WO1999059684A1 - Ball with infrared sensitive sensors and goal with infrared emitters - Google Patents

Ball with infrared sensitive sensors and goal with infrared emitters Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999059684A1
WO1999059684A1 PCT/IT1999/000134 IT9900134W WO9959684A1 WO 1999059684 A1 WO1999059684 A1 WO 1999059684A1 IT 9900134 W IT9900134 W IT 9900134W WO 9959684 A1 WO9959684 A1 WO 9959684A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ball
goal
infrared
enclosure
infrared rays
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT1999/000134
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Renato Cornacchia
Original Assignee
B.F. Elettromeccanica S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by B.F. Elettromeccanica S.R.L. filed Critical B.F. Elettromeccanica S.R.L.
Priority to EP99921143A priority Critical patent/EP1079899A1/en
Priority to AU38480/99A priority patent/AU3848099A/en
Publication of WO1999059684A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999059684A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0021Tracking a path or terminating locations
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B43/00Balls with special arrangements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0021Tracking a path or terminating locations
    • A63B2024/0037Tracking a path or terminating locations on a target surface or at impact on the ground
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/805Optical or opto-electronic sensors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/83Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/50Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
    • A63B2225/54Transponders, e.g. RFID
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B63/00Targets or goals for ball games

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sports ball whose position can be automatically determined with millimetric accuracy.
  • the invention also relates to a device used to determine the position of the ball with respect to a defined alignment.
  • optical systems are known in which a defined alignment - such as the line that marks the soccer goal - is monitored by several cameras. The cameras shoot and analyse the area near the line and in particular observe the passage of the ball beyond the line in order to determine whether the goal is valid or not.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to find a solution to the above inconveniences and offer a ball and a device to detect its position, which can be easily and conveniently installed, although characterised by high accuracy.
  • This purpose has been achieved with a ball that is at least partially transparent to infrared rays and provided with sensors which are sensitive to infrared rays, as well as with signalling means activated by the reception of the infrared rays.
  • the invention relates to a device consisting in several emitters of infrared rays that are oriented as to define the alignment used to determine the position of the ball.
  • the alignment is composed of a continuous field or "gate" of infrared rays projected in the proximity of the goal.
  • the advantages of the present invention mainly consist in the possibility of immediately and accurately determining the position of the ball with respect to the alignment of the emitters.
  • FIG. 1 shows a soccer ball according to the invention
  • figure 2 is an enlarged view of the ball shown in figure 1 ;
  • figure 3 is a transversal cross-section of the detail shown in figure 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the detail shown in figure 2.
  • the ball according to the present invention is made up of an enclosure (1) obtained by sewing together various hexagonal pieces (2).
  • some strips (3) are located on the stitching of the pieces (2) which feature an external portion (4) made of material transparent to infrared rays, equipped with several sensors or photodiodes (5) sensitive to infrared rays.
  • the diodes are preferably located inside the portion (4), for instance during the production stage of the strips
  • the sensors (5) are connected by means of wires (6) to an active signalling element (7), preferably located in the centre of the bladder of the ball (1), inside a sheath in diametral position.
  • the wires (6) go through the strips (3), reach the ends of the sheath (8) and continue along it up to the active element.
  • the sheath is located between the bladder valve and the diametrically opposite point with respect to the valve.
  • the transparent strips are uniformly distributed on the entire surface of the ball so that the first point of the ball that enters the alignment defined by the infrared rays is of no relevance.
  • the rays are transmitted by the transparent portion (4) of the strip to the sensors
  • the electronic signal produced by the sensors as a result of the exposure to the infrared rays is transmitted in turn through the wires (6) up to the active element (7) which signals the exposure to the infrared rays.
  • the transparent portions of the ball can be represented by the pieces (2) or part of the pieces (2), or by the entire enclosure (1), in case of balls without sewn pieces.
  • the sensitive element can be placed anywhere in the ball, i.e. fixed to the internal surface of the enclosure.
  • Figure 5 shows a device used to create an infrared alignment or "gate" (11).
  • the alignment is defined by several emitting diodes (9) located in proximity of the perimeter of a goal (10) with vertical orientation with respect to the goal.
  • the mutual distance between the diodes is determined so that the composition of the emitted ray beams covers a surface that corresponds to the entire goal.
  • the complete coverage of the goal is guaranteed by the diodes located along each individual side of the goal. This ensures the maximum visibility of the ball in any position and situation during the match.
  • the ball is visible from the diodes (9) located along the lower horizontal line.
  • the distance of the gate (11) with respect to the goal line is equal to the ball diameter.

Abstract

Ball for sports use comprising an enclosure (1) with uniform distribution of one or more portions (4) transparent to infrared rays and in optical communication with one or more sensors (5) sensitive to infrared rays and electrically connected with signalling means (7) fixed to the ball.

Description

Description
BALL WITH INFRARED SENSITIVE SENSORS AND GOAL WITH INFRARED EMITTERS
1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a sports ball whose position can be automatically determined with millimetric accuracy.
The invention also relates to a device used to determine the position of the ball with respect to a defined alignment.
2. State of the art
Currently, optical systems are known in which a defined alignment - such as the line that marks the soccer goal - is monitored by several cameras. The cameras shoot and analyse the area near the line and in particular observe the passage of the ball beyond the line in order to determine whether the goal is valid or not.
However, these systems do not offer a solution when the ball is covered (for instance when the goalkeeper holds the ball next to the goal line) and are extremely expensive, both for what regards the cameras and the image processing necessary to determine the position of the ball with accuracy.
3. Purpose of the invention
The purpose of the present invention is to find a solution to the above inconveniences and offer a ball and a device to detect its position, which can be easily and conveniently installed, although characterised by high accuracy.
4. Summary of the invention
This purpose has been achieved with a ball that is at least partially transparent to infrared rays and provided with sensors which are sensitive to infrared rays, as well as with signalling means activated by the reception of the infrared rays.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a device consisting in several emitters of infrared rays that are oriented as to define the alignment used to determine the position of the ball. In the case of a soccer goal, the alignment is composed of a continuous field or "gate" of infrared rays projected in the proximity of the goal.
The advantages of the present invention mainly consist in the possibility of immediately and accurately determining the position of the ball with respect to the alignment of the emitters.
5. Detailed description of the invention
The advantages of the invention appear obvious from the description below and the enclosed drawings, which are intended for illustration purposes, and not with limiting sense, in which:
- figure 1 shows a soccer ball according to the invention;
- figure 2 is an enlarged view of the ball shown in figure 1 ;
- figure 3 is a transversal cross-section of the detail shown in figure 2;
- figure 4 is a lateral view of the detail shown in figure 2. With reference to the embodiment shown as an example in the enclosed drawings, the ball according to the present invention is made up of an enclosure (1) obtained by sewing together various hexagonal pieces (2).
As shown in figures 3 and 4, some strips (3) are located on the stitching of the pieces (2) which feature an external portion (4) made of material transparent to infrared rays, equipped with several sensors or photodiodes (5) sensitive to infrared rays. The diodes are preferably located inside the portion (4), for instance during the production stage of the strips
(3).
The sensors (5) are connected by means of wires (6) to an active signalling element (7), preferably located in the centre of the bladder of the ball (1), inside a sheath in diametral position. The wires (6) go through the strips (3), reach the ends of the sheath (8) and continue along it up to the active element.
In a preferred form of embodiment, the sheath is located between the bladder valve and the diametrically opposite point with respect to the valve.
According to the invention, the transparent strips are uniformly distributed on the entire surface of the ball so that the first point of the ball that enters the alignment defined by the infrared rays is of no relevance.
When part of one or more strips (3) is exposed to the infrared rays, the rays are transmitted by the transparent portion (4) of the strip to the sensors
(5). The electronic signal produced by the sensors as a result of the exposure to the infrared rays is transmitted in turn through the wires (6) up to the active element (7) which signals the exposure to the infrared rays.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the transparent portions of the ball can be represented by the pieces (2) or part of the pieces (2), or by the entire enclosure (1), in case of balls without sewn pieces. Likewise, in view of its limited weight, the sensitive element can be placed anywhere in the ball, i.e. fixed to the internal surface of the enclosure.
Figure 5 shows a device used to create an infrared alignment or "gate" (11).
In this case, the alignment is defined by several emitting diodes (9) located in proximity of the perimeter of a goal (10) with vertical orientation with respect to the goal. The mutual distance between the diodes is determined so that the composition of the emitted ray beams covers a surface that corresponds to the entire goal.
Preferably, the complete coverage of the goal is guaranteed by the diodes located along each individual side of the goal. This ensures the maximum visibility of the ball in any position and situation during the match.
For instance, if the goalkeeper holds the ball, the ball is visible from the diodes (9) located along the lower horizontal line.
As an example, to determine the moment in which the ball has completely passed the goal line, the distance of the gate (11) with respect to the goal line is equal to the ball diameter.
When a transparent part of the ball (1) reaches the gate (11), the signalling indicates that the ball has effectively passed the goal line.
The present invention is described with reference to preferred forms of embodiment. However, it is possible to make equivalent modifications without exiting the protection scope granted by present industrial invention.

Claims

Claims
I. Ball for sports use comprising an enclosure (1) with uniform distribution of one or more portions (4) transparent to infrared rays and in optical communication with one or more sensors (5) sensitive to infrared rays and electrically connected with signalling means (7) fixed to the ball.
2. Ball according to claim 1 , characterised in that the enclosure is made up of polygonal pieces (2) sewn together, it being provided that strips (3) with transparent portions (4) are inserted along the stitching.
3. Ball according to claim 2, characterised in that the sensors (5) and the wires (6) are contained inside the transparent portions (4).
4. Ball according to claim 2, characterised in that the signalling element (7) is located in a sheath (8) in diametral position inside the bladder.
5. Ball according to claim 1 , characterised in that the signalling element (7) is fixed to the internal surface of the enclosure (1).
6. Ball according to claim 1 , characterised in that the transparent portions (4) are represented by the pieces (2), or part of the pieces (2).
7. Ball according to claim 1 , characterised in that the transparent portions (4) are represented by the enclosure (1).
8. Infrared device for the detection of the ball passing through a goal (10), characterised in that it is composed of a distribution of infrared emitters (9) located at least along one side of the goal.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the mutual distance of the emitters located at least along one side of the goal is such that the composition of the emitted ray beams covers a surface that corresponds to the entire goal, thus creating a substantially continuous gate of infrared rays (11).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the emitters are located along the four sides of the goal.
I I. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the gate is located in parallel position beyond the effective goal line, at a distance equal to the diameter of the ball used.
PCT/IT1999/000134 1998-05-18 1999-05-14 Ball with infrared sensitive sensors and goal with infrared emitters WO1999059684A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99921143A EP1079899A1 (en) 1998-05-18 1999-05-14 Ball with infrared sensitive sensors and goal with infrared emitters
AU38480/99A AU3848099A (en) 1998-05-18 1999-05-14 Ball with infrared sensitive sensors and goal with infrared emitters

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITFI980119 ITFI980119A1 (en) 1998-05-18 1998-05-18 BALL FOR SPORTS USE AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF ITS POSITION
ITFI98A000119 1998-05-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999059684A1 true WO1999059684A1 (en) 1999-11-25

Family

ID=11352559

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT1999/000134 WO1999059684A1 (en) 1998-05-18 1999-05-14 Ball with infrared sensitive sensors and goal with infrared emitters

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1079899A1 (en)
AU (1) AU3848099A (en)
IT (1) ITFI980119A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999059684A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2189193A1 (en) * 2008-11-25 2010-05-26 adidas International Marketing B.V. Bladder for a ball
US20130167290A1 (en) * 2011-12-30 2013-07-04 Ariel BEN EZRA Sensor activated ball and sport accessory with computer functionalities
US9545542B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-01-17 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US9849361B2 (en) 2014-05-14 2017-12-26 Adidas Ag Sports ball athletic activity monitoring methods and systems
US10523053B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2019-12-31 Adidas Ag Sport ball inductive charging methods and systems

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2051386A1 (en) * 1970-10-20 1972-04-27 Rudat, Otto; Hanke, Herbert; 4650 Gelsenkirchen Method for the automatic detection of hits in sports games
FR2667510A1 (en) * 1990-10-09 1992-04-10 Courty Claude Device intended for taking part in a novel individual or team sports game
US5251903A (en) * 1992-10-19 1993-10-12 Bixler Dickie R Ball with grip pressure indicator
US5615880A (en) * 1996-05-06 1997-04-01 Booth; Jason P. Electronic goal detecting system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2051386A1 (en) * 1970-10-20 1972-04-27 Rudat, Otto; Hanke, Herbert; 4650 Gelsenkirchen Method for the automatic detection of hits in sports games
FR2667510A1 (en) * 1990-10-09 1992-04-10 Courty Claude Device intended for taking part in a novel individual or team sports game
US5251903A (en) * 1992-10-19 1993-10-12 Bixler Dickie R Ball with grip pressure indicator
US5615880A (en) * 1996-05-06 1997-04-01 Booth; Jason P. Electronic goal detecting system

Cited By (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8517869B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2013-08-27 Adidas International Marketing B.V. Bladder for a ball
EP2189193A1 (en) * 2008-11-25 2010-05-26 adidas International Marketing B.V. Bladder for a ball
US9878214B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2018-01-30 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US11631996B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2023-04-18 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US9555292B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-01-31 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US9592428B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-03-14 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US9630062B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-04-25 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US9757624B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-09-12 May Patents Ltd. Motion sensing device which provides a visual indication with a wireless signal
US9764201B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-09-19 May Patents Ltd. Motion sensing device with an accelerometer and a digital display
US9782637B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-10-10 May Patents Ltd. Motion sensing device which provides a signal in response to the sensed motion
US9808678B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-11-07 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in respose to a sensed motion
US11689055B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2023-06-27 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device
US9868034B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2018-01-16 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US9878228B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2018-01-30 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US11916401B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2024-02-27 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US9545542B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2017-01-17 May Patents Ltd. System and method for a motion sensing device which provides a visual or audible indication
US11173353B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2021-11-16 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US10926140B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2021-02-23 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US10953290B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2021-03-23 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11141629B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2021-10-12 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US10525312B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2020-01-07 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11192002B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2021-12-07 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11260273B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2022-03-01 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11298593B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2022-04-12 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11305160B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2022-04-19 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11605977B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2023-03-14 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US11631994B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2023-04-18 May Patents Ltd. Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
US20130167290A1 (en) * 2011-12-30 2013-07-04 Ariel BEN EZRA Sensor activated ball and sport accessory with computer functionalities
US9849361B2 (en) 2014-05-14 2017-12-26 Adidas Ag Sports ball athletic activity monitoring methods and systems
US10523053B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2019-12-31 Adidas Ag Sport ball inductive charging methods and systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITFI980119A1 (en) 1999-11-18
EP1079899A1 (en) 2001-03-07
AU3848099A (en) 1999-12-06

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