Sports Game Ball Tracking System and Method

Abstract

The present invention comprises a sports game ball tracking system and method. The invention includes at least one computer chip imbedded in a game ball. The game balls may be identified with a bar code system or a numbering system. The game ball computer chip may be configured to provide the coordinates of the game ball to a system computer using a global positioning system. The system computer may optionally be linked to a satellite system. The computer chip or chips and the system computer may be coupled to the game clock thereby allowing the position of the game ball to be known at each point in time on the game clock. The system of the present invention may be integrated with an American football down and distance stake and clip replacing the antiquated system of first down measurement of the prior art.

Claims

1. A sports game ball location tracking system comprising: a. a game ball; b. a game ball computer chip embedded in the game ball; c. a system computer; d. wherein the game ball computer chip is configured to transmit its coordinates to the system computer.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0038] The present invention fills the needs described above. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention includes at least one computer chip imbedded in a game ball (game ball computer chip). There might be on one such game ball computer chip embedded in each nose of an American football or rugby ball. The game balls may be identified with a bar code system or a numbering system. The game ball computer chip may be configured to provide the coordinates of the game ball to a system computer using a global positioning system (GPS). The system computer may optionally be linked to a satellite system. The computer chip or chips and the system computer may be coupled to the game clock thereby allowing the position of the game ball to be known at each point in time on the game clock. The game ball may be manufactured with the computer chip already imbedded. The system may optionally include a laser or radio or radar device coupled with the computer chip and/or the system computer such that the system computer receives a signal when the chip crosses a pre-determined plane such as the goal line of an American football field or the plane of an ice hockey goal. Optionally, the system may further include an indicator that would be configured to be actuated when the game ball crosses the pre-determined plane. The indicator may be coupled with the game clock to establish the time on the game clock at the moment the game ball crosses the pre-determined plane.

[0039] The computer chip may optionally be couple to an air pressure sensor with the air pressure sensor also being embedded in the game ball. The air pressure sensor may be coupled to the system computer to provide the system computer with real time data of the air pressure inside the game ball. This could eliminate future controversies regarding the pressure to which a game ball is inflated.

[0040] Optionally, the system may include 2 game ball computer chips embedded near the each nose of an American football, rugby ball, or other prolate spheroid shaped ball.sup.3. .sup.3An American football is shaped like a prolate spheroid, a continuously curved three-dimensional object that is longer than it is around.

Integration with American Football Down and Distance Markers

[0041] The system of the present invention may also include a computer chips embedded in the down and distance markers used by the chain crew in American football. The down and distance markers are the stakes connected to chains used in American football as the official way to measure how far a team must advance the ball to be awarded a first down. The down and distance markers include a chain measured to be exactly 10 yards and 2 stakes connected one to each side of the chain. The down and distance markers also include what is known as a down and distance clip. A down and distance clip usually comprises a clip that may be affixed to and removed from the down and distance chain. The down and distance clip is placed on the next closest 5-yard-line (often called a hash mark) beyond the position of the spot of the ball in the direction the team with possession of the ball is going. If a measurement is required to determine whether the team with possession of the ball has achieved a first down, the official measurement is from the spot of the clip forward to the forward stake. The measurement is accomplished through having a game official walk as straightly as possible from the sideline to the spot of the ball holding the forward stake. A second game official will hold the chain at the point of position of the clip and walk as straightly as possible to the spot of the ball. The two game officials then stretching the chain pulled tight. Then the location of the forward stake is compared to the spot of the ball. The system of the present invention may include a computer chip in each stake and one in the clip. Each of these computer chips would be coupled to the system computer. This would provide the system computer with real time information on the official location of the distance required for a first down. As well, the system of the present invention might replace the antiquated system of first down measurement described above. This would eliminate the inherent inaccuracy of relying on a game official to accurately walk the down and distance markers approximately 20 yards from the sideline to the spot of the ball where the difference between achieving a first down and not is often inches. As well the system of the present invention would provide game officials and or game instant replay officials a more accurate spot of the football. Visual evidence from instant replay would establish the time on the game clock when the player is down. The game ball computer chip(s) (also coupled to the game clock) would provide an accurate placement of the game ball at the moment the player with the ball is down (based on said visual evidence from instant replay if necessary.) The down and distance clip may be placed between along the chain between the sticks (for example, the 5 yard point between the 2 sticks). The measurement (clip) is placed at the next forward yard line and measured by the referee stretched out forward towards the goal line (relative to the team with the ball). This clip can give the location and already know if the first down has been achieved without physically measuring and stopping the game. The clip and ball chips will communicate and already know if the first down has been achieved as soon as referee spots the ball after the play. This may be accomplished through integration with the system computer, and through use with GPS.

[0042] The system of the present invention may also provide an enhanced experience for spectators both on television, and for live spectators through the monitors provided for live spectators. The system of the present invention also might save time on instant on challenging the spot of the football.

Integration with Venue WiFi

[0043] The system may optionally include integration with the WiFi at the game venue to enhance the experience for live spectators. The live spectators may be able to access the some or all of the information provided by the system computer via a smartphone, tablet, or similar device.

[0044] The system of the present invention would also take pressure of the game officials. Overzealous fans have been known to threaten game officials and the family members of game officials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the game ball computer chips are located near the each nose of an oblong ball such as an American football. A pressure gauge is also shown.

[0046] FIG. 2 is as FIG. 1 but viewed facing the nose of the ball.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the invention showing integration with the Game Clock, System Computer and Satellite.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention optimized for use with the American Football down and distance markers.