Automated line calling system
First Claim
1. A system for determining whether a ball bounce occurs on an inside of a boundary line or an outside of the boundary line, comprising:
- a) a sensor or sensor sections comprising an output that provides either an analog signal or a multilevel digital signal related to a force present on the sensor or sensor section;
b) a signal analysis unit comprising;
b1) an input connected to the sensor signal output;
b2) circuitry or a memory containing predetermined information related to a footstep characteristic curve and a ball bounce characteristic curve, the characteristic curve information comprising at least one of duration of activation information, amplitude information, peak information, frequency information, or curve shape information;
b3) a classifier configured to classify a signal received from the sensor as at least one of;
1) a ball bounce by utilizing the ball bounce characteristic curve information, and
2) a footstep by utilizing the footstep characteristic curve information;
b4) the classifier comprising an event output at which a signal is output, the event output signal comprising at least an OUT event indicating a ball bounce classified outside of the boundary line.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and appertaining method are described to detect whether a projectile impact occurs on one side of a boundary line or the other. The system utilize force sensing resistor-based sensors that may be configured in sections or groups and connected to a control system with a display. An impact classification system is provided for distinguishing between various events, including a footstep, ball impact and tennis racquet contact. A sensor monitoring system is provided for determining the health of sensors and provding an error indication if sensor problems exist. A service detection system is provided when the system is used for tennis that permits activation of selected groups of sensors and deactivation of others.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A system for determining whether a ball bounce occurs on an inside of a boundary line or an outside of the boundary line, comprising:
-
a) a sensor or sensor sections comprising an output that provides either an analog signal or a multilevel digital signal related to a force present on the sensor or sensor section;
b) a signal analysis unit comprising;
b1) an input connected to the sensor signal output;
b2) circuitry or a memory containing predetermined information related to a footstep characteristic curve and a ball bounce characteristic curve, the characteristic curve information comprising at least one of duration of activation information, amplitude information, peak information, frequency information, or curve shape information;
b3) a classifier configured to classify a signal received from the sensor as at least one of;
1) a ball bounce by utilizing the ball bounce characteristic curve information, and
2) a footstep by utilizing the footstep characteristic curve information;
b4) the classifier comprising an event output at which a signal is output, the event output signal comprising at least an OUT event indicating a ball bounce classified outside of the boundary line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system for determining whether a ball bounce occurs on an inside of a boundary line or an outside of the boundary line, comprising:
-
a) a sensor or sensor sections comprising an output that provides either an analog signal or a multilevel digital signal related to a force present on the sensor or sensor section;
b) a health monitoring system comprising;
b1) an input for monitoring a signal related to each sensor or sensor section;
b2) at least one of circuitry and an algorithm for distinguishing a properly operating sensor or sensor section from one that is improperly operating indicating an error; and
b3) an output for providing an indication of a sensor, sensor section, or system error; and
c) an error notification system comprising an input connected to the output of the health monitoring system and an output connected to a user notification device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system for determining whether a ball bounce occurs on an inside of a boundary line or an outside of the boundary line, comprising:
-
a) a sensor or sensor sections comprising an output that provides either an analog signal or a multilevel digital signal related to a force present on the sensor or sensor section;
b) a serve condition detection system, comprising;
b1) an input configured to receive an indication of a service and an indication of a service court for which the service is to occur; and
b2) an activation mechanism for activating a sensor group associated with service lines related to the service court and deactivating sensor groups associated with service lines unrelated to the service court. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
Specification