U.S. patent application number 10/750149 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for method and apparatus for monitoring and determining the position of a football.
Invention is credited to Saroyan, Zaven T..
Application Number | 20050143199 10/750149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34701159 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050143199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saroyan, Zaven T. |
June 30, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and determining the position of
a football
Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for tracking the
position of a game ball relative to a playing field during a game.
It allows game officials to selectively record and store position
information for the game ball in response to events during play and
further allows game officials to reposition the ball accurately at
the recorded and stored location.
Inventors: |
Saroyan, Zaven T.;
(Arlington, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC
ONE LINCOLN CENTER
SYRACUSE
NY
13202-1355
US
|
Family ID: |
34701159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/750149 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20130101;
A63B 71/0605 20130101; A63B 2225/52 20130101; A63B 2243/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/438 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for determining the position of a game ball during an
athletic competition on a playing field having defined boundaries,
comprising the steps of: transmitting a first signal from the game
ball; and receiving and analyzing said first signal, to determine
the position of the game ball.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
communicating the game ball's position to a game official.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: displaying
the game ball's position on a visual display.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:
selectively transmitting a second signal; receiving said second
signal; recording the game ball's position in response to said
second signal; and transmitting a third signal to communicate the
game ball's position to a game official.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of: displaying
the game ball's position on a visual display.
6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: comparing
the game ball's position, as determined by said first signal, to
the position recorded in response to said second signal; and
providing the game official directions to move the game ball to a
location described by the position recorded in response to said
second signal.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein providing directions to said game
official uses audible signals.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein providing directions to said game
official uses visual signals.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
determining if the game ball has crossed a boundary of the playing
field; and communicating an out of boundary alert to a game
official.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein communicating an out of boundary
alert to said game official uses audible signals.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein communicating an out of boundary
alert to said game official uses visual signals.
12. A method of determining the position of a game ball during an
athletic competition on a playing field comprising the steps of:
transmitting a signal from the game ball; receiving and analyzing
said signal, using a microprocessor, to determine the position of
said game ball; and communicating the game ball's position to a
game official.
13. A method of determining the position of a game ball during an
athletic competition on a playing field comprising the steps of:
transmitting a signal from the game ball; receiving and analyzing
said signal, using a microprocessor, to determine the position of
said game ball; continuously recording the game ball's position;
attaching and storing a time stamp to the recorded position of said
game ball; and providing the game ball's position for a selected
time in response to a query.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
graphically displaying the game ball's position at a remote
terminal.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the game ball's position is
graphically displayed at a remote terminal located with a game
official.
16. A method of determining the position of a game ball during an
athletic competition on a playing field comprising the steps of:
transmitting a first signal from a player carrying the game ball;
receiving and analyzing said first signal, to determine the
position information of the game ball; and communicating the game
ball's position to a game official.
17. A system for determining the position of a game ball during an
athletic competition on a playing surface having defined
boundaries, comprising: a first transmitter positioned in the game
ball, for transmitting a first signal; a first antenna for
detecting said first signal; a first receiver for receiving said
first signal; a microprocessor for determining the position of the
game ball in response to said first signal; and means for recording
said position.
18. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for
communicating the game ball's position to a game official.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein said means for communicating the
game ball's position comprises: a second transmitter for
transmitting a second signal, said second signal containing the
game ball's position; and display means for graphically displaying
the game ball's position contained in said second signal.
20. The system of claim 17 further comprising control means for
selectively directing said microprocessor to record the game ball's
position for a specific point in time.
21. The system of claim 20 wherein said control means comprises a
transmitter that is selectively operable to send a control signal
to said microprocessor and wherein said microprocessor is
programmed to record the game ball's position at the time said
transmitter sends said control signal.
22. The system of claim 17 further comprising: said microprocessor
comprising a first clock for associating first time information
with said position; a second transmitter for transmitting a second
signal that contains said position; a display/receiver comprising a
second clock for providing second time information; means for
synchronizing said second clock with said first clock; means for
selectively recording said second time information; means for
communicating a third signal to said microprocessor, said third
signal containing said second time information; and wherein said
second transmitter transmits said second signal in response to said
third signal.
23. Apparatus for determining the position of a game ball on a
playing surface during an athletic competition, comprising: a first
transmitter located in the uniform of a player carrying the game
ball, for transmitting a first signal; a first antenna for
detecting said first signal; a first receiver for receiving said
first signal; and a microprocessor for determining the position of
the game ball in response to said first signal.
24. A football for use with a system for determining the position
of a game ball on a playing surface during an athletic competition,
said football including a transmitter mounted therein for sending a
signal for being triangulated by a computer that stores and records
position information for said football.
25. A display/receiver for use with a system for determining the
position of a game ball on a playing surface during an athletic
competition, said display/receiver comprising: a receiver for
receiving a signal, said signal modulated to convey the game ball's
location; a microprocessor for interpreting the game ball's
location modulated in said signal; and means for communicating the
game ball's location to a game official.
26. The display/receiver of claim 25 wherein said means for
communicating the game ball's location communicates said location
visually.
27. The display/receiver of claim 25 wherein said means for
communicating the game ball's location communicates said location
audibly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
tracking the position of a ball, such as a football, relative to a
playing field during a game, for selectively recording the position
of the ball at times during the game and thereafter providing
location information about the game ball to a game official.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Football is a game in which play frequently is temporarily
stopped by game officials and the ball used for the game may be
repositioned prior to the resumption of play. A ball is placed in
an initial position, which is the same at the beginning of every
game. Thereafter, the ball is kicked downfield to the opposing team
which tries to return the football to the end of the field from
which it was kicked. Once the receiving team gets the football, the
player with the ball may run until such time as he is tackled by
the kicking team, the player runs out of bounds, or some other
event occurs that is witnessed by a game official and for which
game rules require the official to stop the live action. Once the
play is stopped, the game official must position the football based
upon where he last saw the ball at the moment the live action was
stopped.
[0005] One problem is inherent, however, in traditional methods of
positioning the ball in the game of football, and in many other
sports: often the game official's view of the ball is obscured. For
example, if the player carrying the football is tackled by several
other players, the game official often does not see the position of
the ball because it is hidden beneath the tackling players.
Similarly, it is sometimes difficult to discern when a player has
stepped out of bounds and where the ball was located when the
player went out of bounds. While the game official may have a
general idea of where the ball should be positioned, relying on the
discretion of the official remains an inaccurate method of locating
the ball. The importance of properly positioning the ball and,
thus, the official's judgment, becomes greater as the ball's
position nears the goal line. Millions of dollars in employment
compensation, advertising fees and promotional costs may be at
stake in professional athletic contests. A mistake of only a couple
of inches in positioning the ball could affect the outcome of the
game and thus affect the amount of money earned or lost by parties
with an interest in the game. As such, it is the object of the
invention to remove the need for game official discretion by
creating a method and apparatus for the tracking, recording and
relaying of the location of a game ball relative to the playing
surface at any given moment during a game.
[0006] Methods have previously been disclosed for locating a ball
or other similar object during game play. Several such methods,
however, allow only for locating of ball relative to its previous
placement. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,675,816; 5,346,210;
6,141,060; and Pub. No. 2002/0089674. Further, these methods of
locating objects still require a game official to exercise
discretion in "spotting" or positioning the ball relative to the
field. Since such methods do not allow for the live tracking of the
ball and continue to require the discretion of the gaming official
in positioning the football or other object after a break in live
action, the accuracy of the placement or "spotting" of the ball is
not improved.
[0007] Other methods, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,150,895, 5,564,698, and PCT Publication No. WO 89/00066, use a
variety of methods to track a ball or similar object in motion
during game play. These inventions lack the ability to record and
relay to game officials the location of the ball or similar object
at any given moment during the game.
[0008] What is needed is a method and apparatus that permits the
ball's position to be stored and recorded and then communicated to
a game official, thereby removing the need for game officials to
exercise discretion in "spotting" or placing the ball at the end of
a given play. Removing the officials' discretion is desirable as it
allows for an accurate placement of the ball should the officials'
lines of sight be obstructed in the normal course of the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to
provide a method and apparatus for the live tracking of a ball and
players relative to a playing field which avoids the disadvantages
of the prior art.
[0010] In addition, it is an object and advantage of the present
invention to provide a method and apparatus for recording and
relaying to the game official the location of the ball and players
at any given moment during a game.
[0011] Therefore, it is a further object of the invention to reduce
the need for game official discretion by presenting a method and
apparatus for tracking, recording and relaying the location of a
ball relative to the playing field at any given moment during a
game.
[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.
[0013] As set forth hereinafter, the present invention comprises
positioning transmitting devices into a game ball, such as a
football. Alternately, the transmitters can be positioned in the
padding, clothing, or shoes or otherwise attached to the players
instead of locating them within the football, allowing each player
to be tracked independently in place of or in addition to tracking
the game ball.
[0014] The signals from the transmitter are detected by an antenna,
which is either positioned below the playing surface or erected
above ground and is attached to a receiver and microcomputer. The
receiver and microcomputer use the signals detected by the antenna
to compute the location of the transmitter. At any time during a
game, in response to an event that requires the end of play, a game
official may transmit a signal from a second transmitter, which
signal is detected by the antenna and received by the receiver and
microcomputer. The official's signal directs the microcomputer to
store the position information associated with the ball at the
moment the official sends the signal.
[0015] According to the present invention, the stored location is
then communicated to the official to allow the official to properly
position the ball for resumption of play. Preferably, the location
information is transmitted to the official by a third transmitter
connected to the microcomputer and is received by the official
using a receiver connected to a portable display that depicts the
location of the ball relative to the playing field. In addition or
in the alternative to communicating the signal to a game official,
the location can be communicated to broadcasters or spectators. As
disclosed herein, the present invention encompasses alternate means
of communicating the location information to the official.
[0016] Such tracking and recording will prove useful when, as often
occurs, an event that temporarily ends live action can be seen by
an official but the location of the ball at that moment cannot be
accurately determined. Until now, such an event required the
official to guess or estimate the actual location of the ball.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0017] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the apparatus of the
preferred embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the game official's
remote and microcomputer.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side direction view of a football configured for
one embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the relative
positions of components according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the method of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1, a
ball transmitter 10, an antenna 12, a receiver/computer 14, a
referee transmitter 16 and means for communicating ball position
information from the receiver/computer 14 to a game official. Means
for communicating ball position information may comprise, for
example, a receiver/display 18. During a game, the ball transmitter
10 sends a signal that is detected by the antenna 12 and processed
by the receiver/computer 14 to determine the location of the ball
transmitter 10. At any time during a game, a game official can
activate the referee transmitter 16 to direct the receiver/computer
14 to store the ball's position information, which information is
then conveyed to the official, for example by being displayed on
the receiver/display 18, to allow proper placement of the game
ball.
[0025] The ball transmitter 10 consists of a small, lightweight
radio frequency transmitter positioned inside a game ball as shown
in FIG. 3, without substantially affecting the weight or other
playing characteristics of the ball. The preferred embodiment
includes two ball transmitters placed within opposing ends of the
game ball as shown in FIG. 3.
[0026] The ball transmitter 10 can be any transmitter that is small
enough to be securely positioned within a game ball and has
sufficient range to transmit a signal that is detectable by the
antenna 12. Preferably, the ball transmitter 10 is powered by a
lightweight, long-lasting power source, such as a lithium battery
is sufficient to last the useful life of the ball. To conserve
power, the ball transmitter 10 can preferably be selectively turned
on and off using a transmitter control 20, such as a magnet or a
coded remote control, as is known to those skilled in the art.
[0027] Preferably, the ball transmitter 10 is inserted in the game
ball when it is manufactured. In a football, preferably two ball
transmitters 10 are used, which are round or conical so that they
can be securely fastened to the interior of the football as seen in
FIG. 3. Two ball transmitters 10, positioned in the opposing ends
of the football 11, are preferred to avoid changing the balance of
the football 11 and affecting its playing characteristics.
Alternatively, one can install a single transmitter 10 in one end
of the ball and secure a counterbalance of similar weight in the
opposing end. Other shapes of transmitters and methods of insertion
are of course available and would vary from ball to ball, depending
on the size and shape of the ball used for the sport.
[0028] The antenna 12 comprises an above ground array as shown in
FIG. 4 capable of receiving the signal transmitted by the ball
transmitter 10. According to the preferred embodiment, the antenna
12 comprises an array of four antenna segments, located at the
corners of the playing field. Alternately, the antenna 12 can be a
subsurface metallic grid or an array of parallel subsurface antenna
segments capable of receiving the signal transmitted by the ball
transmitter 10. In one embodiment the antenna 12 consists of
parallel antenna segments spaced approximately 10 yards apart and
parallel to the yard lines of a football field. The antenna 12 must
be constructed of weather-resistant and non-corrosive materials to
ensure reliability and durability.
[0029] Each segment of the antenna 12 is connected to a
receiver/computer 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The receiver is
capable of receiving signals in the frequency range used by the
ball transmitter 10. The receiver/computer 14 is programmed to
analyze the received signals so that it can determine the location
of the ball transmitter 10. As is known by those skilled in the
art, the location of a single transmitter can be triangulated using
two or more antennas for receiving the transmitter's signal. For
example, location information for the ball transmitter 10 relative
to the antenna 12 can be determined by analyzing the signals
received by any two segments of the antenna array. While the
antenna 12 of the preferred embodiment comprises four antenna
segments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
triangulation information can be obtained using only two antenna
segments. Two antenna elements, for example, located at diagonally
opposed corners of a playing field will produce sufficient location
information to locate the ball transmitter 10 at any location on
the field. Additional antenna segments, however, provided
redundancy and a higher level of precision in locating the ball
transmitter 10.
[0030] Where the antenna 12 consists of antenna segments that are
parallel to the field surface (as would be the case in a subsurface
array), triangulation from two parallel antenna segments will
produce useful location information only in a plane that is
perpendicular to the axes of the parallel antenna segments. That
is, if the antenna 12 consists of horizontal antenna segments
parallel to a football field's goal lines, triangulation can only
determine the location of the ball transmitter 10 relative to the
goal lines; it cannot determine the location of the ball relative
to the field's sidelines. An antenna 12 comprising a below-ground
array of segments parallel to the goal lines will suffice to
provide ball location information only relative to the goal lines.
If, however, the array includes one or more separate underground
segments parallel to the field's sidelines, it will be possible to
also triangulate the location of the ball transmitter 10 relative
to the sidelines.
[0031] The receiver/computer 14 is provided with a storage memory
that allows ball position information to be stored. In addition,
when used for sports such as football, in which the teams switch
sides of the field during the game, the receiver/computer 14 can be
programmed to convert ball position information to provide correct
ball position information after the teams switch ends of the field.
Preferably, the receiver/computer 14 has storage memory capable of
recording and storing continuous ball position information for an
entire game. At a minimum, the storage memory must be capable of
storing position information for at least one ball location in
response to a remote command from a game official.
[0032] According to the present invention, game officials use a
referee transmitter 16 to transmit a distinct signal to be detected
by the antenna 12 and processed by the receiver/computer 14.
Alternatively, the distinct signal can be detected by a second
antenna (not shown) and processed by the receiver/computer 14. The
referee transmitter 16 can be activated by a pushbutton or similar
switch. In the preferred embodiment, the referee transmitter 16 is
sufficiently small as to not encumber the official and may be
mounted on a wrist. The receiver/computer 14 is programmable to
store the current ball position information in response to a signal
from the referee transmitter 16. Thus, when a game official
observes an event that requires play to be temporarily stopped, the
official activates the referee transmitter 16, causing the
receiver/computer 14 to store the current ball location. The signal
of the referee transmitter 16 must be distinct from that of the
ball transmitter 10 so that the referee transmitter 16 does not
affect the process of determining the location of the ball
transmitter 10. This is achieved if the referee transmitter 16
transmits on a different frequency than the ball transmitter 10.
The referee transmitter 16 may be capable of sending a clearing
signal that directs the receiver/computer 14 to clear its storage
memory location and prepare to receive a new storage signal from
the referee transmitter 16. In this case, the receiver/computer 14
should be programmed to receive the clearing signal. The clearing
signal can be a signal transmitted on a unique frequency or any
unique combination of signals that the receiver/computer 14 has
been programmed to recognize as a command to clear its memory
storage. Alternatively, the receiver/computer 14 can be programmed
to automatically clear its storage memory before storing the ball
location in response to a signal from referee transmitter 16.
[0033] The present invention also includes means for communicating
to the game official the ball location information stored by the
receiver/computer 14. Preferably, the ball location information is
transmitted over radio frequency from the receiver/computer 14 to a
receiver/display 18 operated by the game official. Alternatively,
the ball location information can be displayed visually at the
receiver/computer 14 and communicated verbally or by hand signals
to the game official on the field. In the preferred embodiment, the
receiver/display 18 includes a microprocessor that can process the
ball location information and display it visually on a display
screen. In one embodiment, the display screen presents the ball
location information in numerical format, such as the yard-line at
which the game official should position the ball. In another
embodiment, the display screen presents the game official with
directional signals such as arrows, such that when the official
moves in the direction indicated by the signals, he arrives at the
proper ball location. Alternatively, the receiver/display 18 can
provide an audible signal that changes with the referee's distance
from the proper ball location; when the referee arrives at the
position where the ball should be located the receiver/display 18
provides another audible signal to indicate that the referee is at
the proper position. In yet another embodiment, the
receiver/display 18 includes a display screen that is large enough
to graphically display the continuous motion of the ball relative
to the field. Such a display can be used to follow the path of the
ball during play and can show whether the ball's movement during
play has violated the rules. For example, whether the ball has been
carried out of bounds or if the ball has been advanced using a
forward pass forward of the line of scrimmage.
[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
receiver/computer 14 can be programmed to determine when the ball
transmitter 10 crosses a linear boundary of the playing field, for
example the left or right sideline or one of the goal lines.
According to this embodiment, the receiver/computer 14 is also
programmed to transmit a signal to receiver/display 18 to alert a
game official that the ball transmitter 10 has crossed a linear
boundary so that the official can take appropriate action.
[0035] As disclosed above, the receiver/computer 14 can be
constructed to have storage memory capable of storing continuous
ball location information for the entire game. According to an
alternate embodiment, each of the receiver/display 18 and
receiver/computer 14 include clocks that are synchronized to each
other. The ball location information stored in the storage memory
of the receiver/computer 14 can be associated with clock
information as the data is stored in the storage memory. According
to this embodiment, when directed by the game official the
receiver/display 18 stores the time for which the official wishes
to record ball location data. When positioning the ball, the
receiver/display 18 communicates with the receiver/computer to
retrieve ball location information for the time stored in the
receiver/display 18. The receiver/display 18 presents the ball
location information visually to the game official as described
above.
[0036] Preferably, the referee transmitter 16 and receiver/display
18 are combined in a single unit that allows game officials to both
signal the receiver/computer 14 to store ball location information
and to display ball location information. In an alternate
embodiment, however, the devices may be separate. This may be
necessary, for example, if a plurality of game officials have
referee transmitters 4 while only one game official has a
receiver/display 18.
[0037] In an alternate embodiment, a player transmitter 21 is
placed in the padding, clothing, or shoes of a player or is
otherwise attached to the player, for example in the cleat's of a
player's shoes as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the location
of the ball is determined from the location of the player
transmitter 21 of the player that is carrying the ball. According
to this embodiment, a plurality of player transmitters 21 is
provided for positioning in each player's uniform. Each player
transmitter 21 transmits a distinct signal, differentiated from
other transmitters by frequency, modulation, or other methods known
in the art. According to this embodiment, the antenna 12 detects
the plurality of signals from the plurality of player transmitters
21 and conveys the signals to the receiver/computer 14 which
analyzes the signals to determine the position information of each
player transmitter 21. The receiver/computer 14 stores each
location in response to a signal from referee transmitter 16.
According to this embodiment, the invention further comprises means
for the referee to select a single player transmitter 21 position
information from the plurality of position information stored by
the receiver/computer 14. The referee would select the player
transmitter 21 position information associated with the player that
the referee observed carrying the ball at the time the referee sent
the signal directing that ball location information be stored and
recorded. As in the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises
means for communicating to the game official the ball location
information stored by the receiver/computer.
[0038] While the present invention has been described for use by
game officials to improve the accuracy of ball placement during
play of a football game, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the present invention can also be used by a broadcaster or
spectator to enable the broadcaster or spectator to determine if a
game official has properly positioned a football during play of a
football game. When used in this fashion, referee transmitter 16
and the receiver/display 18 would be employed by the broadcaster or
spectator rather than (or in addition to) the game official.
[0039] The method of monitoring and determining the position of a
football according to this invention comprises steps 50-62 as
depicted in flow chart form in FIG. 5. First, the ball transmitter
10 sends a first signal to be detected by the antenna 12. Once
detected by the antenna 12, the first signal is processed by the
receiver/computer to determine the location of the ball transmitter
10. When a game official sees an event that requires the official
to temporarily suspend play, such as a knee touching the ground or
a player running out of bounds, the game official activates the
referee transmitter 16. When the referee transmitter 16 is
activated, it sends a second signal, which is for the
receiver/computer 14. In response to the second signal, the
receiver/computer 14 stores the location information of the ball at
that time. During the temporary suspension of play, the
receiver/computer 14 communicates the stored ball location
information to the receiver/display 18, where it is displayed for
the game official to view. The official uses the ball location
information from the receiver/display 18 to accurately position the
ball so it is ready for resumption of play. The game official then
activates the referee transmitter 16 to send a clearing signal to
the receiver/computer 14.
[0040] While there has been illustrated and described what is at
present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention,
it should be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications
are likely to occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in
the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications
that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *