Sports projectile and camera apparatus

• US 20040036770A1
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven L. Adams
• Original Assignee: Steven L. Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Steven L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,995,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A sports projectile and camera apparatus includes a sports projectile which includes a sports projectile outside housing. A camera is housed inside the sports projectile outside housing. The camera includes a camera lens which faces outside the sports projectile outside housing. A transmitter is connected to the camera, for transmitting waves which include information relating to images picked up by the camera. A shock absorbent assembly is inside the sports projectile outside housing and surrounds the camera. A ground or base station receives the transmitted waves, and which includes a transmitted-wave receiver. An image capture and processing system is connected to the receiver for receiving and processing images, and a monitor displays images processed by the image capture and processing system. The sports projectile and camera apparatus of the invention transmits and records images that a sports projectile would see if the projectile had eyes.

Claims

1. A sports projectile and camera apparatus, comprising:

a sports projectile which includes a sports projectile outside housing,

a camera inside said sports projectile outside housing, wherein said camera includes a camera lens which faces outside said sports projectile outside housing,

a transmitter, connected to said camera, for transmitting waves,

a shock absorbent assembly surrounding said camera, and

a ground or base station, which receives said transmitted waves, and which includes a transmitted-wave receiver, an image capture and processing system connected to said receiver for receiving and processing images, and a monitor connected to said image capture and processing system for displaying images processed by said image capture and processing system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a cover for covering said sports projectile outside housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said transmitter transmits radio waves, and

said receiver receives radio waves.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shock absorbent assembly includes a quantity of shock absorbent material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a power supply for powering said camera and said transmitter.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sports projectile outside housing is in a form of a sports ball.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said camera is a video camera.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said video camera is a front-facing camera.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a rear-facing camera.