Sensor-Equipped Puck for Wireless Stickhandling Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stickhandling training tools lack the ability to provide engaging and challenging scenarios, fail to analyze player performance effectively, are costly, require players to look at the floor, and do not support mobile device use or wireless technology, limiting their ability to create customizable game floors and recalibrate sensors.
Innovation Solution
A puck equipped with a color sensor, light source, microprocessor, and wireless transmitter that communicates with a mobile device to create dynamic stickhandling challenges, analyze player performance, and suggest improvements, allowing for customizable game floors and sensor recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on the stickhandling surface to detect puck position, then sensing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional sensors required for larger game surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses video cameras to capture optical images of the puck and playing surface, creating a visual copy that can be analyzed to determine puck position. This replaces the need for numerous physical sensors on the playing surface, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based detection system with an optical system using video cameras. The cameras capture images that are processed to determine puck position, substituting mechanical sensing with optical field-based detection to reduce the number of physical components
2Device complexity
If video cameras are used to sense the puck and playing surface, then device complexity is reduced, but cost increases and sensing reliability decreases when the puck is covered by the stick or player body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light source as an intermediary element that illuminates the playing surface and puck. This ensures that the video camera can consistently capture the puck position even when partially obscured, as the lighting conditions remain controlled and predictable, improving detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration by having the player move the puck to known reference positions on the playing surface before actual gameplay. This pre-establishes the relationship between camera images and actual puck positions, improving measurement accuracy during play even when the puck is temporarily obscured
3Ease of manufacture
If the game floor is fixed with predetermined patterns, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability decreases as players cannot create different sized or customized game floors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a software-based game floor that can be dynamically configured and resized through the mobile device application. Players can create custom playing areas of different sizes and patterns without physical modifications, achieving versatility while keeping the physical floor simple and easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device application serves multiple functions: it displays the game floor pattern, provides real-time feedback on puck position, records player performance, and allows customization of game parameters. This single device replaces the need for multiple specialized components, achieving versatility without increasing manufacturing complexity
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 engagement with dynamic challenges, provides accurate performance analysis, and allows for customizable game environments, making stickhandling training more effective and accessible on mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a color sensor on the underside which allows the puck to sense the color below the puck
Implementation Method 2
The underside of the puck may also have a light that shines to provide the necessary light to allow the color sensors to sense the color of the surface below the puck
Implementation Method 3
The puck may also have a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to allow the puck to transmit data from the color sensor and other sensors on the puck via wireless transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sports training comprising an object comprising one or more sensors that allows the system to identify the location of the object. The object also may have a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to allow for transmission of the sensor data via wireless transmission to an external electronic device. A software application running on the electronic device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, receives the sensor data and incorporates the information into a game-like or training application. This application can display to the user which location the object should be for the game. This application can also analyze which patterns the player has difficulties with and suggest certain patterns and other advice to help the player to improve their skills. Among many other uses, this system could provide a way for a player to train hockey stickhandling skills.