Ball-Throwing Machine With Sensor-Based Intelligent Goal Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soccer players struggle to improve their ball control and accuracy in shooting and passing due to the lack of effective training methods that allow for disciplined progress measurement and individualized coaching, especially when practicing alone.

Innovation Solution

A ball-throwing machine that can be controlled remotely using a handheld device, combined with an intelligent goal equipped with sensors and lights to track and provide feedback on ball placement, connected to a network application for remote coaching and progress tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If players perform shooting and passing drills involving several balls, then ball control skills are improved, but players cannot concentrate on tracking each pass or shot location and cannot determine their accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball placement accuracyVSAvoidtraining system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The goal apparatus incorporates sensors that detect ball placement and provide immediate feedback to the player through visual or electronic displays. This feedback mechanism allows players to track the location of each pass or shot during drills, measure their accuracy, and determine improvement over time, directly resolving the inability to concentrate on and measure ball placement accuracy in multi-ball drills

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual tracking and measurement methods with electronic sensors and automated detection systems. The sensors electronically detect ball placement locations and automatically record accuracy data, eliminating the need for players to manually track and measure each ball, thus allowing concentration on skill execution while maintaining precise measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If players practice shooting and passing alone, then training time is increased, but lack of remote coaching and progress measurement capability reduces training effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining efficiencyVSAvoidprogress measurement data
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The goal apparatus enables players to independently conduct drills and automatically track their own performance data through integrated sensors and recording systems. Players can measure their accuracy and monitor progress without requiring constant coach intervention, allowing effective solo training while maintaining detailed progress records

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electronic data recording and transmission system as an intermediary between the player's performance and the coach. Sensors detect ball placement, the system records and stores accuracy data, and transmits progress information to coaches remotely, preventing loss of progress data while enabling independent training

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances ball control skills by providing personalized training programs and real-time feedback, enabling players to track their progress and receive remote coaching, thus improving their shooting and passing accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor that detects when the soccer ball breaks the plane of the goal line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3551301B1System, apparatus and method for ball throwing machine and intelligent goal
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TOCA FOOTBALL INC
  • EP3551301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3551301B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3551301B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A goal apparatus comprising a cross bar, a first side post and a second side post is described. The first side post and the second side post are connected to the cross bar such that the first side post, the second side post and the cross bar form a plane ("a goal plane"). Further, one or more sensor pairs are coupled to the first side post and the second side post, wherein a first sensor pair of the one or more sensor pairs includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is coupled to the first side post and the second sensor is coupled to the second side post and is also aligned horizontal to the first sensor. In addition, the first sensor pair is located in a first zone, wherein the first zone is a first portion of the goal plane.