INTERACTIVE BALL

• US 20150196811A1
• Filed: 11/17/2014
• Published: 07/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Inventors: Laurienzo, Dominic, Hudson, Jon, Park, Hanjin, Guarniere, Michael
• Application Number:
  US14/543,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20150196811A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2041/005 with counterweight for adjusting the centre of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/50 Force related parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/08 Juggling or spinning ball games played as games of skill A63B67/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interactive ball and, more particularly to a ball (e.g., soccer ball) having one or more sensors and an integrated circuit and a memory that are configured to record at least one performance metric from a user that can be implemented through a variety of games and challenges. The performance metric includes a power mode and a challenge mode, with the challenge mode providing a variety of challenges for the user to perform or compete against, including dribbling, juggling, and flight time.

Claims

1. An interactive ball, comprising:

a ball with one or more sensors attached thereto;

an integrated circuit and a memory, wherein the integrated circuit and at least one sensor are configured to record at least one performance metric from a user.

2. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ball is a soccer ball.

3. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 2, wherein the at least one performance metric includes a power mode and a challenge mode.

4. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 3, wherein when in the power mode, the integrated circuit in conjunction with the one or more sensors is operable for measuring the speed at which the ball is kicked and G-forces exerted upon the ball when the ball is kicked.

5. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 4, wherein when in the challenge mode, the integrated circuit in conjunction with the one or more sensors is operable for initiating and recording performance measures from a user during a plurality of challenges.

6. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 5, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a juggling challenge, in which the ball counts a number of consistent impacts until the ball is at rest for a predetermined period of time, with the number of consistent impacts being displayed as a juggle count.

7. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 6, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a dribbling challenge, in which the ball counts a number of consistent impacts until the ball is at rest for a predetermined period of time, with the number of consistent impacts being displayed as a dribble count.

8. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 7, wherein the time between consistent impacts in the dribbling challenge is greater than the time between consistent impacts in the juggling challenge.

9. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 8, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a flight time challenge, in which time is recorded between an initial impact and a landing impact as a flight time.

10. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ball includes a connector port and is adapted to connect with and sync with a software application stored on a user'"'"'s mobile device.

11. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 3, wherein when in the challenge mode, the integrated circuit in conjunction with the one or more sensors is operable for initiating and recording performance measures from a user during a plurality of challenges.

12. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 11, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a juggling challenge, in which the ball counts a number of consistent impacts until the ball is at rest for a predetermined period of time, with the number of consistent impacts being displayed as a juggle count.

13. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 11, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a dribbling challenge, in which the ball counts a number of consistent impacts until the ball is at rest for a predetermined period of time, with the number of consistent impacts being displayed as a dribble count.

14. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 13, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a juggling challenge, in which the ball counts a number of consistent impacts until the ball is at rest for a predetermined period of time, with the number of consistent impacts being displayed as a juggle count, and wherein the time between consistent impacts in the dribbling challenge is greater than the time between consistent impacts in the juggling challenge.

15. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 11, wherein the plurality of challenges includes a flight time challenge, in which time is recorded between an initial impact and a landing impact as a flight time.

16. The interactive ball as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ball includes a connector port and is adapted to connect with and sync with a software application stored on a user'"'"'s mobile device.