Automated detection system for sports fields and the like

• US 7,369,038 B1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James F. Thompson
• Original Assignee: James F. Thompson
• Inventors: Thompson, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US11/260,730
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/39.R, 340/665, 473/467, 473/415, 473/476, 473/479, 473/490
• US Class Current: 340/323.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games

Abstract

A computer monitoring system includes a processor and sensors electrically thereto that are positioned beneath the playing surface directly below a boundary line. The sensors are connected in series to the processor such that each sensor is independently activated and generates an analog output signal when a predetermined weight limit is detected thereon. The sensors are positioned below a three-point and a free-throw line. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the processor and sensors that receives and converts the analog signals to digital signals. A memory includes programmable software instruction that cause the system to perform a series of operations. The processor generates and transmits audible and visual notification signals for each of the consecutive digital signals when the time span is greater than the threshold interval.

Claims

1. A computer monitoring system for notifying a referee when a player or associated sports ball has passed beyond a predetermined boundary line defined on a playing surface, said computer monitoring system comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of sensors electrically coupled to said processor, said sensors being selectively positioned beneath the playing surface and registered directly below the predetermined boundary line, said sensors being connected in parallel to said processor such that each said sensor is independently activated during game playing conditions, each said sensor generating an analog output signal when a predetermined weight limit is detected thereon during game play;

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to said processor and said sensors, said converter receiving and converting said analog output signals to digital output signals;

a memory including programmable software instruction that cause said computer monitoring system to perform a series of operations including the steps of;

a. determining an originating location of said digital output signals,

b. determining a sequential order of said digital output signals,

c. calculating a time span between consecutive digital output signals, and

d. determining whether said time span is greater than a predetermined threshold interval;

wherein said processor generates and transmits audible and visual notification signals for each said consecutive digital output signals when said time span is greater than said threshold interval, a later one of said consecutive digital output signals being ignored by said processor when said time span is less than said threshold interval.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of housings removably nested within a notch formed in the playing surface, said housings being detachable from the playing surface and seated subjacent said sensors for providing a rigid bottom surface against which said sensors are supported.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display screen electrically coupled to said processor;

a graphical user interface installed on said display screen; and

a speaker and an illuminable light source electrically coupled to said processor and said display monitor;

wherein said graphical user interface provides a virtual image of the playing surface on said display screen and highlights an area of the playing surface when a selected one of said sensors detects the weight thereon such that the referee can quickly and effectively identify which boundary a player touched, said speaker and said illuminable light source being receiving said audible and visual notification signals when time span is greater than the predetermined time interval.

4. A computer monitoring system for notifying a referee when a player or associated sports ball has passed beyond a predetermined boundary line defined on a playing surface, said computer monitoring system comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of sensors electrically coupled to said processor, said sensors being selectively positioned beneath the playing surface and registered directly below the predetermined boundary line, said sensors being connected in parallel to said processor such that each said sensor is independently activated during game playing conditions, each said sensor generating an analog output signal when a predetermined weight limit is detected thereon during game play, wherein said sensors are positioned directly below a three-point line defined on the playing surface;

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to said processor and said sensors, said converter receiving and converting said analog output signals to digital output signals;

a memory including programmable software instruction that cause said computer monitoring system to perform a series of operations including the steps of;

a. determining an originating location of said digital output signals,

b. determining a sequential order of said digital output signals,

c. calculating a time span between consecutive digital output signals, and

d. determining whether said time span is greater than a predetermined threshold interval;

wherein said processor generates and transmits audible and visual notification signals for each said consecutive digital output signals when said time span is greater than said threshold interval, a later one of said consecutive digital output signals being ignored by said processor when said time span is less than said threshold interval.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a plurality of housings removably nested within a notch formed in the playing surface, said housings being detachable from the playing surface and seated subjacent said sensors for providing a rigid bottom surface against which said sensors are supported.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a display screen electrically coupled to said processor;

a graphical user interface installed on said display screen; and

a speaker and an illuminable light source electrically coupled to said processor and said display monitor;

wherein said graphical user interface provides a virtual image of the playing surface on said display screen and highlights an area of the playing surface when a selected one of said sensors detects the weight thereon such that the referee can quickly and effectively identify which boundary a player touched, said speaker and said illuminable light source being receiving said audible and visual notification signals when time span is greater than the predetermined time interval.

7. A computer monitoring system for notifying a referee when a player or associated sports ball has passed beyond a predetermined boundary line defined on a playing surface, said computer monitoring system comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of sensors electrically coupled to said processor, said sensors being selectively positioned beneath the playing surface and registered directly below the predetermined boundary line, said sensors being connected in parallel to said processor such that each said sensor is independently activated during game playing conditions, each said sensor generating an analog output signal when a predetermined weight limit is detected thereon during game play, wherein said sensors are positioned directly below a three-point line defined on the playing surface, wherein said sensors are positioned directly below a free-throw line defined on the playing surface;

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to said processor and said sensors, said converter receiving and converting said analog output signals to digital output signals;

a memory including programmable software instruction that cause said computer monitoring system to perform a series of operations including the steps of;

a. determining an originating location of said digital output signals,

b. determining a sequential order of said digital output signals,

c. calculating a time span between consecutive digital output signals, and

d. determining whether said time span is greater than a predetermined threshold interval;

wherein said processor generates and transmits audible and visual notification signals for each said consecutive digital output signals when said time span is greater than said threshold interval, a later one of said consecutive digital output signals being ignored by said processor when said time span is less than said threshold interval.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a plurality of housings removably nested within a notch formed in the playing surface, said housings being detachable from the playing surface and seated subjacent said sensors for providing a rigid bottom surface against which said sensors are supported.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a display screen electrically coupled to said processor;

a graphical user interface installed on said display screen; and

a speaker and an illuminable light source electrically coupled to said processor and said display monitor;

wherein said graphical user interface provides a virtual image of the playing surface on said display screen and highlights an area of the playing surface when a selected one of said sensors detects the weight thereon such that the referee can quickly and effectively identify which boundary a player touched, said speaker and said illuminable light source being receiving said audible and visual notification signals when time span is greater than the predetermined time interval.