Sports electronic training system with sport ball and electronic gaming features

• US 9,242,142 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2012
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Original Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Vincent, Stephen Michael, Dibenedetto, Christian, Oleson, Mark Arthur, Gaudio, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US13/546,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20120277040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482 8- 9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 : Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 : Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/22 : Stride length
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 : Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 : Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 : Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/73 : Altitude
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 : Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 2225/52 : modulated by measured values
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 : heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 : Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 : Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 : using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 : using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 : using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 : Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 : automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 : involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 : Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 : involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 : involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 : for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 : for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 : Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 : using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 : user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 : player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 : Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0273 : using multipath or indirect path propagation signals in position determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 : Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

Sports electronic training systems with sport ball and electronic gaming features are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of transferring data from a sport ball to an electronic game includes the sport ball determining the occurrence of an event and the sport ball transmitting data related to the event to the electronic game.

Claims

1. A method of transferring data from a sport ball to an electronic game, comprising:

the sport ball determining a motion value corresponding to a movement of the sport ball via a sensor coupled to the sport ball;

the sport ball determining that the movement resulted from a contact with a particular object; and

the sport ball transmitting data related to the movement to the electronic game;

wherein determining that the movement resulted from the contact with the particular object includes the sport ball wirelessly receiving an identification value unique to the particular object and the sport ball linking the motion value to the contact.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement comprises a change in motion of the sport ball.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer, and wherein determining the motion value comprises analyzing data from the accelerometer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor, and wherein determining the motion value comprises analyzing data from the magnetic field sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular object comprises a particular article of sports equipment.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the particular object comprises a shoe.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the particular article of sports equipment comprises a glove.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the movement resulted from the contact with a particular object further comprises determining that the particular object is associated with a particular person.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting data related to the movement to the electronic game comprises transmitting the motion value.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the sport ball transmitting data related to the number of times the particular object has contacted the sport ball to the electronic game.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting data related to the movement to the electronic game comprises transmitting the data to the electronic game via a portable electronic processing device that is physically separate from the sport ball and physically separate from the electronic game.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sport ball linking the motion value to the contact comprises the sport ball linking the motion value to the identification value.

13. A method of transferring data from a portable electronic processing device to an electronic game, comprising:

the portable electronic processing device wirelessly receiving data from a sport ball while the portable electronic processing device is being worn or carried by a user during an athletic activity;

the portable electronic processing device determining a movement of the sport ball based on the data received from the sport ball; and

the portable electronic processing device transmitting data related to the movement event involving the sport ball to the electronic game;

wherein determining the movement involving the sport ball comprises determining that the sport ball has been contacted by a particular object based on an identification value unique to the particular object, and linking the movement to the contact.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the movement involving the sport ball further comprises determining a change in motion of the sport ball.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining that the sport ball has been contacted by the particular object comprises determining that the particular object is associated with the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the particular object associated with the user comprises the user'"'"'s shoe.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the portable electronic device transmitting data related to the number of times the user contacted the sport ball.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the particular object comprises the user'"'"'s glove.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting data related to the movement involving the sport ball to the electronic game comprises transmitting data related to the motion of the ball.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the identification value is transmitted by the particular object.

21. A method for an electronic gaming device to use data related to an event involving a sport ball in an electronic game, comprising:

the electronic gaming device receiving data related to the event involving the sport ball, the electronic gaming device including a display screen, a processor, and a user input; and

the electronic gaming device using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect gameplay in the electronic game via the processor;

wherein the data related to the event involving the sport ball comprises data related to the number of times a particular object contacted the sport ball and a movement of the sport ball caused by each contact,

wherein each movement of the sport ball is linked to the contact that caused the movement, and

wherein the number of times a particular object contacted the ball is based on the number of times an identification value unique to the particular object is present in the data.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the movement of the sport ball caused by each contact comprises data related to how fast the ball traveled, how far the ball traveled, or the degree of spin that the ball experienced.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the particular object comprises a particular article of sports equipment.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the particular article of sports equipment comprises a particular shoe.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect gameplay in the electronic game comprises using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect a player'"'"'s score in the electronic game.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect gameplay in the electronic game comprises using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect a digitally created character of the electronic game.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect the digitally created character of the electronic game comprises using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect one of a health value, a fitness value, and a strength value for the digitally created character.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to affect gameplay in the electronic game comprises using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to reward a user for using the sport ball.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to reward the user for using the sport ball comprises using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to reward the user for achieving a certain level of activity while using the sport ball.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein using the data related to the event involving the sport ball to reward the user for using the sport ball comprises providing the user with credits or reward points in the electronic game.