Tracking balls in sports

• US 8,353,791 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Catapult Group International Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Catapult Innovations Pty Ltd.
• Inventors: Holthouse, Shaun, van de Griendt, Igor
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US12/191,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20090048039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,615 Days
• Field of Search: 342/118, 342/385, 342/386, 342/411, 342/450, 342/458, 342/464, 342/470, 340/686.6, 473/415
• US Class Current: 473/415
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• 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 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/00 Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis strings therefor A63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 : Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/00 : Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/70 : with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 : Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

A system for tracking balls in sports in which players kick, pass, bounce, strike or carry a ball. The ball is equipped with two beacons pulsing in the 5-10 Hz range at a frequency which is not attenuated by the body of the players. one beacon has a very short range of 40-120 cm and the other has a range of 1-5 meters. A data logger worn by the players includes a clock, location and speed sensors, a receiver for the beacon signals and a micro controller to record the data from all the sensors. The micro controller is able to record whether the player is in possession of the ball or is contesting the ball. The path of the ball from player to player is tracked relative to the playing field. An impact or pressure sensor may be fitted to the players footwear, glove or a bat stick, club or racquet to register a kick or ball strike.

Claims

1. A system for tracking balls in a team sport in which players kick, pass, bounce or carry a ball, which system comprises:

a ball comprising at least one short range beacon emitting periodic signals; and

a data logger worn by a player which comprises a clock, a receiver for signals from the beacon and a micro controller arranged to record receipt of signals, which receipt distinguishes between the player being in possession of the ball and the player contesting the ball, the data logger further comprising one or more location sensors for tracking movements of the player on a playing field, the micro controller being adapted to record data from all the sensors, wherein the one or more location sensors utilize GPS, accelerometers and/or wireless triangulation.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one short range beacon emitting periodic signals comprises a first pulsing short range beacon emitting periodic signals and a second pulsing beacon emitting periodic signals, wherein the first and second beacons use different frequencies, and wherein the first beacon has a range of 40-120 cm and the second beacon has a range of 1-5 meters so that receipt of signals from both beacons indicates possession of the ball and receipt of a signal from the second beacon indicates that the player is contesting possession of the ball.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises a pressure or impact sensor located on the upper of a players'"'"' footwear in combination with a transmitter that transmits a pulse when the ball is kicked.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, which further comprises a pressure or impact sensor located on the upper of a players'"'"' footwear in combination with a transmitter that transmits a pulse when the ball is kicked.