Basketball Sensor Feedback for Shot Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current basketball training systems lack effective feedback mechanisms to improve shooting skills, as they cannot accurately determine made shots and their locations, limiting the ability to provide targeted practice and performance analysis.

Innovation Solution

A basketball system equipped with sensors and a processor that transmits data on shot attributes and location, allowing for real-time feedback on made shots, cumulative scoring, and virtual opponent interactions, enabling improved training through data analysis and interactive gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If sensors are carried by the basketball to capture motion data, then shooting skill feedback is improved, but the ability to accurately determine made shots and locations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshooting feedback informationVSAvoidmade shot determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where sensors on the basketball capture motion data, and the processor analyzes this data to provide shooting feedback. The system compares detected shot characteristics against stored signature characteristics to determine made shots, creating a closed-loop feedback system that informs players about their shooting performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension of analysis by incorporating location data from location sensors alongside motion sensor data. This multi-dimensional approach combines spatial information with motion characteristics, enabling the system to accurately determine both that a shot was made and from where it was taken, resolving the precision limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If discrete movements of the basketball are captured by sensors, then athletic proficiency quantification is improved, but the data cannot determine made shots and locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveathletic performance dataVSAvoidmade shot determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system on the basketball is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing motion data for athletic proficiency quantification, determining made shots through characteristic comparison, and tracking location data. This multi-functional approach allows a single sensor system to address multiple measurement needs simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional mechanical shot determination methods with sensor-based detection. Instead of relying on visual observation or mechanical indicators, the patent uses electronic sensors to detect shot characteristics and automatically determine made shots through computational analysis of sensor data.

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

3Measurement precision

If sensors and processors are added to the basketball system, then shot analysis capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshot attribute detection precisionVSAvoidbasketball system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing functions into an integrated basketball system. Motion sensors, location sensors, and processing capabilities are merged into a unified system carried by the basketball itself, rather than using separate external devices. This consolidation improves measurement precision while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The basketball system is designed to be self-sufficient, with sensors and processors carried directly on the basketball. The ball itself performs the measurement and analysis functions, eliminating the need for complex external tracking infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity despite adding components to the basketball.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 shooting skill improvement by providing precise feedback on shot performance, allowing users to track progress and adjust techniques based on data analysis, and engaging users with virtual training scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

the net exerts a resistance against the gravitational force of the falling basketball

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the net exerts a resistance against the gravitational force of the falling basketball

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistance force: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2779142B1Basketball sensing apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO(US)
  • EP2779142B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779142B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2779142B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium to direct a processor to: receive signals indicating a made basketball shot or a missed basketball shot of a basketball by a person during a basketball shooting session, receive signals indicating a location from which each made basketball shot is made, and determine and output a user cumulative score for the person for the basketball shooting session, the cumulative score being based upon the location of each made basketball shot.