Illuminated sports system

• US 9,560,725 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2014
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AfterDark Technologies
• Original Assignee: AfterDark Technologies
• Inventors: Wilson, Daniel John
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US14/470,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20150062959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 473/465, 473/570, 473/502, 362/103
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light

Abstract

The invention generally relates to an illuminated sports system. In certain embodiments, the system includes a device configured to be worn by a user that includes a first portion having a first illumination source and a second portion having first control circuitry configured to at least transmit or receive data associated with the device. The system also includes a movable piece of sports equipment including a second illumination source and second control circuitry configured to at least transmit or receive data associated with the movable piece of sports equipment. At least one of the first and second control circuitries is configured to sense when the user possesses the movable piece of sports equipment and modify an emission of at least one of the first and second illumination sources based on the user possessing the movable piece of sports equipment.

Claims

1. A sports gaming system, the system comprising:

a device configured to be worn by a user, the device comprising a shirt or vest configured to be worn over a user'"'"'s torso, the device comprises a first illumination source and a first control circuitry comprising at least illumination driver circuitry configured to control output to the first illumination source to control operation of the first illumination source and modify emission characteristics of emitted light from the first illumination source, the device comprises at least one adjustable strap element configured to releasably retain the device to the user, and wherein the at least one adjustable strap element comprises at least one coupling operatively coupled to the first control circuitry and configured to releasably retain and communicate with a flag element; and

a movable piece of sports equipment comprising a ball or a disc comprising a second illumination source and second control circuitry configured to communicate and exchange data with the device;

wherein at least one of the first and second control circuitries is configured to sense when the user possesses the movable piece of sports equipment and modify an emission of at least one of the first and second illumination sources based on the user possessing the movable piece of sports equipment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the flag element comprises a third illumination source and third control circuitry configured to at least transmit or receive data associated with the flag element.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and third control circuitries is configured to sense when the flag element is disconnected from the coupling on the strap and configured to modify one or more emission characteristics of at least one of the first and third illumination sources based on the disconnection, the emission characteristics selected from the group consisting of:

illumination intensity, illumination pattern, and illumination spectrum.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the device and the flag element further comprises at least one of an audio output source configured to emit an audible sound and a haptic feedback source configured to emit a haptic effect.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and third control circuitries is configured to sense when the flag element is disconnected from the coupling on the strap and configured to modify an emission of at least one of the audio output and haptic feedback sources based on the disconnection.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises at least one fiber optic cable optically coupled to the first illumination source and configured to transmit emitted light along a length thereof.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one fiber optic cable is a side-firing cable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second control circuitries are each able to wirelessly transmit data with one another.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second control circuitries is configured to modify one or more emission characteristics of at least one of the first and second illumination sources based on the sensed user possession of the movable piece of sports equipment, the emission characteristics selected from the group consisting of:

illumination intensity, illumination pattern, and illumination spectrum.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the device or the movable piece of sports equipment further comprises at least one of an audio output source configured to emit an audible sound or a haptic feedback source configured to emit a haptic effect based on the user possessing the movable piece of sports equipment.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising on-field equipment comprising a plurality of markers for defining one or more boundaries of a playing surface, at least one of the plurality of markers comprises a fourth illumination source and fourth control circuitry configured to at least transmit or receive data associated with the at least one marker.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second control circuitries is configured to communicate with a remote device.