Impact-Sensitive Color Change for Precise Line Calling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current line-calling systems in sports, such as tennis, face challenges in accurately determining whether a ball is 'in' or 'out' due to limitations in existing technologies like Hawk-Eye, which can be distracting and occasionally erroneous, and other devices that suffer from issues like erosion or interference from player movements.
Innovation Solution
A variable-color object-impact structure that temporarily changes color at the impact area upon meeting threshold criteria, allowing for precise visual determination of ball impacts and distinguishing between different types of impacts, reducing the need for challenges and delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Hawk-Eye system is used for line calling, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and reliability are worsened due to distractions and erroneous calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic/optical tracking systems (Hawk-Eye) with a mechanical impact-sensitive material system. The tennis court surface incorporates materials that physically change properties (color, texture) when impacted by the ball, providing direct visual feedback about ball location without complex electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tennis court surface itself performs the measurement and indication function through its impact-sensitive materials. The court surface actively responds to ball impacts by changing its appearance, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems and reducing reliance on human officials to interpret complex data.
2Measurement precision
If Hawk-Eye system is used for line calling, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to challenges and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The court surface automatically provides visual indication of ball impact location without requiring challenges or delays. The impact-sensitive materials instantly respond to ball impacts, providing immediate visual feedback to players and officials about whether the ball is in or out of bounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through the impact-sensitive materials that change appearance when the ball contacts the court surface. This real-time feedback eliminates the need for post-impact challenges and delays, as the court surface continuously indicates the current state of each impact.
3Measurement precision
If existing line-calling devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to erosion and interference from player movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses materials that change physical parameters (color, texture, reflectivity) in response to impact forces. These parameter changes provide measurement information without requiring separate detection components that could be eroded or interfered with by player movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The tennis court surface incorporates composite materials combining impact-sensitive components with durable court surface materials. This integration ensures that the measurement-functioning materials withstand the same physical conditions as the rest of the court surface, reducing erosion and interference while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable-color region (106) of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112) and normally appears along it as a principal color. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region responds to an object (104) impacting the zone at an object-contact area (116) by temporarily appearing along a print area (118) of the zone as generic changed color materially different from the principal color. The print area closely matches the object-contact area in size, shape, and location. The threshold impact criteria consist of multiple sets of different threshold impact criteria respectively associated with multiple specific changed colors materially different from the principal color. If the impact meets the threshold impact criteria, the generic changed color is the specific changed color for the criteria set met by the impact.