U.S. patent application number 15/318860 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-25 for operations with instrumented game ball.
The applicant listed for this patent is Russell Brands, LLC. Invention is credited to Mark Joseph Davisson, Kevin King, Michael Maziarz, Matthew Anthony Tyson.
Application Number | 20170144030 15/318860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54936059 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170144030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King; Kevin ; et
al. |
May 25, 2017 |
OPERATIONS WITH INSTRUMENTED GAME BALL
Abstract
An instrumented athletic sporting device that can be handled by
a user, such as a basketball or soccer ball, includes electronics
that can detect motion and magnetic fields. For example, an
instrumented basketball can be used in conjunction with a magnetic
basketball goal net such that made and missed shots can be
detected.
Inventors: |
King; Kevin; (Dublin,
OH) ; Tyson; Matthew Anthony; (Columbus, OH) ;
Davisson; Mark Joseph; (Rensselaer, IN) ; Maziarz;
Michael; (Wilbraham, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Russell Brands, LLC |
Bowling Green |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54936059 |
Appl. No.: |
15/318860 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
June 17, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2015/036136 |
371 Date: |
December 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62013956 |
Jun 18, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20130101;
A63B 71/04 20130101; A63B 2220/44 20130101; A63B 69/00 20130101;
A63B 2243/0037 20130101; A63B 71/06 20130101; A63B 2220/803
20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B
2220/35 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101; A63B 63/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20060101
A63B043/00; A63B 71/06 20060101 A63B071/06; A63B 71/04 20060101
A63B071/04; A63B 63/08 20060101 A63B063/08; A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A magnetic net for a basketball goal, the magnetic net
comprising: a standard basketball net; and one or more magnets
coupled to the standard basketball net.
2. The magnetic net of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnets are
configured to be removed from the basketball net and recoupled to
the standard basketball net without damaging the standard
basketball net.
3. The magnetic net of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnets are
disposed within an open space within strings of the standard
basketball net such that the one or more magnets are not directly
visible.
4. The magnetic net of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnets
comprise four or more magnets.
5. An athletic game ball system, comprising: an athletic game ball
comprising: a multi-layer ball shell sealed from an area around the
ball shell; and one or more electronic sensors located within a
periphery of the athletic game ball; and a magnetic basketball goal
net, the magnetic basketball goal net comprising: a standard
basketball goal net; and one or more magnets coupled to the
standard basketball goal net.
6. The athletic game ball system of claim 5, further comprising a
circuit board supporting the one or more electronic sensors and
associated circuitry for monitoring motion of the athletic game
ball and magnetic field signals near the athletic game ball.
7. The athletic game ball system of claim 6, wherein the associated
circuitry comprises a wireless communication chip or chip set.
8. The athletic game ball system of claim 7, wherein the one or
more electronic sensors comprise (i) an accelerometer or angular
rate sensor, (ii) a magnetometer, and (iii) a near field
communications sensor.
9. The athletic gaming ball system of claim 8, wherein the
associated electronics are programmed to identify disturbances in a
magnetic field of the earth around the athletic game ball so as to
identify when the athletic game ball has contacted or passed near a
rim of a basketball goal.
10. The athletic gaming ball system of claim 8, wherein the
associated electronics are programmed to identify a magnetic field
of the one or more magnets coupled to the standard basketball goal
net so as to identify when the athletic game ball has passed
through the magnetic basketball goal net.
11. A computer-implemented method comprising: identifying, with a
computer system located in a sporting device, data captured from
one or more sensors positioned within the sporting device and
configured to sense a magnetic field around the sporting device as
part of an actual sporting occurrence; analyzing the data, by the
computer system, to identify a temporary change in the magnetic
field around the sporting device; and determining, by the computer
system, that the temporary change in the magnetic field around the
sporting device indicates that the sporting device passed through a
magnetic goal net.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein analyzing
the data comprises identifying changes in the magnetic field around
the sporting device that are equal to or greater than a predefined
threshold value.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising
analyzing inertial data, by the computer system, to identify a
motion of the sporting device.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising
determining, by the computer system, that the motion of the
sporting device indicates that the sporting device impacted a goal
rim before the sporting device passed through the magnetic goal
net.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising
determining, by the computer system, that the motion of the
sporting device indicates that the sporting device did not impact a
goal rim before the sporting device passed through the magnetic
goal net.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the
sporting device is a basketball that comprises a magnetometer.
17. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising
wirelessly transmitting data from the sporting device to an
external computing device that is configured to display an
indication that the sporting device passed through the magnetic
goal net.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser.
No. 62/013,956 filed Jun. 18, 2014. This disclosure of the prior
application is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference
in) the disclosure of this application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document relates to systems and techniques for
operating an instrumented game device that can be handled by a
user, such as a basketball or soccer ball that includes electronics
that can detect motion and magnetic fields. For example, this
document relates to an instrumented basketball that can be used in
conjunction with a magnetic basketball net such that made or missed
shots can be detected.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Athletics has become an integral part of society, with
multiple television channels dedicated to sporting events, with
professional athletes promoting all sorts of products, and with the
public holding star athletes--both amateur and professional--in
high regard, so as to support financial rewards such as college
scholarships, sponsorship opportunities, and other
revenue-generating careers. Millions of people watch professional
and collegiate athletic events on any given night, and hundreds of
millions or billions watch major events like the Super Bowl, Final
Four, the soccer World Cup, and other championships.
[0004] As a result, athletes can make large sums of money, as can
the teams and others that support them. The relative increase in
importance of athletics has been accompanied by attempts to
increase athletic performance at all levels of development, from
young children to professionals. Collection of athletic performance
data can provide objective feedback to an athlete as they endeavor
to improve. The athletic performance data can be used by the
athlete to set goals for improvement, to track the athlete's
improvement progress, and for competitions between the athlete and
other athletes.
SUMMARY
[0005] This document describes systems and techniques that may be
used in combination with an instrumented human-manipulable sporting
device such as a soccer ball or basketball. For example, this
document describes an instrumented basketball that can be used in
conjunction with a magnetic basketball net and a computerized
algorithm, such that made or missed shots can be detected. In
particular, the systems and techniques described here relate to
instruments in sporting devices such as sensors for measuring
movement (e.g., gyros and accelerometers) and for measuring
magnetic fields around the ball (e.g., magnetometers). Further, the
systems and techniques described here relate to and nets (e.g., a
basketball goal net, soccer net, etc.) that include one or more
magnets. The movement data (inertial data) and the magnetic field
data collected by the sporting device can be processed in an
algorithm by which a shot make/miss determination can be performed.
In addition, the algorithm can make a determination of a type of
make and a type of miss. For example, the algorithm can distinguish
between a made basketball shot that was a "swish" versus a made
basketball shot that hit the rim before falling through the net.
Such data can be used in a variety of ways, such as to provide
statistics to an athlete undergoing training, to compare one
athlete's performance to the performance of other athletes (whose
performance metrics based on ball motion data may be stored in a
computing device), to provide data in association with
entertainment (such as showing motion-derived statistics or other
data overlaid on the screen of a television of a sporting event
that is in progress), or in using motion data to affect the play of
a videogame, such as by using motion data from a person to affect
the manner in which his or her avatar performs in a videogame.
[0006] The earth's magnetic field is affected by ferromagnetic
objects (e.g., a steel basketball rim). When an instrumented
basketball is close to a basketball rim, the magnetometer of the
basketball will sense a disturbance in the earth's magnetic field
signal. When the signature of the sensed disturbance reflects a
change that is known to relate to the basketball passing near the
rim (perhaps by the magnetic data alone, or in combination with
other data, such as accelerometer or gyro data that indicates a
player recently released the ball in the form of a shot, or slammed
it down in the form of a dunk, and also in combination with
after-occurred data, such as a sudden but soft deceleration and
change in rotation that is indicative of the ball "swishing"
through the net in basketball), the ball can record an event that
is associated with a made shot (e.g., by storing a flag that
relates to such an event along with a clock time for the event) or
a missed shot. The ball may then wirelessly communicate that data
to an external computing device--either immediately while the ball
is being used, or later such as when the ball is at rest or when
the ball is laid in an inductive charging cradle that also includes
wireless communication capabilities for communicating with the
electronics inside the ball.
[0007] Through such mechanisms as Bluetooth wireless or Wi-Fi data
connections, associated electronics in the ball may be paired with
a communication and/or computing device such as a smartphone or
tablet computer. A sensor unit in the ball may have a pairing table
memory that stores several previously paired Bluetooth- or
other-enabled devices. An application installed on such a device,
such as an application downloaded to the device from an application
stored, can be purchased or obtained for free, and may provide for
enhanced interactivity with such a ball. For example, an athlete
may charge a ball on a charging base or dock, and may at that time
or another time pair the ball or the dock with a smartphone. The
athlete may, after charging the electronics in the ball, perform a
number of predetermined, instructed (e.g., from a web site or an
app on their smartphone) drills, such as dribbling (e.g., regular
dribbling, crossovers, etc.) and shooting drills (e.g., set shots
and jump shots from various locations and distances). While the
drills are being performed, the ball may collect motion data and
may process the data into a usable form by employing on-board
processing algorithms and circuitry. (The ball may turn on
automatically upon sensing a certain number of hard bounces, and
may turn off automatically when placed in a charging base or dock,
or upon the expiration of a predetermined time without a hard
bounce, e.g., an acceleration similar to a bouncing of the ball on
a hard floor, like in a typical dribble). During the drills or upon
completion of the drills, the data may be transmitted in whole or
in part to the smartphone or other external computing device, and a
user may employ a GUI on the device to ascertain his or her
performance, including by seeing his or her performance compared to
one or more (e.g., aggregated or individual) other players of like
skill levels. Such an application may also communicate with a
server system, and may provide grades or other scores on aspects of
the athlete's performance in particular aspects of the drills, and
may also provide targeted recommendations for improving performance
in certain aspects of the athlete's game.
[0008] In certain implementations, such systems and technique may
provide one or more advantages. For example, an instrumented ball
and magnetic net can be provided whereby a shot can be detected and
a make/miss determination can be made. Data pertaining to the
make/miss determinations can be collected and wirelessly
transmitted to an external computing device for display to the
user. In some embodiments, the type of make and/or the type of miss
can be determined using the systems and techniques provided herein.
For example, a `swish` can be distinguished from a shot that hit
the rim and then fell through. In some embodiments, a missed shot
that hit the front of the rim can be distinguished from a missed
shot that hit the back of the rim. Such information can be valuable
for evaluating athletes and for providing insights to the athlete
in regard to what areas to work on to improve shooting performance
and consistency. More complete and accurate statistics may be
maintained by a system, in that the precise time of a basket being
scored may be determined (to small fractions of a second), and shot
hang time can also be computed by subtracting from such a "made"
time, a time at which motion sensor data indicates that the ball
left a player's hand. Moreover, automatic scoring and statistics
gathering systems may be employed and may be less expensive than
all-human systems and provide greater accuracy and precision. Such
make/miss sensing as described here may play a role in a larger
system by gathering data about the relative score of a game. With
such a system, the role of scorer may also be assigned to one of
the game officials, making the administration of a game easier
(fewer people who have to be located) and less expensive.
[0009] In one implementation, a magnetic net for a basketball goal
includes a standard basketball net and one or more magnets coupled
to the standard basketball net.
[0010] Such a magnetic net for a basketball goal may optionally
include one or more of the following features. The one or more
magnets may be configured to be removed from the basketball net and
recoupled to the standard basketball net without damaging the
standard basketball net. The one or more magnets may be disposed
within an open space within strings of the standard basketball net
such that the one or more magnets are not directly visible. The one
or more magnets may comprise four or more magnets.
[0011] In another implementation, an athletic game ball system
includes an athletic game ball comprising and a magnetic basketball
goal net. The athletic game ball includes a multi-layer ball shell
sealed from an area around the ball shell and one or more
electronic sensors located within a periphery of the athletic game
ball. The magnetic basketball goal net includes a standard
basketball goal net and one or more magnets coupled to the standard
basketball goal net.
[0012] Such an athletic game ball system may optionally include one
or more of the following features. The athletic game ball may
further comprise a circuit board supporting the one or more
electronic sensors and associated circuitry for monitoring motion
of the athletic game ball and magnetic field signals near the
athletic game ball. The associated circuitry may comprise a
wireless communication chip or chip set. The one or more electronic
sensors may comprise (i) an accelerometer or angular rate sensor,
(ii) a magnetometer, and (iii) a near field communications sensor.
The associated electronics may be programmed to identify
disturbances in a magnetic field of the earth around the athletic
game ball so as to identify when the athletic game ball has
contacted or passed near a rim of a basketball goal. The associated
electronics may be programmed to identify a magnetic field of the
one or more magnets coupled to the standard basketball goal net so
as to identify when the athletic game ball has passed through the
magnetic basketball goal net.
[0013] In another implementation, a computer-implemented method
includes identifying, with a computer system located in a sporting
device, data captured from one or more sensors positioned within
the sporting device and configured to sense a magnetic field around
the sporting device as part of an actual sporting occurrence;
analyzing the data, by the computer system, to identify a temporary
change in the magnetic field around the sporting device; and
determining, by the computer system, that the temporary change in
the magnetic field around the sporting device indicates that the
sporting device passed through a magnetic goal net.
[0014] Such a computer-implemented method may optionally include
one or more of the following features. Analyzing the data may
comprise identifying changes in the magnetic field around the
sporting device that are equal to or greater than a predefined
threshold value. The computer-implemented method may further
comprise analyzing inertial data, by the computer system, to
identify a motion of the sporting device. The computer-implemented
method may further comprise determining, by the computer system,
that the motion of the sporting device indicates that the sporting
device impacted a goal rim before the sporting device passed
through the magnetic goal net. The computer-implemented method may
further comprise determining, by the computer system, that the
motion of the sporting device indicates that the sporting device
did not impact a goal rim before the sporting device passed through
the magnetic goal net. The sporting device may be a basketball that
comprises a magnetometer. The computer-implemented method may
further comprise wirelessly transmitting data from the sporting
device to an external computing device that is configured to
display an indication that the sporting device passed through the
magnetic goal net.
[0015] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and
advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts an athlete shooting an instrumented
basketball through a goal that includes a net with integral
magnets.
[0017] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic top views of a basketball goal
with an example net that includes integral magnets.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a basketball goal with
another example net that includes integral magnets.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a basketball goal with
another example net that includes integral magnets.
[0020] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a basketball goal
with another example net that includes integral magnets.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a basketball goal with
another example net that includes schematically represented
integral magnets.
[0022] FIG. 7 are example time-based plots of inertial data and
magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball that was
shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes integral
magnets.
[0023] FIG. 8 are additional example time-based plots of inertial
data and magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball
that was shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes
integral magnets.
[0024] FIG. 9 are additional example time-based plots of inertial
data and magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball
that was shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes
integral magnets.
[0025] FIG. 10 are additional example time-based plots of inertial
data and magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball
that was shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes
integral magnets.
[0026] FIG. 11 are additional example time-based plots of inertial
data and magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball
that was shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes
integral magnets.
[0027] FIG. 12 are additional example time-based plots of inertial
data and magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball
that was shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes
integral magnets.
[0028] FIG. 13 are additional example time-based plots of inertial
data and magnet field data taken from an instrumented basketball
that was shot towards a basketball goal with a net that includes
integral magnets.
[0029] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] This document describes systems and techniques for operating
an instrumented game device that can be handled by a user, such as
a basketball or soccer ball that includes electronics that can
detect motion and magnetic fields. For example, this document
describes an instrumented basketball that can be used in
conjunction with a magnetic basketball net such that made or missed
shots can be detected.
[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a scenario 100 for determining made and/or
missed basketball shots electronically. The view here is an
elevation view of a single player 102 who has just taken a
straightway basketball shot, such as a free throw or a shot from
the top of the key. The ball 104 is provided with one or more
instruments 106 (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers,
coils, or other field sensing devices) for sensing motion and for
sensing a magnetic field through which the ball 104 passes. The
basketball goal 108 includes one or more magnets 109 that are
integrated with the net of the goal 108. As the ball passes through
the goal 108, the magnetic field emanating from the magnet(s) 109
is detected by the instrument(s) 106 in the ball 104.
[0032] A graph of the magnetic field strength 110 sensed by the
instrument(s) 106 against time or location (which are the same
here, since the motion is from left to right along with time),
shows an example (for illustration only) of the sensed field
strength 110. As can be seen, the field 110 is relatively constant
throughout the main arc of the ball, because the ball is far away
from anything electric or magnetic (other than the earth). However,
as the ball 104 passes through the basketball goal 108, the field
110 spikes, (first in one polarity, and then in another polarity in
this example), as the ball 104 approaches the magnet 109 and
retreats from the magnet 109, and then settles down again (as the
ball 104 falls to the floor).
[0033] In some embodiments, the detection and the determination of
a made and/or a missed shot occurs using electronics and algorithms
on the ball 104 itself. That is, in some embodiments the ball 104
includes an integral microprocessor running one or more algorithms
that can determine a made shot and/or a missed shot based on data
collected from the instrument(s) 106 (e.g., motion data from
accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, and magnetic field data from one
or more magnetometers). In some embodiments, the outputs of the
algorithm (also known as performance metric data) can be wirelessly
transmitted to an external computing device for display to the
user. For example, in some implementations such performance metric
data can be wirelessly transmitted (e.g., using Bluetooth
technology) to a smartphone that is running an application
pertaining to the instrumented basketball 104.
[0034] In some embodiments, the motion data and magnetic field data
from the instrument(s) 106 may be transmitted from the ball 104 to
an external computer that analyzes the data to determine a made
and/or missed shot. In some implementations, an event may be
triggered to indicate a score or a miss, and the event may be
aligned with a timeline of the sporting event, such as to a
timeline whose base is a game clock time for the sporting
event.
[0035] While certain aspects of the instrumented basketball 104 are
common to an ordinary basketball, one different feature is the
integrated instruments 106 of the instrumented basketball 104. Such
instruments 106 (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers,
and the like) may be located inside the ball 104, such as inside a
shell or bladder of the ball 104, and may move with the ball 104 so
as to sense motion imparted on the ball 104, and to sense magnetic
fields around the ball 104. For example, raw accelerometer data in
three axes may be converted into an indication of the g-force
imparted on the ball 104 when the player 102 takes a shot (e.g., a
basketball jump shot or a dunk), or kicks a soccer ball. Other raw
data may be processed with certain stored assumptions about an
athletic event, such as a stored a function about the release
height of a basketball shot, so as to provide derived data that
characterizes the shot using raw data from the instruments 106. For
example, the instruments 106 can measure angular velocity,
acceleration, linear velocity, and/or deceleration. As another
example, the instruments 106 can identify the number of times that
the basketball 104 is bounced or contacted within a set time period
using such measured parameters. As yet another example, the
instruments 106 can measure an angle at which basketball 104
contacts a surface (e.g., the floor). As yet another example, the
instruments 106 can be used to identify a spin rate of the
basketball 104. The instruments 106 can also, for example, be used
to measure the spin rate of a spiraling football, the arc of a
basketball shot, the spin axis and spin rate of a basketball shot,
or the velocity with which a soccer ball is kicked.
[0036] The instruments 106 can also include one or more
magnetometer sensors (e.g., a triaxial magnetometer) that can sense
magnetic fields around the ball 104. In some embodiments, the
magnetometer can sense the earth's magnetic field, and can detect
disruptions of the earth's magnetic field. The earth's magnetic
field is disrupted by ferromagnetic objects (e.g., a steel
basketball rim). Therefore, when the instrumented basketball 104 is
close to a basketball rim, the magnetometer of the basketball 104
can sense a disturbance to the earth's magnetic field signal that
can be characterized by the electronics of the ball 104 as the
presence of the rim. In addition, the magnetometer of the ball 104
can sense the magnetic fields emitted from magnets, such as from
the one or more magnets 109 coupled to the net of the basketball
goal 108. As such, the electronics of the ball 104 can determine
when the ball 104 has made contact with the net of the basketball
goal 108.
[0037] In some embodiments, as described in more detail below, the
inertial data from the accelerometers and gyroscopes can be used in
concert with the magnetic field data from the magnetometer in an
algorithm that can determine whether a shot was made or missed, and
that can distinguish between types of makes or misses.
[0038] Electronics that are in communication with the instruments
106 and are also located inside the ball 104, such as in the form
of a digital signal processor (DSP) and other electronics, may
perform processing operations to turn the raw sensor data that does
not have a meaning in the context of a particular sport, into
derived data (e.g., performance metric data) that is directed
specifically to a particular sport.
[0039] Such raw data, derived data, or both may then be provided to
a computing system that is external to the ball 104 such as by a
wireless data communication formed between a wireless interface in
the ball 104 a computer outside the ball 104. For example, the data
may be provided to a smartphone or tablet that is executing an
application for causing an interface on the smartphone or tablet to
communicate data with the electronics in the ball 104. Such an
application may have been obtained from an online application
store, such as the APPLE ITUNES STORE or the GOOGLE PLAY market,
and may convert the data received from the ball 104 into a
graphical representation that may be readily viewed and interpreted
by the athlete or by one or more other people, such as a coach, a
referee, or a spectator of an athletic event. For example, data
about the speed that a basketball shot was released, an angle of
release of the basketball shot, a number of made shots versus a
number of missed shots, types of missed shots, types of made shots,
and an amount of time between a player picking up a dribble and
releasing the ball, or raising the ball and releasing the ball from
a shot, may be displayed as text on a display of a smart phone or a
tablet computer. Certain of the data may also be converted into a
graphical form and such conversion may happen on the in-ball
electronics, the computing device outside the ball 104, or in part
on both. As one example, such electronics may compute an arc that a
basketball shot took based on information received from the
instruments 106 in the ball 104, and the arc may be displayed in a
graphical line on a background on the smartphone or tablet device.
Such a displayed arc may be shown next to the best practices art
that shows how the shot should have been aimed in a perfect
world.
[0040] In this manner, the systems and techniques discussed here
may permit for objective characterizations of the handling of the
ball 104 to be captured immediately and displayed in real time, for
example in less than a second or 2 seconds of delay, in a visually
pleasing manners on a variety of computing devices such as smart
phones, tablets, heads-up displays in the form of Google glass
head-mounted displays, and on other appropriate manners.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2A, as briefly described above, a net 200
of a basketball goal 200 can include one or more magnets 222a and
222b. It should be understood that the magnets 222a and 222b are
illustrated in a schematic manner. That is, while the magnets 222a
and 222b are illustrated as being elongated along a radial
direction of the basketball goal 200, it should be understood that
the FIG. 2A, and FIGS. 2B, 3, and 4, are not intended to depict
particular orientations of the physical profiles of the magnets
222a and 222b.
[0042] The basketball goal 200 includes a rim 210 to which the net
220 is coupled. The basketball goal 200 can comprise a standard
kind of rim 210 and net 220, with the exception of the addition of
the one or more magnets 222a and 222b to the net 220.
[0043] The depicted embodiment of net 220 includes two magnets:
magnet 222a and magnet 222b. In some embodiments, one magnet, three
magnets, four magnets, five magnets, six magnets, or more than six
magnets can be included in a single net 220. In some embodiments,
the magnets 222a and 222b are the same or are generally similar to
each other. In some embodiments, the magnets 222a and 222b are
different from each other. Such differences between the magnets
222a and 222b can include differences in factors such as, but not
limited to, size, shape, magnetic strength, materials, mounting
means, mounting locations and orientations, colors, orientations of
polarity, and the like.
[0044] In the depicted embodiment, the magnet 222a is mounted on
the net 220 near the front of the rim 210f, and the magnet 222b is
mounted on the net 220 near the back of the rim 210b. This provides
just one example embodiment of where the magnets 222a and 222b can
be oriented in relation to the net 220 and the rim 210. All other
possible orientations of the magnets 222a and 222b in relation to
the net 220 and the rim 210 are also envisioned within the scope of
this disclosure.
[0045] In the depicted embodiment, the north pole of each of the
magnets 222a and 222b is oriented towards the inside of the
basketball goal 200. In some embodiments, the south pole of each of
the magnets 222a and 222b is oriented towards the inside of the
basketball goal 200.
[0046] In some embodiments, the north pole of one of the of the
magnets 222a or 222b is oriented towards the inside of the
basketball goal 200, and the south pole of the other of the magnets
222a or 222b is oriented towards the inside of the basketball goal
200.
[0047] Referring now also to FIG. 2B, a basketball goal 250
includes a rim 260 to which a net 270 is coupled. The net 270
includes one or more magnets 272a and 272b. In this example, the
north pole of the magnet 272a is oriented towards the inside of the
basketball goal 250, and the south pole of the magnet 272b is
oriented towards the inside of the basketball goal 250. In some
implementations, such an arrangement may result in the magnetic
field strengths of the magnets 272a and 272b complimenting each
other. However, such an arrangement is not required for all
embodiments.
[0048] While in the depicted embodiments the magnets 222a, 222b,
272a, and 272b are shown with their polarities aligned along the
radii of the basketball goals 200 and 250, such an orientation is
not required. In some embodiments, the polarities of one or more of
the magnets 222a, 222b, 272a, and 272b can be orientated nominally
perpendicular to the radii of the basketball goals 200 and 250. In
some embodiments, the polarities of one or more of the magnets
222a, 222b, 272a, and 272b can be orientated at an angle between
about 0.degree. and about 90.degree. in relation to the radii of
the basketball goals 200 and 250.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, a basketball goal 300 includes a rim
310 to which a net 320 is coupled. The net 320 includes magnets
322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d. The basketball goal 300 can comprise a
standard kind of rim 310 and net 320, with the exception of the
addition of the magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d to the net
320.
[0050] The depicted embodiment of net 320 includes four magnets:
magnet 322a, magnet 322b, magnet 322c, and magnet 322d. In some
embodiments, one magnet, two magnets, three magnets, five magnets,
six magnets, or more than six magnets can be included in a single
net 320. In some embodiments, the magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and
322d are the same or are generally similar to each other. In some
embodiments, the magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d are different
from each other. Such differences between the magnets 322a, 322b,
322c, and 322d can include differences in factors such as, but not
limited to, size, shape, magnetic strength, materials, mounting
means, mounting locations and orientations, colors, orientations of
polarity, and the like.
[0051] In the depicted embodiment, the magnet 322a is mounted on
the net 320 near the front of the rim 310f; the magnet 322b is
mounted on the net 320 near the back of the rim 310b; the magnet
322c is mounted on the net 320 on the left side of the rim 310L;
and the magnet 322d is mounted on the net 320 on the right side of
the rim 310r. This provides another example embodiment of where the
magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d can be oriented in relation to
the net 320 and the rim 310. All other possible orientations of the
magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d in relation to the net 320 and
the rim 310 are also envisioned within the scope of this
disclosure.
[0052] In the depicted embodiment, the north pole of each of the
magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d is oriented towards the inside
of the basketball goal 300. In some embodiments, the south pole of
each of the magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, and 322d is oriented towards
the inside of the basketball goal 300. In some embodiments, the
north pole of one or more of the magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d
is oriented towards the inside of the basketball goal 300, while
the south pole of the other(s) of the magnets 322a, 322b, 322c, or
322d are oriented towards the inside of the basketball goal
300.
[0053] While in the depicted embodiment the magnets 322a, 322b,
322c, and 322d are each located at approximately 90.degree.
intervals around the perimeter of the basketball goal 300, such a
relative orientation is not required. For example, also referring
now to FIG. 4, a basketball goal 400 includes a rim 410 to which a
net 420 is coupled. The net 420 includes magnets 422a, 422b, 422c,
and 422d which are not at 90.degree. intervals around the perimeter
of the basketball goal 400. Rather, two of the magnets (422a and
422b) are biased toward the front of the rim 410f, while the other
two magnets (422c and 422d) are biased toward the back of the rim
410b. In some embodiments, magnets may alternately or additionally
be located with a bias toward one side or both sides of the rim
410. It should be understood that any and all regular and/or
irregular patterns of orientating the magnets on the net in
relation to the rim are envisioned within the scope of this
disclosure.
[0054] While the embodiments described so far include a single
magnet along a vertical direction of the net, the embodiments
provided herein are not so limited. That is, in some embodiments
two or more magnets may be located on the net approximately
directly above and below each other (i.e., at different elevations
on the net). In some embodiments, two or more magnets may be
located at different elevations and at different radial
orientations in relation to each other on the net.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a basketball goal 500 is shown
in two different perspective views. The basketball goal 500
includes a rim 510 to which a net 520 is coupled. The basketball
goal 500 can comprise a standard kind of rim 510 and net 520, with
the exception of the addition of the magnets, 522a, 522b, 522c, and
522d to the net 520 (the magnet 522d is also on the front of net
520 but not visible in the views provided). While the depicted
embodiment of net 520 includes four magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and
522d, as described above one, two, three, five, six, or more than
six magnets are included in some embodiments.
[0056] In the depicted embodiment, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c,
and 522d are flexible strip magnets. Such flexible strip magnets
are just one example of a type of magnet that can be used in
conjunction with the net 520. In some embodiments, one or more of
the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d can be cylindrical,
rectangular bars, spherical, horseshoes, rings or donuts, disks,
rectangles, multi-fingered rings, and other custom shapes.
[0057] As described above, the polarities of the magnets 522a,
522b, 522c, and 522d can be oriented in any configuration as
desired. For example, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d can be
polarized axially, through the thickness, with multi-poles on one
face only, and so on.
[0058] In the depicted embodiment, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c,
and 522d are attached to the inside surface of net 520. In some
embodiments, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d are attached to
the outside surface of net 520. In some embodiments, the magnets
522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d are attached to both the inside and the
outside surface of net 520. In some embodiments, the magnets 522a,
522b, 522c, and 522d are concealed inside of the strings of the net
520.
[0059] In the depicted embodiment, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c,
and 522d are attached to the surface of net 520 using a hook and
loop fastener system. That is, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and
522d have either a hook or loop back surface, and a corresponding
mounting strip has the reverse (hook or loop) surface. The magnets
522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d are attached to the net by engaging the
mounting strips to the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d with the
net 520 sandwiched therebetween. This technique for mounting the
magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d to the net 520 allows the
magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d to be added to, and/or removed
from, the net 520 without modifying the net 520. However, in some
embodiments the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d are essentially
permanently attached to the net 520.
[0060] In some embodiments, the magnets 522a, 522b, 522c, and 522d
are attached to or within the net 520 using various techniques such
as, but not limited to, clamping, lashing, using clips, using tape,
using adhesives, weaving, stitching, and so on, and using
combinations of such techniques.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 6, a basketball goal 600 is shown in a
perspective view. The basketball goal 600 includes a rim 610 to
which a net 620 is coupled. The basketball goal 600 can comprise a
standard kind of rim 610 and net 620, with the exception of the
addition of the magnets, 622a, 622b, 622c, and 622d to the net 620.
While the depicted embodiment of net 620 includes four magnets
622a, 622b, 622c, and 622d, as described above one, two, three,
five, six, seven, eight, or more than eight magnets are included in
some embodiments.
[0062] In the depicted implementation of the magnets, 622a, 622b,
622c, and 622d with the net 620, the magnets, 622a, 622b, 622c, and
622d are disposed within the inner space of the strings of the net
620. That is, the strings of net 620 are tubular, and the magnets,
622a, 622b, 622c, and 622d are thereby located inside of the
strings of the net 620. Using this technique, in some embodiments
there is no visible indication that the net 620 includes the
magnets, 622a, 622b, 622c, and 622d. The net 620 can look like any
ordinary basketball net 620.
[0063] In some embodiments, the magnets, 622a, 622b, 622c, and 622d
are elongated magnets, such as cylindrical magnets. For example, in
some embodiments the magnets, 622a, 622b, 622c, and 622d can be a
#D36-N52 magnet or a #D36 magnet sold by K&J Magnetics, Inc. of
Pipersville, Pa. The outer diameter of such example magnets is
well-suited to being installed within the tubular strings of the
net 620.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 7, a chart 700 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 710 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 740. The chart 700 illustrates the outputs of such sensors
that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g., the
sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of FIG.
1). More specifically, the chart 700 illustrates the outputs of
such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0065] In the depicted chart 700, plot 710.sub.sum is the sum of a
tri-axial angular rate gyroscope in a basketball and plot
712.sub.sum is the sum of a tri-axial accelerometer in the
basketball. The magnetometer sensor is also a tri-axial sensor
located within the basketball, and is summed together to create
plot 740.sub.sum. By inputting plots 710.sub.sum and 712.sub.sum
into an algorithm, it can be determined that the basketball was
propelled into the air at about time=400. In other words, a shot
began. At about time=1300, the basketball hit an object which in
this example was the rim of a basketball goal. At about time=1700,
the basketball again hit an object which in this example was the
floor.
[0066] Plot 740.sub.sum is the output of the magnetometer within
the basketball. It can be seen that from time=0 to about time=1300,
and from about time=1500 to time=2000, the output of the
magnetometer indicates an undisturbed sensing of the earth's
magnetic field. However, from about time=1300 to about time=1500
the magnetometer detected substantial magnetic field changes. Those
changes in the detected magnetic field can be related to two
conditions: (1) the near proximity of the magnetometer in the
basketball to the basketball rim and (2) the near proximity of the
magnetometer in the basketball to the magnets in the net. Those two
conditions each have distinct magnetic signal signatures that the
algorithm can distinguish between. Further, the magnetic signature
of a made shot that swishes through the net is unique to the
signature of a shot that first impacts the rim, bounces up and then
falls through the net. Still further, since the back of the rim has
more metal than the front of the rim, an impact by the ball with
the front of the rim has a unique magnetic signature as compared to
an impact by the ball with the back of the rim.
[0067] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 710 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 740, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was made because the signal of
the magnets in the net was detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in plot 740.sub.sum. The algorithm is also able to detect
the passage of the basketball through the net from the inertial
sensor signals. That is the case because, for example, the
basketball is slowed by the friction of the net as the basketball
passes through the net.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 8, a chart 800 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 810 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 840. The chart 800 illustrates the outputs of such sensors
that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g., the
sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of FIG.
1). More specifically, the chart 800 illustrates the outputs of
such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0069] In the chart 800, plot 810.sub.sum is the sum of a tri-axial
angular rate gyroscope in a basketball and plot 812.sub.sum is the
sum of a tri-axial accelerometer in the basketball. The
magnetometer sensor is also a tri-axial sensor located within the
basketball, and is summed together to create plot 840.sub.sum. By
inputting plots 810.sub.sum and 812.sub.sum into an algorithm, it
can be determined that the basketball was propelled into the air at
about time=400. In other words, a shot began. At about time=1200,
the basketball hit an object which in this example was the rim of
the basketball goal. At about time=1900, the basketball again hit
an object which in this example was the floor.
[0070] Plot 840.sub.sum is the output of the magnetometer within
the basketball. It can be seen that from time=0 to about time=2000
the output of the magnetometer indicates an undisturbed sensing of
the earth's magnetic field.
[0071] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 810 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 840, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was missed because the signal
of the magnets in the net was not detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in plot 840.sub.sum. More particularly, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and that it hit the rim but did
not go in.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 9, a chart 900 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 910 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 940. The chart 900 illustrates the outputs of such sensors
that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g., the
sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of FIG.
1). More specifically, the chart 900 illustrates the outputs of
such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0073] In the chart 900, plot 912 is the sum of a tri-axial
accelerometer in the basketball. Plot 942 is the expected value of
the magnetometer if no magnet or soft-iron (e.g., the rim of the
basketball goal) is near the basketball. The algorithm can
determine that the basketball was propelled into the air at about
time=100. In other words, a shot began. At about time=1250, the
basketball hit an object which in this example was the rim of the
basketball goal. The algorithm can also determine that the signals
from the magnetometer in graph 940 do not appreciably deviate from
the expected value of the magnetometer if no magnet or soft-iron
(e.g., the rim of the basketball goal) is near the basketball as
expressed by plot 942.
[0074] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 910 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 940, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was missed because the signal
of the magnets in the net was not detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in graph 940. More particularly, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and that it hit the rim but did
not go in. Moreover, the algorithm can determine that the ball made
contact with the front of the rim because very minimal disruption
of the magnetometer signals were detected at the time of the impact
with the rim.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 10, a chart 1000 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 1010 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 1040. The chart 1000 illustrates the outputs of such
sensors that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g.,
the sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of
FIG. 1). More specifically, the chart 1000 illustrates the outputs
of such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0076] In the chart 1000, plot 1012 is the sum of a tri-axial
accelerometer in the basketball. Plot 1042 is the expected value of
the magnetometer if no magnet or soft-iron (e.g., the rim of the
basketball goal) is near the basketball. The algorithm can
determine that the basketball was propelled into the air at about
time=100. In other words, a shot began. At about time=1350, the
basketball hit an object which in this example was the rim of the
basketball goal. The algorithm can also determine that the signals
from the magnetometer in graph 1040 do significantly deviate from
the expected value of the magnetometer if no magnet or soft-iron
(e.g., the rim of the basketball goal) is near the basketball as
expressed by plot 1042. However, the magnetic signal signature of
plot 1042 does not include the signature related to the ball
passing by magnets placed in the net.
[0077] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 1010 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 1040, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was missed because the signal
of the magnets in the net was not detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in graph 1040. More particularly, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and that it hit the rim but did
not go in. Moreover, the algorithm can determine that the ball made
contact with the rear of the rim because a significant disruption
of the magnetometer signals were detected at the time of the impact
with the rim. The significant disruption can be correlated to a
contact between the basketball and an substantial amount of
soft-iron, such as the back of the rim of the basketball goal.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 11, a chart 1100 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 1110 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 1140. The chart 1100 illustrates the outputs of such
sensors that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g.,
the sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of
FIG. 1). More specifically, the chart 1100 illustrates the outputs
of such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0079] In the chart 1100, plot 1110.sub.sum is the sum of a
tri-axial accelerometer in the basketball. The magnetometer sensor
is also a tri-axial sensor located within the basketball, and is
summed together to create plot 1140.sub.sum. By inputting plots
1110.sub.sum and 1112.sub.sum into an algorithm, it can be
determined that the basketball was propelled into the air at about
time=100. In other words, a shot began. At about time=1300, the
basketball softly decelerated by making contact, in this example,
with the net of the basketball goal but not the rim. At about
time=1900, the basketball again hit an object which in this example
was the floor.
[0080] Plot 1140.sub.sum is the output of the magnetometer within
the basketball. It can be seen that from time=0 to about time=1300
the output of the magnetometer indicates an undisturbed sensing of
the earth's magnetic field. However, at about time=1300 all
components of the magnetometer data show a sharp change, indicating
that the magnetometer was affected by the magnetic field of one or
more magnets in the net of the basketball goal.
[0081] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 1110 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 1140, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was made because the signal of
the magnets in the net were detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in plot 1140.sub.sum. More particularly, the algorithm
can determine that a shot was attempted and that it was a `swish`
because it was made but it did not have an impact with the rim of
the basketball goal.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 12, a chart 1200 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 1210 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 1240. The chart 1200 illustrates the outputs of such
sensors that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g.,
the sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of
FIG. 1). More specifically, the chart 1200 illustrates the outputs
of such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0083] In the depicted chart 1200, plot 1210.sub.sum is the sum of
a tri-axial angular rate gyroscope in a basketball and plot
1212.sub.sum is the sum of a tri-axial accelerometer in the
basketball. The magnetometer sensor is also a tri-axial sensor
located within the basketball, and is summed together to create
plot 1240.sub.sum. By inputting plots 1210.sub.sum and 1212.sub.sum
into an algorithm, it can be determined that the basketball was
propelled into the air at about time=100. In other words, a shot
began. At about time=1200, the basketball hit an object which in
this example was the rim of a basketball goal. At about time=1700,
the basketball again hit an object which in this example was the
floor.
[0084] Plot 1240.sub.sum is the output of the magnetometer within
the basketball. It can be seen that from time=0 to about time=1300,
and from about time=1350 to time=2000, the output of the
magnetometer indicates an undisturbed sensing of the earth's
magnetic field. However, from about time=1300 to about time=1350
the magnetometer detected substantial magnetic field changes. Those
changes in the detected magnetic field can be related to two
conditions: (1) the near proximity of the magnetometer in the
basketball to the basketball rim and (2) the near proximity of the
magnetometer in the basketball to the magnets in the net. Those two
conditions each have distinct magnetic signal signatures that the
algorithm can distinguish between. Further, the magnetic signature
of a made shot that swishes through the net is unique to the
signature of a shot that first impacts the rim, bounces up and then
falls through the net. Still further, since the back of the rim has
more metal than the front of the rim, an impact by the ball with
the front of the rim has a unique magnetic signature as compared to
an impact by the ball with the back of the rim.
[0085] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 1210 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 1240, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was made because the signal of
the magnets in the net was detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in plot 1240.sub.sum. The algorithm is also able to
detect the passage of the basketball through the net from the
inertial sensor signals. That is the case because, for example, the
basketball is slowed by the friction of the net as the basketball
passes through the net. In this example, the algorithm can
determine that the shot was made after a small contact with the rim
(as indicated by plot 1212.sub.sum).
[0086] Referring to FIG. 13, a chart 1300 includes a graph of
inertial sensor signals 1310 and a graph of magnetometer sensor
signals 1340. The chart 1300 illustrates the outputs of such
sensors that are located within an instrumented basketball (e.g.,
the sensors 106 located within the instrumented basketball 104 of
FIG. 1). More specifically, the chart 1300 illustrates the outputs
of such sensors (on the y-axes) versus time (on the x-axes).
[0087] In the chart 1300, plot 1310.sub.sum is the sum of a
tri-axial accelerometer in the basketball. The magnetometer sensor
is also a tri-axial sensor located within the basketball, and is
summed together to create plot 1340.sub.sum. By inputting plots
1310.sub.sum and 1312.sub.sum into an algorithm, it can be
determined that at about time=700, the basketball abruptly
decelerated by making contact, in this example, with the rim of the
basketball goal. The bouncing on the rim continued until about
time=1600.
[0088] Plot 1340.sub.sum is the output of the magnetometer within
the basketball. It can be seen that from time=0 to about time=1800
the output of the magnetometer indicates a generally undisturbed
sensing of the earth's magnetic field. However, at about time=1800
all components of the magnetometer data show a sharp change,
indicating that the magnetometer was affected by the magnetic field
of one or more magnets in the net of the basketball goal.
[0089] By using both the graph of inertial sensor signals 1310 and
the graph of magnetometer sensor signals 1340, the algorithm can
determine that a shot was attempted and whether the shot was made
or missed. In this example, the shot was made because the signal of
the magnets in the net were detected by the magnetometer as
indicated in plot 1340.sub.sum. More particularly, the algorithm
can determine that a shot was attempted and that it bounced
multiple times on the rim of the basketball goal and then fell
through the net.
[0090] It should be understood that one or more design features of
the magnetic basketball nets provided herein can be combined with
other features of other magnetic basketball nets provided herein.
In effect, hybrid designs that combine various features from two or
more of the magnetic basketball net designs provided herein can be
created and are within the scope of this disclosure.
[0091] While this specification contains many specific
implementation details, these should not be construed as
limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be
claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be
specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions.
Certain features that are described in this specification in the
context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in
combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features
that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also
be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any
suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be
described above as acting in certain combinations and even
initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed
combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and
the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or
variation of a subcombination.
[0092] In addition to being directed to the teachings described
above and claimed below, devices and/or methods having different
combinations of the features described above and claimed below are
contemplated. As such, the description is also directed to other
devices and/or methods having any other possible combination of the
dependent features claimed below.
[0093] Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth
in the preceding description, including various alternatives
together with details of the structure and function of the devices
and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and
as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be evident to
those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made,
especially in matters of structure, materials, elements,
components, shape, size and arrangement of parts including
combinations within the principles of the invention, to the full
extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these
various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.
All references, publications, and patents referred to herein,
including the figures and drawings included therewith, are
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
* * * * *