BALL SENSING

• US 20140274486A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Thurman, Robert T.
• Application Number:
  US14/188,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20140274486A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0666 worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball

Abstract

An apparatus configured for selectable use with an external electronic device. The apparatus comprises a ball including a core, a cover assembly comprising panels joined by stitching and surrounding the core, a sensor to sense motion of the ball, and a data output device. The data output device is carried by the ball and in communication with the sensor, the data output device to transmit data signals to the external electronic device.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for selectable use with an external electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a ball comprising;

a core;

a cover assembly comprising panels joined by stitching and surrounding the core;

a sensor to sense motion of the ball; and

a data output device carried by the ball and in communication with the sensor, the data output device to transmit data signals to the external electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one layer of yarn surrounding the core, wherein the cover assembly surrounds the at least one layer of yarn, and wherein the sensor is located inwardly of the at least one layer of yarn.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, where the sensor is within and at least partially surrounded by the core.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the core has a diameter of less than 2.0 inches.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball has a circumference of less than or equal to 12.5 inches.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ball has a circumference of less than or equal to 9.5 inches and a weight of less than 5.5 ounces.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data output device comprises a read/write RFID tag written with data sensed by the sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data output device comprises a Bluetooth device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data output device is configured to wirelessly transmit data signals to the external electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data output device comprises a display.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display is below a translucent portion of one of the panels.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one accelerometer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises at least one gyrometer.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a global positioning system sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetometer.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to obtain first data from the data output device and to display second data based on the first data.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data signals relate to at least one ball movement characteristic, and wherein the ball movement characteristic is selected from the group consisting of spin rate, spin acceleration, linear acceleration and linear velocity.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the data signals relate to at least two ball movement characteristics.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory inward of the cover assembly to store data from the sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, the core comprises at least one of a diene-based rubber composition and cork.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball comprises one of a baseball and a softball.