Football Sensor Circuit Nesting for Motion Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports performance monitoring systems lack effective means to accurately track and analyze the motion and performance of American footballs during games and practices, hindering player and team performance improvement.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electronic circuit within the football that senses and transmits data on its movement, speed, acceleration, rotation, and temperature, coupled with a sport performance system that processes this data to provide feedback and analysis for players and coaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic circuit is integrated within the football to sense and transmit data, then measurement precision and data collection capability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic circuit components (accelerometer, gyroscope, temperature sensor, microcontroller, battery, and transmitter) are nested within the football's internal structure, specifically integrated into the bladder or inner lining. This nesting approach allows the sensing system to be contained within the existing football form factor without requiring external attachments, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity through space-efficient integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: detecting linear acceleration, measuring rotational motion, monitoring temperature, processing sensor data, and transmitting information wirelessly. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated circuit, improving measurement precision across multiple parameters while avoiding the device complexity of multiple independent components.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are integrated into the football, then the quantity of information collected is improved, but the weight of the football increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to detect multiple physical parameters (acceleration, rotation, temperature) simultaneously using integrated circuits that process these parameters efficiently. By changing from separate bulky sensors to compact multi-parameter detection circuits, the system collects comprehensive performance data while minimizing the weight increase through efficient use of space and materials in the electronic components.
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
Enables precise monitoring and analysis of football motion, enhancing player and team performance by providing actionable insights and improving training techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The ball sensing system includes an accelerometer that senses linear acceleration of the ball
Implementation Method 2
The ball sensing system includes a gyroscope that senses rotational motion of the ball
Implementation Method 3
The ball sensing system includes a temperature sensor that monitors temperature of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
An automated objective American-football evaluation system may include an American-style football, at least one sensor carried by the football, the at least one sensor comprising at least one accelerometer carried by the football and electronics. The electronics are to: (a) receive a string of sensor signals from the at least one sensor; (b) determine a characteristic of a throw of the football based upon the received string of sensor signals; (c) determine an identity of a football player associated with the throw of the football; (d) assign the determined characteristic of the throw of the football to the determined identity of the football player; and (e) output the determined characteristic of the throw, the determined identity of the football player and the assignment of the determined characteristic of the throw of the football to the determined identity the football.