Basketball Timing System with Optical Hoop Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current basketball game timing systems fail to accurately and automatically stop play when the ball passes through the hoop, leading to human error and slowed game pace, especially in critical moments like the last two minutes of play.
Innovation Solution
A timing system that incorporates an optical sensor and visual detector, such as kinetic type cameras, to detect the ball's passage through the hoop, providing a detection signal to stop the game time, eliminating the need for manual intervention by referees or table officials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual intervention by referees or table officials is used to stop the game clock, then the timing system is simple, but the precision and reliability of game time stoppage deteriorates due to human error and delayed reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical timing system with an automated optical detection system. Optical sensors detect the ball's passage through the hoop and automatically trigger the game clock stoppage, eliminating human reaction time delays and errors. This substitution of manual operation with automated sensing directly resolves the contradiction by improving precision without requiring complex manual coordination procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The timing system performs self-service by automatically detecting ball passage and stopping the clock without requiring external human intervention. The optical sensors and processing unit work autonomously to monitor game conditions and execute timing control, freeing the system from dependence on referees or table officials while maintaining high precision stoppage accuracy
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are positioned near the basketball hoop to detect ball passage, then the detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional optical sensor system that simultaneously performs multiple detection tasks: detecting ball passage through the hoop, determining ball position, and triggering timing control. This universal approach allows a single integrated system to fulfill multiple detection functions that would otherwise require separate sensor arrays, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines optical sensors, visual detectors, and timing control functions into an integrated system. By merging the detection and timing control functions into a unified apparatus, the system achieves reliable ball passage detection without the complexity of coordinating multiple independent sensor arrays and separate control mechanisms
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If pressure or motion sensors are used to detect ball passage, then the detection capability is enhanced, but the ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pressure and motion sensors with optical sensing technology. Optical sensors detect ball passage through light interruption or reflection changes, eliminating the need for physical contact sensors that require complex mounting and calibration. This substitution simplifies installation while maintaining enhanced detection capability, as optical sensors can be positioned remotely and do not require direct interaction with the ball
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
Ensures precise and automatic game time stoppages, improving game quality by reducing human error and maintaining a swift game pace, even in high-pressure situations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical sensor is positioned near or on the basketball hoop to detect a ball entering the basket
Implementation Method 2
A visual ball detector is also provided, comprising one or more kinetic cameras to detect the ball's movement and depth within the basketball hoop
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The method for timing a basketball game is defined by a timing system (1), which includes a timing device (2) connected to an optical ball detector (3) and/or to at least one visual ball detector for detecting a ball (20) in a basketball hoop. The optical ball detector includes an optical sensor (31) located near or on the basketball hoop, and the visual detector includes at least one kinetic camera for detecting the movement and depth of the ball in the basketball hoop with signal processing.The method includes the steps of starting a game time count by activating the timing device, capturing by the optical sensor and/or the kinetic camera the passage of the basketball through a ring (10) of the basketball hoop, and transmitting at least one signal of detection of the passage of the ball through the basketball hoop to the timing device to stop a game time.