U.S. patent application number 10/990853 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for athletic ball telemetry apparatus and method of use thereof.
Invention is credited to David A. Stark.
Application Number | 20060105857 10/990853 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36387120 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060105857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stark; David A. |
May 18, 2006 |
Athletic ball telemetry apparatus and method of use thereof
Abstract
An athletic ball includes a receiver, a processor, a
transmitter, a power source and/or a multiplexing signal relay. The
athletic ball receives GPS signal date from earth-orbiting
satellites in order to determine the location of the ball. An
output device is utilized to display the ball location and/or
provide analytical data pertaining to movement of the athletic
ball.
Inventors: |
Stark; David A.;
(Montgomery, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts LLP
Suite 201
3 Lear Jet Lane
Latham
NY
12110
US
|
Family ID: |
36387120 |
Appl. No.: |
10/990853 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20130101;
A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B 2024/0053 20130101; A63B 2225/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/353 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20060101
A63B043/00 |
Claims
1. An athletic ball comprising: a receiver, said receiver
configured to receive GPS signal data; a microprocessor, said
microprocessor configured to triangulate received GPS signal data
and determine ball position; and a transmitter, said transmitter
configured to transmit said ball position to an output device.
2. The athletic ball of claim 1, further comprising a power
source.
3. The athletic ball of claim 2, wherein the power source is a
battery.
4. The athletic ball of claim 1, wherein the output device is a
portable electronic device having a graphical display.
5. The athletic ball of claim 4, wherein the portable electronic
device includes capability for showing computed location of the
ball on a graphical map.
6. The athletic ball of claim 4, wherein the portable electronic
device includes capability for transmitting signals to the
ball.
7. The athletic ball of claim 1, wherein the ball is a golf ball
having a dimpled exterior surface.
8. An athletic ball comprising: a multiplexing signal relay, said
relay configured to receive signals simultaneously broadcast by a
plurality of earth-orbiting satellites and communicate the received
satellite signals to a position-processing output device.
9. The athletic ball of claim 8, further comprising a power
source.
10. The athletic ball of claim 9, wherein the power source is a
battery.
11. The athletic ball of claim 8, wherein the position-processing
output device is a handheld computer having a graphical
display.
12. The athletic ball of claim 11, wherein the handheld computer
includes capability for computing and graphically mapping a
location of the ball.
13. The athletic ball of claim 11, wherein the handheld computer
includes capability for transmitting at least one signal to the
ball.
14. The athletic ball of claim 8, further comprising a movement
sensor.
15. The athletic ball of claim 14, wherein the movement sensor is a
piezoelectric sensor.
16. The athletic ball of claim 8, wherein the ball is a golf ball
having a dimpled exterior surface.
17. A method for determining the telemetry of an athletic ball,
said method comprising: providing an athletic ball having a GPS
receiver, a microprocessor, and a transmitter; receiving satellite
signal data into the receiver included within the ball; processing
the received data to compute the position of the ball; and
transmitting the computed ball location to an output device.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing an
athletic ball having a power source.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting a
signal from the output device to the athletic ball.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the output device is a portable
electronic device having capability to graphically display the
location of the ball.
21. The method of claim 17, further comprising tracking the ball
while playing a game of golf.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates generally to athletic balls. More
particularly, this invention provides for an athletic ball
comprising a GPS receiver, a microprocessor and a transmitter for
determining the telemetry of the ball and a corresponding method of
use thereof.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Various athletic games, like baseball, softball, lacrosse,
golf and other similar sports employ the use of athletic balls.
Often it is advantageous to have access to telemetric data
pertaining to athletic ball position and/or ball movement dynamics
such as variable direction, velocity and/or acceleration.
Improvements in sports performance time and again result from
investigation into the physics of the sport. Accordingly, athletes
and others have a desire to evaluate various physical
characteristics of athletic ball movement by analyzing telemetric
data pertaining to athletic balls. By way of example, hitting
coaches may seek to review telemetric data corresponding to how
fast a baseball accelerates and how far it flies after being hit by
a particular batter or lacrosse coaches may want to track ball
movement during a game to study strength of field.
[0005] Ball location is particularly critical in the game of golf.
Golfers seek to position a golf ball strategically throughout a
series of ball movements on a golf course. Thus, it is advantageous
to understand flight characteristics of a golf ball in order to
gain knowledge and skill needed better maneuver a ball on a course.
Furthermore, during a typical golf game, it is not uncommon for a
golf ball to become obscured from view by course terrain. Hence
various devices and methods have been implemented to provide
information about golf ball flight dynamics and/or to locate hit
golf balls. However, the various devices and methods are inadequate
in that the devices and methods do not provide an athletic ball
affording capability for receiving, processing, transmitting,
and/or relaying GPS signal data pertaining to the ball. Instead the
various devices and methods relevant to a golf ball, and/or
athletic balls in general, employ positioning of additional
exterior implements and/or devices to accomplish telemetric
analysis of the ball
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved athletic ball
design including a receiver, a processor, a transmitter, and/or a
multiplexing signal relay to determine the telemetry of the
athletic ball and a corresponding method of operation pertinent
ball use.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to an athletic ball
telemetry apparatus that offers improved operability.
[0008] A first general aspect of the invention provides for an
athletic ball comprising a receiver, the receiver being configured
to receive GPS signal data, a microprocessor, the microprocessor
being configured to triangulate received GPS signal data and
determine ball position, and a transmitter, the transmitter being
configured to transmit ball position to an output device.
[0009] A second general aspect of the invention provides for an
athletic ball comprising a multiplexing signal relay, said relay
configured to receive signals simultaneously broadcast by a
plurality of earth-orbiting satellites and communicate the received
satellite signals to a position-processing output device.
[0010] A third general aspect of the invention provides for a
method for determining the telemetry of an athletic ball, wherein
the method comprises providing an athletic ball having a GPS
receiver, a microprocessor, and a transmitter, receiving satellite
signal data into the receiver included within the ball, processing
the received data to compute the position of the ball; and
transmitting the computed ball location to an output device.
[0011] The foregoing and other features of the invention will be
apparent from the following more particular description of various
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described
in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like
designations denote like members, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an embodiment of an athletic
golf ball, in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of an embodiment of an
athletic golf ball, in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an embodiment of an athletic
baseball, in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of an embodiment of an
athletic baseball, in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic illustration of an embodiment of
a method of using an embodiment of an athletic ball, in accordance
with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Although certain embodiments of the present invention will
be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that
various changes and modifications may be made without departing
from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present
invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting
components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative
arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example
of an embodiment. The features and advantages of the present
invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout
the drawings.
[0019] As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted
that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents, unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0020] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a front view of
one embodiment of an athletic ball such as golf ball 100, in
accordance with the present invention. The athletic golf ball 100
may have a dimpled outer surface 10. The dimpled outer surface 10
may be geometrically designed to provide aerodynamic flight
characteristics desirable for accurate ball flight. For example,
the dimpled outer surface 10 may be configured with spaced apart
dimples having a particular surface depth such that the athletic
golf ball 100, upon being hit by a golf club and propelled away
from the club, flies farther and straighter than a golf ball having
a non-dimpled surface. As the athletic golf ball 100 may be
employed in the sport of golf, the athletic golf ball 100 may be
designed for maximum conformance with golfing standards and rules
pertaining to ball size, weight, geometric design and the like,
while still obtaining the advantages of the present invention. To
extend the durability of the athletic golf ball 100, the dimpled
outer surface or layer 10 may be formed of materials such as
polymers, or composite polymeric mixtures and other like materials
that provide for an efficiently manufactured impact resistant
surface capable of withstanding wear and tear from normal golf
play.
[0021] Referring further to the drawings, FIG. 2 depicts a
sectional view of an embodiment of an athletic ball such as golf
ball 100, in accordance with the present invention. Spherically
within the dimpled outer surface 10 may be an elastic layer 20. The
elastic layer 20 facilitates greater bouncing propensity and
improved propulsion of the athletic golf ball 100 off a golf club
head following impact. Hence, the elastic layer 20 may be formed of
materials such as rubber, synthetic rubber, elastomers, plastics,
polymers and other like materials having a high degree of
elasticity. The elastic layer 20 may be fabricated by winding
elastic strands to form a spherical layer of a particular thickness
to provide enhanced bouncing and impact propulsion properties.
Furthermore, the elastic layer 20 may fabricated as a homogenous
layer of a single elastic material having a particular spherical
thickness.
[0022] As further depicted in FIG. 2, the embodied athletic golf
ball 100 may include an inner core 30. The inner core 30 may be
designed to deflect impact forces around or away from interior
components such as a receiver 50, a processor 60, a transmitter 70
and a power source 80 and/or other components residing within the
inner core 30. For example, the inner core 30 may be formed of
material having greater rigidity than the elastic layer 20 so that
impact forces moving through the elastic layer may deflect around
the inner core 30. Moreover, the inner core 30 may be designed to
absorb or transfer impact forces. For example, the inner core 30
may comprise a rubber or rubber-like exterior spherical wall
housing a viscous liquid contained therein. The viscous liquid may
act to absorb and diffuse impact forces and thereby protect
interior components.
[0023] As shown still further in FIG. 2, the embodied athletic golf
ball 100 may include a shock resistant encasement 40 for durably
holding interior components such as a receiver 50, a processor 60,
a transmitter 70 and a power source 80 and/or other like components
within the inner core 30. The shock resistant encasement 40 may
hold the interior components in place so that they are not jostled
and/or damaged upon ball impact. Moreover, the shock resistant
encasement 40 may provide an environmental barrier for the interior
components keeping out damaging liquid and/or solid particles.
Further, the shock resistant encasement 40 may facilitate physical
and electrical coupling of the interior components. While the
encasement 40, as shown, may be spherically shaped, those in the
art should recognize that other geometries may be utilized in the
shock resistant encasement 40 design. For example, the shock
resistant encasement 40 may be designed to compensate for the
additional mass of interior components such that the center of
gravity of the athletic golf ball 100 resides as close to the
spherical center of the ball 100 as possible. Furthermore, the
shock resistant encasement 40 may utilize designs have more or less
structural mass positioned strategically throughout the encasement
40 body. Still further, the shock resistant encasement 40 may act
in conjunction with a small internal gyroscope of other like
component capable of facilitating modification of the mass/momentum
displacement of the ball.
[0024] The physical shape, mass, density and structural design of
the dimpled outer surface 10, the elastic layer 20, the internal
core 30 and the shock resistant encasement 40 of the inventive
athletic golf ball 100 may work together to provide athletic
operation of the golf ball 100 that is, in physical function, as
similar as possible to an off-the-shelf regulation golf ball. For
example, while still accomplishing the advantages of the present
invention, the athletic golf ball 100 may be designed to have a
weight and athletic feel similar to a standard golf ball such that
golfing with the athletic golf ball 100 is as comparable as
possible with golf play involving an ordinary golf ball.
[0025] With further reference to FIG. 2, the embodied athletic golf
ball 100 may include a receiver 50. The receiver 50 may be
configured to receive GPS signal data. As such, the receiver may
have capability to receive signals from at least two earth-orbiting
satellites containing information indicative of the satellites'
position and current time. In addition, the receiver may have
capability to receive signals from land-based transmitters. For
example, an embodiment of the receiver may act in conjunction with
a differential global positioning system DGPS to correlate received
signal data with a land-based stationary receiver fixed at a known
location. Moreover, the receiver may accept signals from land-based
transmitters of output devices such as the portable output device
400 (an embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 5) and/or stationary
output devices working in conjunction with athletic golf ball 100.
The receiver may be capable of receiving multiple signals
simultaneously. Hence, the receiver may be responsive to
transmissions provided by land-based transmitters while at the same
time collecting signal data from orbiting satellites.
[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 2, an embodiment of
athletic golf ball 100 may include a microprocessor 60. The
microprocessor 60 may be configured to triangulate received GPS
signal data and determine the global position of athletic golf ball
100. Accordingly, the microprocessor 60 may be coupled to the
receiver 50 in a manner effective to process the signals received
by the receiver 50. In addition to processing GPS signals, the
microprocessor 60 may also process signals received from land-based
transmitters. Such land-based signals may contain control data
which, when processed, may enable the microprocessor to initiate
various microelectronic functions corresponding to the
microprocessor 60, receiver 50, transmitter 70, power source 80,
and/or other like components. For example, the microprocessor 60
may be coupled to the transmitter 70 and may control what
transmissions are emitted by the transmitter 70. Moreover, the
microprocessor 60 may direct time duration of transmissions
broadcast by transmitter 70. Further, the microprocessor may be
coupled to the power source 80 and may actuate various capabilities
pertaining to the power source 80 such as regulating power
provision and metering power capacity. Still further, the
microprocessor 80 may be coupled to and may manage operation of
other interior components included within an athletic golf ball
100. The microprocessor 60 may be an off-the-shelf chip-set readily
adaptable for operation within an athletic golf ball 100, may be a
modified chip-set for specific use within an athletic ball 100, or
may be comprised of specially designed integrated microelectronic
circuitry capable of performing processing functions requisite with
using an athletic golf ball 100.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of an athletic golf
ball 100 may include a transmitter 70. The transmitter 70 may be
configured to transmit global position of the athletic ball 100.
Signal transmission may be constant or may be periodic, wherein the
transmitter 70 broadcasts signals intermittently in a pulse-like
fashion. Intermittent signal transmitting may preserve power
because the transmitter 70 may not be required to constantly emit a
signal. The phase of each pulsed transmission and the corresponding
rate of intermittent pulsing may vary. Furthermore, the transmitter
70 may emit intermittent transmissions for predetermined time
periods. For example, the transmitter 70 may intermittently
transmit global ball location signals for a period of time ranging
from milliseconds to days. The time period for intermittent signal
transmission may be initiated by the user of the athletic golf ball
100 and set by reception of a control signal enabling operation of
microprocessor 60 working in conjunction with transmitter 70. The
transmitter 70 may also have capability to transmit signal data
pertaining to management of power source 80. Those in the art
should recognize that the transmitter 70 may emit electromagnetic
signals and/or ultra sonic signals.
[0028] With still further reference to FIG. 2, an embodiment of
athletic golf ball 100 may include a power source 80. The power
source 80 may be a battery. The battery may be a long lasting
off-the-shelf battery adaptable for use with micro-components. In
addition, the power source 80 may be rechargeable. For example, the
power source 80 may be a capacitive store capable of being
recharged via an electromagnetic field. Further, the power source
80 may be a micro fuel cell adaptable for use within the athletic
golf ball 100. Further still, the power source 80 may be a solar
cell capable of generating solar power from light shown on the
athletic ball 100. Even further still, the power source 80 may be a
kinetic micro generator capable of converting kinetic movement into
electrical power available for components within the athletic ball
100. The power source 80 may be capable of multiple power level
outputs. For instance, the power source 80 may have a dormant mode,
wherein minimal power is expended. Moreover, the power source 80
may have an active mode, wherein power may be actively provided for
transmission, processing, and/or reception of signal data. The
power source 80 should be shock resistant and capable of enduring
the physical rigors consistent with normal use of an athletic golf
ball 100. Furthermore, the power source 80 may facilitate
intermittent signal transmission. Additionally, the power source 80
may be configured for operation in conjunction with a receiver 50,
microprocessor 60, transmitter 70, and/or other like components
which may reside and function within the interior of an athletic
golf ball 100.
[0029] Referring again to the drawings, FIG. 3 depicts a front view
of an embodiment of an athletic ball such as baseball 200, in
accordance with the present invention. The athletic baseball 200
may have a stitched outer surface 210. As the athletic baseball 200
may be employed in the sport of baseball, the athletic baseball 200
may be designed for maximum conformance with baseball standards and
rules pertaining to ball size, weight, geometric design, roughness
of outer surface, stitching pattern, and the like, while still
obtaining the advantages of the present invention. To help extend
the durability of the athletic baseball 200, the stitched outer
surface 210 may be formed of materials such as leather, synthetic
leather, or other like materials that provide for a resilient
surface capable of withstanding wear and tear from normal play and
practice pertaining to the game of baseball.
[0030] With further reference to the drawings, FIG. 4 depicts a
sectional view an embodiment of an athletic ball such as baseball
200. Within the stitched outer surface 210 of athletic baseball 200
may be a twine layer 220. The twine layer 200 may be formed of
string, twine, or threaded material wrapped around itself and/or an
inner core 230. The inner core 230 may be formed of rubber,
plastic, cork wood, synthetic cork, and/or other like materials.
Further, the inner core 230 may be designed to deflect impact
forces around or away from interior components such as a relay 250,
a movement sensor 260, a power source 280 and/or other components
residing within athletic baseball 200. Moreover, the inner core 230
may be designed to absorb or transfer impact forces. For example,
the inner core 230 may comprise a rubber or rubber-like exterior
spherical wall housing a viscous liquid contained therein. The
viscous liquid may act to absorb and diffuse impact forces and
thereby protect interior components. In addition, within the inner
core 230 may be a shock resistant encasement 240. The shock
resistant encasement 240 may secure the interior components in
place so that they are not fractured and/or demolished upon ball
impact. Additionally, the shock resistant encasement 240 may
provide protect interior components from unwanted external
contamination. Furthermore, the shock resistant encasement 240 may
facilitate physical and electrical coupling of the interior
components. While the encasement 240, as shown, may be spherically
shaped, the shock resistant encasement 240 may have other shapes
designed to compensate for the additional mass of interior
components thereby keeping the center of gravity of the athletic
baseball 200 as close as possible to the spherical center of the
baseball 200.
[0031] Referring further to FIG. 4, an embodiment of an athletic
ball such as baseball 200 may include a multiplexing signal relay
250 configured to receive signals simultaneously broadcast by two
or more earth-orbiting satellites and communicate the plurality of
received satellite signals to a position-processing output device
(such as depicted in one embodiment of a portable output device 400
shown in FIG. 5). The multiplexing signal relay 250 may pass on the
received satellite signals to a position-processing output device
in a manner that retains the time-dependent nature of the signal
data. Thus, the position-processing output device (such as portable
output device 400, and/or a stationary output device working in
conjunction with athletic ball 200) may be capable of triangulating
GPS signal data communicated by the relay 250 within the ball 200,
thereby rendering the global position of the ball without a need to
globally locate the position of any exterior devices such as the
position-processing output device and/or other fixed-position
elements. Further, the multiplexing signal relay 250 may be coupled
to and act in conjunction with other internal components such as a
movement sensor 260, a power source 280, and/or other like
components. For example, the multiplexing signal relay may commence
reception and communication of GPS signal data based upon a control
initiated by a motion sensor 260, or may function relative to
managed power supply provided by power source 280. Additionally,
the multiplexing signal relay 250 may be configured with multiple
operational modes. For instance, the multiplexing signal relay may
have a dormant mode, wherein the relay does not actively pass on
signals and it may have an active mode wherein signals are actively
relayed. Moreover, the multiplexing signal relay 250 may be capable
of relaying signals broadcast by land-based transmitters to an
embodiment of a position-processing output device such as the
device embodied as portable output device 400 (shown in FIG.
5).
[0032] Referring further still to FIG. 4, the athletic ball such as
baseball 200 may include a movement sensor 260. The movement sensor
260 may be a piezoelectric sensor or another sensor capable of
sensing physical movement. Where the sensor 260 is included within
the athletic baseball 200, the sensor may capable of detecting ball
movement. The movement sensor may be coupled to the multiplexing
signal relay 250, power source 280, and/or other like components.
For example, when the ball is moved, the movement sensor 260 may
initiate active operation of a previously dormant multiplexing
signal relay 250. Moreover, the movement sensor 260 may activate
the power source 280, which, prior to sensed movement may have been
in a power-saving mode. Accordingly, the power source 280 may be
capable of multiple power level outputs. For instance, the power
source 280 may have a dormant mode, wherein minimal power is
expended. Moreover, the power source 280 may have an active mode,
wherein power may be actively provided for relaying signal data.
The power source 280 should be shock resistant and capable of
enduring the physical rigors consistent with normal use of an
athletic baseball 200. Further, the power source 280 may be a
battery, a solar cell, or a micro fuel cell designed for use within
an athletic ball 200.
[0033] With continued reference to the drawings, FIG. 5 depicts a
schematic illustration of an embodiment of a method of using an
embodiment of an athletic ball such as golf ball 100, in accordance
with the present invention. The athletic golf ball 100 is provided
with a GPS receiver, a microprocessor, and a transmitter. It should
be recognized that the athletic ball 100 may be also provided with
a multiplexing signal relay, a movement sensor, a power source,
and/or other like components. GPS satellites 300a-c broadcast
corresponding signals 310a-c which are received by the receiver
included within the ball 100. Typical GPS satellites, such as
satellites 300a-c, synchronize operations so that repeating signals
are transmitted at the same instant. The signals, moving at the
speed of light, arrive at the ball 100 at slightly different times
because some satellites are farther away than others. Hence, signal
310a may be take longer to reach the ball 100 than signal 310b, but
may take a shorter amount of time to reach the ball 100 than signal
310c. The distance from the ball 100 to the GPS satellites can be
determined by estimating the amount of time it takes for their
signals to reach the receiver or relay included within the ball.
When a processor located within the ball 100 working in conjunction
with the included receiver estimates the distance to the GPS
satellites, the ball's 100 global position can be calculated in
three dimensions. The processor "knows" the location of the
satellites, because that information is included in the
time-dependent satellite transmissions. By estimating how far away
a satellite is, the processor also "knows" the ball is located
somewhere on the surface of an imaginary sphere centered at the
satellite. The processor may then determine the sizes of several
spheres, one for each satellite. The athletic ball 100 is located
where these spheres intersect.
[0034] The computed ball location may be transmitted to an output
device. For example, a transmitter within the ball 100 may emit
signal 150 which may be received by portable output device 400. The
portable output device 400 may be an electronic device such as a
PDA running corresponding software and having a graphical display,
a handheld computer with an LCD screen functioning with a
corresponding operating system, a digital-communication-enabled
wristwatch having a color display and GPS capability, a sports
radio having a small pixilated monitor, a digitalized visor capable
of being worn like eyeglasses and displaying the ball location on a
virtual GPS map, a cellular phone capable of communicating with and
displaying the location of the ball 100, and/or any other portable
apparatus capable of displaying the computed ball 100 location
and/or any like device or similar combination of devices as
contained in a portable electronic unit. Further, the portable
output device 400 may run mapping software functional with common
GPS systems and the software may be adaptable with various
embodiments of the portable output device 400. Thus, an athletic
ball 100 may have capability to communicate signal data to various
embodiments of a portable output device 400 running various
software programs. Accordingly, a user may be able to observe a
displayed graphical map and determine the location of an athletic
ball 100 by using any portable output device 400 capable of
receiving signal data from the ball 100 and outputting it to the
user. Communication between an athletic ball 100 and multiple
portable output devices 100 may also be possible. Moreover, the
portable output device 400 may provide capability for dynamic ball
movement analysis. As such, the portable output device 400 may be
able to receive and process real-time or near-real-time data
emitted from the ball 100. Software and processing capability of
the portable output device 400 may enable a user to track the
location of the ball on a map in real-time or near-real-time.
Furthermore, the portable output device 400 may facilitate
evaluation of ball movement over time. Hence, the output device 400
may provide a user with the variable direction, velocity, and/or
acceleration of a moving ball 100. In addition, the portable output
device 400 may have capability to store ball movement over time so
that a user can review ball location and dynamics corresponding to
previous ball 100 movements. A user may, therefore, analyze stored
repeated ball movement to determine trends and track dynamic ball
response due to various impetuses for ball movement. Additionally,
the portable output device may have capability to calculate and
display statistics pertaining to repeated ball movement. It is
understood that the telemetric capabilities of athletic ball 100
may be utilized in enhancing driving range practice or in similar
practice corresponding to different ball embodiments such as
baseball 200 (shown in FIG. 3) or other athletic ball embodiments.
Still further, the portable output device may include a charge
indicator capable of displaying the amount of power source
available within the athletic ball 100.
[0035] Where an embodiment of an athletic ball 100 utilizes a
multiplexing signal relay (shown in FIG. 4), a method of using the
ball 100 may vary accordingly. For example, the relay may pass on
signals 310a-c sent from satellites 300a-c to a position-processing
output device, such as portable output device 400. The signals
310a-c would retain their time dependent nature as relayed from the
ball 100 to the portable output device 400. Those in the art should
recognize that the signals may also be relayed to a stationary
position-processing device such as a central computer or other like
apparatus have capability to receive, process, and output the
relayed signals. Because the signals 310a-c retain time-dependent
data when relayed, the position processing output device, such as
portable output device 400 may triangulate the global position of
the ball 100 and correlate the position with GPS software. The
location of the ball 100 may then be displayed in a graphical map
or via other display means so that a user may be apprised of the
location of the ball 100. Moreover, because the position-processing
output device, such as portable output device 400, can determine
and display the location of the ball 100, the global position of
the position-processing out put device, such as portable output
device 400, need not be determined.
[0036] With further reference to FIG. 5 and additional reference to
FIGS. 2 and 4, an embodiment of a method of using an athletic ball
100 may involve a user initiated signal 160 being emitted from a
portable output device 400 to the athletic ball 100. The signal 160
may contain data that may be used to manage or control various
interior components of the ball 100. For example, the user may
broadcast a signal 160 which may be received by the receiver 50
coupled to processor 60 and utilized to change the mode of power
source 80 (also shown in FIG. 2) from dormant to active. Power
output modification may also be possible by a signal based on a
distance range from the ball 100. For example, the athletic ball
100 may respond to a signal and power up when the signal is
broadcast with in a range of inches, or feet. Further, power
management of the athletic ball 100 may be preprogrammed into the
processor 50, regulated by a movement sensor 260 controlling power
output, or by some other like means. Further still, the signal 160
may prompt other capable responses from the processor 60, the
receiver 50 and/or other like components. For instance, the signal
160 may be relayed by a multiplexing signal relay 250 to a separate
stationary output device. As such, the athletic ball may act to
communicatively connect a stationary output device and a portable
output device 400. Moreover, the signal 160 may prompt performance
modifications pertaining to the transmitter 70 by helping to
facilitate changes in the length of a time period for signal
broadcasting or by increasing or decreasing a rate of intermittent
signal transmission. Additionally, a user may power off the
athletic ball by sending a power down control as signal 160. Thus,
the useable lifespan of the athletic ball 100 may be preserved and
extended.
[0037] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the
invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
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