Computerized smart gaming tournament system for the internet

• US 9,662,558 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip A. Williams, Wilbert Q. Murdock
• Original Assignee: Murdock Wilbert Quinc, Philip Alister Williams
• Inventors: Murdock, Wilbert Quinc, Williams, Philip Alister
• Primary Examiner(s): McCulloch, Jr., William H
• Application Number:
  US12/799,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20110082571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,591 Days
• Field of Search: 473180, 473199, 473222, 473353
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/745 using a holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 : Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 : Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 : Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 : Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 : for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 : Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/405 : Cups with automatic ball ejector means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 : Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 : Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 : using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/362 : electrical or electronic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3655 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 : for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3688 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 : characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 : using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 : specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 : Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 : by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 : involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 : involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 : using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 : involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 : for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 : Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 : Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 : Music games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/26 : involving a sensor measurement for aiding acquisition or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 : Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A system comprising contact and motion sensors adapted to sports equipment and coupled to a computer for the wireless communication of performance data. The computer is connected to a display for the visual simulation of player performance information and may be connected to other computers, thereby permitting competitive play among remote players.

Claims

1. A system including a server, a host processor, and a network of game systems, each game system comprising:

a ball receptacle, a motion sensing device, a sports implement, a speaker, a display device, a processor, and a wireless signal receiver;

the ball receptacle comprising an open end configured to receive a ball, a contact sensor, a first amplifier, and a first analog-to-digital converter, the contact sensor configured to transmit contact data to the first amplifier, the first amplifier configured to receive contact data from the contact sensor and transmit amplified contact data to the first analog-to-digital converter, and the first analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified contact data from the first amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver;

the motion sensing device comprising a plurality of electrically isolated capacitors, an electrically conductive interior surface, an insulating layer, a variance detection member, a second amplifier, and a second analog-to-digital converter, the insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrically isolated capacitors and the electrically conductive interior surface, the second amplifier configured to receive motion data from the variance detection member and transmit amplified motion data to the second analog-to-digital converter, and the second analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified motion data from the second amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver;

the sports implement comprising a hitting surface, a third amplifier, and a third analog-to-digital converter, the hitting surface comprising a transducer array, the transducer array including one or more piezoelectric elements, the transducer array configured to transmit contact data to the third amplifier, the third amplifier configured to receive contact data from the contact sensor and transmit amplified contact data to the third analog-to-digital converter, and the third analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified contact data from the third amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver;

the processor programmed to receive digital motion data and digital contact data from the wireless signal receiver, analyze the digital motion data and the digital contact data received from the wireless signal receiver, transform the digital motion data and the digital contact data into graphic data, sound data, and performance data, transmit the sound data to the speaker, transmit the graphic data to the display device, and transmit the performance data to the server; and

the server configured to transfer local player events from a remote player site to another remote player site for presentation to another player, transmit turn notification data to remote player sites, receive and measure player time delays, disconnect player remotes sites with excessive time delays, conduct internet search for additional player remote sites.

2. A system including a sports implement, a speaker, a processor, and a wireless signal receiver;

the sports implement comprising a hitting surface, a third amplifier, and a third analog-to-digital converter, the hitting surface comprising a transducer array, the transducer array including one or more piezoelectric elements, the transducer array configured to transmit contact data to the third amplifier, the third amplifier configured to receive contact data from the contact sensor and transmit amplified contact data to the third analog-to-digital converter, and the third analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified contact data from the third amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver;

the processor programmed to receive digital motion data and digital contact data from the wireless signal receiver, analyze the digital motion data and the digital contact data received from the wireless signal receiver, transform the digital motion data and the digital contact data into performance data, and transmit the performance data to a server; and

the server configured to transfer local player events from a remote player site to another remote player site for presentation to another player, transmit turn notification data to remote player sites, receive and measure player time delays, disconnect player remotes sites with excessive time delays, and conduct as internet search for additional player remote sites.

3. The system of claim 2, further including a ball receptacle, the ball receptacle comprising an open end configured to receive a ball, a contact sensor, a first amplifier, and a first analog-to-digital converter, the contact sensor configured to transmit contact data to the first amplifier, the first amplifier configured to receive contact data from the contact sensor and transmit amplified contact data to the first analog-to-digital converter, and the first analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified contact data from the first amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver.

4. The system of claim 2, further including a motion sensing device, the motion sensing device comprising a plurality of electrically isolated capacitors, an electrically conductive interior surface, an insulating layer, a variance detection member, a second amplifier, and a second analog-to-digital converter, the insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrically isolated capacitors and the electrically conductive interior surface, the second amplifier configured to receive motion data from the variance detection member and transmit amplified motion data to the second analog-to-digital converter, and the second analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified motion data from the second amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver.

5. The system of claim 2, further including a speaker and a display device, the processor additionally programmed to transform the digital motion data and the digital contact data into graphic data and sound data, transmit the sound data to the speaker and transmit the graphic data to the display device.

6. A system including a motion sensing device, a processor, and a wireless signal receiver;

the mat comprising a plurality of electrically isolated capacitors, an electrically conductive interior surface, an insulating layer, a variance detection member, a second amplifier, and a second analog-to-digital converter, the insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrically isolated capacitors and the electrically conductive interior surface, the second amplifier configured to receive motion data from the variance detection member and transmit amplified motion data to the second analog-to-digital converter, and the second analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified motion data from the second amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver;

the processor programmed to receive digital motion data and digital contact data from the wireless signal receiver, analyze the digital motion data and the digital contact data received from the wireless signal receiver, transform the digital motion data and the digital contact data into performance data, and transmit the performance data to a server; and

the server configured to transfer local player events from a remote player site to another remote player site for presentation to another player, transmit turn notification data to remote player sites, receive and measure player time delays, disconnect player remotes sites with excessive time delays, and conduct an internet search for additional player remote sites.

7. The system of claim 6, further including a ball receptacle, the ball receptacle comprising an open end configured to receive a ball, a contact sensor, a first amplifier, and a first analog-to-digital converter, the contact sensor configured to transmit contact data to the first amplifier, the first amplifier configured to receive contact data from the contact sensor and transmit amplified contact data to the first analog-to-digital converter, and the first analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified contact data from the first amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver.

8. The system of claim 6, further including a sports implement, the sports implement comprising a hitting surface, a third amplifier, and a third analog-to-digital converter, the hitting surface comprising a transducer array, the transducer array including one or more piezoelectric elements, the transducer array configured to transmit contact data to the third amplifier, the third amplifier configured to receive contact data from the contact sensor and transmit amplified contact data to the third analog-to-digital converter, and the third analog-to-digital converter configured to receive amplified contact data from the third amplifier and transmit digital contact data to the wireless signal receiver.

9. The system of claim 6, further including a speaker and a display device, the processor additionally programmed to transform the digital motion data and the digital contact data into graphic data and sound data, transmit the sound data to the speaker, and transmit the graphic data to the display device.

10. The system of claim 6, further including a network of game systems, each game system being operated by a user.