Flag Football Belt Detection for Instant Detachment Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flag football systems lack effective auditory, visual, and tactile cues for indicating flag detachment, leading to delays in stopping play, which can affect game outcomes and increase the risk of collisions and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A flag football belt device equipped with an electronic system that detects flag coupling/decoupling and provides immediate audible, visual, and tactile notifications, as well as wireless communication to paired devices, ensuring timely recognition of flag detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional flag coupling systems are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the speed and accuracy of detecting flag detachment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flag coupling systems with electronic and optical detection systems. Sensors, LEDs, and electronic circuits are integrated into the belt device to detect flag detachment through non-mechanical means, significantly improving detection speed while managing device complexity through systematic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as optical sensors, magnetic sensors, and electronic circuits that mediate between the flag coupling state and the detection system. These intermediaries translate physical flag positions into detectable signals, enabling faster and more accurate detection without requiring direct mechanical interaction.
2Reliability
If traditional auditory signals alone are used, then the notification system remains simple, but the effectiveness of alerting players is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple notification modalities (auditory signals, visual LED indicators, and tactile feedback) into a single integrated notification system. This combination ensures that players receive flag detachment alerts through their preferred sense, significantly improving notification reliability while the integrated design manages overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: alerting players to flag detachment, providing visual confirmation for officials, and offering tactile feedback to the ball carrier. This multi-functionality approach improves overall system reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Loss of time
If officials and coaches manually monitor flag pulls, then the equipment remains simple, but the response time to stop play is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate feedback systems where sensors detect flag detachment and trigger instantaneous notifications through LEDs, auditory signals, and tactile feedback. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the time delay associated with manual monitoring, as the system automatically detects and communicates flag status changes in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is pre-configured with sensors and notification components that are ready to immediately detect and communicate flag detachment. The system performs preliminary detection and preparation, so when flag removal occurs, the notification is instantaneous, eliminating response time delays without requiring complex post-detection processing.
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 the speed and accuracy of stopping play by providing immediate and multi-modal notifications, reducing the likelihood of collisions and improving game management.
Implementation Method 1
A flag detection system may include a Hall-effect sensor and magnet to output a low signal (decoupled flag) or a high signal (coupled flag)
Implementation Method 2
A flag detection system may include a Hall-effect sensor and magnet to output a low signal (decoupled flag) or a high signal (coupled flag)
Data Source
AI summary
A flag football system includes a belt device on a flag football belt and a flag coupling detachably engaged between a flag and the belt device. The flag coupling allows the flag to be coupled to the belt device and decoupled therefrom by pulling during play. The belt device includes an electronic system with a microcontroller, a flag detection system to detect a flag coupling status and send a flag coupling status signal, and a notification system to issue audible, visual, tactile, and/or wireless signals when the flag is decoupled. The flag detection system includes a sensor to detect presence or absence of the flag coupling on the flag. The notification system controls lights to be illuminated or doused, a speaker for sound to be emitted, and wireless signal transmission via a wireless communications subsystem. Devices can be electronically paired with the belt device, including a helmet and mobile devices.