Score counter by sensing route of basketball shots

• US 6,418,179 B1
• Filed: 05/21/2001
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deemax Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Deemax Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Shieh, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Wambach, Margaret R.
• Application Number:
  US09/861,734
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 377/5, 473/480, 473/485
• US Class Current: 377/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

A score counter for sensing route of basketball shots includes a pair of photoelectric sensors installed at respective positions below an inner rim of a basket hoop to detect basketball valid shots. Such an arrangement overcomes basket net interference to the photoelectric sensors to avoid malfunctions and is capable of discriminating the correct route after a basketball is thrown into the basket hoop.

Claims

1. A basketball score counter comprising:

first and second photo emitters fixed on a first location of a basket hoop;

first and second photo receivers fixed on a second location of said basket hoop diametrically opposite to said first location;

a first scarf-joint board having a first end on which said photo emitters are mounted and a second end anchored on said first location of said basket hoop; and

a second scarf-joint board having a first end on which said photo receivers are mounted and a second end anchored on said second location of said basket hoop;

wherein said first and second photo receivers sense light signals from said first and second photo emitters respectively for determining if a basketball shot is valid or not.

2. The basketball score counter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second scarf-joint boards are L-shaped.

3. A basketball score counter comprising:

first and second photo emitters fixed on a first location of a basket hoop, said second photo emitter being located vertically below said first photo emitter; and

first and second photo receivers fixed on a second location of said basket hoop diametrically opposite to said first location, said second photo receiver being located vertically below said first photo receiver;

wherein said first and second photo receivers sense light signals from said first and second photo emitters respectively for determining if a basketball shot is valid or not.

4. The basketball score counter as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a first scarf-joint board having a first end on which said photo emitters are mounted and a second end anchored on said first location of said basket hoop; and

a second scarf-joint board having a first end on which said photo receivers are mounted and a second end anchored on said second location of said basket hoop.

5. The basketball score counter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first and second scarf-joint boards are L-shaped.