Smart field goal detector

• US 9,398,213 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prosports Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Prosports Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Cronin, John E., Reasner, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahi, Shan
• Application Number:
  US14/798,081
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 348/157
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/024 with screws or pins in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30224 Ball; Puck
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/292 Multi-camera tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/42 of sport video content
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Systems for detecting a successful field goal are described herein. More specifically, the systems are directed at automated detection for a field goal attempt. The systems evaluate whether the football was kicked within the designated area (e.g., above the cross bar and between the two upright poles). The detection is performed through the use of cameras, lasers and detectors associated with the field goal post. In this way, the systems assist referees in determining the success of the field goal attempt.

Claims

1. A system for detecting field goals comprising:

a camera, wherein the camera is at a predetermined distance from a field goal post;

a plurality of lasers and a plurality of detectors associated with the field goal post, wherein at least one laser and at least one detector are at a top end of the field goal post and are offset from an outside edge of the field goal post, and at least two lasers and at least two detectors are along a crossbeam of the field goal post in alternating order; and

a processor having memory that includes instructions, the processor executing the instructions to;

receive location-based data of a football, the location-based data being transmitted from the camera and the plurality of detectors,

evaluate the received location-based data, and

generate a notification for a successful field goal attempt when evaluation of the received location-based data results in a determination of success.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of detectors are arranged in a circular fashion around each of the plurality of lasers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are attached along two upright posts of the field goal post.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the received location-based data is evaluated using data stored in a database.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification is a tone outputted from a speaker.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification is a light outputted from one or more lights associated with the field goal post.

7. A smart field goal detector system comprising:

a camera that detects field goals, the camera associated with a field goal post, and including a laser filter, wherein the camera is at a predetermined distance from the field goal post;

a plurality of vertical lasers and a plurality of vertical detectors affixed, in alternating order, to a horizontal beam of the field goal post,

a plurality of side lasers and a plurality of side detectors affixed to two side posts of the field goal post;

two pole lasers and two pole detectors affixed on top of the two side posts and offset from an outside edge of the field goal post; and

a goal controller, wherein execution of instructions stored in memory of the goal controller by a processor of the goal controller;

receives location-based data of a football, the location-based data being transmitted from the camera, the plurality of vertical detectors, the plurality of side detectors, and the two pole detectors,

evaluates the received location-based data, and

generates a notification for a successful field goal attempt when evaluation of the received location-based data results in a determination of success.