Player Helmet Proximity Indicator for Restricted Zone Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Injuries in sports like hockey and lacrosse occur due to players being checked into the boards, despite rules prohibiting checking in restricted areas, as existing measures are inadequate in preventing such collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a signal generator to define restricted zones and a proximity detector with an indicator on player equipment, such as helmets, to alert players and referees of prohibited contact areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rules prohibit checking in restricted areas, then player safety should improve, but injuries continue to occur due to inadequate enforcement and awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to players through visual indicators (lights) when they enter restricted zones, and to referees through communication devices. This immediate feedback loop enables players to adjust their positioning and allows referees to enforce rules more effectively, directly addressing the enforcement and awareness problems that caused injuries despite existing rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic monitoring system acts as an intermediary between the rulebook and players/referees. Instead of relying solely on manual observation and memory of restricted zones, the system mediates rule enforcement through automated detection, signals, and communication, making the abstract rules tangible and enforceable in real-time.
2Loss of information
If visual signals are provided to players, then awareness of restricted zones improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the critical function of zone detection and notification from the complex referee coordination task, placing sensors and indicators directly on player equipment. This distributes the awareness function to individual players rather than relying on centralized referee communication, reducing the overall system complexity while improving player awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
Each player's equipment autonomously detects when they are in a restricted zone and provides immediate visual feedback through onboard indicators. The system serves itself by having players monitor their own zone status without requiring constant referee intervention or complex centralized control, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 player awareness and simplifies rule enforcement by clearly indicating restricted zones, reducing injuries by preventing hits in prohibited areas during gameplay.
Implementation Method 1
a signal generator for signaling the location of a restricted zone in a playing area
Implementation Method 2
A proximity detector receives the signal generated by the signal generator
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for preventing hitting in a restricted zone during game play includes a signal generator for signaling the location of a restricted zone in a playing area contained by a barrier. A proximity detector receives the signal generated by the signal generator. An indicator indicates when the proximity detector is within the restricted zone, the signal generator and the indicator being carried by a player.