Multi-functional basketball game monitoring unit

• US 4,999,603 A
• Filed: 11/13/1989
• Issued: 03/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Margaret A. Dyer, Mary K. Mele, Mele, Thomas C., Robert C. Dyer
• Original Assignee: Margaret A. Dyer, Mary K. Mele, Mele, Thomas C., Robert C. Dyer
• Inventors: Mele, Thomas C., Dyer, Robert C., Dyer, Margaret A., Mele, Mary K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEGASH, KINFE MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/435,036
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 340/323 R, 273/1.5 R, 273/371, 364/410, 364/411, 434/248
• US Class Current: 340/323.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/28 Indicating playing time

Abstract

A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit that allows automatic scoring taking into account foul shots, and position sensitive shots and also allows scoring of shots missed with a programmable control processing unit allowing for a great variety of differing output statistics both to visual display and to a printer and also allowing a variety of audio choices as programmed or as entered on a keyboard to the controller.

Claims

1. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit comprising:

(a) a scoring sensor means to sense passage of a basketball through a hoop on a backboard;

(b) a power source to power said scoring sensor means and communication means from said scoring sensor means to a controller means;

(c) an impact sensor means to determine when a basketball impact said backboard and to transmit data to said controller means;

(d) laser beam generator means and laser beam receiver means to form a laser beam grid over a playing surface between two of said backboard with beams of said laser beams grid being closer together than a diameter of said basketball;

said laser beam receiver means communicating with said controller means to allow determination of coordinates of a point where said basketball passes through said laser grid;

(e) an output from said controller means to a visual display unit.

2. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 1 wherein said controller means is programmable from a keyboard.

3. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 1 wherein said communication means between said scoring sensor means and said controller means is a wireless communication equipment.

4. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 1 where in said controller means contains a timing circuit and with inputs from said laser beam grid, said impact sensor, and said scoring sensor means calculates and displays to the proper score for foul shots and for other locations sensitive shots.

5. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 1 wherein said controller means outputs to activate an audio means.

6. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 1 wherein said controller means stores data and, upon command from a keyboard, will output to a printer.

7. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit comprising:

(a) a controller means with associated electronic circuitry that receives input from a scoring sensor means and a coordinate sensing means to respectively determine when a basketball passes through a hoop and to determine a position from whence said basketball was thrown;

said controller means acting to calculate statistics relative to inputs from said scoring sensor means, and said coordinate sensing means and to store and display said statistics.

8. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 7 wherein said controller means receives input from a keyboard and stores and outputs data to a printer.

9. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 7 wherein said controller means may output to activate audio devices.

10. A multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit as in claim 7 wherein an impact sensing means determines near misses and said controller means may then calculate percentage of baskets made from total baskets attempted.