An activity device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an activity device 99 comprising a body adapted to be thrown, such as a spherical ball. The body comprises a local control means 1 such as an on / off switch. An energy

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an activity device, and an associated system of organising activities. Background Many people in many societies are increasingly aware of the benefits of exercise, both solo and inn groups. Group activities in particular can be both physically and psychologically beneficial to participants, and as a result they can be both enjoyable and recommended to as many users as possible. However at times it can be difficult to accumulate the necessary people for certain activities which require a fixed number of participants Or it can be difficult to organise a number of participants, and arrange the activity. Or it can be difficult for a particular person to invent or follow a particular activity that other participants will recognise, follow and enjoy. Prior Art US 2017 0 065 898 (MILLER et al) discloses a throw-and-catch based toy with free fall sensing, impact sensing, and speaker output which includes a system, method and device for detecting a pre-determined motion from an accelerometer, comparing a sensed accelerometer information to a pre-determined accelerometer signature information, producing a sound based on the comparison of sensed accelerometer information to a pre-determined accelerometer signature information. US 2013 0 167 290 (BEN) discloses a ball or sport accessory which allows players to interact using a variety of computing functions; combines one or more sensors, displays, cameras, projectors, memory, hardware, processors or other components capable of providing computer functionality; allows users to record and share images and video, to receive live directions from coaches or other players, to understand or correct mistakes by replaying videos instantaneously, or to undertake other computing activity without the need of additional devices; allows users to listen to music or to watch two or three dimensional movie or television files; and / or functions as a cell phone. US 2008 0 015 064 (NELSON et al) discloses a toy ball assembly and its method of operation. The toy ball assembly speaks or otherwise communicates with the person playing with the toy ball assembly. Within the toy ball assembly, an electronic module is provided. The electronics module holds a battery, an activation switch, a processor, an impact sensor, an audio signal memory and a speaker. The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an activity device comprising a body adapted to be thrown, the body comprises a local control means and internally comprises an energy source, a microcontroller, an accelerometer, one or more light source, and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver enables intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM). In this way the device of the present invention may enable activities to be played in a group of participants, whereby the device may control the activity, and / or inform participants on their roles, and / or provide feedback to participants or an organiser on the relative standings of users participating in the activity or activities. The feedback may be visual for example wherein lights may flash in reward or punishment or scoring. Additionally the device may enable a plurality of different activities with a plurality of different sets of rules and playing arrangements. In some embodiments the device comprises a gyroscope, such that the dev ce is enabled to recognise positioning or orientation during use. In some embodiments the device comprises a vibration motor. This may enable controlled feedback to users, players or participants, for example such that haptic punishments or similar may be meted out to players. In some embodiments the device comprises a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker may provide a means of providing feedback, rewards, punishments, scoring or instructions. In some embodiments the device comprises a memory or data storage operability or facility. This may enable recordal of data to do with games, activities and rules, and / or scoring. In some embodiments the device may comprise a facility for transfer of large data files, for example comprising a data enabled universal serial bus (USB) socket, such that the dev ce may be updated and / or data downloaded. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system of providing activities comprising a device substantially as described herein cooperating with a plurality of connectable wirelessly enabled electronic markers. According to still further aspects of the present invention there may be provided apparatus comprising a device substantially as described herein and an electronic marker, allowing such electronic device to be operable as a geoIocational marker for the system. Such marker may comprise a stand, so as to allow independent placement or may comprise an attachment means for an independent structure. For example such structure may comprise a traffic cone or similar, wherein the cone may be used to demarcate a bleep test distance for example. According to a further asoect of the present invention there is provided software for a smartphone in order to operate a system of activities utilising the device substantially as described herein and any other devices. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of undertaking activities using a system of activities utilising the device substantially as described herein and any other devices. In some embodiments the device of the present invention may be envisaged to be substantially spherical. In some embodiments the device of the present invention may comprise bumpers, for example wherein the device may be substantially rigid, and may comprise resilient bumper areas, which accept impacts, and limit damage to a rigid body for example. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a system of use including the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an activity device 99 generally comprising a body adapted to be thrown, the body comprises a local control means 1 and internally comprises an energy source 21, a microcontroller and an accelerometer, light source, and transceiver, wherein the transceiver enables intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM). In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a substantially spherical body, so as to form an easy to throw and easy to catch device. The device includes a data storage and access means or processor theft allows for a plurality of different activities end activity patterns to be accessible to users. In order to monitor such activities the device includes an accelerometer, so as to monitor location, movement and orientation. For example the device may be enabled to recognise when it has been thrown. In order to monitor location the device comprises a Bluetooth (RTM) enabled transceiver. Upon command at the local control means, which comprises a single activation switch, the transceiver is activated so as to recognise locations of player Bluetooth (RTM) enabled personal electronic equipment, such as smartphones. In this way the device may be enabled to recognise location in relation to the players’ equipment, and in comb naticn with the accelerometer may thereby recognise if the device has been moved according to the required pattern required in an activity that has been started. In order to run an activity using the device the user will access a software platform on their equipment and such platform will thereafter offer a plurality of activities, so as to enable the device and connected equipment to run the activity. The device includes two light sources, namely light emitting diodes (LEDs) which provide visual feedback to the players as to their level of success or their position in the activity. The device may include an internally located vibratory motor (not shown) which may provide haptic feedback to the players as to their level of success or their position in the activity. The device may be further operated with two cones, which cones include displaceable electronic markers, which are attached permanently or temporarily, using a temporary attachment means, to the cones so as to enable a beep test activity with the players carrying the devices. In particular reference to the embodiment of the device shown in the Figures the embodiment comprises a bipartite plastic formation, in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). These parte are each hemispherical and form a substantially spherical whole with six flattened faces. One of these faces provides a universal serial bus (USB) socket 5 for charging an internal battery 21, which socket extends from a circuit board 22 holding the electronic equipment of the processor. Two of the sides comprise frosted lens 3, which are surrounded by soft rubber gaiters or bumpers 2, and through which lenses pass the light source(s) to provide feedback. The bumpers are provided on each of the sides, wherein the body of the embodiment is a rigid ABS plastic and the bumpers are resiliently deformable silicone or similar, so as to absorb impacts. The side opposing the socket 5 provides a smple switch 1, providing on and off activation control. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mendoned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An activity device comprising a body adapted to be thrown, the bodv comprises a local! control means and internally comprises an energy source, a microcontroller, an accelerometer, one or more light source, and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver enables intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM).

2. An activity device according to claim 1 comprising a gyroscope.

3. An activity device according to -claim 1 or 2 comprising a vibration motor.

4. An activity device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a loudspeaker.

5. An activity device according to any preceding claim comprising a data sto'age facility.

6. An activity device according to any preceding claim comprising wired connectivity for transfer of large data files.

7. An activity device according to any preceding claim having a spherical body.

8. An activity device according to any preceding claim wherein the body comprises resiliently deformable bumpers.

9. A system comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims end a plurality of connectable wirelessly enabled electronic markers.

10. An electronic marker for a system according to claim 9 comprises a stand.

11. An electronic marker according to claim 10 comprises an attachment means for an independent structure.

12. Software for a smartphone in order to operate the system according to claim 9.

13. Apparatus comprising a plurality of smartphones and a device according to any of preceding claims 1 to 8.

14. A method of undertaking or providing one or more activities using the system according to claim 9.

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