System and method for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area

• US 7,091,863 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Ravet
• Original Assignee: Gary Ravet
• Inventors: Ravet, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/860,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20050270156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/686.1, 340/323.R, 345/848, 345/849, 702/141, 702/149, 342/42, 342/118
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements

Abstract

A preferred embodiment includes a system for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area. The system comprises an object having at least one readable sensor contained therein. The at least one readable sensor transmits a unique signal. There is also at least one reader at a preselected, proximate location, wherein the at least one reader reads each unique signal from each at least one readable sensor as each sensor moves through the predefined area. There is also a control system. The control system is programmed to use the unique signal from each at least one readable sensor to precisely locate each object within the predefined area. There is also a communication link between each at least one reader and the control system.

Claims

1. A system for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area, said system comprising:

an object having at least two readable sensors contained therein on opposing edges of said object, wherein each said at least one readable sensor detects the position and location of an edge of said object and transmits a unique signal;

at least one reader at a preselected, proximate location, wherein said at least one reader reads each said unique signal from said at least one readable sensor as said sensor moves through said predefined area;

a control system, wherein said control system is programmed to use said unique signal from said at least one readable sensor to precisely locate said object within said predefined area; and

a communication link between said at least one reader and said control system.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one locator device in communication with said control system.

3. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a trigger mechanism, wherein said trigger mechanism is in communication with said control system and upon activation of said trigger mechanism said control system records the location of said at least one readable sensor.

4. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

an embedded antenna in communication with said at least one reader.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one readable sensor is comprised of two readable sensors positioned on opposing edges of said object.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein said object is a football, having an outer surface and an inner air bladder, wherein said two readable sensors are positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface at opposing edges of said football.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said object is a football, having an outer surface and an inner air bladder and said at least one readable sensor is positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein said communication link transmits said unique signal received from said at least one readable sensor to said at least one reader to said control system.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one readable sensor is a radio frequency (RF) tag.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one readable sensor is a passive RF tag and is triggered by said at least one reader to transmit said unique signal.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one readable sensor is an active RF tag.

12. A system as in claim 1, wherein said predefined area is divided into a two dimensional, planar grid and said control system is programmed to determine the location, speed and distance traveled of said object based on its location within said two dimensional, planar grid.

13. A system as in claim 1, wherein said control system is a personal computer.

14. A system for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area, said system comprising:

an object having at least two readable sensors contained therein, wherein said two readable sensors are positioned on opposing edges of said object and each of said at least two readable sensors detects the position and location of an edge of said object and transmits a unique signal;

at least one reader at a preselected, proximate location, wherein said at least one reader reads each said unique signal from said at least two readable sensors as said sensors move through said predefined area;

a control system, wherein said control system is programmed to use said unique signal from said at least one readable sensor to precisely locate said object within said predefined area; and

a communication link between said at least one reader and said control system, wherein said communication link transmits each said unique signal received from said at least two readable sensors to said at least one reader to said control system.

15. A system as in claim 14, further comprising:

at least one locator device in communication with said control system.

16. A system as in claim 14, further comprising:

a trigger mechanism, wherein said trigger mechanism is in communication with said control system and upon activation of said trigger mechanism said control system records the location of said at least two readable sensors.

17. A system as in claim 14, further comprising:

an embedded antenna in communication with said at least one reader.

18. A system as in claim 14, wherein said object is a football, having en outer surface and an inner air bladder, wherein said at least two readable sensors are positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface at opposing edges of said football.

19. A system as in claim 14, wherein said at least two readable sensors are radio frequency (RF) tags.

20. A system as in claim 14, wherein said at least two readable sensors are passive RF tags and are triggered by said at least one reader to transmit said unique signals.

21. A system as in claim 14, wherein said at least two readable sensors are active RF tags.

22. A system as in claim 14, wherein said predefined area is divided into a two dimensional, planar grid and said control system is programmed to determine the precise location, speed and distance traveled of said object based on its location within said two dimensional, planar grid.

23. A system as in claim 14, wherein said control system is a personal computer.

24. A system for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area, said system comprising;

an object having at least two readable sensors contained therein, wherein said two readable sensors are positioned on opposing edges of said object and each of said two readable sensors detects the position and location of an edge of said object and transmits a unique signal;

at least one reader at a preselected, proximate location, wherein said at least one reader reads each said unique signal from said at least two readable sensors as said sensors move through said predefined area;

a control system, wherein said control system is programmed to use said unique signal from said at least one readable sensor to precisely locate said object within said predefined area;

at least one locator device in communication with said control system;

a trigger mechanism, wherein said trigger mechanism is in communication with said control system and upon activation of said trigger mechanism said control system records the location of said at least two readable sensors; and

a communication link between said at least one reader and said control system, wherein said communication link transmits said unique signal received from said at least one readable sensor to said at least one reader to said control system.

25. A system as in claim 24, further comprising:

an embedded antenna in communication with said at least one reader.

26. A system as in claim 24, wherein said object is a football, having an outer surface and an inner air bladder, wherein said at least two readable sensors are positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface at opposing edges of said football.

27. A system as in claim 24, wherein said at least two readable sensors are radio frequency (RF) tags.

28. A system as in claim 24, wherein said at least two readable sensors are passive RF tags and are triggered by said at least one reader to transmit said unique signals.

29. A system as in claim 24, wherein said at least two readable sensors are active RF tags.

30. A system as in claim 24, wherein said predefined area is divided into a two dimensional, planar grid and said control system is programmed to determine the precise location, speed and distance traveled of said object based on its location within said two dimensional, planar grid.

31. A system as in claim 24, wherein said control system is a personal computer.

32. A system for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area, said system comprising:

an object, wherein said object is a football, having an outer surface and an inner air bladder, wherein at least two readable sensors are positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface at opposing edges of said football and each of said at least two readable sensors detects the position and location of an edge of said object and transmits a unique signal;

at least one reader at a preselected, proximate location, wherein said at least one reader reads each said unique signal from said at least two readable sensors as said sensors move through said predefined area;

a control system, wherein said control system is a personal computer programmed to use said unique signal from said at least one readable sensor to precisely locate said object within said predefined area, wherein said predefined area is divided into a two dimensional, planar grid and said control system is programmed to determine the precise location, speed and distance traveled of said object based on its location within said two dimensional, planar grid;

at least one locator device in communication with said control system;

a trigger mechanism, wherein said trigger mechanism is in communication with said control system and upon activation of said trigger mechanism said control system records the location of said at least two readable sensors; and

a communication link between said at least one reader and said control system, wherein said communication link transmits said unique signal received from said at least one readable sensor to said at least one reader to said control system.

33. A system as in claim 32, further comprising:

an embedded antenna in communication with said at least one reader.

34. A system as in claim 32, wherein said at least two readable sensors are radio frequency (RF) tags.

35. A system as in claim 32, wherein said at least two readable sensors am passive RF tags and are triggered by said at least one reader to transmit said unique signals.

36. A system as in claim 32, wherein said at least two readable sensors are active RF tags.

37. A method for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area, comprising the steps of:

providing a control system;

providing at least one reader in communication with said control system, wherein said at least one reader is positioned at a preselected, proximate location to said predefined area;

providing at least two readable sensors contained within said object, wherein each said at least two readable sensors detects the position and location of an edge of said object and emits a unique signal;

calibrating said predefined area into a two dimensional, planar grid;

receiving each said unique signal from said at least one readable sensor by said at least one reader;

transmitting each said unique signal received from said at least one readable sensor from said at least one receiver to said control system; and

tracking the movement and location of said object within said two dimensional, planar grid on said control system.

38. A method as in claim 37, further comprising the step of:

providing a trigger mechanism in communication with said control system, wherein upon activation of said trigger mechanism said control system records the location of said at least one readable sensor.

39. A method as in claim 37, further comprising the step of:

providing at least one tracking device in communication with said control system, wherein said at least one tracking device follows the location of said at least one readable sensor within said two dimensional, planar grid.

40. A method as in claim 37, further comprising the step of:

inputting a prefix condition which dictates the direction said object is moving.

41. A method as in claim 37, further comprising the step of:

providing an embedded antenna in communication with said at least one reader.

42. A method as in claim 37, wherein said at least one readable sensor is a radio frequency (RE) tag.

43. A method as in claim 37, wherein said at least one readable sensor is a passive RF tag and is triggered by said at least one reader to transmit said unique signal.

44. A method as in claim 37, wherein said at least one readable sensor is an active RF tag.

45. A method as in claim 37, wherein said step of calibrating said predefined area into a two dimensional, planar grid is done by walking said object to each corner of said predefined area.

46. A method as in claim 37, wherein said at least one readable sensor is two readable sensors.

47. A method as in claim 46, said object is a football having an outer surface and an inner air bladder and said two readable sensors are positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface at opposing edges of said football.

48. A method as in claim 37, wherein said predefined area is substantially rectangular.

49. A method as in claim 37, wherein said step of transmitting each said unique signal received from said at least one readable sensor from said at least one receiver to said control system is done at predetermined time intervals.

50. A method as in claim 49, further comprising the step of:

inputting said predetermined time intervals into said control system.

51. A method as in claim 37, wherein said control system is a personal computer.

52. A method for tracking the movement and location of an object in a predefined area, comprising the steps of:

providing a control system, wherein said control system is a personal computer;

providing at least one reader in communication with said control system, wherein said at least one reader is positioned at a preselected, proximate location to said predefined area;

providing at least two readable sensors contained within said object, wherein said object is a football having an outer surface and an inner air bladder and said two readable sensors are positioned between said air bladder and said outer surface at opposing edges of said football and each said at least two readable sensor detects the position and location of an edge of said object and emits a unique signal;

providing a trigger mechanism in communication with said control system, wherein upon activation of said trigger mechanism said control system records the location of said at least two readable sensors;

providing at least one tracking device in communication with said control system, wherein said at least one tracking device follows the location of said at least one readable sensor within said two dimensional, planar grid;

calibrating said predefined area into a two dimensional, planar grid, wherein said step of calibrating said predefined area into a two dimensional, planar grid is done by walking said object to each corner of said predefined area;

inputting a prefix condition which dictates the direction said object is moving;

receiving each said unique signal from said at least two readable sensors by said at least one reader;

transmitting each said unique signal received from said at least two readable sensors from said at least one receiver to said control system, wherein each said unique signal is transmitted at predetermined time intervals;

inputting said predetermined time intervals into said control system; and

tracking the movement and location of said object within said two dimensional, planar grid on said control system.

53. A method as in claim 52, further comprising the step of:

providing an embedded antenna in communication with said at least one reader.

54. A method as in claim 52, wherein said at least two readable sensors are radio frequency (RF) tags.

55. A method as in claim 52, wherein said at least two readable sensors are passive RF tags and is triggered by said at least one reader to transmit said unique signal.

56. A method as in claim 52, wherein said at least two readable sensors are active RF tags.