Smart Hockey Puck Sensing for Player Interaction Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking the speed and handling of a hockey puck, such as using laser or radar guns, are cumbersome and limited in the information they provide, making it difficult to accurately analyze player interactions in live hockey games.
Innovation Solution
A smart hockey puck system with embedded electronics and RFID tags on the hockey stick, allowing for real-time data processing and communication with a computing device to track player interactions and analyze puck handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser or radar guns are used to track puck speed, then speed measurement is achieved, but the equipment is cumbersome and limited in information provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces external mechanical measurement devices (laser/radar guns) with embedded electronic sensors within the puck itself. The puck contains accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other sensors that directly measure motion parameters, eliminating the need for complex external tracking equipment and enabling comprehensive data collection about puck handling interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The puck becomes self-measuring by incorporating embedded sensors that automatically track its own motion, position, and interaction forces. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external operators to set up and manage measurement equipment, providing continuous data collection without human intervention during gameplay.
2Measurement precision
If laser or radar guns are used to track puck speed, then speed measurement is achieved, but the amount of information obtained is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple independent sensors within the puck, each capturing different physical parameters (acceleration, rotation, impact forces). This segmentation allows simultaneous collection of diverse data types including puck speed, player stick contact points, shot type classification, and timing information, providing comprehensive player interaction analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded sensor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: tracking puck speed, identifying player interactions, classifying shot types, measuring impact forces, and recording timing data. This multi-functional capability replaces the single-purpose external radar guns and provides comprehensive information about all aspects of puck handling.
3Measurement precision
If RFID tags are placed on hockey stick blade, then player identification is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tags on the stick blade act as intermediaries that enable communication between the player's equipment and the puck's sensors. When the puck interacts with the stick, the RFID tags provide player identification data to the puck's processor, allowing automatic association of puck handling data with specific players without requiring complex identification systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
An intelligent sports equipment system and method for processing data as a result of different types of events associated with a puck or ball and generally another piece of sports equipment. The information associated with each type of event can include associating player information with the processed data. In one example a smart hockey puck has embedded electronics for sensing motion across a plurality of axes, a hockey stick has an associated RFID tag that can be read by the smart hockey puck, which can transmit information to a computing device for displaying processed data.