U.S. patent application number 11/747904 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-13 for chip referee.
Invention is credited to James Neil Rodgers.
Application Number | 20080281443 11/747904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39970254 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080281443 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodgers; James Neil |
November 13, 2008 |
Chip Referee
Abstract
This invention is an RFID system and method to determine the
physical outer edges or perimeters of athletic objects of play in
relationship to the outside edges or perimeters and relevant
scoring or rules of play zones contained on an athletic field of
play. It contemplates the electro magnetic tracking of objects of
play and the adjudication of the rules of play as they relate to
professional athletic competitions. This invention is designed as a
replacement for, or adjunct to, a video referee or instant replay
judge. This invention contemplates embedding an RFID transponder
into an object of play and tracking it from interrogator controlled
antennas embedded into the boundaries of play. A back end computer
host system calibrates the electro magnetic digital data regarding
the physical location of the object of play in relationship to its
physical location on the field of play which electro magnetic data
is interpreted and then displayed on the scoreboard at the field of
play. The calibration is made through algorithms programmed into
the middleware. This invention contemplates sensors encompassing
the objects of play and laser guided interrogation beams to assist
in precise measurements of the boundaries of play and relevant
scoring or rules of play areas.
Inventors: |
Rodgers; James Neil;
(Langley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES NEIL RODGERS
8853 214TH PLACE
LANGLEY -- BRITISH COLUMBIA
V1M 2H9
CA
|
Family ID: |
39970254 |
Appl. No.: |
11/747904 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2102/14 20151001;
A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 2102/18 20151001; A63B 2243/0025
20130101; A63B 2102/02 20151001; A63B 2225/54 20130101; A63B
2220/806 20130101; A63B 2243/0037 20130101; A63B 43/00 20130101;
A63B 2102/24 20151001; A63B 71/0605 20130101; A63B 2243/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/91 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/02 20060101
A63B071/02 |
Claims
1. A system and a method for real time acquisition and processing
of electro magnetic signals reproduced as digital data pertaining
to the physical position and/or physical performance of one or a
multitude of "objects of play" in motion on a "field of play" in
relationship to the "boundaries of play" while utilizing a radio
frequency identification ("RFID") system of embedded transponders
located in the object(s) of play as well as embedded interrogator
antennas located in the boundaries of play while all transponders,
interrogators and antennas are connected to a back end host
computer management system for the processing of said digital data
for the function of providing objective, unbiased and uninfluenced
decisions as to the location of objects in play in relationship to
the boundaries of play on or near a field of play; where a "field
of play" is defined as a professional football field, college
football field, professional baseball field, professional ice
hockey rink, college hockey rink, professional soccer field,
professional basketball court, professional tennis court,
professional golf course, professional automobile racing track,
professional horse racing track, professional dog racing track,
professional lacrosse box or field, or any other such arena or
stadium for professional sports; where "objects of play" are
defined as a professional football or professional football player,
college football or college football player, professional baseball
or professional baseball player, professional ice hockey puck or
professional ice hockey player, college ice hockey puck or college
ice hockey player, professional soccer ball or professional soccer
player, professional basketball or professional basketball player,
professional tennis ball or professional tennis player,
professional golf ball or professional golfer, professional racecar
or professional race car driver, professional quarter horse or
professional racing dog, professional lacrosse ball or lacrosse
player; where "boundaries of play" are defined as the metes and
bounds plus goal lines of a professional football field, the metes
and bounds plus goal lines of a college football field, the metes
and bounds of a professional baseball diamond, the metes and bounds
plus goal lines of a professional and college ice hockey rink, the
metes and bounds of a professional soccer field including the
penalty box area, the metes and bounds plus three point throw area
of a professional basketball court, the metes and bound of a
professional tennis court, the metes and bounds of a professional
golf course, the metes and bounds of a professional automobile
racing track, the metes and bound of a professional horse racing
track, the metes and bounds of a professional dog racing track, the
metes and bounds of a professional lacrosse box or field, and the
metes and bounds of any other similar such arena, field or stadium
used for professional or college sports such that the scoring zones
and out of bounds zones are identifiable through the digital
processing of electro magnetic signals.
2. The system and method of claim 1 whereby the interrogator
antennas embedded into the boundaries of play are constantly
radiating electro magnetic signals while the "duration of play" is
ongoing for the function of allowing the back end host computer
system through algorithms contained in middle ware to determine if
the object(s) of play has/have crossed the boundaries of play using
a set of digital values which are representative of the physical
position and performance of the objects of play in relationship to
the boundaries of play which digital information is processed
instantaneously and which digital information is connected to a
digital processing device responsible for preparing the digital
values which are representative of the physical performances of the
objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play as well
as for the graphic representation of same on a Jumbotron or
scoreboard at the field of play; the "duration of play" defined as
the specific time and date set aside for the sporting event from
inception to completion as calculated by connecting the back end
host computer system to the official score clock located at the
field of play.
3. The system and method of claim 1 whereby the perimeter or
outside edges of an object of play are encompassed by the antenna
of the RFID transponder embedded into it or, alternatively, by a
sensing device such as a thin strand of copper or aluminum wire, or
alternatively, by an electro magnetically reflective ink, so that a
determination as to whether the entire surface of the object of
play is inside or outside of the boundaries of play can be
effectively adjudicated in that the antenna or sensing mechanism is
connected to the integrated circuit embedded into the object of
play by wire which integrated circuit is connected to the back end
administrative middle ware through the auspices of electro magnetic
signals.
4. The system and method of claim 1 whereby the perimeter or
outside edges of the field of play is continuously enveloped and
bombarded with electro magnetic signals emanating from the embedded
antennas of the centralized interrogator(s) of the RFID system
throughout the duration of play so that any object(s) of play which
may fully cross the electro magnetic signal of the interrogator
antenna(s), which electro magnetic signal marks the boundaries of
play or scoring areas, will trigger a response from the back end
host computer system appropriate for the field of play which is
being monitored by the RFID system.
5. The system and method of producing a laser assisted electro
magnetic signal with sufficient precision to obviate the natural
tendency of electro magnetic signals to propagate in an elliptical
manner but instead to propagate in a straight line in a specific
and defined direction and at a specified and defined power setting
so that the boundaries of play are precisely identified in
relationship to the field of play being tracked.
6. The system and method of claim 5 whereby laser technology is
used as the carrier wave for the electro magnetic signal being used
to mark the boundaries of play for the function of allowing the
back end host computer system to determine if the object(s) of play
have crossed the boundaries of play using a set of digital values
which are representative of the physical position and performance
of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play
which digital information is processed instantaneously and which
digital information is connected to a digital processing device
responsible for preparing the digital values which are
representative of the physical performances of the objects of play
in relationship to the boundaries of play as well as for the
graphic representation of same on a Jumbotron or scoreboard at the
field of play.
7. The system and method of claim 5 whereby a laser motion detector
system is utilized to mark the boundaries of play so that when a
laser light is interrupted completely by an object of play a
trigger or switch prompts the back end host computer system to
determine if the object(s) of play have crossed the boundaries of
play using a set of digital values which are representative of the
physical position and performance of the objects of play in
relationship to the boundaries of play which digital information is
processed instantaneously and which digital information is
connected to a digital processing device responsible for preparing
the digital values which are representative of the physical
performances of the objects of play in relationship to the
boundaries of play as well as for the graphic representation of
same on a Jumbotron or scoreboard at the field of play.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] There is a crucial requirement within professional sports to
accurately record the score and outcome of any particular sporting
contest. Furthermore, there is a crucial requirement to accurately
adjudicate player adherence to the rules of play of any particular
sporting contest. This need is currently being inadequately filled
by video referees. The video referees are hindered in their
responsibility by a physical limitation on the number of cameras
and the number of camera angles available in order to consistently
make a definitive ruling on any specific play in a professional
sporting event. The requirement for accuracy in recording the score
and player adherence to the rules of play has become critical. This
is due to the financial enormity of the professional sporting
industry. The outcomes of any particular professional sporting
event can have nationwide ramifications. For example, the average
team in the National Football League is valued at close to $1B.
Operating income, defined as earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization, for the 32 teams in the league is,
on average, $851 M on revenue of $5.3B. This is an operating margin
of 16%. By way of comparison, major league professional baseball
teams are the closest in valuations to football with an average
value of $300M per team. By way of further comparison and
description the National Basketball Association, the second most
profitable professional sport in the United States, has an
operating margin of 6.5%. The league standings of professional
sporting teams have an impact on team profitability and valuation.
This is due to fluctuations in fan attendance to sporting events,
play off series success, and the revenue generated by media
attention. For example, the national television contract for the
National Football League is $17.6B spread over eight years.
Therefore, it is imperative that scores and adherence to play
protocols be accurately recorded in order to maintain credibility
with the fan base, the source of all revenues. Moreover, there is a
huge emotional investment by sporting fans. The sporting leagues
capitalize on the tribal instinct of humans who strongly identify
with the triumphs and failures of their "young warriors". These
young warriors, also known as team members, proudly display the
emblem of the tribe, also known as the "team jersey". Accordingly,
it is imperative to tribal cohesion that a fair and impartial
ruling be available to ensure the integrity of the sporting event
in question. Furthermore, it is estimated that an average of $1B is
bet each week on National Football League games. An accurate result
of a ball placement or touchdown or out of bounds call by a referee
can mean the difference between winning and losing millions of
dollars. The challenge faced by video referees is that the camera
positions and angles used by the video referees do not always
definitively record the results of an athletic play due to a
limitation in the number of cameras and camera angles. This
Invention contemplates a method and a system whereby an RFID
transponder is embedded into an object of play. Concurrently,
antennas connected to a centralized RFID interrogator are placed
around the boundaries of play. This novel and inventive step
revolutionizes the position of the video referee in that the
responsibility for critical judgment decisions are shifted to the
automated RFID system and away from the subjective judgment of a
video referee whose decisions are based on limited camera angles.
This non-obvious step contemplates that an RFID system and method
can become an impartial, unbiased and uninfluenced arbitrator of
the rules of play. The Inventor refers to this Invention as the
"Chip Referee". Currently, the trade name "Chip Referee" is the
subject of a U.S. Trade Name application by the Inventor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The current inadequate system of professional sports review
is sometimes referred to as a video referee. This same system is
also known as an instant replay official. By way of definition, the
video referee or instant replay official is a professional sport
official called upon to assist in the adjudication of a sporting
event using television footage as an aid to judgment. Video
referees are used in many sports worldwide including cricket, rugby
union, rugby league, ice hockey, football, tennis, and rodeo plus
automobile racing. Due to the cost of television cameras and other
equipment required for a video referee to function effectively,
most sports only employ the video referee at a professional level.
The instant replay system encompasses the process of reviewing the
play of a sporting match to ensure that all rules have been adhered
to and properly followed. In North America the instant replay
system is used in the National Hockey League, the National Football
League, the National Basketball Association and Canadian Football
League. In 2005 the National Collegiate Athletic Association
("NCAA") allowed the use of instant replay for all Division 1-A
football conferences. Instant replay is used intermittently in NCAA
Basketball to resolve issues of time and score. For example,
instant replay is used to determine if a shot was launched from the
three point area or to determine which player is entitled to a free
throw.
[0003] In the National Football League ("NFL") an Instant Replay
system was instituted during 1999. This Instant Replay system
instituted an opportunity to "challenge" on field decisions of
referees. Pursuant to this Instant Replay system each coach of a
professional football team is allowed two opportunities per game to
make a challenge to the decision of a referee. In 2004 these rules
were altered to allow a third challenge if both of the original
challenges are successful. These challenges are limited to specific
reviewable calls which must be made before the two minute warning
in each half of the football game. Furthermore, the team which
originates the challenge must have one time out remaining in that
particular half. The procedure is that a red flag is thrown onto
the field by the coach challenging the decision of the referee. The
referee has sixty seconds to watch the instant replay on a
television monitor and to then decide if the original call was
correct. The referee needs to see some sort of indisputable visual
evidence in order to overturn an on field decision. If the
challenge is not warranted, due to a lack of indisputable visual
evidence, the original call is sustained and the challenging team
is charged with a timeout. If the challenge is warranted the
original call is overturned without a loss of timeout to the other
team. The problem is that challenges are limited in number. They
also draw a penalty if used inappropriately. Coaches are forced to
make a quick decision on a challenge without the benefit of
reviewing the replay. There are a number of key situations which
are reviewable by the instant replay system in professional
football. These include scoring plays, pass complete or incomplete
or out of bounds decisions, runner out of bounds decisions,
recovery of a loose ball in or out of bounds, quarterback pass or
fumble and illegal forward pass situations. When college football
is involved, the reviewable replay guidelines stipulate that
sideline, goal line, end zone and end line plays are reviewable by
instant replay. Most fouls are not reviewable. The protocol in
college football is that a Replay Official reviews every play at
its conclusion. If the Replay Official determines that there is
reasonable evidence to believe an error was made in the original
referee ruling the Replay Official can delay the game and contact
the field referee. Furthermore, once per game each coach may call a
timeout and challenge the ruling on the previous play. A coach must
have at least one timeout remaining in order to challenge.
Normally, teams receive three timeouts per half. If the challenge
is successful and the on field ruling is overturned the team keeps
its timeout. If not, the team loses its timeout. In either event,
the head coach may not challenge again during the contest. The
Replay Official decides if the call should be upheld or overturned
after reviewing the play from available video angles. The Replay
Official then provides the proper information to restart the game.
This includes such information as the team in possession, the yard
line placement of the ball, the correct down and distance as well
as the time remaining on the stadium clock. There is no standard
Instant Replay equipment as each conference must choose its own
equipment. The Canadian Football League is modeled after the NFL.
The difference is that teams are only allowed two challenges per
game. As the Canadian Football League only allows one time out per
half, the first challenge has no effect on time outs. Only the
second challenge can draw the penalty of a withdrawn time out.
[0004] In the National Basketball Association the game officials
must watch an instant replay of a buzzer beater to determine if a
shot was released prior to the time that the buzzer was sounded.
The same procedure can be used in college basketball. The NCAA
rules allow the officials to use instant replay to determine if a
shot was released before time expired in either half or an overtime
period. It may also be used to determine if a field goal is worth
two or three points, or who is to take a free throw.
[0005] In the National Hockey League the video replay judge or the
on ice referees can initiate a video replay review. The areas
within the jurisdiction of video replay review are if the puck
crossed the goal line completely, or if the puck was in the net
prior to the end of a period, or if the puck is in the net prior to
the goal frame being dislodged. In addition, during the 2006 Winter
Olympics all ice hockey goals were reviewed to ensure that each one
was legitimate.
[0006] In tennis new technologies such as Mac CAM Auto-Ref and
Hawk-Eye are used to replay close or controversial line calls.
During 2006 the USTA began allowing players to challenge close
calls. The technology used was Hawk-Eye. Players are allowed two
incorrect challenges per set and one for a tiebreak.
[0007] In rugby instant replay calls can vary from the correct
grounding of a ball at a try or to decide whether a player is
onside before they catch the ball, when they score. Any decision is
made by a video replay referee. The decision is communicated
directly to the on field referee by radio communication.
[0008] In cricket instant replay is used for run outs, stumpings,
doubtful catches and whether the ball has crossed the boundary for
a six or short for a four.
[0009] In rodeo instant replay is used to review a protest to the
replay official which must be lodged within 30 seconds of any
decision. Any competitor can file the complaint to the replay
official. The replay official can request different angles and slow
motion or freeze frames to determine the call in question and
supply a ruling. The replay is used to evaluate timing issues,
fouls against the rider for touching the bull or ground with a free
hand or using the fence to stay on the bull, or fouls by the bull,
such as dragging the rider across the fence.
[0010] NASCAR uses instant replay to determine if a car crosses a
pit entrance before the pit was closed for a yellow flag. It also
uses instant replay to determine the final race positions when a
race ends with a caution because the flag waved on the final lap or
when the flag waves during the final two lap sprint.
[0011] The problem with the video referee and instant replay system
is that a definitive ruling is not always available. This is due to
the limitation of the number of cameras, the position of these
cameras and the angles that these cameras present to the video
referee. The solution proposed by this Invention and the useful,
non-obvious and novel step contemplated is to place RFID
transponders into the item to be adjudicated. For example, in the
case of ice hockey, embed an RFID transponder into the hockey puck
with sensors surrounding the circumference of the puck. The sensors
could be commercially available products such as conductive ink or
a thin strand of copper or aluminum. The goal frame would be
outfitted with interrogator antennas embedded into the frame. When
the puck entirely crosses the goal line, as noted by the sensor in
the puck in relationship to the goal frame antennas, the goal light
is automatically triggered by the RFID back end host computer
system.
[0012] As another example, the baseball in Major League Baseball
can be embedded with an RFID transponder. The seams of the baseball
can be painted with an invisible form of conductive ink or the
seams interwoven with an extremely thin strand of copper or
aluminum. The home plate can have RFID antennas embedded into it
which project an electro magnetic signal straight up using laser
light as a carrier or guidance system. Accordingly, the inside and
outside calls could be made automatically by the RFID system.
Furthermore, the foul ball call could also be made automatically as
RFID interrogators could be embedded along foul lines while
continuously emanating electro magnetic signals straight up using
laser light as a carrier or guidance system. Furthermore, the out
call on bases could be made automatically if transponders are
embedded into base bags.
[0013] As another example, the National Football League could embed
the game ball with an RFID transponder. The lines in the pigskin
could be coated with invisible conductive ink or ultra thin copper
or aluminum wire could be laid into the seams. If the boundary
markers and end zone line were also embedded with RFID interrogator
antennas emanating an electro magnetic signal straight up into the
air, the boundary calls could be made automatically by the RFID
system.
[0014] These three examples are by way of illustration only. The
Embodiment section herein fleshes out these examples. However, only
the Claims section of this application is to be considered
definitive in adjudicating the boundaries of this Invention.
PRIOR ART
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,854 titled "System used for real time
acquisition of data pertaining to persons in motion" by Daver
contemplates obtaining data of the position and/or physical
performances of one or several persons in motion on a field of
play. The purpose of the invention is to track the athletes and the
ball on a game field. In claim 1 (a) Daver contemplates the use of
miniaturized radio frequency transmitters carried by the athletes
and a set of goniometric receivers turned successively to the
frequency of said transmitters. There is a sweep of all transmitted
frequencies as functions of time to detect several times per second
the position of every transmitter on the field through
triangulation. The present Invention can be distinguished from the
Daver patent in that the RFID system contemplated by this Invention
does not track the motion of the ball or players but instead tracks
the position of the object in play in relationship to defined
boundaries.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,297 titled "Automated camera-based
tracking system for sports contests" by Larson, et al., describes a
system for the accumulation of detailed moment to moment
information concerning the movements of players and of the ball in
a sporting contest. The Larson patent can be distinguished from the
present Invention in that the Larson patent is a video based system
while the present Invention is an RFID based system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The purpose of the present Invention is to provide a system
and method which enables the professional sports industry to solve
the problems encountered while using the existing video referee and
instant replay system. The problems involve the inability of video
cameras to cover all possible angles to determine the location of
the object in play in relationship to the boundaries of the area of
play. In other words, the number of cameras and number of camera
angles are finite. However, the differing positions for the object
in play in relationship to the area of play are infinite. The
resolution to this problem is the efficient use of RFID
transponders and RFID interrogators in relationship to the object
in play and the boundaries of the area of play.
[0018] For example, if an RFID transponder were to be embedded into
a football and the boundaries of the football field lined with RFID
interrogator antennas spaced to provide continuous coverage around
the field of play, the in bounds call could be made automatically.
Similarly, the touchdown by run call could also be made
automatically using this system.
[0019] The useful, non-obvious and novel step of this Invention is
the use of an RFID transponder embedded into an object of play as
it relates to laser assisted interrogator antennas embedded into
the boundaries of play. In other words, the effective use of an
RFID transponder embedded into a baseball, for example, tuned to
the frequency of an RFID interrogator system, in order to determine
whether a baseball is in the strike zone or out of the strike zone;
in the ball park or out of the ball park; a home run or a foul
ball.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In the National Hockey League the video goal judge reviews
video replays of disputed goals. This is because the on ice referee
does not have access to television monitors. As a consequence the
decision of the video goal judge is final. One of the reviewable
situations in hockey is that of determining if a puck has crossed a
goal line completely before the expiration of time. This Invention
contemplates an embodiment whereby the puck is embedded with an
RFID transponder. The antenna of the RFID transponder encircles the
puck. This could be by way of copper or aluminum wire tracing the
upper and lower circumference of the puck. Alternatively, the
antenna could be integral to the transponder and the diameter of
the puck could be traced by a sensor material such as commercially
available invisible electro magnetic reflective ink or paint.
Furthermore, the frame of the goal net is embedded with laser
guided antennas connected to a centralized RFID interrogator. When
the puck fully crosses the goal line, the goal light is
automatically activated by a back end interrogator middle ware
system which administers the RFID process and has sensed the
movement of the puck through the interpretation of electro magnetic
signals. The goal light is initiated as long as the puck has
crossed the goal line while playing time, known as duration of play
herein, is still available on the stadium clock. The stadium clock
is coordinated and linked with the RFID system. One of the other
areas of review in professional hockey is the puck entering the net
prior to the goal frame being dislodged. The RFID embodiment system
would be the same as described above except that it would not
record a goal which entered the net after the goal frame was
dislodged. The adjudication of dislodgement would be accomplished
by a triggering system which turns off the goal frame antennas when
the goal posts are moved. This is accomplished through the use of a
disconnection switch; part of which is attached to the bottom of
the goal posts and the other part of which is attached to the
magnets under the ice which keep the goal posts in place.
[0021] As a further embodiment, in Major League Baseball, the
baseball can be embedded with an RFID transponder. The antenna
follows the seams on the outside perimeter of the baseball.
Alternatively, the antenna could be an integral part of the
transponder embedded into baseball and the seams of the baseball
could be traced by an electro magnetically sensitive substance such
as a thin strand of copper or aluminum woven into the seams of the
baseball or by administering commercially available invisible
electro magnetic reflective ink painted onto the seams of the
baseball. Concurrently, the perimeter of home plate is embedded
with laser guided RFID antennas connected to a back end RFID
administration system fitted with appropriate middle ware. The
outside or inside pitch calls of the umpire can be replaced by the
automatic decision of the back end RFID system which determines,
through a set of algorithms, if the pitch was thrown inside or
outside of home plate. The high and low pitch umpire calls can be
automatically made through the use of laser guided antennas placed
at right angles to home plate and configured to measure the pitch
in relationship to the shoulders and knees of the batter. The
carrier wave for the electro magnetic signals can be a laser light
manufactured to produce precisely defined light beams.
[0022] Furthermore, the foul ball lines and poles could be embedded
with laser guided antennas connected to a back end interrogator
system and be configured to automatically call a ball fair or foul
using an interpretation algorithm of electro magnetic signals.
[0023] As a further embodiment, in the National Football League,
the football could be embedded with an RFID transponder whose
antenna or sensor follows the seams in the pigskin. Alternatively,
the antenna can be integral to the embedded transponder and the
seams of the pigskin are traced by a thin strand of copper or
aluminum acting as a sensing device or the seams can be painted by
commercially available electro magnetic conductive ink, again as a
sensing device. If the boundary markers and end zone line were also
embedded with laser guided RFID interrogator antennas, the boundary
calls could be made automatically by the RFID system. The carrier
waves for the electro magnetic signals from the boundary antennas
would be laser to accommodate pin point accuracy. If the boots of
players were also embedded with RFID transponders, the out of
bounds calls could be made automatically through the use of the
appropriate algorithm to interpret the position of electro magnetic
signals.
* * * * *