Wireless Beacon Ball Tracking via Player Worn Data Loggers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball tracking systems in sports are expensive due to the need for powerful transmitters and receivers around the playing field and costly electronic equipment within the balls, which also face rapid wear and tear, while current solutions for tracking player interactions with the ball are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a ball with short-range and long-range wireless beacons emitting periodic signals, and a data logger worn by players with a microcontroller to record signal receipt, indicating possession and proximity, using low-power electronics and potentially powered by a piezo energy harvester, allowing tracking of the ball's path relative to players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If powerful transmitters and receivers are used to track the ball, then tracking accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces player-worn data loggers as intermediary devices that detect ball-related events (possession, kicks, passes) and transmit this information to the tracking system. This mediator approach allows accurate ball tracking without requiring expensive powerful transmitters and receivers, as the player loggers serve as distributed sensing points throughout the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electronic transmitter-receiver system with a detection-based approach using data loggers that sense ball events. Instead of using powerful transmitters to continuously track the ball's position, the system uses player-worn devices to detect and report ball interactions, substituting continuous transmission with event-based detection.
2Measurement precision
If expensive electronic equipment is placed in the ball, then ball tracking capability is improved, but ball durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex electronic tracking equipment from the ball itself and places it in the player-worn data loggers. The ball only contains simple beacons or markers, while the sophisticated detection and processing electronics are removed from the ball and placed in the players' equipment, thereby protecting the ball's durability while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive beacons or markers in the ball that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than incorporating expensive electronic equipment that would compromise ball durability. The complex electronics are instead placed in the player loggers which are not subject to the same wear and tear.
3Measurement precision
If continuous transmission is used to track the ball, then tracking accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or event-triggered transmission instead of continuous transmission. The ball beacons transmit periodically or when ball events occur (possession changes, kicks, passes), and the player data loggers transmit data periodically or when events are detected. This periodic action maintains tracking accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
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
This system provides an inexpensive and durable means to track the ball's movement and possession changes between players, enabling computer simulations of the ball's path with reduced equipment costs and extended battery life, while being adaptable to various sports.
Implementation Method 1
powered by a piezo energy harvester mounted on the football cover which produces current from impacts to power the beacons
Implementation Method 2
a short range beacon emitting periodic signals; a data logger worn by a player which includes a clock, a receiver for the signals from the beacon
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for tracking balls in sports in which players kick, pass, bounce, strike or carry a ball. The ball is equipped with two beacons pulsing in the 5-10 Hz range at a frequency which is not attenuated by the body of the players. one beacon has a very short range of 40 -120 cm and the other has a range of 1 - 5 metres. A data logger worn by the players includes a clock, location and speed sensors, a receiver for the beacon signals and a micro controller to record the data from all the sensors. The micro controller is able to record whether the player is in possession of the ball or is contesting the ball. The path of the ball from player to player is tracked relative to the playing field. An impact or pressure sensor may be fitted to the players footwear, glove or a bat stick, club or racquet to register a kick or ball strike.