U.S. patent application number 11/832336 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for light-emitting fibers intertwined in grass related to a player's or game object's position.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Travis M. Grigsby, Steven Michael Miller, Lisa Anne Seacat.
Application Number | 20090036200 11/832336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40298128 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090036200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seacat; Lisa Anne ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
LIGHT-EMITTING FIBERS INTERTWINED IN GRASS RELATED TO A PLAYER'S OR
GAME OBJECT'S POSITION
Abstract
A method, system and computer program product for improving
accuracy and experience of a game. Signals are sent from a computer
system to appropriate sensors based on a player's or game object's
position to activate connected light-emitting fibers that are
blended with grass on a playing field. The light-emitting fibers
are activated in such a manner to display light to indicate an
infraction (e.g., a player was in an offside position), a
successful play (e.g., team made a first down), appropriate
maneuvers, boundaries for a play, etc., thereby ensuring the game
is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience of the game.
Inventors: |
Seacat; Lisa Anne; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Grigsby; Travis M.; (Austin, TX)
; Miller; Steven Michael; (Cary, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORP. (WSM);c/o WINSTEAD SECHREST & MINICK P.C.
P.O. BOX 50784
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
40298128 |
Appl. No.: |
11/832336 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/23 ; 463/30;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0611 20130101;
G01D 5/268 20130101; A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 2225/74 20200801;
A63B 69/3661 20130101; A63B 71/0605 20130101; A63B 2220/806
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/23 ; 463/30;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. A method for improving accuracy and experience of a game
comprising the steps of: sending signals to appropriate sensors to
activate appropriate light-emitting fibers blended with grass on a
field; activating said appropriate light-emitting fibers to give
off light; receiving geographic information from a game object;
determining location of said game object on said field; and
receiving an indication from a referee of an infraction; wherein
said appropriate light-emitting fibers are activated to give off
light in a manner that indicates an appropriate distance from said
game object on said field.
5-6. (canceled)
7. A method for improving accuracy and experience of a game
comprising the steps of: sending signals to appropriate sensors to
activate appropriate light-emitting fibers blended with grass on a
field; activating said appropriate light-emitting fibers to give
off light; and determining dynamic lines on said field according to
game rules; wherein said signals are sent to said appropriate
sensors to activate said appropriate light-emitting fibers to
highlight one of the following: an infraction and a successful
play.
8. A method for improving accuracy and experience of a game
comprising the steps of: sending signals to appropriate sensors to
activate appropriate light-emitting fibers blended with grass on a
field; and activating said appropriate light-emitting fibers to
give off light; wherein said signals are sent to said appropriate
sensors to activate said appropriate light-emitting fibers to
perform one or more of the following: guide an orientation of an
individual, highlight a direction of a player, and highlight a
huddle.
9-20. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is related to the following U.S.
patent application which is incorporated herein by reference:
[0002] Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. RSW920070157US1)
entitled "Improving Accuracy and Experience of Game by Activating
Appropriate Light-Emitting Fibers Intertwined in Grass Related to a
Game Object or Player Entering or Leaving a Hot Zone Area"
filed
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of sports, and
more particularly to improving the accuracy and experience of a
game by activating appropriate light-emitting fibers that are
intertwined in grass on a playing field in order to display dynamic
lines indicting infractions, successful plays, appropriate
maneuvers, boundaries for a play, etc.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0004] Sports is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or
customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refers
to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are
the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing),
but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports
and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major
factors. Sports are used as entertainment for the player and the
viewer. It has also been proven by experiments that daily exercise
increases mental strength and power to study.
[0005] Technology is playing an important role in sports, whether
applied to an athlete's health, the athlete's technique,
equipment's characteristics or even ensuring a fair game. For
example, a system referred to as "instant replay" has been
implemented in several sports (e.g., football, hockey, college
football, basketball, tennis, rugby, etc.) where plays in a
sporting match can be reviewed (or replayed) using recorded video
feeds of the sporting match in order to ensure that the correct
call is made on the play. However, instant replay is usually
limited to being used in certain situations. For example, goals in
hockey can only be reviewed in the following situations: puck
crossing the goal line completely; puck in the net prior to the end
of the period; puck in the net prior to goal frame being dislodged;
puck being directed into the net by hand or foot; puck in the net
after deflecting directly off an official; and puck deflected into
the goal by the high stick by an attacking player. Hence, many
calls are still subject to human error. Further, even with instant
replay, mistakes may still occur as usually a referee, a replay
judge, etc., can only overturn a call if the call is clearly in
error. Hence, a call may be incorrect but if there is not enough
evidence to show the call to be clearly incorrect, the call will
stand.
[0006] Recently, a synthetic turf system used on a game field has
been developed that includes blades of polyethylene grass blended
with light-emitting fibers with the capability of reflecting light
upwards. The fiber-optical laden blades are supposed to have the
same look, feel and durability as non-illuminated blades. This
system is commonly being referred to as "Turf TV" as the
fiber-optical blades can be used to display team logos and even
commercial viewing.
[0007] As technology continues to play an important role in sports,
it would be desirable if this fiber optic field technology could be
used to ensure the game is even more fair and accurate than under
the current system of instant replay thereby enhancing the
experience of the game.
SUMMARY
[0008] The problems outlined above may at least in part be solved
in some embodiments by activating the appropriate light-emitting
fibers on the playing field based on a player's or game object's
position to display light in such a manner as to indicate an
infraction (e.g., a player was in an offside position), a
successful play (e.g., team made a first down), appropriate
maneuvers, boundaries for a play, etc., thereby ensuring the game
is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience of the game.
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for
improving accuracy and experience of a game comprises the step of
sending signals to appropriate sensors to activate appropriate
light-emitting fibers blended with grass on a field. The method
further comprises activating the appropriate light-emitting fibers
to give off light.
[0010] The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and
technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present
invention in order that the detailed description of the present
invention that follows may be better understood. Additional
features and advantages of the present invention will be described
hereinafter which may form the subject of the claims of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A better understanding of the present invention can be
obtained when the following detailed description is considered in
conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0012] FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a game field incorporating optical
field technology in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a hardware configuration of a computer
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for drawing dynamic lines
on the field to indicate an appropriate distance from an object in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating appropriate light-emitting
fibers being activated in a manner that displays a ten yard circle
around a ball in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for drawing dynamic lines
on the field to highlight an infraction, a successful play, etc.,
based on game rules in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present invention comprises a method, system and
computer program product for improving accuracy and experience of a
game. In one embodiment of the present invention, signals are sent
from a computer system to appropriate sensors based on a player's
or game object's position to activate connected light-emitting
fibers that are blended with grass on a playing field. The
light-emitting fibers are activated in such a manner as to display
light to indicate an infraction (e.g., a player was in an offside
position), a successful play (e.g., team made a first down),
appropriate maneuvers, boundaries for a play, etc., thereby
ensuring the game is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience
of the game.
[0018] While the following discusses the present invention in
connection with sports, the principles of the present invention may
be applied to other events, such as half-time shows for a band or a
dance team. For example, dynamic lines may be displayed on the
playing field indicating where particular band or dance team
members need to be on the field. The principles of the present
invention may be applied to any event that uses a field. Further, a
person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable of applying
the principles of the present invention to any event that uses a
playing field. Further, embodiments covering such permutations
would fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without such specific
details. In other instances, well-known circuits have been shown in
block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in
unnecessary detail. For the most part, details considering timing
considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such
details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the
present invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary
skill in the relevant art.
FIGS. 1A-B--Game Field Implementing Grass Blended With Fiber Optic
Blades
[0020] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
of a game playing field 100 (e.g., soccer field, football field)
where field 100 is divided into "trays" 101A-X that may be square
shaped. Trays 101A-X may collectively or individually be referred
to as trays 101 or tray 101, respectively. It is noted that trays
101 may be configured in a different shape than a square and that
FIG. 1A is illustrative. Further, field 100 may include any number
of trays 101 (e.g., 1,750 trays) that are interconnected with each
other. Each tray 101 may include thousands of blades of grass 102
(e.g., polyethylene grass), blended with light-emitting fibers 103
(e.g., optical fibers), that reflect light upwards from tray 101 as
illustrated in FIG. 1B.
[0021] FIG. 1B illustrates one of the thousands of blades of grass
102 in tray 101 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 1B, each blade of grass 102 may be
positioned in or on the soil 104 or other material. A portion of or
all of the thousands of blades of grass 102 in tray 101 may each be
blended with a light-emitting fiber 103. Light-emitting fiber 103
may be connected to a sensor 105 configured to detect the obscuring
of light thereby indicating the movement of a ball or a player
passing light-emitting fiber 103. Sensor 105 may further be
configured to activate the connected light-emitting fiber 103
thereby allowing light-emitting fiber 103 to provide light of a
certain color (including white light). Each sensor 105 may be
connected to a computer 106 configured to control the activation of
light-emitting fibers 103 in each tray 101 in field 100 as
discussed further below in connection with FIGS. 3-5. A more detail
discussion of computer system 106 is provided below in connection
with FIG. 2.
FIG. 2--Computer System
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a hardware configuration
of computer system 106 (FIG. 1B) which is representative of a
hardware environment for practicing the present invention. Computer
system 106 may have a processor 201 coupled to various other
components by system bus 202. An operating system 203 may run on
processor 201 and provide control and coordinate the functions of
the various components of FIG. 2. An application 204 in accordance
with the principles of the present invention may run in conjunction
with operating system 203 and provide calls to operating system 203
where the calls implement the various functions or services to be
performed by application 204. Application 204 may include, for
example, a program for improving the accuracy and experience of a
game by implementing fiber optic field technology as discussed
further below in association with FIGS. 3-5.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, read-only memory ("ROM") 205 may be
coupled to system bus 202 and include a basic input/output system
("BIOS") that controls certain basic functions of computer system
106. Random access memory ("RAM") 206 and disk adapter 207 may also
be coupled to system bus 202. It should be noted that software
components including operating system 203 and application 204 may
be loaded into RAM 206, which may be computer system's 106 main
memory for execution. Disk adapter 207 may be an integrated drive
electronics ("IDE") adapter that communicates with a disk unit 208,
e.g., disk drive. It is noted that the program for improving the
accuracy and experience of a game by implementing fiber optic field
technology, as discussed further below in association with FIGS.
3-5, may reside in disk unit 208 or in application 204.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, computer system 106 may further include
a communications adapter 209 coupled to bus 202. Communications
adapter 209 may interconnect bus 202 with a network (e.g., local
area network ("LAN"), wide area network ("WAN")) to allow computer
system 106 to communicate with sensors 105 (FIG. 1B).
[0025] Computer system 106 may further include a radio frequency
identification receiver 210 (indicated as "RFID RXVR" in FIG. 2)
configured to receive data sent from a radio frequency
identification ("RFID") chip or tag that may be placed on an object
(e.g., soccer ball), on a player or in a player's equipment (e.g.,
football helmet, player's shoe). The RFID chip or tag stores data
that may be thought of as an "electronic label" or a "code plate"
that uniquely identifies items or players. Hence, upon RFID RXVR
210 receiving radio frequency identification tag data, application
204 may be configured to read the tag data and determine the object
(e.g., soccer ball) or player (e.g., Joe Smith) associated with the
tag data.
[0026] In connection with receiving the tag data, computer system
106 may further receive geographic information via a geographic
data receiver 211 (indicated as "Geographic Data RXVR" in FIG. 2).
The geographic information may include global positioning system
("GPS") data from a GPS receiver which may be placed inside a ball
(e.g., football, soccer ball) or on a player or in a player's
equipment (e.g., football helmet, player's shoe). As is commonly
known in the art, the GPS receiver uses triangulation to determine
its location. The GPS receiver may relay position data to
geographic data receiver 211, such as by using the NMEA 0183
protocol. Upon receiving the position data along with the tag data,
computer system 106 is able to determine the position of the ball
or the identified player on field 100 (FIG. 1A).
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, input/output ("I/O") devices may also
be connected to computer system 106 via a user interface adapter
222 and a display adapter 236. Keyboard 224, mouse 226 and speaker
230 may all be interconnected to bus 202 through user interface
adapter 222. Data may be inputted to computer system 106 through
any of these devices. A display monitor 238 may be connected to
system bus 202 by display adapter 236. In this manner, a user is
capable of inputting to computer system 106 through keyboard 224 or
mouse 226 and receiving output from computer system 106 via display
238 or speaker 230.
[0028] The various aspects, features, embodiments or
implementations of the invention described herein can be used alone
or in various combinations. The methods of the present invention
can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of
hardware and software. The present invention can also be embodied
as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The
computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store
data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of
the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random
access memory, CD-ROMs, flash memory cards, DVDs, magnetic tape,
optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer
readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled
computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and
executed in a distributed fashion.
[0029] As stated in the Background Information section, technology
is playing an important role in sports, whether applied to an
athlete's health, the athlete's technique, equipment's
characteristics or even ensuring a fair game. For example, a system
referred to as "instant replay" has been implemented in several
sports (e.g., football, hockey, college football, basketball,
tennis, rugby, etc.) where plays in a sporting match can be
reviewed (or replayed) using recorded video feeds of the sporting
match in order to ensure that the correct call is made on the play.
However, instant replay is usually limited to being used in certain
situations. Hence, many calls are still subject to human error.
Further, even with instant replay, mistakes may still occur as
usually a referee, a replay judge, etc., can only overturn a call
if the call is clearly in error. Hence, a call may be incorrect but
if there is not enough evidence to show the call to be clearly
incorrect, the call will stand. Recently, a synthetic turf system
used on a game field has been developed that includes blades of
polyethylene grass blended with light-emitting fibers with the
capability of reflecting light upwards. The fiber-optical laden
blades are supposed to have the same look, feel and durability as
non-illuminated blades. This system is commonly being referred to
as "Turf TV" as the fiber-optical blades can be used to display
team logos and even commercial viewing. As technology continues to
play an important role in sports, it would be desirable if this
fiber optic field technology could be used to ensure the game is
even more fair and accurate than under the current system of
instant replay thereby enhancing the experience of the game. The
fiber optic field technology, as discussed in connection with FIGS.
1A-B, is used to ensure the game is more fair and accurate than the
current system of instant replay as discussed further below in
connection with FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for
drawing dynamic lines on field 100 (FIG. 1A) to indicate an
appropriate distance from an object (e.g., soccer ball) on field
100 to begin a play (e.g., direct free kick in soccer). FIG. 4 is a
diagram illustrating appropriate light-emitting fibers 103 being
activated in a manner that displays a circle around a soccer ball
with a radius of ten yards, where a "direct free kick" in soccer
requires the opponents to be beyond ten yards from the location of
the soccer ball. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for drawing
dynamic lines on field 100 to highlight an infraction, a successful
play, etc. based on game rules.
FIG. 3--Method for Drawing Dynamic Lines on the Playing Field to
Indicate an Appropriate Distance From an Object
[0030] FIG. 3 is a method 300 for drawing dynamic lines on field
100 (FIG. 1A) to indicate an appropriate distance from an object
(e.g., soccer ball) in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, in step
301, computer system 106 receives geographic information and radio
frequency identification tag data from a ball on field 100. For
example, the ball (e.g., soccer ball) may be equipped with both a
global positioning system receiver and a radio frequency tag as
illustrated in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a diagram
illustrating appropriate light-emitting fibers 103 being activated
in a manner that displays a circle around a soccer ball 401 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, soccer ball 401 may be equipped with a GPS
receiver 402 and a RFID tag 403. Both GPS receiver 402 and RFID tag
403 may be configured to transmit geographic and radio frequency
identification tag data, respectively, to computer system 106.
[0032] Returning to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, in step
302, computer system 106 determines the location of the ball on
field 100 based on the geographic information received from the
ball in step 301. Further, computer system 106 identifies the ball
based on the received radio frequency identification tag data in
step 301 thereby associating the received geographic information
with the ball.
[0033] In step 303, computer system 106 receives an indication from
a referee, directly or indirectly, of an infraction. For example,
computer system 106 may receive an indication of a foul (e.g.,
pushing, tripping) in the game of soccer thereby necessitating
awarding the opposing team a "direct free kick." For a direct free
kick, the soccer ball should be stationary and opponents must
remain ten yards from the ball until the ball is in play.
[0034] In step 304, computer system 106 sends signals to
appropriate sensors 105 to activate connected light-emitting fibers
103 in grass blades 102 to give off light. For example, computer
system 106, after determining the location of the ball in step 302,
may send signals to appropriate sensors 105 that are located ten
yards from the ball to activate those connected light-emitting
fibers 103 to give off light.
[0035] In step 305, the appropriate light-emitting fibers 103 in
grass blades 102 are activated to give off light. For example,
referring to FIG. 4, computer system 106, after determining the
location of soccer ball 401 in step 302, may send signals to
appropriate sensors 105 that are located ten yards from ball 401 to
activate those connected light-emitting fibers 103 to give off
light thereby displaying a lighted circle 404 with a radius often
yards from soccer ball 401. By displaying lighted circle 404,
referees can accurately determine if an opposing player is within
ten yards from soccer ball 401 thereby ensuring the game is fair
and accurate and enhancing the experience of the game. It is noted
that the line, circle, etc., may be displayed for a specified
duration of time or until the game or field condition or
information has been updated or changed.
[0036] While FIG. 3 was discussed in connection with an example of
a direct free kick in soccer, the principles of the present
invention of FIG. 3 may be applied to other sports and other
infractions where a location from the game playing object (e.g.,
football) is important in ensuring the game is fair and accurate.
It is noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art would be
capable of applying the principles of the present invention of FIG.
3 to other sports and other infractions where a location from the
game playing object is important in ensuring the game is fair and
accurate. Further, embodiments covering such permutations would
fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0037] Further, while FIG. 3 was discussed in connection with an
example of a direct free kick in soccer, the principles of the
present invention of FIG. 3 may be applied to determining the
location of any game playing object (e.g., baseball bat). It is
noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable
of applying the principles of the present invention of FIG. 3 to
determining the location of any game playing object (e.g., baseball
bat). Further, embodiments covering such permutations would fall
within the scope of the present invention.
[0038] Method 300 may include other and/or additional steps that,
for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 300 may be executed
in a different order presented and that the order presented in the
discussion of FIG. 3 is illustrative. Additionally, certain steps
in method 300 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous
manner or may be omitted.
[0039] A method for drawing dynamic lines on field 100 to highlight
an infraction, a successful play, etc. based on game rules is now
discussed below in association with FIG. 5.
FIG. 5--Method for Drawing Dynamic Lines on the Playing Field to
Indicate an Infraction, Successful Play, etc. Based on Game
Rules
[0040] FIG. 5 is a method 500 for drawing dynamic lines on field
100 (FIG. 1A) to indicate an infraction, a successful play, etc.
based on game rules.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, in step
501, computer system 106 receives geographic information and radio
frequency identification tag data from a player on field 100. For
example, the player's equipment (e.g., helmet, shoe) may be
equipped with both a global positioning system receiver and a radio
frequency tag. Both the global positioning system receiver and the
radio frequency tag may be configured to transmit geographic and
radio frequency identification tag data, respectively, to computer
system 106.
[0042] In step 502, computer system 106 determines the location of
the player on field 100 based on the geographic information
received from the player in step 501. Further, computer system 106
identifies the player based on the received radio frequency
identification tag data in step 501 thereby associating the
received geographic information with the player. In addition to
determining the location of the player on field 100, computer
system 106 may determine the orientation of the player based on
multiple geographic data received from the player over a period of
time. For example, computer system 106 may determine that the
player is running in a northwest manner based on multiple received
geographic data from the player.
[0043] In step 503, computer system 106 receives geographic
information and radio frequency identification tag data from a ball
on field 100. For example, a football may be equipped with both a
global positioning system receiver and a radio frequency tag. Both
the global positioning system receiver and the radio frequency tag
may be configured to transmit geographic and radio frequency
identification tag data, respectively, to computer system 106.
[0044] In step 504, computer system 106 determines the location of
the ball on field 100 based on the geographic information received
from the ball in step 503. Further, computer system 106 identifies
the ball based on the received radio frequency identification tag
data in step 503 thereby associating the received geographic
information with the ball.
[0045] In step 505, computer system 106 determines dynamic lines on
field 100 according to game rules. "Dynamic lines," as used herein,
refers to lines, circles, squares, etc., that are generated, but
not displayed on field 100, that indicate boundaries for an
infraction, a successful play, etc. For example, computer system
106 may dynamically determine a line which indicates an offside
position in soccer.
[0046] In step 506, computer system 106 determines whether there
are any infractions based on the game rules and the location of the
players on field 100. For example, computer system 106 determines
whether a soccer player is in an offside position. If there is an
infraction, then, in step 507, computer system 106 sends signals to
appropriate sensors 105 to activate connected light-emitting fibers
103 in grass blades 102 to give off light to highlight the
infraction. For example, computer system 106, after determining a
player is in an offside position, may send signals to appropriate
sensors 105 that are located at the offside position to activate
those connected light-emitting fibers 103 to give off light.
[0047] In step 508, the appropriate light-emitting fibers 103 in
grass blades 102 are activated to give off light to highlight the
infraction. For example, the light-emitting fibers 103 may be
activated in a manner to highlight that a player was in an offside
position. By displaying light on field 100 in a manner to indicate
an infraction (e.g., a player was in an offside position), referees
can accurately determine if an infraction has occurred thereby
ensuring the game is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience
of the game.
[0048] If, however, there was no infraction, then, in step 509,
computer system 106 determines whether there are any successful
plays based on the game rules and the location of the players on
field 100. For example, computer system 106 determines whether the
football past the first down line. If the football past the first
down line, then, in step 510, computer system 106 sends signals to
appropriate sensors 105 to activate connected light-emitting fibers
103 in grass blades 102 to give off light to highlight the fact
that the team made a first down. For example, computer system 106,
after determining a first down has been made, may send signals to
appropriate sensors 105 that are located at the first down line to
activate those connected light-emitting fibers 103 to give off
light.
[0049] In step 510, the appropriate light-emitting fibers 103 in
grass blades 102 are activated to give off light to highlight the
successful play. For example, the light-emitting fibers 103 may be
activated in a manner to highlight that a team made a first down.
By displaying light on field 100 in a manner to indicate a
successful play (e.g., team made a first down), referees can
accurately determine if a successful play has occurred thereby
ensuring the game is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience
of the game.
[0050] If, however, there was not a successful play, then computer
system 106 receives additional geographic information and radio
frequency identification tag data from a player on field 100 in
step 501.
[0051] While FIG. 5 was discussed in connection with examples of
displaying light to highlight infractions, such as being offside in
soccer, or successful plays, such as making a first down in
football, the principles of the present invention of FIG. 5 may be
applied to other sports and other infractions or successful plays
where an infraction or successful play is based on the position of
a playing object and/or player(s). It is noted that a person of
ordinary skill in the art would be capable of applying the
principles of the present invention of FIG. 5 to other sports and
other infractions or successful plays where an infraction or
successful play is based on the position of a playing object and/or
player(s). Further, embodiments covering such permutations would
fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0052] Further, while FIG. 5 was discussed in connection with
displaying light to indicate infractions or successful plays, the
principles of the present invention of FIG. 5 may be applied to
displaying light: to indicate the direction of a player; to guide
an individual (e.g., a player, a band member) to perform a
particular play, stance, orientation, etc., to improve their
skills; to indicate a huddle, and so forth. It is noted that a
person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable of applying
the principles of the present invention of FIG. 5 to display light
to indicate other aspects of the game other than infractions or
successful plays. Further, embodiments covering such permutations
would fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0053] Method 500 may include other and/or additional steps that,
for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 500 may be executed
in a different order presented and that the order presented in the
discussion of FIG. 5 is illustrative. Additionally, certain steps
in method 500 (e.g., steps 501 and 503; and steps 502 and 504) may
be executed in a substantially simultaneous manner or may be
omitted.
[0054] Although the method, system and computer program product are
described in connection with several embodiments, it is not
intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but
on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,
modifications and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. It is noted that the headings are used only for
organizational purposes and not meant to limit the scope of the
description or claims.
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