Touch-sensing motion ball system and related usage methods

Abstract

In one example, this document discloses a touch-sensing motion ball system comprising: a housing forming an outer layer of the motion ball; a bladder disposed within the housing; a touch-sensing layer disposed between the outer layer and the bladder and operable to generate touch data upon impact of the motion ball; and at least one processor operable to: access the touch data generated by the touch-sensing layer; determine, at least in part, that the motion ball has been impacted based on the touch data; and output an indication that the motion ball has been impacted.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 635,948, filed April 18, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to a moving ball, and more specifically to a moving ball capable of analyzing the impact of the moving ball. Background Technology

[0003] Various inflatable sports balls (e.g., soccer balls, rugby balls, basketballs, etc.) typically consist of an outer shell and a hollow bladder. The outer shell of the sports ball is usually formed of a durable, abrasion-resistant material. The outer surface of this shell forms the outer layer of the sports ball. The bladder is usually formed of a stretchable material. The bladder of the sports ball is disposed within the outer shell and is configured to be filled or inflated with a fluid, such as air. When the bladder is inflated, the pressurized bladder exerts an outward force on the inner surface of the outer shell, thus giving the sports ball a permanent shape when at rest. However, the shape of the sports ball may deform, such as when the sports ball is compressed by another object or otherwise impacted. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, a touch-sensing motion ball system includes: a housing forming an outer layer of the motion ball; a bladder disposed within the housing; a touch-sensing layer disposed between the outer layer and the bladder and operable to generate touch data upon impact of the motion ball; and at least one processor operable to: access the touch data generated by the touch-sensing layer; determine, at least in part, based on the touch data, that the motion ball has been impacted; and output an indication that the motion ball has been impacted.

[0005] On the other hand, a method for analyzing impacts of a moving ball includes: generating touch data in response to an impact on the moving ball; determining, at least in part, that the moving ball has been impacted based on the touch data generated in response to the impact on the moving ball; and causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to display a visual indication that the moving ball has been impacted.

[0006] In another aspect, a touch-sensing motion ball device includes: a housing forming an outer layer of the motion ball; a bladder disposed within the housing; and a touch-sensing layer disposed between the outer layer and the bladder and operable to generate touch data when the motion ball is impacted, the touch data being usable by at least one processor to determine that the motion ball has been impacted. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The novel features of this disclosure are specifically set forth in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of this disclosure will be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate illustrative embodiments utilizing the principles of this disclosure, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 The illustration shows a perspective view of a moving ball including a touch-sensing layer;

[0009] Figure 2 A diagram depicting a touch-sensing motion ball system;

[0010] Figure 3A The illustration shows the impact of a moving ball on a surface;

[0011] Figure 3B The touch data generated by the touch sensing layer in response to the impact of a moving ball on the surface is depicted;

[0012] Figure 4A The illustration shows the impact of a moving component on a moving ball;

[0013] Figure 4B The touch data generated by the touch sensing layer in response to the impact of the moving component on the moving ball is depicted;

[0014] Figure 5A The illustration shows the impact of a moving ball on a surface;

[0015] Figure 5B The touch data generated by the touch sensing layer in response to the impact of a moving ball on the surface is depicted;

[0016] Figure 6A The illustration shows the impact of a moving component on a moving ball;

[0017] Figure 6B The touch data generated by the touch sensing layer in response to the impact of the moving component on the moving ball is depicted;

[0018] Figure 7A and Figure 7B It describes the contact lag that represents the impact of a moving ball on one or more surfaces and the impact of one or more moving components on the moving ball;

[0019] Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a graphical user interface that displays touch data; and

[0020] Figure 9 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method for determining that a moving ball has been struck by a moving component. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the claimed features. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, system, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, system, article of manufacture, or apparatus. Furthermore, relative terms (such as, for example, “about,” “substantially,” “usually,” and “approximately”) are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% in the stated values. While various features and functions of this disclosure are described herein in the context of football, it should be understood that the various features and functions of this disclosure can be applied in the context of many different types of sporting balls.

[0022] Figure 1 The illustration shows a first perspective view of a moving ball including a touch-sensing layer. Figure 1 As illustrated, the ball 10 has a layered structure, which includes at least an outer shell 12 and an inner bladder 14. As described above, the shell 12 forms the exterior (e.g., the outer layer) of the ball 10. In some examples, such as... Figure 1 As illustrated, the housing 12 includes two or more ball-shaped pieces 16, which are stitched, adhered, joined, welded, or otherwise connected together along adjacent sides or edges to form one or more seams 18. Typically, as... Figure 1 As illustrated, the spherical piece 16 is pentagonal or hexagonal in shape. However, in other examples, the spherical piece 16 may have an equilateral shape, an irregular or non-geometric shape, or various other shapes, which are combined in a tack-on manner to form the outer shell 12.

[0023] In some examples, the plates 16 of the outer shell 12 all have the same shape (e.g., hexagonal). In some examples, the plates 16 of the outer shell 12 include two or more different shapes (e.g., hexagonal and pentagonal). The adjacent sides of the plates 16 that combine to form the seam 18 can be linear, concave, convex, or other non-linear edges. In some examples, the outer shell 12 can have a seamless structure, such that the outer shell 12 does not have different plates 16 and does not have a seam 18. In some such examples, the outer shell 12 can be formed from a single piece of material. Therefore, the construction of the outer shell 12 can vary significantly, resulting in a variety of configurations of the plates 16. For example, many modern soccer balls include twelve pentagonal plates 16 and twenty hexagonal plates 16. Or, for example, the four plates 16 of a modern American football are pointed ovals (sometimes referred to as "marquise").

[0024] The material chosen for the outer shell 12 or for the individual ball pieces 16 can be leather, synthetic leather, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or any other suitable material that is generally durable and abrasion-resistant. In some examples, each ball piece 16 of the sports ball 10 may include two or more layers of different materials. For example, in some examples, each ball piece 16 included in the outer shell 12 may include a polymer foam layer and a non-foam polymer layer. Or, for example, in some examples, the ball pieces 16 of the outer shell 12 may include an outer polyvinyl chloride layer, an inner fabric layer, and an intermediate polymer foam layer.

[0025] As described above, the bladder 14 of the sports ball 10 is typically hollow and disposed within the outer shell 12. The bladder 14 is typically formed of a stretchable material and is configured to be filled or inflated with a fluid, such as air. For example, in some cases, the bladder 14 may be formed of a rubber or carbon latex material that substantially prevents the diffusion of air or other fluid contained within the bladder 14 through the material. However, the bladder 14 can be formed using a variety of other polymeric or elastomeric materials.

[0026] For ease of inflation, the bladder 14 typically includes a valve 15 extending from the bladder 14 and through the housing 12, allowing access from the outside of the moving ball 10. However, in some examples, the bladder 14 may have a valveless structure with semi-permanent inflation. When inflated, the bladder 14 is pressurized and exerts an outward force on the inner surface of the housing 12, thereby giving the moving ball 10 a permanent shape (typically determined by the shape or configuration of the housing 12) when it is at rest. However, as described below, when the moving ball 10 is at rest, the shape of the moving ball 10 may be determined at least in part by the shape or configuration of the housing 12, the shape or configuration of the bladder 14, or the shape or configuration of the intervening restraint layer 13. For example, as Figure 1 As illustrated, when the bladder 14 is inflated, the pentagonal and hexagonal spherical plates 16 of the outer shell 12 give the ball 10 a spherical shape. Or, for example, when the bladder 14 of an American football is inflated, the pointed oval (e.g., marquise-shaped) shape of the spherical plates gives the American football an oval shape.

[0027] In some examples, such as Figure 1 As illustrated, the sac 14 includes a recess 17. The recess 17 included in the sac 14 can provide a cavity, indentation, gap, or other space for receiving and retaining a component 19 (such as a device or counterweight). In some examples, such as Figure 1As illustrated, when the pouch 14 is disposed within the outer casing 12 of the ball 10, the recess 17 included in the pouch 14 protrudes inward and toward the center of the ball 10, thereby positioning the component 19 included in the recess 17 within the internal region of the ball 10. In this position, when the ball 10 is used, the component 19 is protected from impacts between the ball 10 and surfaces, moving parts, or other objects. The shape and size of the recess 17 can be selected to accommodate the component 19 such that the recess 17 receives the component 19 and securely holds the component 19 within the ball 10.

[0028] Component 19 may include one or more electronic devices, such as a microprocessor, transmitter, receiver, memory, battery, or any other combination of elements that process, transmit, receive, or collect data. More specifically, examples of electronic devices that may be included in component 19 include one or more of the following: a) a pressure sensor for determining the pressure of the fluid contained within bladder 14; b) a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and / or accelerometer for measuring various factors related to the position or motion of the ball 10; c) a line sensor for determining whether the ball 10 has crossed the goal line or the boundary line; d) a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip for storing data related to the ball 10 or for aiding in the identification of the ball 10; and e) a camera for collecting image data. Component 19 may additionally or alternatively include a counterweight to enhance the balance, weight distribution, center of mass, or other characteristics of the ball 10. In many examples, one or more electronic devices included in component 19 may also serve as a counterweight. However, it is conceivable that in other embodiments, the recess 17 or component 19 may not be present in bladder 14.

[0029] In some examples, such as Figure 1 As illustrated, the moving ball 10 also includes a limiting layer 13. (As shown in the diagram...) Figure 1 As illustrated, the limiting layer 13 forms an intermediate layer of the moving sphere 10 and is positioned between the outer shell 12 and the bladder 14. Typically, the limiting layer 13 is formed of a material with limited stretch to limit the expansion of the bladder 14. For example, the limiting layer 13 may be formed of: a) threads, yarns, or filaments repeatedly wound around the bladder 14 in various directions to form a mesh covering substantially all of the bladder 14; b) multiple generally flat or planar fabric elements sewn together to form a structure extending around the bladder 14; c) multiple generally flat or planar fabric strips impregnated with latex and placed in an overlapping configuration around the bladder 14; or d) a substantially seamless spherical fabric. In some examples, the limiting layer 13 may also be joined, linked, or otherwise integrated into the outer shell 12 or the bladder 14. However, in some examples, the moving sphere 10 does not need to include the limiting layer 13.

[0030] In some examples, such as Figure 1As illustrated, the ball 10 includes one or more touch sensors 21. The touch sensor 21 can be any sensor capable of detecting when the ball 10 is impacted. For example, in some examples, the touch sensor 21 can be an electromechanical sensor (e.g., a piezoelectric sensor or device) configured to generate a voltage in response to a physical force. In such an example, when the ball 10 is impacted, the electromechanical touch sensor 21 included in the ball 10 can generate a voltage in response to the impact. The voltage generated by the electromechanical touch sensor 21 can be proportional to the magnitude of the physical force. Alternatively, for example, in some examples, the touch sensor 21 can be an electromechanical sensor (e.g., a strain gauge) configured to measure the change in resistance of a conductive material through which a constant current flows in response to a physical force. This constant current can be supplied by a battery housed in a recess 17 included in the bladder 14 of the ball 10. In such an example, when the ball 10 is impacted, the electromechanical touch sensor 21 included in the ball 10 can generate or record a change in resistance in response to the impact. The change in resistance generated or recorded by the electromechanical touch sensor 21 can be proportional to the magnitude of the physical force. As described below, one or more processors 22 can use the voltage or resistance changes generated or recorded by one or more touch sensors 21 included in the moving ball 10 to determine, for example, whether and when the moving ball 10 was impacted, the magnitude of the impact force, the shape of the object impacted by the moving ball 10, or whether the moving ball 10 was impacted by the surface 30 or the moving member 60. However, the touch sensor 21 can be any other suitable sensor. The information generated by the touch sensor 21 (e.g., changes in voltage or resistance) can be referred to as "touch data". The ball 10 may include any internal circuitry necessary to communicatively connect the touch sensor 21 to any other component of the ball 10, such as a battery operable to power the touch sensor 21, a memory operable to receive and store touch data generated by the touch sensor 21, a communication component operable to transmit touch data generated by the touch sensor 21 to one or more processors 22, or one or more processors 22 housed within a recess 17 of the sac 14 of the ball 10 and operable to receive and process touch data generated by the touch sensor 21.

[0031] As described above, the motion ball 10 may include one or more touch sensors 21. For example, in some examples, such as Figure 1 As illustrated, one or more touch sensors 21 are integrated into or otherwise disposed within the housing 12 of the ball 10. Or, for example, in some examples, such as Figure 1As illustrated, the ball 10 includes a touch-sensing layer 28, which includes one or more touch sensors 21. In some examples, the touch-sensing layer 28 is disposed within the ball 10, immediately below the outer shell 12 of the ball 10. In such examples, the touch-sensing layer 28 may cover only a portion of the inner surface of the ball 10, or it may cover the entire inner surface of the outer shell 12 of the ball 10. In some examples, the touch-sensing layer 28 is coupled to or otherwise contacts the limiting layer 13 of the ball 10 (e.g., when the ball 10 is inflated). The touch-sensing layer 28 may be disposed within the ball 10 inside or outside the limiting layer 13. In some examples, when one or more touch sensors 21 are integrated into or otherwise disposed within the outer shell 12 of the ball 10, the outer shell 12 itself forms the touch-sensing layer 28. Similarly, in some examples, one or more touch sensors 21 may be integrated into or otherwise disposed within the limiting layer 13 of the moving ball 10, such that the limiting layer 13 itself forms the touch sensing layer 28.

[0032] In some examples, the touch sensing layer 28 may be formed wholly or partially of a conductive or piezoelectric material, such that the touch sensing layer 28 itself can act as an electromechanical touch sensor 21, as described above. In such examples, the touch sensing layer 28 can accurately measure the impact force regardless of where or how the moving ball 10, which includes the touch sensing layer 28, is impacted. This differs from an accelerometer, where the measurement of the impact force of the moving ball may be affected by the position of the moving ball relative to the accelerometer. Piezoelectric materials are a group of materials that generate a potential difference when a mechanical force is applied. In response to the applied force, a voltage is generated in the piezoelectric material, which is proportional to the applied force. A common piezoelectric material is quartz, which is commonly used in watches. Many other natural and synthetic materials are piezoelectric materials, including various crystals, ceramics, and polymers. Piezoelectric polymers may include, but are not limited to: polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene-polyvinylidene fluoride (PTFE-PVF2) and other polymers, copolymers, and ceramic polymer mixtures.

[0033] In some examples, the touch sensing layer 28 includes a plurality of touch sensors 21 corresponding to corresponding locations along a plurality of locations on the outer surface of the housing 12 of the moving ball 10, and combined to form a dot matrix 29 of touch sensors 21. In such an example, because each touch sensor 21 included in the dot matrix 29 of touch sensors 21 corresponds to a unique location along the outer surface of the housing 12, the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensors 21 can be used in conjunction with the locations of the touch sensors 21 to determine the shape of the object impacting the moving ball 10 or whether the moving ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30 or by the moving member 60, as described below.

[0034] Figure 2 A diagram depicts a touch-sensing motion ball system. In some examples, such as... Figure 2 The depicted touch-sensing motion ball system 20 includes: a motion ball 10, one or more touch sensors 21 disposed within the motion ball 10, and a processor 22. Typically, the motion ball 10, the one or more touch sensors 21, and the processor 22 of the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 work together to determine: a) whether and when the motion ball 10 is impacted; b) the magnitude of the impact force on the motion ball 10; and / or c) what impacted the motion ball 10, such as surface 30 or moving member 60. In some examples, such as Figure 2 As depicted, the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 additionally includes a computer-readable storage 23, a communication component 24, or a graphical user interface (GUI) 25. In some examples, in addition to the one or more touch sensors 21, one or more of the processor 22, the computer-readable storage 23, and the communication component 24 may also be disposed within the motion ball 10.

[0035] As described above, one or more touch sensors 21 may be disposed within the moving ball 10. For example, as described above, the touch sensor 21 may be disposed within the housing 12 of the moving ball 10 or within the touch sensing layer 28. However, the touch sensor 21 disposed within the moving ball 10 is operable to generate computer-readable touch data 26 in response to an impact of the moving ball 10. For example, in some examples, as described above, the touch sensor 21 is an electromechanical sensor operable to generate touch data 26 by generating a voltage or recording a change in resistance in response to an impact of the moving ball 10. In some examples, the touch sensor 21 is operable to generate touch data 26 only when touch data 26 is valid (e.g., if the voltage generated by the touch sensor 21 exceeds a voltage threshold, or if the resistance change recorded by the touch sensor 21 exceeds a resistance threshold). However, the touch sensor 21 may be operable or configured to generate touch data 26 in response to an impact of the moving ball 10 in any other manner. In some examples, such as Figure 2 As depicted, touch sensor 21 or touch sensing layer 28 including one or more touch sensors 21 may be communicatively coupled to processor 22, memory 23 or communication component 24. In some such examples, after touch data 26 is generated, touch sensor 21 is operable to transmit or otherwise provide the touch data 26 to processor 22, memory 23 or communication component 24.

[0036] Processor 22 is a computing device operable to receive touch data 26 generated by one or more touch sensors 21, and to use, or at least in part based on, the touch data 26 to determine whether the ball 10 has been impacted, the magnitude of the impact, or what has impacted the ball 10, as described in further detail below. In some examples, processor 22 may be further operable to cause GUI 25 to display the touch data 26 or impact indication 27 (e.g., an indication that the ball 10 has been impacted) generated by one or more touch sensors 21, the impact indication 27 may also include an indication of the magnitude of the impact or the magnitude of the impact. In some examples, such as Figure 2As depicted, processor 22 is disposed within the moving ball 10 and communicatively coupled to one or more touch sensors 21, such that processor 22 can directly receive touch data 26 generated by the one or more touch sensors 21. However, in some examples, processor 22 receives touch data 26 generated by the one or more touch sensors 21 indirectly. For example, in some examples, computer-readable storage 23 is communicatively coupled to the one or more touch sensors 21 and processor 22. In some such examples, the one or more touch sensors 21 are operable to transmit or otherwise provide touch data 26 to computer-readable storage 23, and processor 22 is operable to access touch data 26 from computer-readable storage 23. Or, for example, in some examples, processor 22 is not disposed within the moving ball 10. In some such examples, the communication component 24 is communicatively coupled to the one or more touch sensors 21 or a computer-readable storage device 23 communicatively coupled to the one or more touch sensors 21, and the communication component 24 is operable to receive touch data 26 from the one or more touch sensors 21 or the computer-readable storage device 23, and to provide the touch data 26 to the processor 22 by establishing a physical or wireless communication link with the processor 22.

[0037] As described above, in each example, the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 is operable to determine: a) whether and when the motion ball 10 is impacted; b) the magnitude of the impact force on the motion ball 10; and / or c) what impacted the motion ball 10, such as a surface or moving member. Figure 3A The illustration depicts the impact of a moving ball 10 on a surface 30. Surface 30 can be a generally flat surface or any other stationary or inactive object, whether or not it is generally flat. For example, surface 30 could be the surface of a football field or the goalposts of a football goal. Figure 3A In the illustrated example, the ball 10 is a soccer ball, which includes: a shell 12, a bladder 14 disposed within the shell 12, and a touch-sensing layer 28 comprising a plurality of touch sensors 21 disposed between the shell 12 and the bladder 14, as described above. The bladder 14 of the ball 10 is inflated with air. The pressure exerted by the inflated bladder 14 on the inner surface of the shell 12 gives the ball 10 a permanent shape when at rest. However, when the ball 10 is impacted, its shape may deform (however temporarily), causing an object impacting the ball 10 to contact the ball 10 at multiple (e.g., adjacent) locations along the outer surface of the shell 12. In this example, the plurality of touch sensors 21 included in the touch-sensing layer 28 are combined to form a dot matrix 29 of touch sensors 21. Although the dot matrix 29 is in Figure 3AThe diagram is shown to include only some of the touch sensors 21 included in the touch sensing layer 28, but for simplicity it should be understood that the dot matrix 29 may include all of the touch sensors 21 included in the touch sensing layer 28.

[0038] Figure 3B It depicts a system composed of multiple touch sensors 21 responding to the impact of a moving ball 10 on a surface 30 (such as...). Figure 3A An example of the touch data 26 generated (as shown in the illustration). Figure 3B In the depicted example, the touch sensor 21 with an arrow extending away from it represents the touch sensor 21 at the location where the outer shell 12 of the moving ball 10 is struck by the surface 30 along the outer surface of the shell 12 of the moving ball 10. In this example, the length of the arrow extending away from the touch sensor 21 represents the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by that touch sensor 21 (e.g., the amplitude of the voltage or the change in resistance generated by the electromechanical touch sensor 21, as described above). For example, in Figure 3B In the depicted example, the bottom two rings of touch sensors 21 of the dot matrix 29 of the touch sensor 21 (in Figure 3B Each touch sensor 21 in the diagram (described as a two-dimensional row) corresponds to the location along the outer surface of the housing 12 of the moving ball 10 where the housing 12 is struck by the flat surface 30, as shown below. Figure 3A As illustrated, a three-dimensional distribution map of the touch sensors 21 (e.g., touch sensors 21 indicated by black circles; in this example, the bottom two rows of touch sensors 21) corresponding to the location where the ball 10 is impacted along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 of the ball 10 can be referred to as an "impact distribution map" 61. Figure 3B The impact distribution map 61 depicted may include a distribution map (e.g., a three-dimensional distribution map) of touch sensors 21 corresponding to the location where the ball 10 is impacted along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 of the ball 10, as well as touch data 26 generated by these touch sensors 21.

[0039] like Figure 3BAs depicted, the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensors 21 in the bottom ring of touch sensors 21 is greater than the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensors 21 in the penultimate row of touch sensors 21. This is because before the flat surface 30 can strike the moving ball 10 at the position corresponding to the penultimate row of touch sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 of the moving ball 10, the force of the flat surface 30 striking the moving ball 10 at the position corresponding to the bottom row of touch sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 will have to deform the shape of the moving ball 10 (e.g., flatten it), thereby reducing the force exerted by the moving ball 10 striking the flat surface 30 at the position corresponding to the penultimate row of touch sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12, relative to the force exerted by the moving ball 10 striking the flat surface 30 at the position corresponding to the bottom row of sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12.

[0040] Similarly, Figure 4A The illustration shows the impact of the movable component 60 on the moving ball 10, and Figure 4B An example of an impact distribution map 61 is depicted, which includes touch data 26 generated by a plurality of touch sensors 21 included in the moving ball 10 in response to impacts of the moving member 60 onto the moving ball 10. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the illustrated and depicted examples, because the shape of the movable member 60 is smaller and rounder than the shape of the flat surface 30, the moving ball 10 is impacted at fewer locations along the outer casing 12 of the moving ball 10 (corresponding to fewer touch sensors 21), resulting in an impact distribution pattern 61 with different shapes. Similar to... Figure 3B In the depicted example, before the movable member 60 can strike the moving ball 10 at the position corresponding to the two right-hand touch sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 of the moving ball 10, the force of the movable member 60 striking the moving ball 10 at the position corresponding to the two left-hand touch sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 will have to deform the shape of the moving ball 10, thereby reducing the force exerted by the movable member 60 striking the moving ball 10 at the position corresponding to the two left-hand touch sensors 21 along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 compared to the force exerted by the movable member 60 striking the moving ball 10 at the position corresponding to the two right-hand touch sensors along the outer surface of the outer shell 12. Therefore, as Figure 4B As depicted, the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by the two touch sensors 21 on the left is greater than the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by the two touch sensors 21 on the right.

[0041] As described above, in various examples, after one or more touch sensors 21 disposed within the moving ball 10 generate touch data 26, the touch data 26 is available to the processor 22. The processor 22 can then use the touch data 26 to determine: a) whether and when the moving ball 10 was impacted; b) the magnitude of the impact on the moving ball 10; and / or c) what impacted the moving ball 10, such as surface 30 or moving member 60. For example, in some examples, the processor 22 may determine the time when the touch data 26 was generated and use the touch data 26 and the time of its generation to output an impact indication 27 indicating that the moving ball 10 was impacted and / or when the moving ball 10 was impacted. The processor 22 may also use the touch data 26 to determine the magnitude of the impact on the moving ball 10, such as by converting the touch data 26 into a force applied to the moving ball 10. For example, the touch data 26 may include a voltage or resistance change generated by the electrochemical touch sensor 21, as described above, and the processor 22 may have or otherwise obtain information relating the voltage or resistance change to an equivalent force applied to the electromechanical touch sensor 21. The magnitude of the force that impacts the moving ball 10 may be referred to as the "impact force".

[0042] Or, for example, in some cases, after receiving, accessing, or otherwise obtaining touch data 26 generated by one or more touch sensors 21 disposed within the moving ball 10, the processor 22 can use the touch data 26 to generate an impact distribution map 61, such as Figure 3B and Figure 4B As depicted. In this example, the processor 22 can then use typical features of the impact distribution map 61 to make various determinations. For example, in some examples, the processor 22 can use the shape of the impact distribution map 61 (e.g., the position of the touch sensor 21 within the dot matrix 29 of the touch sensor 21 and along the outer surface of the outer shell 12 of the moving ball 10 corresponding to the location where the moving ball 10 was impacted) to determine the shape or partial shape of the object impacting the moving ball 10. The processor 22 can also combine the shape of the impact distribution map 61 with the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by each touch sensor 21 included in the impact distribution map 61 to determine the shape of the object impacting the moving ball 10. For example, in Figure 3B In the depicted example, viewed from above or below, the impact distribution map 61 will appear as a set of concentric circles, wherein the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensor 21 included in the impact distribution map 61 decreases uniformly in any radial direction moving outward from the center of the concentric circles. Using this information, the processor 22 is able to determine that the shape of the object impacting the moving ball 10 is flat. Or, for example, in Figure 4BIn the depicted example, viewed from the side, the impact distribution map 61 will appear more like a rounded rectangle or ellipse, where the amplitude of the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensor 21, included in the impact distribution map 61, decreases faster along one axis than along the other. Using this information, the processor 22 can determine whether the object impacting the moving ball 10 is smaller and more pointed or more rounded. Similarly, the processor 22 can use the touch data 26 or the impact distribution map 61 to determine whether the moving ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30 or by the moving member 60.

[0043] As described above, in some examples, the moving ball 10 includes a touch sensing layer 28 formed wholly or partially of a piezoelectric material, such that the touch sensing layer 28 itself can act as a single electromechanical touch sensor 21. In such examples, when the moving ball 10 is impacted, regardless of where the moving ball 10 is impacted, the piezoelectric material of the touch sensing layer 28 generates touch data in the form of a voltage in response to the impact. When the moving ball 10 is impacted, the voltage generated by the touch sensing layer 28 in response to the impact increases as the moving ball 10 deforms and decreases as the moving ball 10 returns to its stationary shape. The voltage curve plotted against time during this short period can be referred to as touch hysteresis 31. Figure 5B Touch hysteresis 31 is depicted, which represents the response of the touch sensing layer 28 included in the moving ball 10 to the impact of the moving ball on the surface 30 (e.g., Figure 5A The voltage change over time resulting from the touch hysteresis (as illustrated). Touch hysteresis 31 may include an ascending curve 32 and a descending curve 33, where ascending curve 32 represents an increase in voltage in response to a stimulus, and descending curve 33 represents a decrease in voltage as the system returns to rest. Touch hysteresis 31 may include various typical characteristics, such as resting voltage 34, peak voltage 35, ascending curve duration 36, descending curve duration 37, total duration 38, voltage difference 39 (e.g., peak voltage 35 minus resting voltage 34), area 40 (e.g., the combined area below the integral or descending curves 32 and 33), the maximum slope of ascending curve 32 or descending curve 33 (not shown), or any combination thereof. However, touch hysteresis 31 may include any other typical characteristics. Figure 3B As depicted, the touch hysteresis 31 may have a shape or form similar to a bell curve, which may be generally regular (e.g., the rising curve 32 and falling curve 33 of the touch hysteresis 31 may be nearly vertically symmetrical) or irregular (e.g., the rising curve 32 and falling curve 33 of the touch hysteresis 31 may have completely different shapes).

[0044] Similarly, Figure 6BTouch hysteresis 31 is depicted, which represents the response of the touch sensing layer 28 included in the moving ball 10 to the impact of the moving member 60 on the moving ball 10 (e.g., Figure 6A The voltage generated (as shown in the diagram) changes over time. Figure 6B The total duration of the touch lag 31 described is 38 shorter than the total duration of the touch lag 31. Figure 5B The total duration of the touch hysteresis 31 is 38, but the peak voltage 35 is greater than 38. Figure 5B The peak voltage 35 of the touch hysteresis 31. Typical characteristics of the touch hysteresis 31 can be used to calculate one or more relationships or ratios, such as the ratio of area 40 to the total duration 38 of the touch hysteresis 31, the ratio of peak voltage 35 to area 40 of the touch hysteresis 31, the ratio of the area below the rising curve 32 of the touch hysteresis 31 (not shown) to the area below the falling curve 33 (not shown), or the ratio of the maximum slope of the rising curve 32 to the total duration 38 of the touch hysteresis 31. However, typical characteristics of the touch hysteresis 31 can be used to calculate any other suitable relationship or ratio. In some examples, the touch sensing layer 28 included in the moving ball 10 can be formed wholly or partially of a conductive material configured to allow a constant current to pass through, and the touch sensor 21 included in the moving ball 10 can be configured to measure the change in resistance of the conductive material to physical forces. In such an example, touch hysteresis 31 can be generated by plotting the change in resistance of a conductive material over time, in almost the same way that touch hysteresis 31 can be generated by plotting the change in voltage generated by the touch sensing layer 28 formed of piezoelectric material over time.

[0045] As described above, in various examples, after the touch sensor 21 or touch sensing layer 28 disposed within the moving ball 10 generates touch data 26, this touch data 26 is available to the processor 22. The processor 22 can then use the touch data 26 to determine: a) whether and when the moving ball 10 was impacted; b) the magnitude of the impact on the moving ball 10; and / or c) what impacted the moving ball 10, such as the surface 30 or the moving member 60. For example, in some examples, after receiving, accessing, or otherwise obtaining the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensing layer 28 disposed within the moving ball 10, the processor 22 can use the touch data 26 to generate touch hysteresis 31. In this example, the processor 22 can then use the typical characteristics of the touch hysteresis 31 to make various determinations. For example, in some instances, processor 22 may use the touch hysteresis 31 to determine whether and when the moving ball 10 has been impacted by identifying a significant increase in voltage within the moving ball 10 (e.g., exceeding 1% or 2%) or an increase at a significant rate (e.g., exceeding 1% per millisecond). Alternatively, in some instances, processor 22 may use the touch hysteresis 31 to determine the magnitude of the impact force on the moving ball 10 by identifying a peak voltage 35 and using that peak voltage 35 to calculate the force of the impact on the moving ball 10. The force of the impact on the moving ball 10 may be used to calculate or determine the speed at which the moving ball 10 moves in response to the impact (e.g., ball speed).

[0046] Or, for example, the processor 22 can use the touch hysteresis 31 to determine whether the moving ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30 or by the moving member 60. Figure 5B and Figure 6B As depicted, the proportion of the rising curve duration 36 of the touch hysteresis 31 representing the impact of the moving ball 10 on the surface 30 to the total duration 38 can be significantly higher than the proportion of the rising curve duration 36 of the touch hysteresis 31 representing the impact of the moving member 60 on the moving ball 10 to the total duration 38. Therefore, in some examples, the processor 22 can use the touch hysteresis 31 to determine whether the moving ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30 or by the moving member 60 by comparing the rising curve duration 36 with the total duration 38 of the touch hysteresis 31 (e.g., by dividing the rising curve duration 36 by the total duration 38 and then comparing the result with a threshold percentage). For example, this threshold percentage could be 5%, 10%, 15%, etc. In such an example, if the rising curve duration 36 divided by the total duration 38 is less than this threshold percentage, the processor 22 can determine that the moving ball 10 is impacted by the moving member 60. Alternatively, in such an example, if the rising curve duration 36 divided by the total duration 38 is greater than this threshold percentage, the processor 22 can determine that the moving ball 10 impacts the surface 30.

[0047] In another example, processor 22 can use touch hysteresis 31 to determine whether the moving ball 10 is impacted by surface 30 or by moving member 60 by analyzing the slope of rising curve 32 and / or falling curve 33. Figure 5B and Figure 6B The slope of the rising curve 32, representing the impact hysteresis 31 of the moving member 60 on the moving ball 10, can be steeper than the slope of the impact hysteresis 31 representing the impact of the surface 30 on the moving ball 10. Therefore, in some examples, for instance, the processor 22 can calculate the initial derivative of the rising curve 32 of the impact hysteresis 31 (e.g., at time t1) and compare this initial derivative with a slope threshold. In such an example, if the initial derivative is greater than the slope threshold, the processor 22 can determine that the moving ball 10 is impacted by the moving member 60. Alternatively, in such an example, if the initial derivative is less than the slope threshold, the processor 22 can determine that the moving ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30. However, the processor 22 can use any other aspect of the touch data 26 or any other typical characteristic of the touch hysteresis 31 to determine whether the moving ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30 or by the moving member 60.

[0048] In some examples, processor 22 includes an association engine or is otherwise operable to access an association engine, which can be used to determine whether the ball 10 is impacted by surface 30 or by moving member 60. For example, the association engine may include one or more machine learning algorithms that can receive touch data 26 generated by one or more touch sensors 21 and use the touch data 26 to determine whether the ball 10 is impacted by surface 30 or by moving member 60. In some examples, processor 22 (e.g., by employing an association engine) can determine the type of surface 30 or moving member 60 that impacts the ball 10. For example, processor 22 is able to determine the shape or partial shape of the surface 30 or moving member 60 that impacts the ball 10. Or, for example, in some examples, if processor 22 determines that the ball 10 impacts surface 30, processor 22 may also determine whether surface 30 is the surface of a football field or a goalpost of a football goal. Or, for example, in some instances, if processor 22 determines that the moving ball 10 has been struck by the movable member 60, processor 22 may also determine whether the moving ball 10 was struck by a hand, foot, or head. In some instances, processor 22 determines the confidence or probability that the moving ball 10 has been struck by the surface 30 or the movable member 60. For example, in some instances, processor 22 determines that the probability that the moving ball 10 has been struck by the movable member 60 is X%. In some instances, processor 22 determines that the probability that the moving ball 10 has been struck by the movable member 60 is X%, and therefore, the probability that the moving ball 10 has been struck by the surface 30 is (100-X)%.

[0049] An impact of a moving ball 10 on another object, represented by touch data 26 generated in response to an impact (e.g., touch data 26 included in impact profile 61 or touch hysteresis 31), may be referred to as a “touch event.” In some instances, when analyzing the touch data 26 of a touch event (e.g., to determine whether the moving ball 10 was impacted, when it was impacted, or what impacted it), the processor 22 may incorporate or otherwise integrate touch data 26 representing one or more previous touch events. For example, in some instances, when analyzing the touch data 26 of a second touch event that occurs shortly after a first touch event, if the processor 22 determines that the first touch event was an impact of the moving member 60 on the moving ball 10, the processor 22 may increase the probability that the second touch event was an impact of the moving ball 10 on the surface 30, or vice versa. However, when analyzing touch data 26 of subsequent touch events, processor 22 may use touch data 26 of previous touch events in any other way, or any information that may be obtained from the corresponding impact distribution map 61 (e.g., the shape of the impact distribution map) or touch hysteresis 31.

[0050] Fluctuations in voltage or resistance within the moving ball 10 may not always represent a touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. For example, the fluctuation in voltage or resistance within the moving ball 10 may be a residual oscillation 41. The residual oscillation 41 can be a fluctuation in voltage or resistance within the moving ball 10 that occurs in response to an initial increase in voltage or resistance caused by an impact on the moving ball 10 (e.g., caused by surface 30 or moving member 60). In some examples, the touch event includes only a touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. In some examples, the touch event includes a touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted, and one or more residual oscillations 41 immediately following the touch hysteresis 31 in response to the impact on the moving ball 10. Figure 7A and Figure 7B The text describes a touch lag 31, followed by an aftershock 41. It is incomplete and lacks context. Figure 7A In the depicted example, each of the three touch hysteresis 31 represents a single impact of surface 30 on the moving ball 10 (e.g., the moving ball 10 bounces three times on surface 30). A residual vibration 41 follows the first touch hysteresis 31 (i.e., the leftmost touch hysteresis 31). There is no residual vibration 41 following the second and third touch hysteresis 31. This may be because, for example, during the first bounce from surface 30 represented by the first touch hysteresis 31, the moving ball 10 bounces high enough and / or remains suspended in the air long enough for the touch sensing layer 28 disposed within the moving ball 10 to record the residual vibration 41, but in the subsequent second and third bounces represented by the second and third touch hysteresis 31 respectively, the moving ball 10 does not bounce high enough or remain suspended in the air long enough for the touch sensing layer 28 to record the residual vibration.

[0051] In some examples, to determine whether fluctuations in voltage or resistance within the moving ball 10 represent a touch hysteresis 31 or a residual vibration 41 caused by an impact (e.g., by surface 30 or moving member 60) on the moving ball 10, the processor 22 may use or otherwise consider touch data 26 from a time range exceeding the fluctuations in voltage or resistance. For example, to determine whether a fluctuation is caused by an impact (e.g., by surface 30 or moving member 60) on the moving ball 10, the processor 22 may use or otherwise consider touch data 26 from a time range exceeding the fluctuations in voltage or resistance. Figure 7AThe ripple represented by the aftershock 41 is the aftershock 41, not the touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. The processor 22 can compare the area under the ripple curve with the area 40 under the curve of the touch hysteresis 31 preceding the ripple (e.g., by dividing the area 40 under the curve of the touch hysteresis 31 by the area under the ripple curve). If the result is greater than or equal to a threshold, the processor 22 can identify the ripple as the aftershock 41, rather than the touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. Conversely, if the result is less than the threshold, the processor 22 can identify the ripple as the touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted (e.g., by surface 30 or moving member 60). Or, for example, to determine the impact caused by... Figure 7A The oscillation 41 in the text represents an oscillation 41, not a touch lag 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. The processor 22 can determine or calculate the amount of time, such as Δt1, between the oscillation and the touch lag 31 preceding the oscillation. If the amount of time between the oscillation and the touch lag 31 preceding the oscillation is less than or equal to a threshold time, the processor 22 can identify the oscillation as an oscillation 41, rather than a touch lag 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. Conversely, if the amount of time between the oscillation and the touch lag 31 preceding the oscillation is greater than the threshold time, the processor 22 can identify the oscillation as a touch lag 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted (e.g., by surface 30 or moving member 60). For example, Δt1 can be less than the threshold time, and Δt2 can be greater than the threshold time; therefore, the processor 22 can identify the fluctuation represented by the residual oscillation 41 as the residual oscillation 41, and the fluctuation represented by the third touch hysteresis 31 as the touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. However, the processor 22 can use the touch data 26 from a time range beyond the voltage or resistance fluctuation within the moving ball 10 in any other way to determine whether the fluctuation is the residual oscillation 41 or the touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted.

[0052] exist Figure 7BIn the depicted example, a first contact delay 31 representing the first impact of the moving ball 10 with the movable member 60 is followed by two aftershocks 41, and a second contact delay 31 representing the second impact of the moving ball 10 with the movable member 60 is also followed by two aftershocks 41 (e.g., the moving ball 10 is kicked into the air, generating aftershocks in the air, and subsequently, before the moving ball 10 falls onto the surface 30, it is kicked back into the air, again generating aftershocks in the air). In this example, the processor 22 can determine that the fluctuation represented by the first aftershock 41 after the first contact delay 31 is an aftershock 41 rather than a contact delay 31 representing an impact of the moving ball 10 by comparing the peak voltage of the fluctuation (e.g., PV2) with the peak voltage of the contact delay 31 preceding the fluctuation (e.g., PV1) (such as by dividing the peak voltage of the preceding contact delay 31 by the peak voltage of the fluctuation). If the result is greater than or equal to a threshold, the processor 22 can determine that the fluctuation is an aftershock 41. Conversely, if the result is less than the threshold, the processor 22 can determine that the fluctuation is a touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. Alternatively, for example, the processor 22 can determine that the fluctuation represented by the first aftershock 41 following the second touch hysteresis 31 is an aftershock 41 rather than a touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted by one or more oscillation frequencies 42 between the fluctuation and the touch hysteresis 31 preceding the fluctuation and / or between the fluctuation and the fluctuation following the fluctuation (e.g., the fluctuation represented by the second aftershock 41 following the second touch hysteresis 31). The oscillation frequency 42 can be the amount of time between the peak voltages of two consecutive fluctuations. In this example, because the oscillation frequency 42 between the fluctuation and the fluctuations immediately preceding and immediately following the fluctuation is less than the threshold oscillation frequency, the processor 22 can determine that the fluctuation is an aftershock 41 rather than a touch hysteresis 31 indicating that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. In identifying two consecutive touch hysteresis 31s representing two consecutive impacts of the moving ball 10 (e.g., Figure 7B After the two touch delays 31 described in the diagram, the processor 22 can identify the amount of time between the two impacts as the time of flight 43. In some examples, if there is a threshold number of aftershocks 41 between the two impacts, the processor 22 will only identify the amount of time between these two impacts as the time of flight 43.

[0053] In some examples, when analyzing touch data 26 of touch events, processor 22 may incorporate or otherwise integrate information from external sources. For example, in some examples, an association engine included in or otherwise accessible to processor 22 includes historical touch data 26 generated by multiple touch sensors 21 disposed within corresponding multiple motion balls 10 during multiple previous touch events. In such examples, processor 22 may use this historical touch data 26 when analyzing touch data 26 of recent touch events. Or, for example, in some examples, processor 22 may receive or otherwise access user-submitted information and use the user-submitted information when analyzing touch data 26 of touch events. For example, in some instances, after processor 22 determines that the moving ball 10 has been impacted by surface 30 or moving member 60, a user of the touch-sensing moving ball system 20 can confirm or deny the processor's determination (e.g., by using a graphical user interface (GUI) 25 provided by the touch-sensing moving ball system 20, as described above and below), thereby providing feedback to processor 22, which can then use this feedback when analyzing touch data 26 of subsequent touch events (e.g., by training machine learning algorithms included in an association engine included in or otherwise accessible to processor 22). Alternatively, in some instances, a user of the touch-sensing moving ball system 20 can submit to processor 22, for example, the type of surface on which the moving ball 10 will be used (e.g., grass, artificial turf, or asphalt pavement), such as by using the GUI 25 provided by the touch-sensing moving ball system 20. In such instances, when analyzing touch data 26 of touch events, processor 22 can use knowledge about the type of surface on which the moving ball 10 will be used. However, when analyzing touch data 26 of touch events, processor 22 can use information from any external source in any other way.

[0054] As described above, in various examples, processor 22 is operable to receive, access, or otherwise obtain touch data 26 generated by one or more touch sensors 21 disposed within the moving ball 10, and use or based on the touch data 26 to determine: a) whether and when the moving ball 10 was impacted; b) the magnitude of the impact on the moving ball 10; and / or c) what impacted the moving ball 10, such as surface 30 or moving member 60. As described above, in some embodiments, processor 22 may further be operable to cause a graphical user interface (GUI) 25 to display the touch data 26 or an impact indication 27. Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the GUI 25 accessed or provided by the touch-sensing motion ball system 20. Figure 8In the illustrated example, the GUI 25 is a video replay application used by a football referee, such as a video-assisted referee application. In this example, the ball 10 (football) includes one or more touch sensors 21 and a communication component 24 disposed within the ball 10 (e.g., within a recess 17 included in the sac 14 of the ball 10). In this example, the one or more touch sensors 21 are electromechanical touch sensors that generate touch data 26 by producing a voltage or resistance change in response to an impact on the ball 10, and the communication component 24, communicatively connected to the one or more touch sensors 21, wirelessly transmits the touch data 26 generated by the touch sensors 21 to a remote processor 22 instantly and in real time. In this example, processor 22 uses touch data 26 to determine: a) whether and when the ball 10 was impacted; b) the force of the impact on the ball 10; and c) what impacted the ball 10, such as the impact from the football field (or "touch") or the impact from a football player (or "strike"). For example, as Figure 8 As illustrated, in the ten seconds between 73:13 and 73:23 in a football match using the ball 10, processor 22 has determined that the ball 10 has been struck four times (i.e., strikes 3, 4, 5, and 6). Processor 22 also causes GUI 25 to display the six most recent strikes involving the ball 10 (along with the force of each strike), and whether the strike was determined to be a contact with the ground or a blow. In this example, processor 22 has caused GUI 25 to display the most recent strikes involving the ball 10 in real time. The referee of the football match can then use GUI 25 to help determine whether the ball was struck by a player while the player was offside, or, for example, whether the ball was struck by a hand.

[0055] The GUI 25 and the information generated by the processor 22 for display within it can take many different forms depending on the specific application. For example, when the ball 10 is a soccer ball designed or otherwise intended for use in individual youth soccer training, the GUI 25 can be a simple interface displaying information such as ball speed (e.g., calculated by the processor 22 using peak voltage values), flight time 43, and the number of consecutive impacts of the moving member 60 on the ball 10. Or, for example, when the ball 10 is a volleyball designed or otherwise intended for use in a match, the GUI 25 can be a more complex interface displaying information indicating whether the ball 10 is impacted by the surface 30 or the moving member 60, and whether the impact is a serve, pass, spike, or save. Or, for example, when the ball 10 is a basketball, the GUI 25 can display information indicating whether the ball 10 is impacted by the floor, backboard, or rim. However, the GUI 25 can take any suitable form and display any suitable information for any suitable application.

[0056] Figure 9 A flowchart depicts a method 50 for determining that the moving ball 10 has been impacted. As described above, this method 50 can be performed by a touch-sensing moving ball system 20. Figure 9 As depicted, in some examples, method 50 begins with steps 51 and 52, wherein the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 generates touch data 26 in response to an impact on the motion ball 10. For example, as described above, the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 may include one or more electromechanical touch sensors 21 disposed within the motion ball 10, which generate voltage or resistance changes in response to an impact on the motion ball 10. In some examples, the touch data 26 is provided to a computer-readable storage memory 23 for storage. Figure 9 As depicted, in some examples, after the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 generates touch data 26, method 50 proceeds to step 53, wherein the touch-sensing motion ball system 20 determines, at least in part, that the motion ball 10 has been impacted based on the touch data 26. Figure 9As depicted, in some examples, after determining that the ball 10 has been impacted, method 50 proceeds to step 54, wherein the touch-sensing ball system 20 causes the graphical user interface (GUI) 25 to display a visual indication that the ball 10 has been impacted. For example, as described above, the processor 22 may determine: a) that the ball 10 has been impacted; b) when the ball 10 was impacted; and c) the magnitude of the impact on the ball 10, and cause the GUI 25, accessed or provided by the touch-sensing ball system 20, to display one or more visual indications that the ball 10 has been impacted and the magnitude of the impact on the ball 10.

[0057] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. This specification and examples are intended to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope of this disclosure is indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A touch-sensing motion ball system, the system comprising: The outer shell forms the outer layer of the moving ball; The capsule is disposed within the outer shell; A touch sensing layer is disposed between the outer layer and the capsule and is operable to generate touch data when the moving ball is impacted; as well as At least one processor, said at least one processor being operable to: Access the touch data generated by the touch sensing layer; The determination that the moving ball has been impacted is based at least in part on the touch data; as well as Output an indication that the moving ball has been impacted.

2. The touch-sensing motion ball system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to: The magnitude of the force impacting the moving ball is determined at least in part based on the touch data; and Outputs an indication of the magnitude of the force that impacts the moving ball.

3. The touch-sensing motion ball system according to claim 2, wherein: The touch sensing layer includes a piezoelectric material and is further operable to generate the touch data by generating a voltage in response to an impact on the moving ball; and The at least one processor is further operable to determine the magnitude of the force impacting the ball based at least in part on the voltage generated in response to the impact on the ball.

4. The touch-sensing motion ball system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to: The shape of the object impacting the moving ball is determined at least in part based on the touch data; and Output an indication of the shape of the object that impacts the moving ball.

5. The touch-sensing motion ball system according to claim 4, wherein: The touch sensing layer includes a piezoelectric material and is further operable to generate touch data by producing multiple voltages in response to an impact on the moving ball, the multiple voltages corresponding to corresponding multiple locations along the outer casing where the moving ball was impacted; and The at least one of the processors is further operable to determine the shape of the object impacting the ball based at least in part on the plurality of voltages generated in response to the impact of the ball.

6. The touch-sensing motion ball system of claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to: The determination of whether the moving ball is impacted by a surface or a moving member is based at least in part on the shape of the object impacting the moving ball; and It outputs a definitive indication of whether the moving ball is impacted by a surface or by a moving component.

7. The touch-sensing motion ball system according to claim 1, further comprising: A graphical user interface (GUI) that runs on a computing device; and The at least one processor is further operable to cause the GUI to display the indication that the ball has been struck.

8. The touch-sensing motion ball system of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the GUI to display an indication of the shape of an object impacting the motion ball.

9. The touch-sensing motion ball system of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the GUI to display a definitive indication of whether the motion ball is impacted by a surface or by a moving member.

10. The touch-sensing motion ball system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is housed in a recess disposed within the bladder.

11. A method for analyzing the impact of a moving ball, the method comprising: Touch data is generated in response to the ball being hit; The determination that the ball has been impacted is based at least in part on the touch data generated in response to the ball being impacted; as well as Enables the graphical user interface (GUI) to display a visual indication that the ball has been impacted.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The magnitude of the force impacting the moving ball is determined at least in part based on the contact data generated in response to the impact on the moving ball; as well as The GUI displays a visual indication of the magnitude of the force that impacts the moving ball.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The touch data is generated by generating a voltage in response to an impact on the moving ball; as well as The magnitude of the force striking the ball is determined at least in part based on the voltage generated in response to the impact on the ball.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The shape of the object impacting the ball is determined at least in part based on the touch data generated in response to the ball being impacted; as well as The GUI displays a visual indication of the shape of the object that strikes the ball.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: The touch data is generated by generating multiple voltages in response to an impact on the moving ball, the multiple voltages corresponding to multiple locations along the outer shell of the moving ball where the moving ball is impacted; as well as The shape of the object impacting the ball is determined at least in part based on the plurality of voltages generated in response to the impact of the ball.

16. A touch-sensing motion ball device, comprising: The outer shell forms the outer layer of the moving ball; The capsule is disposed within the outer shell; as well as A touch sensing layer is disposed between the outer layer and the capsule and is operable to generate touch data when the ball is impacted, the touch data being usable by at least one processor to determine that the ball has been impacted.

17. The touch-sensing motion ball device of claim 16, further comprising the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is housed in a recess disposed within the bladder.

18. The touch-sensing motion ball device of claim 16, further comprising a wireless communication component operable to transmit the touch data generated by the touch-sensing layer to the at least one processor.

19. The touch-sensing motion ball device of claim 16, wherein the touch-sensing layer comprises a piezoelectric material operable to generate the touch data by generating a voltage in response to an impact on the motion ball.

20. The touch-sensing motion ball device of claim 19, wherein the touch-sensing layer completely covers the inner surface of the housing.

Images