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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the fields of technology used to enhance the experience of fans, participants, referees, and spectators at sporting events. The present invention relates specifically to systems and methods for tracking the precise location of a game ball.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Professional sports leagues, inter-collegiate sports leagues, and competitive amateur sports leagues have all been increasingly utilizing technology to help enhance the experience of fans, and players. A significant development in this regard has been the proliferation of the use of “instant replay” review calls made by game referees1. Some information about how certain sports leagues are using instant replay is provided below. 1Different sports use different terms to describe the person or people in charge of refereeing the game. The term “referee” herein shall include any such person or people including but not limited to a football referee, a baseball u...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Because of the limited number of challenges, and the possible penalty of a lost timeout, coaches typically reserve their challenges for key plays.

A questionable call may not be challenged once the next play is underway, so coaches may be forced to make a quick decision without the benefit of seeing a replay on television or on the stadium screen.

A substantial limitation of all current sports instant replay technology is that sometimes there is insufficient visual evidence on the location of the game ball2.

Unfortunately, any view of the location of the ball is often completely obscured by players.

In these situations, instant replay is of little use because there is no visual evidence of the ball's location at any given point in time.

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