Embedded Sensor Football for Real-Time Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In American football, accurately monitoring the position and movement of the ball during play is challenging due to line of sight limitations for officials and cameras, player obstructions, and potential repositioning of the ball, leading to incorrect calls and delays in game proceedings.
Innovation Solution
An American-style football equipped with an inflatable bladder, a cover, and an electronic circuit that includes sensors to produce signals for monitoring the ball's position and movement, allowing for real-time tracking without disrupting the game flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video replays are used to review disputed calls, then the accuracy of official decisions is improved, but the game time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The football includes embedded electronic sensors and transmitters that continuously track and record position, speed, and movement data during play. This preliminary data collection eliminates the need for time-consuming video replay reviews, as officials can immediately access accurate tracking information to make informed decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/video replay review system with an electronic tracking system. Instead of manually reviewing video footage, officials use real-time data from electronic sensors embedded in the football, substituting a manual review process with an automated electronic measurement system.
2Loss of information
If officials and cameras are used to monitor football position, then game coverage is provided, but line of sight limitations and player obstructions reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic tracking system between the football and officials. Sensors embedded in the football act as intermediaries that directly measure position and movement, eliminating the need for visual observation through cameras and removing the impact of line of sight limitations and player obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical camera system with an electronic sensor system. Instead of relying on cameras to capture visual information that can be blocked, electronic sensors within the football directly detect and transmit position data, substituting a passive optical system with an active electronic measurement system.
3Ease of manufacture
If players reposition the football after play is whistled dead, then the ball position may be corrected, but incorrect calls may occur if officials fail to detect the repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic tracking system operates continuously throughout the play, maintaining constant monitoring of football position from start to finish. This continuous data collection ensures that any movement of the ball, including repositioning after the whistle, is immediately detected and recorded, eliminating blind spots in the monitoring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to officials through real-time transmission of position data. When the football is moved or repositioned, the sensors detect the change and transmit updated position information, allowing officials to immediately verify the actual ball location and make accurate decisions based on objective data rather than relying solely on visual observation.
Data Source
AI summary
An American-style football having a major longitudinal dimension extending about a longitudinal axis and including an inflatable prolate spheroidal shaped bladder, a lining positioned about the bladder, a cover assembly, a lacing and a thin electronic tag. The cover assembly includes at least first, second, third and fourth cover panels collectively positioned over the bladder and the lining. The lacing extends along a longitudinal plane extending through the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the first and fourth cover panels. The tag is positioned between the lining and the cover assembly. The tag is covered by at least one of the first and fourth cover panels but not covered by the second and third cover panels. The tag is configured to enable at least one characteristic of the football to be monitored during use. In another example implementation, the tag is positioned between the lining and the bladder.