Molded Hockey Puck Signal Transmitter for Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visibility of a hockey puck on television during games is poor due to its small size and distance from cameras, making it difficult to track its movement and determine goals accurately.
Innovation Solution
A hockey puck with an internal electromagnetic signal transmitter, encapsulated within two molded subcomponents, emits electromagnetic signals through its surfaces to enable precise tracking by sensors, maintaining the puck's physical characteristics and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cameras are located far from the ice rink to view all areas, then the coverage area is improved, but the puck appears as a small dot and visibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical enhancement techniques that cause the puck to change its optical properties (brightness, contrast, or color) when detected by sensors. The system enhances the image of the puck on television monitors through optical processing, making the puck more visible against the ice background without requiring cameras to be closer to the ice surface.
2Measurement precision
If transmitters are embedded within the puck, then position tracking is improved, but the puck's physical performance may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter assembly is nested within a hollow core structure of the puck, with the transmitter components (battery, circuit board, sensors) contained within a cavity inside the puck. This nesting approach allows the transmitter to be integrated without significantly altering the puck's external dimensions, weight distribution, or physical performance characteristics while still enabling precise position tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the internal structure of the puck by creating a hollow core and embedding transmitter components, changing the physical parameters (density, internal structure) while maintaining external dimensions. The material composition is adjusted to accommodate the transmitter while preserving the puck's mechanical properties for gameplay.
3Ease of manufacture
If the puck is divided into subcomponents for transmitter integration, then transmitter installation is improved, but manufacturing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The puck is segmented into multiple components: a outer shell, an inner hollow core, and a transmitter assembly containing the battery, circuit board, and sensors. This segmentation allows the transmitter to be pre-assembled and tested separately before being integrated into the puck, simplifying the overall manufacturing process and enabling quality control at different stages.
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 visibility of the puck on television by allowing real-time tracking and highlighting its position, improving viewer experience by clearly indicating goals and movements.
Implementation Method 1
the electromagnetic signal may be infrared (IR) light emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in openings in the subcomponents
Data Source
AI summary
A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in light pipes enclosed within cavities in the subcomponents that extend to outer surfaces of the hockey puck components. The puck includes two subcomponents that are attached via complimentary sets of concentrically arranged wedges.