided by the shoe motion and location sensor  349 , can be calibrated in comparison with predetermined/known locations of the four corners  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164 . 
     In another related embodiment, the practice aid device  104  can be configured to transmit the registered score  152  to an electronic scoreboard  150 , which can include a conventional scoreboard (such as used in a playing court with spectators), a television, a tablet device, or some other form of display device. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the practice aid server  302  can be configured to store and update the registered score  152 , such that the practice aid server  302  communicates with the electronic scoreboard  150  for display of the registered score  152  on the electronic scoreboard  150 . 
     In other related embodiments, the first and second sensor pairs  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. 
     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. 
     In another related embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B , the hoop sensor system  110  can further include:
         a mounting structure  230 , which can be a ring-shaped mounting ring;   wherein the first optical transmitter  214  is mounted on a first side of the mounting structure  230 ; and   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   wherein the second optical transmitter  224  is mounted on a third side of the mounting structure  230 ; and   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   wherein the second sensor pair  222  is substantially perpendicularly mounted on the mounting structure  230  relative to the first sensor pair  212 ;   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 .       

     In another related embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B , the hoop sensor system  110  can further include:
         at least one programmable light  232 , or a plurality of which can be mounted on the mounting structure  230 ,   such that the at least one programmable light  232  can be controlled in communication with the practice aid device  104 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ; and/or   such that the at least one programmable light  232  can be controlled in communication with the practice aid server  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3B ;       

     In a related embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a practice aid device  104  can include:
         a) A processor  402 ;   b) A non-transitory memory  404 ;   c) An input/output component  406 ;   d) A screen  408 , which can be a touch screen;   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;   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 ;   g) A shoe controller  414 , which can be configured to control functions of the intelligent shoe  140 ;
           such that the shoe controller  414  is configured to receive motion information from the shoe motion and location sensor  349  in communication with the shoe control unit  344 ;   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 ;   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 ;   
           h) An accelerometer  416 , which is configured to measure an acceleration  108  of the practice aid device  104 . The accelerometer  416  can be a multi-axis accelerometer, which can detect both the magnitude and the direction of the acceleration, such that the accelerometer  416  provides an output in the form of an acceleration vector  108 ; and   i) a device motion and location sensor  418 , wherein the device motion and location sensor  418  can be configured to determine device motion information of the practice aid device  104  (and thereby of the outer wrist/hand of the player  122 ), wherein the device motion information can include a location/position and a velocity of the practice aid device  104 ; all connected via   j) A data bus  420 .       

     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 . 
     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. 
     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 . 
     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. 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 5  shows a user  122  operating a practice aid device  104  via interaction with the screen  408 , which is configured as a touch screen. 
     In a related embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a practice aid server  302  can include:
         a) A processor  602 ;   b) A non-transitory memory  604 ;   c) An input/output component  606 ;   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;   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   f) A shoe manager  614 , which can be configured to control functions of the intelligent shoe  140 ;
           such that the shoe manager  614  is configured to receive motion information from the shoe motion and location sensor  349  in communication with the shoe control unit  344 ;   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 ;   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   
           g) A data bus  620 ;
           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 ;   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   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 .   
               

     In a related embodiment, in a performance scenario during use of the practice aid system  100 , wherein a player  122  is dribbling on the court and takes a shot at the basketball hoop, actions of the practice aid system  100  can include:
         a) wherein the practice aid device  104  can be configured to record and store the player&#39;s  122  movement&#39;s as a sequence of location records comprising a court location and a timestamp, wherein the court location is obtained in communication with the shoe motion and location sensor  349  of the intelligent shoe  140 ;   b) wherein the practice aid device  104  can be configured to record a throw movement  108  when the device accelerometer  416  registers a sudden acceleration  108 ;   c) wherein when the hoop sensor system  110  registers a score:
           i. The practice aid server  302  can be configured to record and save the score and update a registered score  152 ;   ii. The hoop sensor system  110  can provide visual confirmation of the score by showing a predetermined lighting sequence on the programmable lights  232  of the hoop sensor system  110 , which can be LED lights;   iii. The practice aid server  302 , in communication via the shoe control unit  344 , can be configured to control the shoe light source  346  of the intelligent shoe  140 , to emit a game information shoe light signal  148  (such as flashing lights, which can be flashing in a designated color, such as blue or green) in order to communicate the successful score;   iv. The practice aid server  302  can be configured to control the vibrator  348  of the intelligent shoe  140 , to send a tactile feedback (i.e. a vibration) to a player  122  in order to communicate the successful score;   v. The practice aid server  302  can be configured to control the ball light source  336  of the intelligent ball  130 , to emit a game information ball light signal  136  (such as flashing lights, which can be flashing in a designated color, such as blue or green) in order to communicate the successful score;   vi. The practice aid server  302  can be configured to send recorded shot data to the practice aid device  104 , and to control a visual feedback communicated via the screen  408  of the practice aid device  104 ; and/or a tactile feedback provided via a vibrator of the practice aid device  104 . The visual and/or tactile feedback can be configured to be sent to any customized combination of players  122 , via their respective practice aid devices  104 ;   
           d) wherein the PA system can provide score data  152  and player data to an electronic scoreboard  150 ;   e) wherein system performance data can be recorded and saved by the practice aid server  302 , wherein the system performance data can include:
           i. ball speed, ball velocity, ball height, provided in communication with the ball motion and location sensor  339  of the intelligent ball  130 ;   ii. shoe position, shoe height, provided in communication with the shoe motion and location sensor  349  of the intelligent shoe  140 ;   iii. position and velocity of the practice aid device  104 , provided in communication with the device motion and location sensor  418  of the practice aid device  104 ;   iv. playing court location; and   v. player info, etc.;   such that the practice aid server  302  can be configured to enable an administrator/coach  324  to review performance metrics (for example based on custom requests) and generate custom reports comprising player performance metrics.   
               

     In related embodiments, the practice aid device  104  can include configurations as:
         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;   b) A tablet app, executing on a tablet device, such as for example an ANDROID™ or IOS™ tablet device;   c) A web application, executing in a Web browser;   d) A desktop application, executing on a personal computer, or similar device;   e) An embedded application, executing on a processing device, such as for example a smart TV, a game console or other system.       

     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 (and worn by) a corresponding user  122  in a plurality of users  122 , for example as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     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  302 . 
       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. 
     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. 
       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™. 
     It shall be understood that the above-mentioned components of practice aid server  302  and the practice aid device  104  are to be interpreted in the most general manner. 
     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. 
     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. 
     Furthermore, it shall be understood that the practice aid server  302  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. 
     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. 
     In related embodiments, the practice aid device  104  can communicate with the practice aid server  302 , or directly with the hoop sensor system  110 , the intelligent ball  130 , the intelligent shoe  140 , and/or the electronic scoreboard  150  over a network  306 , 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 (such as Ethernet) or wireless connections. Wireless networks can for example include Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH™, ZIGBEE™, and NFC. The communication can be transferred via a secure, encrypted communication protocol. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the practice aid server  302  can communicate directly with the hoop sensor system  110 , intelligent ball  130 , the intelligent shoe  140 , and/or the electronic scoreboard  150  over a network  306 , 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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the practice aid system  100 , the practice aid device  104 , the practice aid server  302 , and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage. 
     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. 
     For example, alternative embodiments can reconfigure or combine the components of the practice aid server  302 , and the practice aid device  104 . The components of the practice aid server  302  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  302 , 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  302  can be configured to operate in the practice aid device  104 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     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.