Sporting devices and structures having dynamic visual indicia

• US 8,672,782 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2011
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Homsi, Kristopher, Malhotra, Vikram, Schmitt, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, Arthur O
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Allen
• Application Number:
  US13/300,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20130130848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/569, 463/2, 482/1, 482/8, 273/108.4, 273/317.5
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• 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 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• 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 49/00 : Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis strings therefor A63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 : Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/00 : Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 : Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/14 : Curling stone; Shuffleboard; Similar sliding games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 : for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 : for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 : for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/141 : in the form of gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

Sporting devices having the ability to provide dynamic indicia are disclosed. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for altering the output of at least one light-emitting/light reflecting device of a sporting device. In one aspect, the selective utilization of dynamic indicia may be implemented in the training or coaching of athletes. In one embodiment, a user input may be received by manipulating a structure traditionally located on a particular type of sporting device or from an external electronic device, including for example, a portable communication device, such as a wireless telephone, media player, tablet, netbook, or notebook computer. Further aspects relate to utilizing sensors to detect a motion parameter of the sporting device and/or an athletic parameter during a selected athletic routine. Certain implementations may utilize data from multiple sporting devices and/or other structures.

Claims

1. A sporting device comprising:

a display device comprising at least one electro chrome configured to provide a visually-perceivable output from an outer surface of the sporting device; and

a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising;

receiving an electronic signal indicative of a user input selecting one of a plurality of selections, wherein each of the selections are configured to alter a visually-perceivable property of the output of the display device, wherein a first selection is configured to alter the output to provide a first visual indicia that illuminates an outer surface of the sporting device and a second selection is configured to alter the output to provide a second visual indicia that illuminates the outer surface of the sporting device;

wherein the first visual indicia is further configured to be utilized during a first athletic routine with the sporting device and the second visual indicia is configured to be utilized during a second athletic routine with the sporting device, wherein the first and second athletic routines each improve a single sport-specific skill; and

altering a visually-perceivable property of the output of the display to provide the first visual indicia upon receiving the first selection comprising the switching of the electro chrome from a substantially transparent state to a second state in which the first electro chrome exhibits a first color while at the second state.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second athletic routines each comprise a sport-specific training exercise.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first athletic routine is a sporting event with at least two opposing athletes and conducted in association with defined rules.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises at least two electro chromes and wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:

switching the second electro chrome from a first state to a second state responsive to receiving an electronic signal indicative that a user input selects the second athletic routine.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the display devices further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

thermo chrome, photo chrome, and combinations thereof.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the user input is received from a fitness structure of the sporting device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the sporting device is an American football and the sporting device comprises at least one lace of the American football.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the user input is received from an external electronic device.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the sporting device comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the external electronic device.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a motion parameter of the sporting device during a selected athletic routine; and

the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising;

during the performance of the first athletic routine with the sporting device, detecting a parameter selected from the group consisting of;

an athletic performance parameter, a motion parameter of the sporting device, and combinations thereof; and

transmitting information regarding the detected parameter to the external electronic device.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:

responsive to the information regarding the detected parameter, transmitting data to the sporting device that associates the first selection with a third visual indicia.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an energy scavenging power supply.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the energy scavenging power supply is configured to scavenge power from motion forces during the first and the second athletic routines and further configured to provide power to the display device during the first and second athletic routines.

14. A football having a first end and an opposite second end, the football comprising:

a display device configured to provide a visually-perceivable output from an outer surface of the football;

a sensor configured to detect a motion parameter of the football during performance of a selected athletic routine;

a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising;

receiving an electronic signal indicative of a user input selecting one of a plurality of selections that each are configured to alter a visually-perceivable property of the display device'"'"'s output, wherein a first selection is configured to provide a first visual indicia and a second selection is configured to provide a second visual indicia;

wherein the user input is received from a source selected from the group consisting of;

a fitness structure of the sporting device, an external electronic device, and combinations thereof;

after receiving an electronic signal indicative of the first selection has been chosen by a first athlete, displaying a first visual indicia positioned about said first end configured to be visually-perceivable by a second athlete during the first athletic routine; and

responsive to the athletic performance of a first athlete during the first athletic routine, providing a second visual indicia positioned about said second end configured to be viewable to a second athlete as the football travels in a direction away from the second athlete.

15. The football of claim 14, wherein the user input is received from a fitness structure of the football.

16. The football of claim 15, wherein the football is an American football and the football comprises at least one lace of the American football.

17. The football of claim 14, wherein the user input is received from an external electronic device.

18. The football of claim 17, wherein the football comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the external electronic device.

19. The football of claim 18, further comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a motion parameter of the football during a selected athletic routine and the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising;

during the performance of the first athletic routine with the football, detecting a parameter selected from the group consisting of;

an athletic performance parameter, a motion parameter of the football, and combinations thereof; and

transmitting information regarding the detected parameter to the external electronic device.

20. The football of claim 19, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:

responsive to the information regarding the detected parameter, transmitting data to the football that associates the first selection with a third visual indicia.

21. The football of claim 14, further comprising an energy scavenging power supply.

22. The football of claim 21, wherein the energy scavenging power supply is configured to scavenge power from motion forces during the first and the second athletic routines and further configured to provide power to the display device during the first and second athletic routines.

23. The football of claim 14, wherein the first athletic routine comprises a sport-specific training exercise.

24. The football of claim 14, wherein the first athletic routine improves a single sport-specific skill.

25. The football of claim 23, wherein the first athletic routine is a sporting event with at least two opposing athletes and conducted in association with defined rules.

26. The football of claim 14, wherein the display device comprises at least one chromatic material.

27. The football of claim 14, wherein the display device comprises at least one electro chrome.

28. The football of claim 27, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:

upon receiving the electronic signal selecting the first athletic routine, transmitting an electronic signal to a first electro chrome to switch the first electro chrome from a first state to a second state.

29. The football of claim 28, wherein the first electro chrome is substantially transparent while at the first state and the first electro chrome exhibits a first color while at the second state.

30. The football of claim 14, wherein the display device comprises at least two electro chromes and wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:

switching the second electro chrome from a first state to a second state responsive to receiving an electronic signal indicative that a user input selects the second athletic routine.

31. The football of claim 14, wherein the display devices comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

thermo chrome, photo chrome, electro chrome, and combinations thereof.