Smart field goal detector

• US 9,795,858 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• 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:
  US15/187,100
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 348157
• 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 American football A63B2243/007
• 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 an object when it passes through a structure, the system comprising:

a plurality of lasers;

a plurality of detectors, wherein;

the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are associated with the structure through which an object may pass, and

the plurality of lasers and detectors are situated opposite and in correspondence with one another; and

a processor executing instructions stored in memory to;

receive location-based data corresponding to the structure transmitted responsive to a connection between a laser and a detector from the plurality of lasers and detectors being broken

identify that that the object passed through the structure via the received location-based data, and

generate a notification that the identified object passed through the structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure are goal posts.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects include footballs, baseballs, soccer balls or hockey pucks.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a camera that is directed towards the structure that provides additional location-based data regarding the object passing through the structure.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the generated notification is based on the received location-based data of both the plurality of detectors and the camera.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are arranged on the structure in an alternating order.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of detectors are arranged in a circle around each of the plurality of lasers.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the generated notification includes an audio output.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the generated notification includes a light-based output.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereon a program containing instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for detecting an object when it passes through a structure, the method comprising:

receiving location-based data corresponding to the structure transmitted responsive to a connection between a laser and a detector from a plurality of lasers and detectors being broken, wherein

the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are associated with the structure through which an object may pass,

the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are situated opposite and in correspondence with one another, and

the location-based data corresponds to a connection between a laser and a detector from the plurality of lasers and detectors being broken when the object passing through the structure, identifying that the object passed through the structure via the received location-based data, and

generating a notification regarding the identified object passing through the structure.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the structure are goal posts.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the one or more objects include footballs, baseballs, soccer balls or hockey pucks.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, further comprising a camera that is directed towards the structure that provides additional location-based data regarding the object passing through the structure.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the generated notification is based on the received location-based data of both the plurality of detectors and the camera.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are arranged on the structure in an alternating order.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the plurality of detectors are arranged in a circle around each of the plurality of lasers.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the generated notification includes an audio output.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the generated notification includes a light-based output.