Method and system for determining ball positions and first downs in a football game

• US 9,675,865 B1
• Filed: 08/23/2016
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeb Brown
• Original Assignee: Jeb Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Jeb
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Courson, Tania
• Application Number:
  US15/244,236
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 33227-228, 33263-264, 33286, 33289, 33DIG 21
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/065 Line markings, e.g. tapes; Methods therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/067 Machines for marking
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/12 Electrically powered or heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/14 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors

Abstract

A method and system for use in the game of football to determine ball placement and position, as well as first down demarcations, is described, with various embodiments configured to track the location of a football to determine its position on the field and to determine and display the first down demarcation on the field. Certain embodiments employ software to assist in performing placement determinations, distance determinations, track movement of the ball, first down markers, as well as light emitting modules along a track that extends parallel to the field.

Claims

1. A system for determining ball placement on an athletic football field, comprising:

a first light projection module and a second light projection module adapted to travel parallel to a length of an athletic field within a beveled elongated track having at least one slot that extends the length of said track for at least 100 yards, said track being positioned parallel to one sideline on the athletic field;

wherein at least one of said first light projection module and said second light projection module are configured to travel within the at least one slot and project a light on the athletic field, and wherein the first light projection module is configured to track the location of a football and wherein the second light projection module is configured to track the location of a first down demarcation on the athletic field, said first light projection module associated with one of the beveled elongated track; and

a first elongated member that extends the length of a side-line of the athletic field from a first end zone to a second end zone, said first elongated member associated with a first pulley positioned above ground and at said first end zone, and a second pulley positioned above ground and at the second end zone, and wherein a remote control unit controls one of the movement of the first pulley, the second pulley, the first light projection module, and the second light projection module.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second light projection module is associated with a second elongated member.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first light projection module and the second light projection module are attached to the first elongated member and wherein the first elongated member comprises a cable.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a location sensor worn by a referee.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a third light projection module that demarks the original line of scrimmage in a series of downs and is independent of both the first and second light projection modules.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first light projection module is magnetically or electronically coupled to the second light projection module.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the third light projection module is adapted to project in a vertical direction one of, a light, a hologram, and an image.

8. A system for determining ball placement on an athletic football field, comprising:

a first light projection device and a second light projection device adapted to travel parallel to the athletic field within a beveled elongated track having at least one slot that extends at least 100 yards, said track being positioned parallel to one sideline on a football field;

wherein said first light projection device and said second light projection device are configured to project a light on the athletic field, and wherein the first light projection device is configured to track the location of a football during first down when the football is on a line of scrimmage during play of a football game, and wherein the second light projection device is configured to track the location of a first down demarcation on the field, said first light projection device associated with a first elongated member that extends along the length of a side-line of the field between a first end zone to a second end zone, said elongated member associated with a first pulley and a second pulley and wherein a remote control unit controls movement of one of the first pulley and the second pulley, said remote control unit adapted to perform at least one of the following;

turn said first light projection device on and off;

adjust the angle of said first light projecting device; and

to effect the movement of said first light projection device;

said first light projecting device employing a light capable of changing colors;

and wherein at least one of the first light projection device and the second light projection device have a camera mounted thereto.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first light projection device is adapted to project a light beam in a horizontal direction across a width of the athletic field.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least the first light projection device is adapted to project one of a colored light, a hologram, and an image.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a location sensor possessed by a referee, that communicates the position of the ball.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote control unit instructs the location sensor to communicate the position of the ball to the first light projection device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the location sensor is located in a shoe worn by a referee.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote control unit operated by a referee.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein a power supply is associated with the track.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein the first light projection unit is housed inside a housing having a cushion layer to protect the first light from violent shocks.

17. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second track on the opposite sideline of the athletic field that employs a third projection device.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the track is flexible.

19. A system for determining ball placement on an athletic football field, comprising:

a first light projection module adapted to travel parallel to a length of an athletic field within an elongated track having at least one slot therein, said track adapted to be positioned parallel to one sideline on the athletic field;

said first light projection module configured to travel within the at least one slot and project a light on the athletic field, said first light projection module associated with the elongated track;

said elongated track associated with a first pulley and a second pulley, wherein a remote control unit controls movement of one of the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein a location sensor is possessed by a referee or is located in the ball, and wherein the location sensor communicates the position of the ball to the first light projection module.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the location sensor is located in a shoe worn by the referee.