Methods, systems, and techniques for automated detection of goals and announcement of same are provided. The system includes a modified hockey puck and a set of goal units that can be mounted on a hockey goal. Within the puck are light sources, motion sensors, infrared transmitters, and a power source. Within the goal units are light sources, infrared sensors, and a microcontroller. When the goal units are mounted on the hockey goal, the infrared sensors form a detection area through which the puck must pass in order to count as a goal. The infrared transmitter of the puck and the infrared sensors of the goal units communicate with one another, and, when an infrared signal is received, the microcontroller automatically triggers one or more annunciator devices, such as visual, auditory, or haptic devices, to automatically indicate that a goal has been scored without human intervention.

A system for recognition of objects in a game, the system has a table with playing board for pucks on which the game is played, and reference markings distributed across the playing board that are used together with corner of the playing board in a surface mapping process. At least one area scan camera acquires images of the playing table during a game and reads fiducial marker of pucks that have the fiducial markers. The at least one area scan camera is arranged to cover the playing board and the reference markings. A processing unit processes the images acquired by the at least one camera.

A system for recognition of objects in a game, the system has a table with playing board for pucks on which the game is played, and reference markings distributed across the playing board that are used together with corner of the playing board in a surface mapping process. At least one area scan camera acquires images of the playing table during a game and reads fiducial marker of pucks that have the fiducial markers. The at least one area scan camera is arranged to cover the playing board and the reference markings. A processing unit processes the images acquired by the at least one camera.

Methods, systems, and techniques for automated detection of goals and announcement of same are provided. The system includes a modified hockey puck and a set of goal units that can be mounted on a hockey goal. Within the puck are light sources, motion sensors, infrared transmitters, and a power source. Within the goal units are light sources, infrared sensors, and a microcontroller. When the goal units are mounted on the hockey goal, the infrared sensors form a detection area through which the puck must pass in order to count as a goal. The infrared transmitter of the puck and the infrared sensors of the goal units communicate with one another, and, when an infrared signal is received, the microcontroller automatically triggers one or more annunciator devices, such as visual, auditory, or haptic devices, to automatically indicate that a goal has been scored without human intervention.

Methods, systems, and techniques for automated detection of goals and announcement of same are provided. The system includes a modified hockey puck and a set of goal units that can be mounted on a hockey goal. Within the puck are light sources, motion sensors, infrared transmitters, and a power source. Within the goal units are light sources, infrared sensors, and a microcontroller. When the goal units are mounted on the hockey goal, the infrared sensors form a detection area through which the puck must pass in order to count as a goal. The infrared transmitter of the puck and the infrared sensors of the goal units communicate with one another, and, when an infrared signal is received, the microcontroller automatically triggers one or more annunciator devices, such as visual, auditory, or haptic devices, to automatically indicate that a goal has been scored without human intervention.

A hockey puck including a microprocessor operable to execute a processor readable code to convert sensor data generated by at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values, compare the hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values, and actuate one or more light emitters or sound generators upon hockey puck movement values satisfying the hockey puck movement threshold values.

A hockey puck including a microprocessor operable to execute a processor readable code to convert sensor data generated by at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values, compare the hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values, and actuate one or more light emitters or sound generators upon hockey puck movement values satisfying the hockey puck movement threshold values.

A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The hockey puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in cavities in the subcomponents, for example around an outer circumference of the hockey puck and through a top and bottom surfaces of the hockey puck. The hockey puck is alternatively formed of a material that allows electromagnetic radiation to be emitted through the subcomponents, and the diode cavities omitted.

A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The hockey puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in cavities in the subcomponents, for example around an outer circumference of the hockey puck and through a top and bottom surfaces of the hockey puck. The hockey puck is alternatively formed of a material that allows electromagnetic radiation to be emitted through the subcomponents, and the diode cavities omitted.

A puck embedding at least one transmitter circuit, and a method for producing a puck embedding at least one transmitter circuit. To protect the electronics from displacement or damage, the puck employs a layered structure. The puck has a centrally located cavity, containing a carrier structure having a rigid shell, at least one transmitter circuit supported by the carrier structure, and a battery provided within the carrier structure. The battery is embedded in a first elastic material provided within the carrier structure. The carrier structure is embedded in a second elastic material provided within the centrally located cavity.