U.S. patent application number 11/460562 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for movable device and receiver device for detecting contacts with the movable device.
Invention is credited to Walter Englert, Udo Kuenzler.
Application Number | 20070060425 11/460562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36926304 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuenzler; Udo ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Movable device and receiver device for detecting contacts with the
movable device
Abstract
The movable device includes a detector for detecting that an
object is located in the vicinity of or at the movable device, as
well as a transmitter module for transmitting two signals having
different signals speeds. These two signals are received by a
receiver, the receiver having a detector to ascertain whether the
second signal arrives within a predetermined time period as of
reception of the first signal, so as to provide, when this has been
detected, a detector signal indicating that the movable device has
been contacted by the object. Exemplary movable devices are game
devices such as footballs. Exemplary objects are arms, legs,
football shoes, rackets, bats, etc.
Inventors: |
Kuenzler; Udo; (Karlsbad,
DE) ; Englert; Walter; (Burgrieden, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLENN PATENT GROUP
3475 EDISON WAY, SUITE L
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
36926304 |
Appl. No.: |
11/460562 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 13/74 20130101;
A63B 2220/40 20130101; G01S 13/862 20130101; A63B 43/00 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 71/0605 20130101; A63B 2225/30
20130101; A63B 2225/52 20130101; A63B 41/00 20130101; A63B 69/002
20130101; A63B 2220/833 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/570 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/06 20060101
A63B043/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2005 |
DE |
102005036355.5 |
Claims
1. A movable device comprising: a detector for detecting that an
object is located in the vicinity or at the movable device; and a
transmitter module for transmitting a first signal having a first
signal speed, and for transmitting a second signal having a second
signal speed which is smaller than the first signal speed, the
transmitter module being configured to send out the first and
second signals in response to the detector output signal.
2. The movable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector
is a touch sensor configured to detect the movable device being
touched by the object.
3. The game device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector is a
contactless sensor configured to detect, electrically,
magnetically, electromagnetically, optically or acoustically,
whether the object is located within a predetermined distance from
the movable device.
4. The movable device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
predetermined distance is smaller than or equal to 10 cm.
5. The movable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
transmitter module comprises: a radio transmitter for transmitting
the first signal; and a sound transmitter for transmitting the
second signal.
6. The movable device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sound
transmitter is an ultrasonic transmitter.
7. The movable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
transmitter module is configured to send out the first and second
signals at essentially the same time.
8. The movable device as claimed in claim 1, which is configured as
a game device.
9. The movable device as claimed in claim 8, which is configured as
a ball.
10. The movable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
transmitter module is configured to send out the second signal
prior to the first signal.
11. A receiver device for receiving signals from a movable device,
comprising: a receiver module for receiving a first signal having a
first signal speed, and a second signal having a second signal
speed which is smaller than the first signal speed; and a detector
configured to provide a detector signal which indicates whether the
second signal has been received within a predetermined time period
since reception of the first signal.
12. The receiver device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:
a memory for storing when the detector provides the detector
signal.
13. The receiver device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
detector is configured to start a chronometer as a function of
reception of the first signal, the chronometer being configured, or
being controlled by the detector, to stop after the predetermined
time period, the detector further being configured to provide the
detector signal only if the second signal is received after
starting and prior to stopping the chronometer.
14. The receiver device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the memory
is configured to store a moment in time at which the detector
provides the detector signal.
15. The receiver device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the memory
is configured to store a number of times when the detector provides
the detector signal.
16. The receiver device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising
a transmitter to send out a radio signal having an identification
of the receiver device when the detector provides the detector
signal.
17. The receiver device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
receiver module comprises a radio receiver for receiving the first
signal, which is a radio signal, and an ultrasonic receiver for
receiving the second signal, which is an ultrasonic signal.
18. The receiver device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the
predetermined time period is smaller than or equal to 5 ms.
19. A method of operating a movable device, comprising: detecting
that an object is located in the vicinity of or at the movable
device; and in response to the step of detecting, when it has been
detected that the object is located in the vicinity of or at the
movable device, transmitting a first signal having a first signal
speed, and transmitting a second signal having a second signal
speed which is smaller than the first signal speed.
20. A method of receiving signals from a movable device,
comprising: receiving a first signal having a first signal speed
and a second signal having a second signal speed which is smaller
than the first signal speed; and detecting whether the second
signal has been received within a predetermined time period since
reception of the first signal, to provide a detection signal in
response to the detecting step.
21. A computer program having a program code for performing the
method of operating a movable device, the method comprising:
detecting that an object is located in the vicinity of or at the
movable device; and in response to the step of detecting, when it
has been detected that the object is located in the vicinity of or
at the movable device, transmitting a first signal having a first
signal speed, and transmitting a second signal having a second
signal speed which is smaller than the first signal speed, when the
program runs on a computer.
22. A computer program having a program code for performing the
method of receiving signals from a movable device, the method
comprising: receiving a first signal having a first signal speed
and a second signal having a second signal speed which is smaller
than the first signal speed; and detecting whether the second
signal has been received within a predetermined time period since
reception of the first signal, to provide a detection signal in
response to the detecting step, when the program runs on a
computer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from German Patent
Application No. 102005036355.5, which was filed on Jul. 29, 2005,
and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to movable devices and in
particular to game devices such as balls, and to concepts for
detecting any contact of an object with the movable device.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] For quite some time, various interest groups have wished to
study and understand the sequence of movements of moving objects
and/or persons, which requires an exact indication of the object's
position in space and time. What is of particular interest here
are, among other things, game balls, in particular in
commercialized types of sport, such as footballs, or soccer balls,
which are highly accelerated in three-dimensional space, as well as
tennis or golf balls. The question of who was the last to touch the
object of the game, how it was hit and in which direction it was
accelerated further may be decisive for the outcome of the game,
depending on the type of game.
[0006] Game devices that are used in high-performance sports, such
as tennis balls, golf balls, footballs and the like, nowadays can
be accelerated to extremely high speeds, so that the detection of
the object during the movement requires highly sophisticated
technology. The technical means employed so far--mainly
cameras--either completely fail to meet the requirements set forth
above, or meet them only to an insufficient degree; also the
methods, hitherto known, for position finding by means of various
transmitter and receiver combinations still leave a large error
margin with regard to the spatial resolution of the position
indication, with regard to the ease of use of the
transmitter/receiver components required, and above all with regard
to evaluating the data obtained by means of the
transmitter/receiver system, so that it is not yet possible, or at
least requires a large amount of effort, to evaluate the results
obtained from this data as fast as possible.
[0007] It is the object of the present invention to provide an
efficient and nevertheless robust and reliable concept for
detecting contacts of an object with a movable device.
[0008] In accordance with a first aspect, the invention provides a
movable device including: [0009] a detector for detecting that an
object is located in the vicinity or at the movable device; and
[0010] a transmitter module for transmitting a first signal having
a first signal speed, and for transmitting a second signal having a
second signal speed which is smaller than the first signal speed,
the transmitter module being configured to send out the first and
second signals in response to the detector output signal.
[0011] In accordance with a second aspect, the invention provides a
receiver device for receiving signals from a movable device,
including: [0012] a receiver module for receiving a first signal
having a first signal speed, and a second signal having a second
signal speed which is smaller than the first signal speed; and
[0013] a detector configured to provide a detector signal which
indicates whether the second signal has been received within a
predetermined time period since reception of the first signal.
[0014] In accordance with a third aspect, the invention provides a
method of operating a movable device, the method including the
steps of: [0015] detecting that an object is located in the
vicinity of or at the movable device; and [0016] in response to the
step of detecting, when it has been detected that the object is
located in the vicinity of or at the movable device, transmitting a
first signal having a first signal speed, and transmitting a second
signal having a second signal speed which is smaller than the first
signal speed.
[0017] In accordance with a fourth aspect, the invention provides a
method of receiving signals from a movable device, the method
including the steps of: [0018] receiving a first signal having a
first signal speed and a second signal having a second signal speed
which is smaller than the first signal speed; and [0019] detecting
whether the second signal has been received within a predetermined
time period since reception of the first signal, to provide a
detection signal in response to the detecting step.
[0020] In accordance with a fifth aspect, the invention provides a
computer program having a program code for performing the method of
operating a movable device, the method including the steps of:
[0021] detecting that an object is located in the vicinity of or at
the movable device; and [0022] in response to the step of
detecting, when it has been detected that the object is located in
the vicinity of or at the movable device, transmitting a first
signal having a first signal speed, and transmitting a second
signal having a second signal speed which is smaller than the first
signal speed, when the program runs on a computer.
[0023] In accordance with a sixth aspect, the invention provides a
computer program having a program code for performing the method of
receiving signals from a movable device, the method including the
steps of: [0024] receiving a first signal having a first signal
speed and a second signal having a second signal speed which is
smaller than the first signal speed; and [0025] detecting whether
the second signal has been received within a predetermined time
period since reception of the first signal, to provide a detection
signal in response to the detecting step, when the program runs on
a computer.
[0026] The present invention is based on the findings that the use
of two signals having different signal speeds is optimal for
achieving a robust and nevertheless/still efficient and accurate
detection of a contact with a movable device. In accordance with
the invention, a detector within the movable device, i.e., for
example, within a football, detects whether an object, such as a
football player's leg, is located in the vicinity of the football.
This is performed, for example, by pressure, acceleration or
vibration measurements or by contactless measurement.
[0027] Once a detection has been made to the effect that the object
is located in the vicinity of the movable device, the transmitter
module is controlled to transmit two signals having different
signal speeds. A receiver device connected to the object will
detect the first signal and then wait for a certain time period for
reception of the second signal having a lower signal speed. If the
signal having the lower signal speed is detected within the
predetermined time period which starts upon reception of the first,
fast signal, it shall be assumed, in accordance with the invention,
that the object which has received both the first and, within the
predetermined time period, also the second signal, was in contact
with the movable device. This is reflected in that a detector which
has detected reception of the second signal within the
predetermined time period provides a detector output signal, a
memory subsequently storing the fact that there has been a detector
output signal, i.e. that it is very likely for a ball contact to
have occurred. Alternatively or in addition, an absolute moment in
time at which the detector signal has occurred may be stored in the
memory, so that when one thinks of a football match, a sequence of
moments result which may then, e.g. after a match or during a
match, be read out to ascertain, as a function thereof, how many
ball contacts a player had, or generally speaking, how many
contacts an object had with the movable device.
[0028] If one assumes that, e.g., several football players are near
a ball, the fast signal will be detected by several receiver
devices. However, if the predetermined time duration is selected
such that it is very likely that really only that receiver device
which is located closest to the movable device can receive the
second signal within the predetermined time period, while receiver
devices which are more remote will also receive the second signal,
but only after the predetermined time duration has expired, no ball
contact will be registered for those players.
[0029] By setting the predetermined time duration in the receiver
devices worn, or carried, by the player, it is thus possible to set
the accuracy and/or the range to be detected. For this purpose, no
access to the ball itself is required.
[0030] In addition, the use of two signals of different speeds
allows to dispense with any complicated and, thus, failure-prone
electronics in the ball itself. One only needs to make sure that
the ball has a proximity detector which operates in a
contact-controlled or non-contact manner and which will then
control the transmission of the two signals of different delay
times. Thus, no complicated electronics are required within the
ball itself, which is a considerable advantage in particular since
the forces and accelerations acting on the ball may be huge, so
that there is a very rough environment for there to be an
electronic system within the ball.
[0031] On the receiver side, no personal identification or the like
is required, which is of considerable advantage -particularly if
one considers that what is dealt with here is a mass product, i.e.
that may players are to be provided with receiver devices--since
thus, all receiver devices may operate in an identical manner and
do not require any specific identification, which also renders the
receiver devices simple and low in or even completely free from
maintenance. In addition, a simple and robust structure also
ensures safety from tampering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become clear from the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic sketch of a pitch including a movable
device and several objects provided with receivers;
[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a player with a football as an example of a
movable device;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic system sketch;
[0036] FIG. 4a is a more detailed view of the functional groups
within the movable device;
[0037] FIG. 4b is a more detailed representation of the transmitter
module of FIG. 4a;
[0038] FIG. 5a is a block diagram representation of the receiver
device; and
[0039] FIG. 5b is a more detailed representation of the receiver
device of FIG. 5a.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] To improve one's skills in a ball game or to be able to
compare oneself to other players, objective data must be obtained
in a simple manner. This data must be visualized such that a
training feedback or a comparison to other players is possible. To
this end, respective components are provided within the game
device, and, if need be, a data detection device including a
display unit is provided.
[0041] In a low-cost system, recognition of a person cannot be
effected via delay times of the radio signals. To this end, the
incoming radio signals would have to be compared to a highly
accurate time reference. Also, a network would have to be built
within which all times measured are compared to determine that
player who is closest to the ball. Therefore, one concludes, from
the transmission of a radio signal and an acoustic signal, as to
who had the last ball contact.
[0042] By measuring the forces acting on the game device, one may
also infer the shot force or the rotational speed of the game
device. If this entails an energy observation, the individual
player can learn to control his/her influence on the game
device.
[0043] Further advantages result from the further claims and
subclaims and from the following description.
[0044] Before the invention will be described in detail, it shall
be pointed out that it is not limited to the particular components
of the device or to the procedure discussed, since these components
and methods may vary. The expressions used here are merely intended
to describe particular embodiments, and are not used by way of
limitation. If the singular form or indefinite articles are used in
the description and in the claims, they also relate to the plural
form of these elements, unless the overall context clearly
indicates otherwise. The same applies in the opposite
direction.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a schematic system sketch. In particular, it
shows a device for detecting the force and/or motion ratios on a
game device 7, such as a ball, an assembly 15 being provided in the
ball which is populated with several electronic components. Instead
of the assembly, the electronic components may also be disposed on
the ball's jacket, for example on the inside, or be suspended
within the center of the ball.
[0046] At least one of the following electronic components is
provided within the game device: [0047] a transmitter 4 for
acoustic or ultrasonic waves for transmitting an acoustic signal,
[0048] a pressure sensor 10, [0049] an acceleration sensor, [0050]
at least one Hall sensor 16, [0051] at least two magnetoresistive
sensors, [0052] at least two coils.
[0053] The electronic components are in connection with a receiver
2 via transmitter 4 for the acoustic or ultrasonic waves, or at
least via a radio transmitter 3, for example via radio 1, for
example to transfer the data detected by the electronic components.
In addition, a microcontroller 11 is provided for processing the
data. This data can then be transferred to a data detection device
12. An evaluation unit 13 is provided for evaluating the data
detected which is presented, if need be, on a display unit 14. Data
detection device 12 preferably is associated with at least one
player 6, preferably however with all players of a game to thereby
perform a localization, for example, of the nearest player, as will
be explained later on.
[0054] For some games, such as in a football match, it is often
interesting to know who had the most ball contacts. To determine
this, one must ascertain, during the ball contact, who has touched
the ball.
[0055] In a low-cost system, recognition of the person cannot be
performed via delay times of the radio signals. To this end, the
arriving radio signals would have to be compared with a highly
accurate time reference, and a network would have to be built
wherein all measured times are compared in order to determine that
player who is located closest to the ball. Alternatively, the field
strength of the transmitter at the ball could be used to estimate a
distance. However, this is imprecise.
[0056] To keep cost low, the delay time of sound is measured within
the device. To this end, game device 7 emits, when recognizing a
force being exerted upon it, an acoustic signal as a sound or
ultrasound by a transmitter 4. At the same time, a radio
transmitter 3 transmits a radio signal. The receiver 2 of a data
detection device associated with player 6 registers the acoustic
signal and also the radio signal. The time difference yields the
distance from the ball. As soon as the radio signal is recognized,
the acoustic signal is awaited to arrive for 5 ms. If an acoustic
impulse is recognized within this time period, one may assume that
receiver 2 of the data detection device 12 associated with player 6
is spaced away from the ball by 1.5 meters at a maximum. It is then
very likely that this player has touched the ball. Preferably, each
player 6 carries, or wears, such a receiver. The number of acoustic
impulses recognized is counted and displayed. Using this
information and the hour of the event, one may then determine, in a
subsequent interplay of all data of all data detection units 12,
how many ball contacts a player 6 had. It is even possible to make
statistic statements about how successful passes were, since the
target of a pass may be determined by a time comparison. This may
be used to detect the following, for example: [0057] Who lost the
ball how many times to the opponent? [0058] Were the ball contacts
constant over the playing time and was there a drop in performance?
[0059] Who played how many passes to whom? [0060] How often did a
move pass several players of the same team?
[0061] The evaluation unit 13 thus has a means for evaluating
whether an acoustic signal of transmitter 4 for the ball or
ultrasonic waves arrives within a predetermined time period after
the arrival of the radio signal.
[0062] Equally important is the detection of the shot force and the
flying speed of a game device 7 which may be determined therefrom.
Thus, in a football game there is often the question of who has the
"hardest" shot. In particular for this embodiment, but also for the
other embodiments there is the possibility of integrating the
evaluation unit 13 also into the assembly 15 within the game device
7. A sensor measuring the shot force may be mounted in game device
7. This sensor is preferably a pressure sensor 10 or an
acceleration sensor. The information of this sensor is measured by
an internal microcontroller and transferred, for example, to
display unit 14 on data detection device 12 of the player. For
determining the shot force, it is necessary to measure the energy
the ball has been imparted during the shot. To this end, the
evaluation unit 13 has means for detecting the pressure, determined
by pressure sensor 10, over time or for detecting the acceleration
detected by the acceleration sensor. In addition, provision is made
for calculating means for calculating the force applied to ball 7
on the part of player 6 using the pressure curve or acceleration
curve.
[0063] With the acceleration sensor, the acceleration is measured
directly and reported to the microcontroller within game device 7.
Said microcontroller calculates the force that has acted upon the
ball from the known mass of the ball and the acceleration measured.
These calculations also include the aerodynamics and the time curve
of the energy transferred to the ball. The calculation comprises
not only transferring the overall energy to the evaluation unit 13,
but also comprises transferring the time curve of the energy
transferral to the ball.
[0064] In the alternative use of a pressure sensor 10, one measures
how the internal pressure of the ball increases during a shot.
These pressure changes and the associated time curve allow the
microcontroller within the ball to determine the force that has
been exerted on the ball. Using the pressure measurement, it is
possible to ascertain how much the ball was deformed. The higher
the level of deformation, the larger the shot force. To this end,
the peak value and the pressure curve of the internal pressure are
measured using pressure sensor 10. Using a group of curves, the
energy supplied to the ball is measured. For example, the group of
curves may be determined in advance in a empirical manner, by means
of a shooting system and is different for each type of ball.
[0065] Then the shot force may be determined in very accurately
from the energy transferred and the time curve. Beside the shot
force, the overall energy may also be displayed. This allows to
obtain information about the type of shot. Thus, the ball may be
played with much more precision on an even energy supply. Thus, if
the duration of the energy supply is displayed additionally, for
which purpose additional detection means may be provided, this may
also be trained.
[0066] The energy may be used to infer the flying speed the ball
has obtained. To this end, the weight and aerodynamics of the ball
are taken into account. The flying speed determined is the value
that is reached when the ball may fly off freely after the shot. In
addition to the action of force, the time of the ball being hit,
and the time of the ball touching down may also be determined using
pressure sensor 10 and/or the acceleration sensor. By means of the
force information and the time duration of the flight, it is quite
readily possible to calculate the distance the ball must have
flown.
[0067] In addition, components such as at least one Hall sensor 16,
at least two magneto-resistive sensors or at least two coils may be
provided for determining the rotational speed of game device 7.
This information may be used for training so-called "curling
crosses" in football. To this end, it is important for the user to
immediately get a feedback about his/her shot. For this purpose,
the rotational speed within the ball is measured and transmitted
via radio 1 to the player's 6 data detection device 12. The
components are to be arranged such that during their movement when
the game device 7 is rotating in an energy field, a modulation
frequency determinable by the evaluation unit 13 will result which
can be converted into the rotational speed.
[0068] For example, the sensor, e.g. the Hall sensor 16, measures
the earth's magnetic field and determines the field strength. When
the ball rotates, the field strength undergoes a modulation. The
frequency of the modulation is directly proportional to the
rotational speed of the ball. During the measurement of the earth's
magnetic field, the directional vector of the magnetic field is
determined. The rotation of this vector is proportional to the
rotation of the ball. Alternatively, the field strength may be
measured with magneto-resistive sensors as resistors depending on
the magnetic field. They may be connected to form a bridge. The
output signal of the bridge may be amplified using a differential
amplifier. The output voltage is a direct measure of the field
strength of the magnetic field. For the purposes of measuring the
rotation, neither a linearity of the voltage nor a determination of
the direction of the field is required. When the ball rotates, the
output voltage has an alternating voltage superimposed on it, the
frequency of which is the rotational frequency of the ball. The
frequency of this alternating voltage is the rotational frequency
of the ball. Evaluation of this voltage may either be performed
discretely via an analog circuit or using a microcontroller. To
obtain a signal that can be evaluated for each possible axis of
rotation of the ball, two sensors offset by 90.degree. are
used.
[0069] The field strength may also be measured using the Hall
sensor 16. Hall sensors generate a voltage in proportion to the
field strength. This voltage may be amplified using a differential
amplifier. The output voltage is a direct measure of the field
strength of the magnetic field. For the purposes of measuring the
rotation, neither a linearity of the voltage nor a determination of
the direction of the field is required. When the ball rotates, the
output voltage has an alternating voltage superimposed on it, the
frequency of which is the rotational frequency of the ball. Here,
too, two sensors are preferably arranged such that they are offset
by 90 degrees relative to one another.
[0070] Alternatively, it is also possible to make coils rotate in a
magnetic field, so that a voltage is induced in the coils. The
frequency of the voltage is proportional to the rotational
frequency. However, the voltage must be amplified and filtered,
since the coils may also act as antennas. Here, too, a discrete
evaluation or an evaluation via the microcontroller is possible,
and preferably two coils are arranged such that they are offset by
90 degrees relative to one another.
[0071] To determine the rotational speed, radio transmitters may
also be used. In this case, the change of the field strength of any
radio transmitter, for example a medium-wave transmitter, is used.
The frequency of the change in field strength is proportional to
the rotational frequency. Beside a dipole, a coil or a ferrite
antenna may be used as an antenna. Since there are enough active
long-, medium-, and short-wave transmitters in each country, there
is no need in the system to operate one's own transmitters. If
transmitters having a relatively high frequency are to be used as
the reference, a dipole antenna is a possibility, which dipole
antenna may be deposited, for example, on the ball's electronic
system or even on the ball's envelope in the form of conductive
traces. A frame antenna is suitable for low frequencies. It may be
deposited as a coil in the form of conductive traces for assembly
15 of the ball's electronic system. A ferrite antenna is suitable
for low frequencies. It may be constructed to be very small and
will nevertheless generate a relatively large output signal. With
all antennas it is necessary for two receive directions to be built
up, so that a signal can be measured at any axis of rotation. The
only thing that is important with signal measurement is the field
strength. For this purpose, an amplifier having a high level of
dynamics is necessary. The amplification should be logarithmic, for
example, so that the A/D converter of the microcontroller need not
be too wide.
[0072] An extremely low-power microcontroller takes on the data and
the control of the ball's electronic system. Said microcontroller
is woken up at the start of the game. If the microcontroller has
not observed any game for a relatively long period, it will
automatically switch off. The main task of microcontroller 11,
which may be integrated in the data detection device in the game
device as well as, or in addition to, microcontroller 11, is to
process the data such that it can be transmitted via radio 1 with
as little energy as possible. The data is preferably transmitted
several times via radio, e.g. via a 2.4 GHz radio link, so as to be
able to correct any errors.
[0073] Current supply may be realized in two known ways. On the one
hand, one may use an accumulator, which, however, requires charging
equipment. On the other hand, one may use a primary battery 21
within the data detection device and a primary battery 22 within
game device 7, it not being possible, however, for the latter to be
replaced within the ball.
[0074] In the accumulator version, a charging coil is mounted
within the ball, using which the accumulator may be loaded in an
inductive manner. With the version including battery 22, the ball
is supplied using lithium batteries. The capacitance is designed
such that the functionality of the electronic system is ensured for
1000 hours. With an average playing time of 1 hour per day, the
battery would last for three years.
[0075] Within data detection device 12, a transceiver is integrated
as a receive unit 2. Said transceiver receives the data from the
ball and/or can establish a connection to other data detection
devices in order to exchange data. Transmission and reception of
data takes place, e.g., within the 2.4 GHz band.
[0076] The transceiver may receive and transmit data. Thus, it is
possible to couple the data detection devices to one another.
Thereby, the ball contacts can be transmitted to the other data
detection devices during the game, so that a very accurate
statistical set of data will be created in the network so as to be
able to judge the game. If need be, it is also possible, by means
of the data transmission, to facilitate small computer games in
which the users may play in a networked manner.
[0077] The data within data detection device 12 is processed using
a relatively large microcontroller 11. This microcontroller is
extremely low in its power consumption. The data is exchanged via
the transceiver and visualized on a display unit 14.
[0078] The data processed is displayed using a graphic display. The
display has an integrated controller, to which the microcontroller
is connected. Operation is effected via several keys 20, the
function of which is dynamic.
[0079] The current supply of data detection device 12 must be
highly power-saving. Battery 21 may be replaced. Microcontroller 11
and the display are extremely power-saving. Data transmission is
designed such that the transceiver is in operation only for a very
short time in each case.
[0080] With the ball version including an accumulator, a charging
station is necessary. Since there is no line connection to the
ball's electronic system, it is necessary to inductively charge the
ball in a known manner. To this end, the charging station comprises
a transmitter coil with which the energy is transferred into the
ball.
[0081] In order to be able to communicate with other evaluation
units, it is necessary to convert the radio communication to a
different protocol. Since it is with a probability of 99% that a
common PC will be used, a conversion in accordance with, e.g., USB
is envisaged.
[0082] A more detailed description will be given below of the
interacting components of the preferred concept, i.e. of the
movable device of FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, and of the receiver device
of FIGS. 5a and 5b. Movable device 7 contains a detector 23 which
may be, e.g., the pressure sensor 10 of FIG. 3 and which detects if
ball 7 is touched. However, detector 23 may include a contactless
sensor which operates in an electric, acoustic, optical or
electromagnetic manner and detects, for example, whether a magnetic
or electric field of any kind which is generated, e.g., by a
respective transmitter within a football player's shoe approaches
the ball. Detector 23 is configured to detect that an object, i.e.,
for example, a leg, a foot, a shoe, a racket, a bat, or the like,
is positioned in the vicinity of or at the game device.
[0083] In addition, mobile device 7 includes a transmitter module
24 configured to transmit a first signal having a first signal
speed, and to further transmit a second signal having a second
signal speed which is smaller than the first signal speed. The
transmitter module is configured to transmit the first and second
signals in response to a detector output signal, as is shown by
signal arrow 25 in FIG. 4a.
[0084] As has already been set forth, detector 23 is a touch sensor
configured to detect the movable device being touched by the
object. Such a touch sensor is, for example, the pressure sensor,
however, it is also an acceleration sensor or any other sensor
detecting whether the object engages with the surface of game
device 7. Alternatively, the detector may also be configured as a
contactless sensor which, as has been set forth, detects in some
way that there is an object in the vicinity of the movable device.
A contactless sensor which detects whether an object is located at
a predetermined distance, which is smaller than or equal to 10 cm,
from the movable device is suitable for specific embodiments. Then
it is very likely for the object to actually touch the movable
device, since the only aim is to cause the object to touch the
movable device, for example when one thinks of a football as the
movable device, or of a tennis ball. One may assume, with a
probability of almost one hundred percent, that once the object is
located within the predetermined distance, the object will
eventually have contact with the movable device.
[0085] The transmitter module is configured to send two signals
having different signal speeds. Preferably, a radio signal
generated by radio transmitter 3 is used as the first, fast signal.
The second signal is generated by a sound transmitter 26 preferably
configured as an ultrasonic transmitter. Both transmitters are
controlled by the detector signal supplied via line 25, so as to
send both signals at the same time or essentially at the same time,
i.e. within a period of, e.g., 1 to 2 ms, in response to the
detector signal. Alternatively, however, the transmitters may be
configured such that the radio transmitter sends the first signal
at a specific moment determined by detector signal 25, and that the
ultrasonic transmitter then waits for a predetermined time duration
before the ultrasonic signal is transmitted. Here, the reception of
the radio transmitter would also not immediately cause a
chronometer to be activated on the receiver side, but the
chronometer would be activated within a predefined time duration
upon reception of the first signal, i.e. not immediately upon
reception of the first signal, but depending on the reception of
the first signal.
[0086] Alternatively, ball-contact detection could also be used to
initially send the ultrasonic signal and then, after a specific
time duration, the radio signal which will then overtake the
ultrasonic signal, as it were, so that on the receiver side, a very
short. predetermined time duration is sufficient, within which the
radio signal and the ultrasonic signal will arrive. However, it is
preferred that both transmitters send their signals at the same
time and that an accordingly longer predetermined time duration be
employed on the receiver side, and/or that on the receiver side,
the chronometer be started immediately upon reception of the radio
transmitter.
[0087] The predetermined time duration depends on the difference of
the speeds of the first, fast signal and the second, slow signal.
The smaller this difference in speeds, the smaller the
predetermined time duration that may be selected. The larger the
difference in speeds, the longer the predetermined time duration
that must be set. In addition, the predetermined time duration
depends on whether the first and second signals are really sent at
the same time, or whether the first and second signals are sent
with an offset in time, a delay in the second signal with regard to
the first signals leading to a delay in the start of the
predetermined time duration, while a delay of the first signal
relative to the second signal leads to a smaller predetermined time
duration. In general, however, predetermined time durations of less
than 5 ms are preferred, as has already been set forth.
[0088] As is. depicted in FIG. 5b, on the receiver side, the
receiver module is in connection with a detector 28 which may be
coupled to a memory 29 or which may be coupled to a further radio
transmitter within the receiver device, which is not shown in FIG.
5a, however. The detector and memory 29 are preferably contained
within evaluation unit 13 of FIG. 3. The receiver device overall
shown at the bottom of FIG. 3, or the receiver device shown in FIG.
5a, is preferably configured such that it is integrated into a
watch, or has the shape and looks of a watch, so that it may
readily be worn by, e.g., a football player or a tennis player
without said player being adversely affected in practicing his/her
sport. Generally speaking, the receiver device is mountable to the
object whose vicinity to the mobile device is detected by detector
23 in FIG. 4a, and comprises an appropriate fixing device which is
not shown in FIG. 5a but which has the shape, for example, of a
watchstrap, a fixture for a watchstrap, a clip or a different
mounting device which may be secured in some way to the object
and/or to a player.
[0089] The receiver module 2 is configured to receive the first
signal having the first signal speed and the second signal having
the second signal speed, which is smaller than the first signal
speed. In addition, detector 28 is configured to provide a detector
signal indicating whether the second signal has been received
within a predetermined time duration since reception of the first
signal. In addition, the detector is preferably coupled to memory
29 which is configured to store the moment when the detector
provides the detector signal. Alternatively, a further transmitter
may be present instead of the memory, the transmitter being
configured to send the detector signal to a central detection point
where, e.g., an online evaluation of ball contacts for the
individual players is performed.
[0090] Such an online detection point would be, for example, a
receiver arranged somewhere in the vicinity of a football pitch. In
this case, any receiver device would send, on the output side, a
contact with the movable device together with an identification for
the player wearing the receiver device, so that indisputable
statistical data can be obtained as to which player had how many
ball contacts.
[0091] Recently, one has found that such information about ball
contacts etc. are increasingly detected, shown and provided to a
large audience and/or the commentator, for example, in football
matches, so as to increase the information content for the
viewers.
[0092] In the implementation with memory 29, for example, no
central receiver device is required on the football pitch. Instead,
the memory may be evaluated, for example, at half-time or at the
end of the game, or in a contactless manner during the game without
any interaction on the part of any player, so as to either obtain a
count value for each player indicating how often the player had
contact with the movable device. In this case, player 29 would be
implemented as a counter incremented by 1 during each detection of
the detector signal. Alternatively or in addition, the memory may
also detect an absolute time of a clock, or watch, preferably
contained within the receiver device and depicted at 30 in FIG. 5b.
Then the memory would store a sequence of moments in time which may
then be. evaluated to be able to establish, for each player, a
"ball-contact profile" over time. Here, it may also be possible to
subsequently correct any erroneous detections that may have taken
place, for example if one found out that more than two players had
contact with the ball at the same time. Simultaneous contact of two
players is relatively likely, for example when one thinks of a
"50/50 ball". However, a contact of, e.g., three players with the
ball at the same time, becomes very unlikely in football. However,
in tennis, for example, a contact of two tennis rackets at the same
time is already impossible, so that here, additional information
about typical situations, in a sport, involving the movable game
device may be used to perform an evaluation wherein errors may be
eliminated.
[0093] FIG. 5b shows a more specific embodiment of the receiver
shown in FIG. 5a. The receiver module comprises, on the one hand, a
radio receiver 32 for receiving the first, fast signal, and an
ultrasonic receiver 32 for receiving the second, slower signal.
Radio receivers and ultrasonic receivers may also be configured
differently, as long as they receive any signals having different
signal speeds. Depending on a radio signal received, a detector 28
activates a chronometer 31 via a start line 35. Once a
predetermined time duration and/or the predetermined time period
has expired, the chronometer is stopped, which will typically be
performed such that the chronometer 31, which is set to the
predetermined time period, will provide a stop signal to the
detector via a stop line 36.
[0094] If the detector detects an ultrasonic signal upon receiving
the stop signal, no detector signal will be output on a line 37. In
this case, it is actually assumed that the receiver device is
located at such a long distance from the movable device that it is
very likely for the movable device to not have been hit. However,
if an ultrasonic signal is received by the detector before
receiving the stop signal, i.e. before the predetermined time
period has expired, the detector signal 37 will be output, which
will then be. stored by the memory, the memory being, for example,
a counter incremented by 1 by the detector signal.
[0095] Alternatively, the detector signal is supplied to a clock,
or watch, which performs absolute time measurement, which, e.g.,
may be an actual absolute time of the day, but which, e.g., is also
an absolute time which begins, e.g., at the beginning of the game
and is thus not directly an absolute time, but renders one minute
of, e.g., a football game. At the time of the detector signal,
clock 30 will then provide its current reading via a data line 38,
so that the memory is then able to store this specific moment in
time. A random evaluation of the players' activity may be performed
by means of an evaluation unit having an interface, as may be
implemented, for example, by display unit 14 in FIG. 3 or in Fig.
5b, which cooperates, in particular, with microcontroller 11 of
FIG. 3.
[0096] Depending on the circumstances, the inventive methods may be
implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation may be
on a digital storage medium, in particular a disk or a CD with
electronically readable control signals which may cooperate with a
programmable computer system in such a manner that the respective
method is performed. Generally, the invention thus also consists in
a computer program product having a program code, stored on a
machine-readable carrier, for performing the inventive method, when
the computer program product runs on a computer. In other words,
the present invention is thus also a computer program having a
program code for performing the method of converting, when the
computer program runs on a computer.
[0097] While this invention has been described in terms of several
preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and
equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It
should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of
implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention.
It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be
interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and
equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *