MOTION-RELATED, INFORMATION-INDICATING SYSTEM FOR FOOTBALL

Abstract

Motion-related, information-indicating systems for football generate and present flight relevant information of a thrown football. These systems include a measuring device and an indicating device. In one embodiment, the system measures the spin speed of a football using a gyro. If the spin speed is higher than a preset value, then an LED light on the football is tuned on. A quarterback assesses his spin speed by whether the LED light is on or off. In another embodiment, the indicating device is an LED light positioned on a ring worn by the quarterback. A transmitter/receiver pair transfers signals from the thrown football to the ring. In another embodiment, the system measures the acceleration of a football using an accelerometer. Further the system indicates the acceleration value on an LCD display monitor positioned on the ground. A quarterback checks the LCD display to access the strength of his throw.

Claims

1. A football adapted to be thrown in a manner resulting in spinning of said football substantially around a long axis thereof as said football travels along a trajectory; said football having a measuring device and an indicating device.

2. The football of claim 1, where the measuring device comprises a sensor measuring flight information.

3. The football of claim 2, where the sensor measures the spin speed of the football.

4. The football of claim 2, where the sensor measures the strength of the throw of the football.

5. The football of claim 1, where the indicating device comprises a display monitor.

6. The football of claim 5, where the display monitor is physically separate from the football.

7. The football of claim 1, where the indicating device comprises a light source.

8. The football of claim 7, where the light source is on the football.

9. The football of claim 7, where the light source is physically separate from the football

10. The football of claim 1, where the indicating device comprises a sound source.

11. A football adapted to be thrown in a manner resulting in spinning of said football substantially around a long axis thereof as said football travels along a trajectory; said football having a measuring device and an indicating device; where the measuring device comprises a sensor measuring flight information.

12. The football of claim 11, where the sensor measures the spin speed of the football.

13. The football of claim 11, where the sensor measures the strength of the throw of the football.

14. The football of claim 11, where the indicating device comprises a display monitor.

15. The football of claim 14, where the display monitor is physically separate from the football.

16. The football of claim 11, where the indicating device comprises a light source.

17. The football of claim 16, where the light source is on the football.

18. The football of claim 16, where the light source is physically separate from the football.

19. The football of claim 11, where the indicating device comprises a sound source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

[0036] FIG. 1 depicts the first embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football;

[0037] FIG. 2 depicts the second embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football;

[0038] FIG. 3 depicts the third embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football;

[0039] FIG. 4A depicts the ring assembly of the third embodiment of the current invention;

[0040] FIG. 4B depicts an exploded view of the ring assembly of the third embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 5 depicts the fourth embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football.

[0042] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0043] The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In the disclosure that follows, in the interest of clarity, not all features of actual implementations are described. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any such project, numerous engineering and technical decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals and sub-goals (e.g., compliance with system, technical, and practical constraints), which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, attention will necessarily be paid to proper design and engineering practices for the environment in question. It will be appreciated that such development efforts could be complex and time-consuming, outside the knowledge base of typical laymen, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the relevant fields.

First Embodiment

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football is described. In FIG. 1, a football 1 is depicted with respect to a longitudinal axis pp′. The football 1 has two ends 2 and 3, and pp′ axis passes through the ends 2 and 3.

[0046] In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the motion-related, information-indicating system for football includes a measuring device 10 and an indicating device 20. The measuring device 10 is positioned inside the football 1 and the indicating device 20 is positioned on the surface of the football 1.

[0047] The measuring device 10 of the first embodiment is a gyro; and it is configured to detect the spin speeds about the pp′ axis that are greater than or equal to R revolutions per second. The measuring device 10 has two ports, A and B. Port B is at voltage level of ‘0’, which corresponds to a voltage level ground 12. Port A is at voltage level ‘0’ if the spin speed of the football 1 is less than R and it is at voltage level ‘1’ if the spin speed of the football 1 is greater than or equal to R. The voltage level ‘1’ does not necessarily correspond to a voltage of 1 volts but it corresponds to a predetermined voltage level that is distinct from the ground voltage (‘0’).

[0048] The indicating device 20 is a light source; it may be an LED type. The indicating device 20 has two ports: A′ and B′. Ports A and B of the measuring device 10 are connected to the ports A′ and B′ of the indicating device 20, respectively. The indicating device 20 is configured to be ‘on’ if port A of the measuring device 10 is at level ‘1’, and to be ‘off’ if port A of the measuring device 10 is at level ‘0’.

[0049] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, if the light source of the indicator device 20 is observed to be on, this confirms to an observer that the spin speed of the football 1 must be faster than or equal to R revolutions per second.

[0050] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a practicing quarterback can assess his/her progress in perfecting passing skills by assessing whether the football 1 has been thrown with sufficient spin as to cause the light source of the indicator device 20 to turn ‘on’.

[0051] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the football 1 having the measuring device 10 and the indicating device 20 as disclosed herein provides a means for both beginning and advanced quarterbacks to consistently evaluate the spin speed and thereby assess their progress in developing passing skills.

Second Embodiment

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football is described. In FIG. 2, the football 1 is depicted with respect to the longitudinal axis pp′. The ends 2 and 3 of the football 1 are also shown.

[0053] In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the motion-related, information-indicating system for football includes a measuring device 30 and an indicating device 70. The measuring device 30 is situated inside the football 1, but the indicating device 70 is on the ground; it is not physically attached to the football 1.

[0054] The measuring device 30 of the second embodiment is an accelerometer. It is configured to measure the acceleration of the football 1. More specifically, the measuring device may be a three axes accelerometer that measures the acceleration on three dimensions. Even more specifically, the measuring device 30 may compute the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 based on the magnitudes of acceleration on its three axes. If a1, a2, and a3 are the magnitudes of the acceleration of the football 1 along the three axes of the accelerometer of the measuring device 30, then the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 would be, square root of (a1.sup.2+a2.sup.2+a3.sup.2).

[0055] In this disclosure, we use acceleration and strength (force) interchangeably because they are related according to (force)=(acceleration)×(mass). For more accuracy, the Earth gravitational acceleration, g, needs to be subtracted from (a1, a2, a3) before computing the magnitude of the acceleration due to the thrower's strength (force). The Earth gravitational acceleration, g, is approximately equal to 9.8 m/s.sup.2. To properly subtract g from (a1, a2, a3) we may need to: 1) Compute (g1, g2, g3), the representation of g with respect to the accelerometer axes. 2) Subtract (g1, g2, g3) from (a1, a2, a3). One way to compute (g1, g2, g3) is to: 1) Measure the (roll, pitch, and yaw) of the football 1 using Roll/Pitch/Yaw sensors. 2) Compute the accelerometer axes with respect to Earth using 1) above and the position of the accelerometer with respect to the football 1. 3) Then, project a vector of length g pointing downward onto the axes in 2) above to obtain (g1, g2, g3).

[0056] For even more accuracy in the measurement of throw strength, one may go beyond the scope of the second invention by removing the contributions of air resistance, wind speed and wind direction from (a1, a2, a3). During a throw, the air resistance is generally a function of 1) the football 1 geometry and 2) the football 1 speed during the throw. One may need another sensor to measure the contribution of the wind speed and the wind direction. The indicating device 70 is a display; it may be an LCD monitor.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 2, the second embodiment additionally has a controller 40, and a pair of transmitter and receiver 50 and 60, respectively. The controller 40 and the transmitter 50 are situated inside the football 1. The controller 40 is connected to both the measuring device 30 and the transmitter 50. The receiver 60 is situated next to the indicating device 70 and it is connected to the indicating device 70. The transmitter 50 and the receiver 60 may be a pair of wireless Wi-Fi transmitter and receiver pair.

[0058] The connection of the controller 40 to the measuring device 30 enables the controller 40 to receive the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 from the measuring device 30. The connection of the controller 40 to the transmitter 50 enables the controller 40 to send the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 to the transmitter 50. The transmitter 50 sends the magnitude of the acceleration to the receiver 60. The connection of the receiver 60 to the indicating device 70 enables the receiver 60 to communicate the magnitude of the acceleration to the indicating device 70. At last, the indicating device 70 displays the magnitude of the acceleration.

[0059] Now, the controller 40 repeatedly performs the following sequence of tasks: 1) it reads the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 from the measuring device 30. 2) It sends the magnitude of the acceleration to the LCD monitor of the indicating device 70 through the transmitter 50 and the receiver 60. The LCD monitor of the indicating device 70 shows the acceleration of the football 1 based on the values it receives from the receiver 60.

[0060] The indicating device 70 may be configured such that in addition to showing the current value of the acceleration of the football 1, it also shows the maximum acceleration for each throw.

[0061] The measuring device 30, the controller 40, the transmitter 50, the receiver 60, and the indicating device 70 may be collectively configured to display the coordinates, (a1, a2, a3), of the acceleration of the football 1.

[0062] The indicating device 70 may reset its values to zero once the value of the acceleration is below a threshold, indicating end of a throw.

[0063] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, if the LCD monitor of the indicating device 70 shows an acceleration value, this confirms to an observer that the football 1 was released with a force related to the displayed value.

[0064] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a practicing quarterback can assess his/her progress in perfecting passing skills by assessing whether the football 1 has been thrown with sufficient strength as to cause the LCD monitor of the indicating device 70 to show a large maximum value.

[0065] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the football 1 having the measuring device 30 and the indicating device 70 as disclosed herein provides a means for both beginning and advanced quarterbacks to consistently evaluate the strength of the throw and thereby assess their progress in developing passing skills.

Third Embodiment

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football is described. In FIG. 3, the football 1 is depicted with respect to the longitudinal axis pp′. The ends 2 and 3 of the football 1 are also shown.

[0067] In accordance with the third embodiment of the invention, the motion-related, information-indicating system for football includes a measuring device 10 and an indicating device 20. According to FIG. 3, the measuring device 10 is positioned inside the football 1 as in the first embodiment. The indicating device 20 is part of a ring assembly shown in FIG. 4A. FIG.4B shows an exploded view of the ring assembly 90. It shows a finger ring 80 and the indicating device 20.

[0068] The measuring device 10 is a gyro that is configured to detect spins (about the pp′ axis) that are not slower than R revolutions per second. The measuring device 10 has two ports: A and B. The port B is at voltage level of ‘0’, which corresponds to a voltage level ground 12. The port A of the measuring device 10 is at voltage level ‘0’ if the spin speed of the football 1 is less than R, and it is at voltage level ‘1’ if the spin speed of the football 1 is greater than or equal to R.

[0069] The indicating device 20 is a light source; it may be an LED type. The indicating device 20 has two ports: A′ and B′.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the third embodiment additionally has a pair of transmitter and receiver, 50 and 60, respectively. The transmitter 50 is situated inside the football 1, and it is connected to the measuring device 10. But the receiver 60 is situated next to the LED light of the indicating device 20.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3, the transmitter 50 has two ports: C and D, and the receiver 60 has two ports: C′ and D′. The ports D and D′ are grounded. The port D is grounded to the ground 12 and the port D′ is grounded to a ground 13. The transmitter 50 communicates its port C value to the receiver 60, and the receiver 60 receives the port C value and places it on its port C′. The ports of the transmitter 50 are connected to the ports of the measuring device 10; port C is connected to port A and port D is connected to port B. The transmitter 50 repeatedly transmits the value of port C, ‘0’ or ‘1’, to the receiver 60. The ports of the receiver 60 are connected to the ports of the LED light of the indicating device 20; port C′ is connected to port A′ and port D′ is connected to port B′. Port B′ is at voltage level of ‘0’, which corresponds to the voltage level ground 13. The receiver 60 repeatedly provides value of port C′ to port A′ of the LED light of the indicating device 20. The indicating device 20 is configured to be ‘on’ if port A′ is at level ‘1’, and to be ‘off’ if port A′ is at level ‘0’.

[0072] Now while the football 1 has a spin speed of less than R revolutions per second about the pp′ axis, port A of the measuring device 10 has value ‘0’. Therefore port C of the transmitter 50 has value of ‘0’. Next the transmitter 50 communicates the value of port C to the receiver 60. Therefore the value of port C′ of the receiver 60 is ‘0’. Consequently the value of port A′ of the LED light of the indicating device 20 is ‘0’ and hence the LED light of the indicating device 20 is ‘off’. But while the football 1 has a spin speed of greater than or equal to R revolutions per second, port A of the measuring device 10 has value ‘1’. Therefore port C of the transmitter 50 has value of ‘1’. Next the transmitter 50 communicates the value of port C to the receiver 60. Therefore the value of port C′ of the receiver 60 is ‘1’. Consequently the value of port A′ of the LED light of the indicating device 20 is ‘1’ and hence the LED light of the indicating device 20 is ‘on’.

[0073] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, if the light source of the indicator device 20 is observed to be ‘on’, this confirms to an observer that the spin speed of the football 1 must be no slower than R revolutions per second.

[0074] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a practicing quarterback can assess his/her progress in perfecting passing skills by assessing whether the football 1 has been thrown with sufficient spin as to cause the light source of the indicator device 20 to turn ‘on’.

[0075] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the football 1 having the measuring device 10 and the indicating device 20 as disclosed herein provides a means for both beginning and advanced quarterbacks to consistently evaluate spin speed and thereby assess his/her progress in developing passing skills.

[0076] If the football 1 is being passed around among many players, then each player may wear a ring assembly in order to observe his/her spin speeds. If a player spins the football 1 fast enough, then the LED light of the indicating device 20 of the ring assembly 90 of all the players would light up. Although it is not in the focus of the third embodiment, by using simple push button switches, electronic identification tags, or proximity sensors, we may allow only the ring assembly 90 of a player who is throwing the football 1 to light up.

Fourth Embodiment

[0077] Referring to FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of a motion-related, information-indicating system for football is described. In FIG. 5, the football 1 is depicted with respect to the longitudinal axis pp′. The ends 2 and 3 of the football 1 are also shown. In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention, the motion-related, information-indicating system for football includes a measuring device 30 and an indicating device 95. The measuring device 30 is situated inside the football 1, but the indicating device 95 is on the ground, i.e., it is not physically attached to the football 1.

[0078] The measuring device 30 of the fourth embodiment is an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the football 1. The indicating device 95 is a smart phone; it may be an iPhone.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 5, the fourth embodiment additionally has a controller 40 and a transmitter 50. The controller 40 and the transmitter 50 are situated inside the football 1. The transmitter 50 and the indicating device 95, the smart phone, form a wireless transmitter and receiver pair.

[0080] The accelerometer of the measuring device 30 and the controller 40 are connected such that the controller 40 is able to receive the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 from the measuring device 30. The transmitter 50 is connected to the controller 40 such that the controller 40 is able to send the magnitude of the acceleration of the football 1 to the indicating device 95, the smart phone, which in turn displays the magnitude on its monitor.

[0081] Now, the controller 40 repeatedly performs the following sequence of tasks: 1) it reads the value of the acceleration of the football 1 from the measuring device 30. 2) It sends the acceleration value to the indicating device 95, the smart phone, though the transmitter 50

[0082] The indicating device 95, the smart phone, shows the acceleration value on its monitor. The indicating device 95 may be configured such that in addition to showing the current value of the acceleration of the football 1, it also shows the maximum acceleration for each throw. The indicating device 95, the smart phone, may reset the acceleration value to zero once the value falls below a threshold, indicating end of a throw. Further, the indicating device 95, the smart phone, may be configured to vibrate or buzz if the acceleration value is larger than a preset value. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, if the monitor of the indicating device 95 shows an acceleration value, this confirms to an observer that the football 1 was released with a force related to the displayed value.

[0083] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a practicing quarterback can assess his/her progress in perfecting passing skills by assessing whether the football 1 has been thrown with sufficient strength as to cause the monitor of the indicating device 95 to show a large maximum value.

[0084] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a practicing quarterback can assess his/her progress in perfecting passing skills by assessing whether the football 1 has been thrown with sufficient strength as to cause the indicating device 95 to vibrate or to buzz, indicating a strength level larger than a preset value.

[0085] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the football 1 having the measuring device 30 and the indicating device 95 as disclosed herein provides a means for both beginning and advanced quarterbacks to consistently evaluate the strength of the throw and thereby assess their progress in developing passing skills.

[0086] All embodiments require a power source.

[0087] Although, in the first and the third embodiments, the parameter, R, is assumed preset, nevertheless, one may modify the systems to allow R to be adjustable using a dial, a knob or a switch. Now a user may increase R as he improves his skills.

[0088] In the fourth embodiment, trajectories and position of the football 1 may be shown on the smart phone 95 by using Roll/Pitch/Yaw and GPS sensors in the football 1.

[0089] There are many ways to protect the components used inside and on a football from the shocks and vibrations that the football endures during play. We would like to mention the use of the following materials: 1) Shock and vibration absorbing rubbers, 2) Foams, memory foams, or 3) High-density open cell foam and low-density open cell foam.