Coded Ball Scoring With Intermittent Transmission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball game apparatuses, such as golf games, lack advanced systems for detecting ball movements, providing automatic scoring, and enhancing player interaction, while efficiently managing battery life and minimizing interference between devices.
Innovation Solution
A ball game apparatus with coded balls that utilize detector units, a central database, and mobile communication devices for automatic scoring, battery management, and reduced power transmission to minimize interference, along with video recording and interactive features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual scoring and movement detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of score detection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ball itself performs detection and data storage functions through embedded sensors and memory, eliminating the need for external detection devices. The ball autonomously records its movement data and transmits it to the scoring system, making the ball self-serving rather than passive.
Solution Approach 2:
The coded ball serves multiple functions: it is the game object, contains movement sensors, stores data in memory, and transmits information wirelessly. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations into a single integrated component.
2Reliability
If continuous high-power signal transmission is used by the ball, then communication reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the ball transmits signals periodically or intermittently. The microprocessor controls the timing of transmissions, allowing the ball to communicate its score and data at specific intervals rather than continuously, thereby conserving battery power while maintaining necessary communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission power and frequency parameters are dynamically adjusted based on game conditions and battery status. The system can vary transmission intensity and timing to optimize between communication reliability and power consumption, extending battery life while maintaining functional reliability.
3Speed
If fixed high-power transmission is used by detector units, then detection range is improved, but interference between adjacent holes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector units dynamically adjust their transmission power based on the proximity of balls and current detection needs. Rather than operating at fixed high power, the detectors modulate signal strength to maintain adequate communication while minimizing interference with adjacent holes, making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
Each detector unit operates with locally optimized power levels tailored to its specific hole's requirements and the current position of balls. This localized adjustment ensures adequate signal strength for each detection zone while reducing overall system interference compared to uniform high-power operation across all holes.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive movement tracking is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball continuously monitors and stores movement data in its onboard memory during gameplay, performing data collection and preliminary processing in advance. This eliminates the need for time-consuming post-game analysis, as the data is already captured and organized when the game ends, reducing processing time while maintaining comprehensive tracking accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball game apparatus in which movements of a coded ball are detected by detector units and an automatic indication of a player's score is given, where data relating to the ball are stored in a database connected to the detector units, the data including the code of a ball and a code relating to a player to whom the ball has been allocated, the ball being configured to temporarily store, and to intermittently transfer to the detector units and thence to the database, data relating to the ball's movements. A rechargeable battery is contained within the ball, and is arranged to be charged by a battery charging system. Features of the game may be controlled by means of a player's mobile telephone.