U.S. patent application number 12/606749 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for vertical beam emitting marker for a sports field.
Invention is credited to Ted Elasworth Daisher, Sean Matthew Reish.
Application Number | 20100105503 12/606749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42118059 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100105503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daisher; Ted Elasworth ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
VERTICAL BEAM EMITTING MARKER FOR A SPORTS FIELD
Abstract
A marker for a sports field comprising an elongated
substantially vertical device for marking a field position
associated with a game playable on the sports field using an object
that may become airborne. The field position is used to determine
compliance of the object when airborne with a rule of the game. The
apparatus also comprises a source for emitting an elongated
generally vertical beam of electromagnetic radiation adjacent to
the device to help mark the field position.
Inventors: |
Daisher; Ted Elasworth;
(Brecksville, FL) ; Reish; Sean Matthew; (Winter
Garden, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL & TUMMINO L.L.P.
1300 EAST NINTH STREET, SUITE 1700
CLEVEVLAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
42118059 |
Appl. No.: |
12/606749 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61108973 |
Oct 28, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/467 ;
473/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/805 20130101;
A63B 63/008 20130101; A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B 2243/007
20130101; A63B 2024/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/467 ;
473/490 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A63C 19/00 20060101 A63C019/00 |
Claims
1. A marker for a sports field comprising: an elongated
substantially vertical device for marking a field position
associated with a game playable on the sports field using an object
that may become airborne, said field position being used to
determine compliance of the object when airborne with a rule of the
game; and a source for emitting an elongated generally vertical
beam of electromagnetic radiation adjacent to the device to help
mark said field position.
2. A marker according to claim 1 further comprising an
electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting electromagnetic
radiation generated by said source and reflected by said object
when passing through said beam of electromagnetic radiation.
3. A marker according to claim 2 further comprising a position
detector for determining an object position of said object based on
the electromagnetic radiation reflected by said object when passing
through said beam of electromagnetic radiation.
4. A marker according to claim 3 further comprising a comparator
for comparing said determined object position to stored data
indicative of the field position to determine compliance of the
object when airborne with a rule of the game.
5. A marker according to claim 3 further comprising a recorder for
recording the object position determined by the position
detector.
6. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said source is a first
source and wherein said marker further comprises a second source
for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, the first source
emitting electromagnetic radiation as visible light and the second
source emitting electromagnetic radiation other than visible
light.
7. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said source generates only
a single beam of electromagnetic radiation, said beam of
electromagnetic radiation being a beam of visible light oriented
substantially parallel to the device.
8. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said elongated
substantially vertical device includes a pole with a substantially
vertical central axis and an exterior surface that is elongated in
a direction along said central axis and that is at least partially
defined by a closed curve in a plane substantially perpendicular to
said central axis, said source being disposed within a space
defined by the closed curve extended in opposed directions along
said central axis.
9. A marker according to claim 2 wherein said elongated
substantially vertical device includes a pole with a substantially
vertical central axis and an exterior surface that is elongated in
a direction along said central axis and that is at least partially
defined by a closed curve in a plane substantially perpendicular to
said central axis, said source being disposed within a space
defined by the closed curve extended in opposed directions along
said central axis.
10. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said elongated
substantially vertical device includes a substantially vertical
pole, said beam of electromagnetic radiation being generated as an
extension of said pole.
11. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said elongated
substantially vertical device includes a substantially vertical
pole mounted in a position that is vertically spaced above a
surface of the sports field, said source being disposed below said
pole and adjacent the surface of the sports field.
12. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said elongated
substantially vertical device includes a substantially vertical
pole, said source being disposed adjacent an upper end of said
pole.
13. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said elongated
substantially vertical device includes a substantially vertical
pole mounted in a position that is vertically spaced above a
surface of the sports field, said source being disposed adjacent a
lower end of said pole.
14. A marker according to claim 1 wherein said elongated generally
vertical beam of electromagnetic radiation is substantially
vertical, upwardly directed, and substantially parallel to said
substantially vertical device.
15. A marker for a sports field comprising: a device with an
elongated substantially vertical portion for marking a field
position associated with a game playable on the sports field using
an object that may become airborne, said field position being used
to determine compliance of the object when airborne with a rule of
the game, said device including a member with an exterior surface
that is elongated in one direction and that is defined by a closed
curve in a plane substantially perpendicular to said one direction;
a source for emitting a generally vertical beam of electromagnetic
radiation adjacent to the device; and an electromagnetic radiation
detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation generated by said
source and reflected by said object when passing through said beam
of electromagnetic radiation, said source and said electromagnetic
radiation detector being disposed within the exterior surface of
said member.
16. A marker according to claim 15 wherein said source and said
electromagnetic radiation detector are disposed adjacent to each
other.
17. A marker according to claim 15 further comprising a position
detector for determining an object position of said object based on
the electromagnetic radiation reflected by said object when passing
through said beam of electromagnetic radiation.
18. A method for marking a field position on a sports field
associated with a game playable on the sports field using an object
that may become airborne, said field position being used to
determine compliance of the object when airborne with a rule of the
game, said method comprising the steps of: positioning an elongated
substantially vertical device to mark said field position; and
emitting an elongated generally vertical beam of electromagnetic
radiation adjacent to the device to help mark said field
position.
19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of
detecting electromagnetic radiation generated by said source and
reflected by said object when passing through said beam of
electromagnetic radiation.
20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of
determining an object position of said object based on the
electromagnetic radiation reflected by said object when passing
through said beam of electromagnetic radiation.
21. A method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of
comparing said determined object position to stored data indicative
of the field position to determine compliance of the object when
airborne with a rule of the game.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/108,973, filed Oct. 28, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a marker for a sports field
and a method for marking a sports field and, more particularly, to
a sports field marker that emits a substantially vertical beam of
electromagnetic radiation and a method for marking a sports field
by emitting a substantially vertical beam of electromagnetic
radiation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various games played on sports fields use objects, such as
balls, that may be become airborne. The rules of such games may
involve determining whether such balls or other game objects, when
airborne, cross one or more positions on the sports field. The
positions are typically marked with visible devices, which may be
structures, such as goal posts, or non-structural indicia, such as
paint. The visibility of such position markers may be limited
during the course of a game due to environmental factors, such as
wind, rain, snow, and darkness, or due to heavy foot traffic by
participants in the game. The limited visibility of the position
markers may affect proper officiating of the game by referees and
other game officials.
[0004] To assist game officials by supplementing field position
markers that are applied to the surface of a sports field, it has
been proposed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,662, to provide
horizontally directed beams of visible light generated by lasers.
It also been proposed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,677, to
provide a visible line on the surface of a sports field using
lasers positioned above the field, directed downward at the field,
and moved so as to cause the beams of light from the lasers to
traverse the field. To assist with officiating in connection with
determining goals in a game, it has been proposed, for example, in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,053, to provide wide angle beams of visible
light that illuminate either an area outside of and around a goal
scoring area or the goal scoring area itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a marker for a sports
field and a method for marking a sports field and, more
particularly, to a sports field marker that emits a substantially
vertical beam of electromagnetic radiation and a method for marking
a sports field by emitting a substantially vertical beam of
electromagnetic radiation.
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
marker for a sports field comprises an elongated substantially
vertical device for marking a field position associated with a game
playable on the sports field using an object that may become
airborne. The field position is used to determine compliance of the
object when airborne with a rule of the game. The apparatus also
comprises a source for emitting an elongated generally vertical
beam of electromagnetic radiation adjacent to the device to help
mark the field position.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a marker for a sports field comprises a device with an
elongated substantially vertical portion for marking a field
position associated with a game playable on the sports field using
an object that may become airborne. The field position is used to
determine compliance of the object when airborne with a rule of the
game. The device includes a member with an exterior surface that is
elongated in one direction and that is defined by a closed curve in
a plane substantially perpendicular to the one direction. The
marker also comprises a source for emitting a generally vertical
beam of electromagnetic radiation adjacent to the device and an
electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting electromagnetic
radiation generated by the source and reflected by the object when
passing through the beam of electromagnetic radiation. The source
and the electromagnetic radiation detector are disposed within the
exterior surface of the member.
[0008] In accordance with still another embodiment of the
invention, a method is provided for marking a field position on a
sports field associated with a game playable on the sports field
using an object that may become airborne. The field position is
used to determine compliance of the object when airborne with a
rule of the game. The method comprises the steps of positioning an
elongated substantially vertical device to mark the field position
and emitting an elongated generally vertical beam of
electromagnetic radiation adjacent to the device to help mark the
field position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art
upon consideration of the following description of the invention
and the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a first embodiment of a marker
in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the marker of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of the
marker of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of a
second embodiment of a marker in accordance with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of a third
embodiment of a marker in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a fourth embodiment of a marker
in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of the marker of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a fifth embodiment of a marker
in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a sixth embodiment of a marker
in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a frontal view of a seventh embodiment of a
marker in accordance with the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of an
eighth embodiment of a marker in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a marker 10 for a sports field
12, in accordance with an example of the present invention. The
marker 10 includes a device 14 for marking a field position
associated with a game playable on the sports field 12 with an
object that may become airborne. More particularly, the device 14
is part of a goal post 16 for the game of American football. The
goal post 16 includes two substantially vertical uprights 18 and
20, a cross bar 22 connecting lower ends of the uprights, and a
gooseneck 24 supporting the uprights and the cross bar. One end of
the gooseneck 24 is connected at or about the midpoint of the cross
bar 22. The gooseneck 24 extends downward and rearward from the
cross bar 22 to an end that is mounted on the sports field 12.
[0022] The uprights 18 and 20 and cross bar 22 are used to
determine whether a football (not shown), when kicked, has complied
with the football rule concerned with, for example, scoring a field
goal. The relevant rule generally requires the football to pass
through a space defined by the uprights 18 and 20 and the cross bar
22. More particularly, the rule requires the football to pass above
the cross bar 22 and between the uprights 18 and 20. A properly
kicked football will be considered to pass between the uprights 18
and 20 even if the football passes above the cross bar 22 at a
height greater than the height of the uprights. Evaluation of
whether a football has passed between the uprights 18 and 20 of the
goal post 16 when kicked to a height greater than the height of the
uprights requires judgment on the part of the game official charged
with determining whether the field goal attempt has been
successful. This judgment can be particularly difficult when
environmental conditions are less than optimal, e.g., after sunset,
during rain or snow, or during high winds.
[0023] The marker 10 of the present invention helps game officials
judge whether, for example, a kicked football, when airborne, has
complied with the game rule associated with scoring a field goal.
Each of the two uprights 18 and 20 of the goal post 16 is a
substantially vertical device 14 for marking a field position
associated with scoring a field goal in football. The vertical
dot-dash lines 26 in FIG. 1 represent vertical extensions of the
uprights 18 and 20 beyond their respective ends between which a
football would have to pass to comply with the rule concerning
scoring a field goal. The marker 10 of the present invention helps
to make vertical extensions of the uprights 18 and 20 visible,
either to the human eye or to a sensor or to both.
[0024] In accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGS. 1-3, the marker 10 includes one or more emitter-detector
modules 28. At least one emitter-detector module 28 may be
associated with each substantially vertical device 14 or upright
18, 20 for marking a field position that will be used to determine
whether a field goal has been scored. As shown in FIG. 1, four
emitter-detector modules 28 are mounted on the goal post 16. One
emitter-detector module 28 is mounted in a position 30 at or near
the upper end of the left upright 18 (as viewed in FIG. 1). A
second emitter-detector module 28 is mounted in a position 32 at or
near the upper end of the right upright 20 (as viewed in FIG. 1). A
third emitter-detector module 28 is mounted in a position 34
adjacent the intersection of the lower end of the left upright 18
and the cross bar 22. A fourth emitter-detector module 28 is
mounted in a position 36 adjacent the intersection of the lower end
of the right upright 20 and the cross bar 22.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, each emitter-detector module 28 includes
a source 38 for emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as light,
and a detector 40 for detecting electromagnetic radiation, such as
light. Each emitter-detector module 28 also includes a cover 42
that is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the
source 38 and detected by the detector 40. The cover 42 is
connected by a shaft 44 to an electric motor 46. The cover 42
closes an open end of a cylindrical housing 48 that encloses the
source 38, the detector 40, the shaft 44, and the electric motor
46. A power supply and communication sub-module 50 is mounted at
the end of the housing 48 opposite the cover 42. The
emitter-detector module 28 may also include a shutter (not shown)
mounted above the cover 42 to block at least certain types of
electromagnetic radiation from the detector 40 when it is not in
use.
[0026] Each emitter-detector module 28 may be shaped and
dimensioned to permit mounting to the goal post 16 in a relatively
unobtrusive manner. For example, the emitter-detector modules 28 at
positions 30 and 32 may have outer dimensions, such as diameter and
circumference, that are substantially the same as the outer
dimensions of the uprights 18 and 20 so that the emitter-detector
modules may be mounted at the ends of the uprights. Alternatively,
because many goal posts are formed from tubular materials, such as
aluminum tubing, the emitter-detector modules 28 may be shaped and
dimensioned to fit within the tubular structure of the uprights 18
and 20 and/or cross bar 22. For example, the emitter-detector
modules 28 at positions 30 and 32 may have outer dimensions, such
as diameter and circumference, that are slightly smaller than the
inner dimensions of the tubular walls of the uprights 18 and 20 so
that the emitter-detector modules may be fitted within the ends of
the uprights with the covers 42 uppermost. Each of the uprights 18
and 20 is, in effect, a pole with a substantially vertical central
axis and an exterior surface that is at least partially defined by
a closed curve in a plane substantially perpendicular to said
central axis. The emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 30 and
32 are thus disposed within a space defined by the closed curve
extended in opposed directions along the central axis.
[0027] With either of the foregoing mounting arrangements, the
cover 42 of each of the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 30
and 32 may be directly exposed to the ambient atmosphere. To assist
in deflecting or removing rain, snow, dust and other materials from
the cover 42, the cover may be rotated at an appropriate speed by
the electric motor 46 via the shaft 44. In addition, a closable
shutter (not shown) may be used to shield the cover 42 and the rest
of the emitter-detector module 28 from ambient weather conditions,
dust, dirt and other materials when the emitter-detector module is
not in use.
[0028] If the cross bar 22 of the goal post 16 is formed of tubular
material, the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 34 and 36
may be mounted inside the cross bar, either in an upright
orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, or in a horizontal orientation. A
horizontal orientation may require an additional mirror, lens or
waveguide (not shown) to redirect the light or other
electromagnetic radiation from the source 38. Regardless of the
orientation of the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 34 and
36, however, an opening, such as a slit, (not shown) may be formed
in the cross bar 22 at each position 34 and 36 to permit light or
other electromagnetic radiation to exit and enter the
emitter-detector modules. Alternatively, the emitter-detector
modules 28 at positions 34 and 36 may be aligned to permit light or
other electromagnetic radiation to exit and/or enter the
emitter-detector modules by traveling lengthwise through the
uprights 18 and 20.
[0029] The source 38 of electromagnetic radiation in each
emitter-detector module 28 may emit a beam of broad-spectrum light,
including both visible and infrared light. The detector 40 may
include a CCD camera, which may receive or detect all of the light
wave lengths emitted by the source 38 or which may receive or
detect only certain light wave lengths, such as, for example,
infrared wave lengths or wave lengths associated with a narrow
color band. Selection of the light wave lengths received by the
detector 40 may be achieved by mounting an appropriate filtering
lens (not shown) on the CCD camera. The beam of light emitted by
the source 38 is a relatively narrow beam that may have a diameter
and circumference at the source no greater than the diameter and
circumference of the uprights 18 and 20. The beam may be focused so
that the diameter of the beam does not substantially increase over
distances up to fifty meters.
[0030] In FIG. 1, a representative substantially vertical beam 52
of light is shown being emitted from the emitter-detector module 28
at position 30, and a second representative substantially vertical
beam 54 of light is shown being emitted from the emitter-detector
module 28 at position 34. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the beams 52
and 54 are upwardly directed and are substantially parallel to the
substantially vertical upright 18. Although the beam 54 is shown as
being wider at its upper end than the beam 52, this is for clarity
of illustration only and may not be representative of the actual
beam diameters. As is also apparent from FIG. 1, a beam of visible
light such as beam 52 will provide a visible extension of the
upright 18 for the assistance of game officials. As will be
explained, the beam 52 may also provide input for the detector 40
to determine the position of the football (not shown) relative to
the upright 18 and its light beam extension.
[0031] The source 38 in each emitter-detector module 28 is disposed
adjacent one side of the housing 48 and emits light in a
substantially vertical direction. The cover 42 is disposed above
the source 38 and is transparent to the light emitted by the
source. In order to have an edge of the beam of light emitted by
the source 38 aligned with the edge of the upright 18 or 20, a
portion of the cover 42 immediately above the source may be formed
as a Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens portion of the cover 42 is
configured to redirect the light from the source 38 so that an edge
of the light beam is aligned with an edge of the upright 18 or 20,
as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3. The detector 40 is
aligned at a small, predetermined angle to and distance from the
substantially vertical beam of light from the source 38. If the
beam of light is interrupted by an object, such as a football,
passing through beam, light from the beam may be reflected by the
object back toward the detector 40. The detector 40 receives the
reflected light and transmits an electronic signal indicative of
the intensity, angle of incidence and other characteristics of the
reflected light to a microprocessor or computer 56.
[0032] The microprocessor or computer 56 may be entirely separate
and spaced away from the emitter-detector module 28, as shown in
FIG. 3. In such a construction, the microprocessor or computer 56
may communicate with the emitter-detector module 28 via one or more
communication cables 58 or, as an alternative, via wireless
communication. As another alternative, the microprocessor or
computer 56 may be incorporated in the power supply and
communication sub-module 50 of the emitter-detector module 28 to
perform some or all of the functions performed by a
remotely-located microprocessor or computer. The extent to which
the microprocessor or computer 56 or its functions can be
incorporated in the emitter-detector module 28 is determined by the
nature and extent of the computations required. The more
computations required, the more likely it is that the computations
will have to be performed by a remote computer 56, rather than a
microprocessor located in the power supply and communication
sub-module 50.
[0033] The microprocessor or computer 56 uses the information in
the signal from the detector 40 to make a determination whether the
reflected light received by the detector 40 is reflected from a
football or some other object, such as a bird. The microprocessor
or computer 56 may also use the information in the signal from the
detector 40 to determine the position of the object, such as a
football, from which the light received by the detector was
reflected. Based on the angle at which the reflected light was
received and on the known, predetermined angle and distance between
the beam of light from the source 38 and the detector 40, the
position of the object can be determined via triangulation. If the
microprocessor or computer 56 determines that the reflected light
received by the detector 40 was reflected by a football, the
microprocessor or computer may determine that some portion of the
football entered the beam of light from the source 38. From such a
determination, the microprocessor or computer 56 may, in turn,
determine that the football did not stay between the uprights 18
and 20 and therefore the attempted field goal was not successful.
Alternatively or additionally, the microprocessor or computer 56
may determine the position of the football, via triangulation, for
example, and compare the determined position of the football to the
position of the uprights 18 and 20 stored in memory. From the
foregoing comparison, the microprocessor or computer 56 may
determine whether or not the attempted field goal was successful.
All of the information provided to the microprocessor or computer
56 and all of the determinations made by the microprocessor or
computer may be stored in a memory device (not shown) for
concurrent or later retrieval and reference via, for example, a
visual display device (not shown). Such a memory device may be
included in or separate from the microprocessor or computer. The
visual display device may be, for example, a cathode ray tube
display, a liquid crystal display, or a light emitting diode
display.
[0034] As will be apparent from the foregoing, the embodiment of
the marker 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 permits several potential levels
of assistance to game officials and/or several different levels of
redundancy. For example, the emitter-detector modules 28 located at
positions 30 and 32 may emit beams of visible light, such as beam
52, to extend the uprights 18 and 20 and give game officials
visible markers for judging, for example, a field goal attempt.
Alternatively or additionally, the emitter-detector modules 28 at
positions 30 and 32 may emit beams of visible and/or non-visible
(e.g., infrared) light and may use light reflected from such beams
to judge whether a football has entered or crossed either of the
beams and therefore not passed between the uprights 18 and 20. The
emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 34 and 36 may be used to
make determinations to supplement the determinations made by the
emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 30 and 32, respectively,
or to provide redundancy in the event one or both of the modules at
positions 30 and 32 experiences a malfunction. The emitter-detector
modules 28 at positions 34 and 36 may also emit and detect only
non-visible light of wavelengths not emitted or detected by the
emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 30 and 32. Still further,
the marker 10 may use only the emitter-detector modules 28 at
positions 30 and 32 or only the emitter-detector modules 28 at
positions 34 and 36, rather than using emitter-detector modules at
all four positions.
[0035] To further assist game officials and operators or
technicians responsible for proper operation of the marker 10 and
to provide information to spectators at a football game, the marker
may include one or more indicator lamps 37 at the lower ends of the
uprights 18 and 20 below the cross bar 22. The indicator lamps 37
may provide status indications by, for example, emitting light of
different colors associated with different events or the status of
the marker 10. For example, the indicator lamps 37 may emit a
visible yellow light to indicate that the marker is functioning
properly and ready for use, a visible green light to indicate that
the marker has detected a successful field goal attempt, and a
visible red light to indicate that the marker has detected an
unsuccessful field goal attempt. The indicator lamps 37 may also
emit a flashing red light to indicate that the marker 10 is
experiencing a malfunction or is not yet ready for use. Each
indicator lamp 37 may emit light of different colors and may be
capable of operating in both flashing and non-flashing modes.
Alternatively, each indicator lamp 37 may emit light of a specific
color, and more than one lamp may be provided so as to display the
various colored-coded indications described above.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an emitter-detector module 128 that is
constructed in accordance with a second example of the present
invention. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the emitter-detector module
128 is outwardly similar in construction to the emitter-detector
module 28 of FIG. 3. In particular, the emitter-detector module 128
includes a cylindrical housing 148 with an upper open end that is
closed by a cover 142. A power supply and communication sub-module
150 is mounted at the end of the housing 148 opposite the cover
142. Inside the housing 148, however, the emitter-detector module
128 includes a laser sensor unit 160 that both acts as a source for
emitting electromagnetic radiation, specifically a beam of laser
light, and a detector for detecting such electromagnetic radiation.
Such a laser sensor unit 160 is commercially available as a "time
of flight" sensor. To orient the laser beam from the laser sensor
unit 160 in the proper direction, the emitter-detector module 128
includes one or more mirrors 162, two of which are shown in FIG. 4.
The mirrors 162 may be adjustable, either manually or via an
electrically or pneumatically powered motor (not shown), to change
the orientation of the beam. The cover 142 is transparent to the
laser light emitted by the laser sensor unit 160. The
emitter-detector module 128 may also include a shutter (not shown)
mounted above the cover 142 to block at least certain types of
electromagnetic radiation from the laser sensor unit 160 when it is
not in use.
[0037] Proper orientation of the mirrors 162 permits a beam of
laser light 164 emitted by the laser sensor unit 160 to be aligned
so that an edge of the light beam is aligned with an edge of the
upright 18 or 20, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4. If the
beam of light 164 is interrupted by an object, such as a football,
passing through the beam, light 166 from the beam may be reflected
by the object back toward the mirrors 162 and, therefore, toward
the laser sensor unit 160, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG.
4. The laser sensor unit 160 receives the reflected light 166 and
transmits an electronic signal indicative of the intensity, angle
of incidence and other characteristics of the reflected light to a
microprocessor or computer 156 via one or more communication cables
158 or, alternatively, via wireless communication. The
microprocessor or computer 156 uses the information in the signal
from the laser sensor unit 160 to make a determination whether the
reflected light received by the laser sensor unit 160 is reflected
from a football or some other object, such as a bird. The
microprocessor or computer 156 may also use the information in the
signal from the laser sensor unit 160 to determine, via
triangulation, the position of the object, such as a football, from
which the light received by the laser sensor unit was
reflected.
[0038] If the microprocessor or computer 156 determines that the
reflected light received by the laser sensor unit 160 was reflected
by a football, the microprocessor or computer may determine that
some portion of the football entered the beam of laser light 164.
From such a determination, the microprocessor or computer 156 may,
in turn, determine that the football did not stay between the
uprights 18 and 20 and therefore the attempted field goal was not
successful. Alternatively or additionally, the microprocessor or
computer 156 may determine the position of the football, via
triangulation, for example, and compare the determined position of
the football to the position of the uprights 18 and 20 stored in
memory. From the foregoing comparison, the microprocessor or
computer 156 may determine whether or not the attempted field goal
was successful. All of the information provided to the
microprocessor or computer 156 and all of the determinations made
by the microprocessor or computer may be stored in a memory device,
which may be included in or separate from the microprocessor or
computer, for concurrent or later retrieval and reference via, for
example, a visual display device.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates an emitter-detector module 228 that is
constructed in accordance with a third example of the present
invention. As can been seen in FIG. 5, the emitter-detector module
228 is similar in construction to the emitter-detector module 128
of FIG. 4. In particular, the emitter-detector module 228 includes
a cylindrical housing 248 with an upper open end that is closed by
a cover 242. A power supply and communication sub-module 250 is
mounted at the end of the housing 248 opposite the cover 242. The
emitter-detector module 228 also includes a laser sensor unit 260
that both acts as a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation,
specifically a beam of laser light, and a detector for detecting
such electromagnetic radiation. To orient the laser beam from the
laser sensor unit 260 in the proper direction, the emitter-detector
module 228 includes one or more mirrors 262, one of which is shown
in FIG. 5 and which may be adjustable, either manually or via an
electrically or pneumatically powered motor (not shown), to change
the orientation of the beam. The cover 242 is transparent to the
laser light emitted by the laser sensor unit 260. The
emitter-detector module 228 may also include a shutter (not shown)
mounted above the cover 242 to block at least certain types of
electromagnetic radiation from the laser sensor unit 260 when it is
not in use.
[0040] Unlike the emitter-detector module 128 of FIG. 4, the
emitter-detector module 228 of FIG. 5 includes, within the housing
248, a rotatable mirror 270, an electric motor 272, and a shaft 274
connecting the electric motor to the mirror. Rotation of the mirror
270 by the electric motor 272 effectively causes the laser light
emitted by the laser sensor unit 260 to pulse. The pulses of the
beam of laser light 264 emitted by the laser sensor unit are
indicated by the multiple dashed lines in FIG. 5. Although the
dashed lines are shown as being spread apart, this is for
illustration purposes only. The beam of laser light 264 may not
have any greater diameter than the beam of light 164 emitted by the
laser sensor unit 160 of FIG. 4.
[0041] Proper orientation of the mirror 262 permits a beam of laser
light 264 emitted by the laser sensor unit 260 to be aligned so
that an edge of the light beam is aligned with an edge of the
upright 18 or 20, as indicated by the leftmost dashed line in FIG.
5. If the beam of laser light 264 is interrupted by an object, such
as a football, passing through the beam, light from the beam may be
reflected by the object back toward the mirror 262 and, therefore,
toward the laser sensor unit 260. The laser sensor unit 260
receives the reflected light and transmits an electronic signal
indicative of the intensity, angle of incidence and other
characteristics of the reflected light to a microprocessor or
computer 256 via one or more communication cables 258 or,
alternatively, via wireless communication. The microprocessor or
computer 256 uses the information in the signal from the laser
sensor unit 260 to make a determination whether the reflected light
received by the laser sensor unit 260 is reflected from a football
or some other object, such as a bird. The microprocessor or
computer 256 may also use the information in the signal from the
laser sensor unit 260 to determine, via triangulation, the position
of the object, such as a football, from which the light received by
the detector was reflected.
[0042] If the microprocessor or computer 256 determines that the
reflected light received by the laser sensor unit 260 was reflected
by a football, the microprocessor or computer may determine that
some portion of the football entered the beam of laser light 264.
From such a determination, the microprocessor or computer 256 may,
in turn, determine that the football did not stay between the
uprights 18 and 20 and therefore the attempted field goal was not
successful. Alternatively or additionally, the microprocessor or
computer 256 may determine the position of the football, via
triangulation, for example, and compare the determined position of
the football to the position of the uprights 18 and 20 stored in
memory. From the foregoing comparison, the microprocessor or
computer 256 may determine whether or not the attempted field goal
was successful. All of the information provided to the
microprocessor or computer 256 and all of the determinations made
by the microprocessor or computer may be stored in a memory device,
which may be included in or separate from the microprocessor or
computer, for concurrent or later retrieval and reference via, for
example, a visual display device.
[0043] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a marker 110 that is constructed in
accordance with a fourth example of the present invention. As shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7, the marker 110 includes two emitter-detector
modules 28 that are mounted below the uprights 18 and 20 and cross
bar 22 of a goal post 16 and at or near the surface of the sports
field 12. One emitter-detector module 28 is mounted in a position
180 below and slightly behind the left upright 18. A second
emitter-detector module 28 is mounted in a position 182 below and
slightly behind the right upright 20 (as best shown in FIG. 7).
Each emitter-detector module 28 emits an upwardly directed and
substantially vertical beam 184 of light or other electromagnetic
radiation that is substantially parallel to an associated upright
18 or 20.
[0044] The positions 180 and 182 may be selected so that the beams
184 may be as close as possible to the uprights 18 and 20 while not
being partially blocked by the uprights. As the positions 180 and
182 are not positions on the uprights 18 and 20, the beams 184 of
light from the emitter-detector modules 28 are not affected by
movement of the uprights, such as may be caused by wind. Therefore,
if desired, the beams 184 of light may be used to determine
whether, for example, an attempted field goal has been successful
without having to consider temporary movements of the uprights 18
and 20 caused by wind, for example, which may occur between the
time that a football is kicked and the time at which the football
reaches the goal post 16. Alternatively, the uprights 18 and 20 may
be hollow throughout their respective lengths and have open upper
and lower ends. With such a construction of the uprights 18 and 20,
the positions 180 and 182 may be selected so that the beams 184
extend substantially vertically through the uprights and project
out of the open upper ends of the uprights. To help maintain such
an alignment of the beams 184 and open ends of the uprights 18 and
20, the goal post 16 may be used on a sports field in a covered or
partially covered stadium or a stadium otherwise protected from
high winds that might cause the uprights to move relative to the
beams.
[0045] Although the marker 110 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is
illustrated as including emitter-detector modules 28 of the type
shown in FIG. 3, the marker 110 may alternatively or additionally
include emitter-detector modules 128 and/or 228 of the types shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. Additionally, the marker 110 may
include emitter-detector modules 28, 128 and/or 228 at positions
corresponding to positions 30 and 32 and/or positions 34 and 36 of
FIG. 1 to provide several potential levels of assistance to game
officials and/or several different levels of redundancy. For
example, emitter-detector modules 28 located at positions
corresponding to positions 30 and 32 of FIG. 1 may emit beams of
visible light to extend the uprights 18 and 20 and give game
officials visible markers for judging, for example, a field goal
attempt, while the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 180 and
182 may emit beams of non-visible (e.g., infrared) light and may
use light reflected from such beams to judge whether a football has
entered or crossed either of the beams and therefore not passed
between the uprights 18 and 20. Emitter-detector modules 28 at
positions corresponding to positions 30 and 32 and/or 34 and 36 of
FIG. 1 may be used to make determinations to supplement the
determinations made by the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions
180 and 182, respectively, or to provide redundancy in the event
one or both of the modules at positions 180 and 182 experiences a
malfunction. Emitter-detector modules 28 at positions corresponding
to positions 30 and 32 and/or positions 34 and 36 of FIG. 1 may
also emit and detect only non-visible light of wavelengths not
emitted or detected by the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions
180 and 182.
[0046] As yet a further alternative, the marker 110 may include
reflectors 186 mounted above and in alignment with the beams 184
from the emitter-detector modules 28 at positions 180 and 182 or in
alignment with emitter-detector modules (not shown) at positions
corresponding to positions 30 and 32 and/or 34 and 36 of FIG. 1.
The reflectors 186 reflect light emitted from the emitter-detector
modules 28 back to the emitter-reflector modules. Use of reflectors
186 permits a greater effective height for the beams 184 and also
permits detection of the presence of a football or other object in
the beams by virtue of a football or other object fully or
partially blocking the light that is reflected from the reflectors
186.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a marker 210 that is constructed in
accordance with a fifth example of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 8, the marker 210 includes a vertically oriented
emitter-detector module 28 mounted in the position 30 at or near
the upper end of the left upright 18 (as viewed in FIG. 8). A
second vertically oriented emitter-detector module 28 is mounted in
the position 32 at or near the upper end of the right upright 20
(as viewed in FIG. 8). A third emitter-detector module 28 is
mounted in the position 34 in a generally horizontal orientation
adjacent the intersection of the lower end of the left upright 18
and the cross bar 22. A fourth emitter-detector module 28 is
mounted in the position 36 in a generally horizontal orientation
adjacent the intersection of the lower end of the right upright 20
and the cross bar 22.
[0048] As with the marker 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, a
representative substantially vertical beam 252 of light or other
electromagnetic radiation is shown being emitted from the
emitter-detector module 28 at position 30, and a second
representative substantially vertical beam 254 of light or other
electromagnetic radiation is shown being emitted from the
emitter-detector module 28 at position 34. As is apparent from FIG.
8, the beams 252 and 254 are upwardly directed and are
substantially parallel to the substantially vertical upright 18.
Unlike the marker 10 of FIG. 1, however, the beam 254 is both shown
as being wider at its upper end than the beam 252 and is, in fact,
wider.
[0049] The beam 252 includes visible light and may include light of
wave lengths not visible to the human eye. The beam 254 includes
only light of wave lengths not visible to the human eye, such as
infrared light. The beam 252 of visible light may provide a visible
extension of the upright 18 for the assistance of game officials.
The beam 254 of non-visible light provides light that may be
reflected by an object, such as a football, passing through the
beam back toward the detector (not shown) of the emitter-detector
module 28. An electronic signal from the detector (not shown) which
is indicative of the intensity, angle of incidence and other
characteristics of the reflected light, may be provided to a
microprocessor or computer (not shown).
[0050] The microprocessor or computer (not shown), in turn, may
determine the position of the football, via triangulation, for
example, and compare the determined position of the football to the
position of the uprights 18 and 20 stored in memory. From the
foregoing comparison, the microprocessor or computer may determine
whether or not the attempted field goal was successful. The greater
width of the beam 254 of non-visible light, as compared to the beam
252 of visible light, permits the emitter-detector modules 28
mounted at positions 34 and 36 to detect an object, such as a
football, in a larger field of view and provide more data to the
microprocessor or computer (not shown). All of the information
provided to the microprocessor or computer and all of the
determinations made by the microprocessor or computer may be stored
in a memory device, which may be included in or separate from the
microprocessor or computer, for concurrent or later retrieval and
reference via, for example, a visual display device.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates a marker 310 that is constructed in
accordance with a sixth example of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 9, the marker 310 includes an emitter-detector module 28 is
mounted in the position 30 at or near the upper end of the left
upright 18 (as viewed in FIG. 9). A second emitter-detector module
28 is mounted in the position 32 at or near the upper end of the
right upright 20 (as viewed in FIG. 9). A third emitter-detector
module 28 is mounted in a position 390 adjacent the intersection of
the upper end of the gooseneck 24 and the cross bar 22.
[0052] As with the marker 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, a
representative substantially vertical elongated beam 352 of light
or other electromagnetic radiation is shown being emitted from the
emitter-detector module 28 at position 30. The beam 352 is upwardly
directed and is substantially parallel to the upright 18. A second
upwardly-directed, generally vertical representative beam 392 of
light or other electromagnetic radiation is shown being emitted
from the emitter detector module 28 at position 390 located between
the uprights 18 and 20. The beam 392 is both shown as being wider
at its upper end than the beam 352 and is, in fact, substantially
wider than the beam 352. The generally vertical, relatively wide,
fan-shaped beam 392 of light thus provides light adjacent to the
upper end of each of the uprights 18 and 20. Because the fan-shaped
beam 392 of light is intended to illuminate the area adjacent to
and above the upper ends of the uprights 18 and 20, the beam 392
need not and does not illuminate all of the area between the
uprights 18 and 20 and above the cross bar 22.
[0053] The beam 352 includes visible light and may include light of
wave lengths not visible to the human eye. The beam 392 may include
only light of wave lengths not visible to the human eye, such as
infrared light. The substantially vertical elongated beam 352 of
visible light may provide a visible extension of the upright 18 for
the assistance of game officials. The generally vertical,
relatively wide, fan-shaped beam 392 of non-visible light provides
light adjacent to the upper end of each of the uprights 18 and
20.
[0054] The non-visible light of the beam 392 may be reflected by an
object, such as a football, passing through the beam back toward
the detector (not shown) of the emitter-detector module 28. An
electronic signal from the detector (not shown) which is indicative
of the intensity, angle of incidence and other characteristics of
the reflected light, to a microprocessor or computer (not
shown).
[0055] The microprocessor or computer (not shown), in turn, may
determine the position of the football, via triangulation, for
example, and compare the determined position of the football to the
position of the uprights 18 and 20 stored in memory. From the
foregoing comparison, the microprocessor or computer may determine
whether or not the attempted field goal was successful. The much
greater width of the beam 392 of non-visible light, as compared to
the elongated beam 352 of visible light, permits the
emitter-detector module 28 mounted at position 190 to detect an
object, such as a football, in a larger field of view, which
includes the upper ends of both uprights 18 and 20, and provide
more data to the microprocessor or computer (not shown). All of the
information provided to the microprocessor or computer and all of
the determinations made by the microprocessor or computer may be
stored in a memory device, which may be included in or separate
from the microprocessor or computer, for later retrieval and
reference via, for example, a visual display device.
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates a marker 410 that is constructed in
accordance with a seventh example of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 10, the marker 410 includes a device 414 for marking
a field position associated with a game playable on the sports
field 12 with an object that may become airborne. More
particularly, the device 414 is part of a foul pole 416 for the
game of baseball. The foul pole 416, as shown, includes a single
substantially vertical upright 418, which may be formed of a
tubular material, such as aluminum tubing. The device 414 and the
foul pole 416 may alternatively simply be a line painted or
otherwise marked on another structure, such a portion of a baseball
stadium. The upright 418 is used to determine whether a baseball
(not shown), when batted, has complied with the baseball rule
concerned with whether the baseball has stayed within fair
territory and within the baseball playing field. The relevant rule
requires the baseball to remain on one side of the foul pole 416.
Evaluation of whether a baseball has remained on the fair side of
the foul pole 416 when batted to a height greater than the height
of the foul pole requires judgment on the part of the game official
charged with determining whether the baseball has stayed within the
playing field. This judgment can be particularly difficult when
environmental conditions are less than optimal, e.g., after sunset
or during rain.
[0057] An emitter-detector module 28 may be mounted in a position
430 at or near the upper end of the upright 418. A second
emitter-detector module 28 may be mounted in a position 434 partway
along the length of the upright 418. A third emitter-detector
module 28 may be mounted in a position 480 at the lower end of the
upright 418 and at or near the surface of the sports field 12.
Although the marker 410 is illustrated as including
emitter-detector modules 28 of the type shown in FIG. 3, the marker
410 may alternatively or additionally include emitter-detector
modules 128 and/or 228 of the types shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
respectively. At least the emitter-detector module 28 at the
position 430 may have outer dimensions, such as diameter and
circumference, that are substantially the same as the outer
dimensions of the upright 418 so that the emitter-detector module
may be mounted at the end of the upright. Alternatively, the
emitter-detector module 28 may be shaped and dimensioned to fit
within the tubular structure of the upright 418. For example, the
emitter-detector module 28 may have outer dimensions, such as
diameter and circumference, that are slightly smaller than the
inner dimensions of the tubular walls of the upright 418 so that
the emitter-detector module may be fitted within the end of the
upright.
[0058] Only one or only two of the three emitter-detector modules
28 shown in FIG. 10 may be used or all three of the
emitter-detector modules may be used to provide several potential
levels of assistance to game officials and/or several different
levels of redundancy. For example, the emitter-detector module 28
located at position 430 may emit an upwardly directed and
substantially vertical beam of visible light to extend the upright
418 and give game officials a visible marker for judging, for
example, a foul ball. At the same time, emitter-detector modules 28
at positions 434 and 480 may emit upwardly directed and
substantially vertical beams of non-visible (e.g., infrared) light
substantially parallel to the upright 418 and may use light
reflected from such beams to judge whether a baseball has entered
or crossed either of the beams and therefore passed beyond the
upright 418 into foul territory. Emitter-detector modules 28 at
positions 434 and/or 480 may be used to make determinations to
supplement the determination made by the emitter-detector module 28
at position 430 or to provide redundancy in the event the module at
position 430 experiences a malfunction. Emitter-detector modules 28
at positions 434 and/or 480 may also emit and detect only
non-visible light of wavelengths not emitted or detected by the
emitter-detector module 28 at position 430.
[0059] As yet a further alternative, the marker 410 may include a
reflector 486 mounted above and in alignment with the beam from an
emitter-detector module 28 at one or more of the positions 430,
434, and 480. The reflector 486 reflects light emitted from the
emitter-detector modules 28 back to the emitter-reflector modules.
Use of reflector 486 permits a greater effective height for the
beams of light from the emitter-detector modules 28 and also
permits detection of the presence of a baseball or other object in
the beams by virtue of the baseball or other object fully or
partially blocking the light that is reflected from the reflector
486.
[0060] As with the previously described embodiments of the
invention, an electronic signal from the detector (not shown) of
one or more of the emitter-detector modules 28, which is indicative
of the intensity, angle of incidence and other characteristics of
the reflected light, may be provided to a microprocessor or
computer (not shown). The microprocessor or computer, in turn, may
determine the position of the baseball, via triangulation, for
example, and compare the determined position of the baseball to the
position of the upright 418 stored in memory. From the foregoing
comparison, the microprocessor or computer may determine whether or
not the baseball was batted out of the baseball playing field and
therefore into foul territory. All of the information provided to
the microprocessor or computer and all of the determinations made
by the microprocessor or computer may be stored in a memory device,
which may be included in or separate from the microprocessor or
computer, for concurrent or later retrieval and reference via, for
example, a visual display device.
[0061] Each of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated
in FIGS. 1-10 can use either light emitted from a laser or less
coherent light emitted by other sources. If light from a laser is
used in the invention, the laser may be a Class 1 or Class 2 laser.
Class 3 or higher lasers generally may not be used in the invention
because of government regulations restricting the use of such
lasers, particularly in open stadiums from which laser light might
be reflected at or in the direction of aircraft. In domed or
otherwise closed stadiums, however, it may be possible to use light
emitted from Class 3 or higher lasers.
[0062] In one example embodiment of a laser sensor or "time of
flight" unit that may be used in the present invention, the laser
unit may have the following characteristics:
[0063] Measuring range--about 0.2 meters up to about 50 meters with
natural surfaces, more than 100 meters achievable, depending on
target reflectance.
[0064] Measuring accuracy--.+-.about 2 millimeters under defined
measuring conditions; otherwise .+-.about 3 millimeters (in a
temperature range of about +15.degree. C. up to about +30.degree.
C.); .+-.about 5 millimeters (in a temperature range of about
-10.degree. C. up to about +50.degree. C.) with measuring time of
about 0.16 up to about 6 seconds programmable or auto in Mode DT
(Distance Tracking) or about 0.1 seconds in Mode DW (Distance
Tracking with cooperative target at 10 hertz) on white surface or
about 20 milliseconds in Mode DX (Distance Tracking with
cooperative target at 50 hertz) on white surface (only LDM42A).
[0065] Resolution--about 0.1 millimeters, user scalable.
[0066] Reproducibility--about 0.5 millimeters with measuring time
of about 0.16 up to about 6 seconds or about 0.1 seconds (10 hertz)
on white surface Laser Class LK2 under DIN EN 60825-1:2001-11(<1
milliwatts, visible red)
[0067] Laser divergence--0.6 millirads.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing and other
numerical values set forth herein are given by way of example only
and that other values may be used and other resolutions may
result.
[0068] FIG. 11 illustrates an emitter-detector module 528 that is
constructed in accordance with an eighth example of the present
invention. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the emitter-detector module
528 is outwardly generally similar in construction to the
emitter-detector modules 28, 128, and 228 of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5,
respectively. In particular, the emitter-detector module 528
includes a generally cylindrical housing 548 with an upper open end
that is closed by a cover 542. A power supply and communication
sub-module 550 is mounted at the end of the housing 548 opposite
the cover 542.
[0069] Inside the housing 548, however, the emitter-detector module
528 includes a proximity sensor unit 560 that both acts as a source
for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a detector for detecting
such electromagnetic radiation. The proximity sensor unit 560 may,
for example, emit an upwardly directed and substantially vertical
beam 564 of radio frequency and/or infrared electromagnetic
radiation that is substantially parallel to an upright 18 or 20.
The proximity sensor unit 560 is substantially smaller in diameter
and circumference than the housing 548. The proximity sensor unit
560 may thus be positioned on the inner circumference of the
housing adjacent to the edge of an upright 18 or 20 that defines
the limit of the space through which a football must pass to
qualify as, for example, an acceptable field goal. Also positioned
on the inner circumference of the housing 548 are a plurality of
emitting devices 568 that may emit either or both visible or
non-visible (e.g., infrared) light. The proximity sensor unit 560
and the emitting devices 568 together form a circular array around
the inner circumference of the housing.
[0070] Each of the emitting devices 568 emits an upwardly directed
and substantially vertical beam of visible or non-visible light 566
that are substantially parallel to an upright 18 or 20. Together,
the plurality of the emitting devices 568 emit a plurality of
substantially parallel beams of visible or non-visible light 566 to
illuminate the space directly above the emitter-detector module
528. Centered within the array of emitting devices 568 is a first
detector unit 576, which may be a high speed color camera with a
recording speed of two hundred or more frames per second. The first
detector unit 576 detects and records light reflected from an
object that interrupts one or more of the beams of light 566. The
cover 542 of the emitter-detector module 528 is transparent to the
light emitted by emitter devices 568 and to the radiation emitted
by the proximity sensor unit 560. The emitter-detector module 528
may also include a shutter (not shown) mounted above the cover 542
to block at least certain types of electromagnetic radiation from
the first detector unit 576 and/or the proximity sensor unit 560
when they are not in use.
[0071] In addition to the first detector unit 576, the
emitter-detector module 528 may include a second detector unit 578.
The second detector unit 578 may be attached to the outside of the
housing 548, enclosed in a separate housing that is attached to the
housing 548, or enclosed in a lateral extension of the housing 548.
The second detector unit 578 may be an infrared camera with a
recording speed of sixty or more frames per second. If the emitter
devices 568 emit both visible and non-visible light, the second
detector unit 578 may be used to detect infrared light reflected
from an object that interrupts one or more of the beams of light
566. The second detector unit 578 may thus make determinations to
supplement the determinations made by the first detector unit 576
and/or the proximity sensor unit 560 or to provide redundancy in
the event one or both of the first detector unit 576 and/or the
proximity sensor unit 560 experiences a malfunction.
[0072] The first detector unit 576 and the second detector unit 578
receive light reflected from the beams of light emitted by the
emitter devices 568 and transmit electronic signals indicative of
the intensity, angle of incidence and other characteristics of the
reflected light to a microprocessor or computer 556 via one or more
communication cables 558 or, alternatively, via wireless
communication. The microprocessor or computer 556 uses the
information in the signals from one or both of the first detector
unit 576 and the second detector unit 578 to make a determination
whether the reflected light received by the first detector unit 576
and/or the second detector unit 578 is reflected from a football or
some other object, such as a bird. The microprocessor or computer
556 may also use the information in the signal from the first
detector unit 576 and/or the second detector unit 578 and/or the
proximity sensor unit 560 to determine, via triangulation, the
position of the object, such as a football, from which the light
received by the first detector unit 576 and/or the second detector
unit 578 was reflected.
[0073] If the microprocessor or computer 556 determines that the
reflected light received by the first detector unit 576 and/or the
second detector unit 578 was reflected by a football, the
microprocessor or computer may determine that some portion of the
football entered one or more of the beam of light 566. From such a
determination, the microprocessor or computer 556 may, in turn,
determine that the football did not stay between the uprights 18
and 20 and therefore the attempted field goal was not successful.
Alternatively or additionally, the microprocessor or computer 556
may determine the position of the football, via triangulation, for
example, and compare the determined position of the football to the
position of the uprights 18 and 20 stored in memory. From the
foregoing comparison, the microprocessor or computer 556 may
determine whether or not the attempted field goal was successful.
All of the information provided to the microprocessor or computer
556 and all of the determinations made by the microprocessor or
computer may be stored in a memory device, which may be included in
or separate from the microprocessor or computer, for concurrent or
later retrieval and reference via, for example, a visual display
device.
[0074] Although the emitter-detector modules 28, 128, 228, and 528
may include sources for generating light, one or more
emitter-detector modules 28, 128, 228, and/or 528 may share light
generated by a common source and simply emit the light from the
common source, rather than generating light in the modules. For
example, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, a
common source of light may be mounted at a location such as the
intersection of the gooseneck 24 and the cross bar 22 or at the
lower end of the gooseneck. Light from the common source could then
be transmitted to one or more of the emitter-detector modules 28
via mirrors, fiber optic cables, and/or other light waveguides. In
addition, in situations in which embodiments of the present
invention use non-visible light, other forms of electromagnetic
radiation, such as ultrasonic radiation, could be used in place of
the non-visible light with appropriate radiation emitters and
detectors.
[0075] Further, the various positions 30, 32, 34, 36, 180, 182,
390, 430, 434, and 480 of the emitter-detector modules 28, 128 and
228 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 6-10 may be used in different
combinations than those illustrated and/or described above
according the requirements or preferences of different games,
sports fields and/or game officials. Although the present invention
is described and illustrated above as being used in the games of
baseball and American football, the present invention may be used
in any game in which the features of the invention may be of
benefit.
[0076] Yet further, in an example embodiment of the invention, the
aluminum tubing for the uprights 18 and 20 used a goal post 16 for
the game of American football may be approximately four inches in
diameter and the aluminum tubing for the cross bar 22 may be
approximately six to eight inches in diameter. The emitter-detector
modules 28, 128, 228, and 528 may then have the same or slightly
smaller outer diameters as the uprights 18 and 20 of the goal post
16 and may also have overall heights short enough to allow the
emitter-detector modules to be installed in the cross bar 22 in a
vertical orientation. One skilled in the art will appreciate that
the foregoing and other numerical values set forth herein are given
by way of example only and that other values may be used and other
resolutions may result. Also, the aluminum tubing or other tubular
material used for any embodiment of the present invention may have
a circular cross-section or any other cross-section incorporating a
closed curve or may have a polygonal cross-section.
[0077] From the above description of the invention, those skilled
in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications.
Such improvements, changes, and/or modifications within the skill
of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *