EA000895B1 - Method for reproducing ball sounds during a sporting event and ball therfor - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A method for collecting information of dynamic situation involving a ball, and/or reproducing the sound environment during a sport event, characterized in that a flexible suspension means is positioned inside the ball and that device (14) comprises a radiofrequency transmitter and a sensor, such as accelerometer, a kick sensor or a microphone, a radiofrequency receiver is provide adjacent to the playing area for receiving signals from the device inside the ball and during a sporting event, receiving an audio signal by a sensor, modulating said audio signal received from the radiofrequency transmitter and transmitting the modulated radiofrequency signal, receiving the transmitted signal by said radiofrequency receiver and using the received signal for reproducing the sound environment. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said device (14) is actuated via a sensor sensible to accelerations and power is delayed to the radiofrequency transmitter for a predetermined period of time after being actuated. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the power to the radiofrequency transmitter can be interrupted by a switch accessible via a valve for pumping up a ball. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the switch is actuated by a radiofrequency signal. 5. A method as claimed in any claims 1-4, characterized in that the power is supplied to the radiofrequency transmitter using activating circuit sensible to the signal level emitted by the microphone so as to provide power only when said level exceeds the threshold value, and delays power supply to the radiofrequency transmitter for a predetermined period of time after being actuated. 6. A ball for collecting information of dynamic situation involving a ball, and/or reproducing the sound environment during a sport event, characterized in that the ball in the pumped state comprises said device (14) centered respective to the center of gravity, said device further comprising connected in series a microphone, low-frequency circuit for forming a modulated signal and radiofrequency transmitter and a power source of said device. 7. A ball as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that comprises a bladder (9) provided with a tubular elastic coupling which arranged essentially along the bladder diameter and inside which said device (14)is positioned. 8. A ball as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the coupling is perforated and connected to the valve for pumping the bladder. 9. A ball as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the bladder (9) has elastic suspensions arranged essentially in radial direction between inner wall of the bladder and said device (14). 10. A ball as claimed in any claims 6-9, characterized in that the microphone is a low-sensible to receive only noises caused by the ball and to exclude receiving exterior noises. 11. A fixed station for collecting information of dynamic situation involving a ball, and/or reproducing the sound environment during a sport event comprising a receiver (24), electronic circuit of treatment (25) and a mixture chart to produce a low-frequency signal corresponding to the sound environment. 12. A fixed station as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the electronic circuit of treatment comprises ananalog/digital converter to receive demodulated signals from the receiver output and a microcalculator (28) for a threshold treatment of the digital signal received from the output of the analog/digital converter (27) to produce an activation or deactivation signal of the audio-signal commutator. 13. A fixed station as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the analog/digital converter (27) provides a signal to the microcalculator (28), the signal corresponds to the amplitude of the audio-signal, wherein the microcalculator can compare the received digital signal with a predetermined value, which corresponds to the threshold action. 14. A fixed station as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the microcalculator can block the audio signal commutator, when the value of the converted audio signal is less of the predetermined value and activation of the audio signal commutator for T time interval duration of which is less the duration of reverberation. 15. A fixed station as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the microcalculator can lock the audio signal commutator for a time approximately equal to the duration reverberation at the end of the T time interval, during which the audio signal commutator was actuated. 16. A fixed station as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that comprises a band-pass filter with a central frequency approximately equal to 1000 hz for treating output audio signal.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining information about a dynamic situation associated with a ball and / or reproducing a sound situation during a sporting event, such as a sports ball game, in particular during a football or basketball game to convey real-world conditions in a stadium or sports hall, or when relaying a television or radio broadcast.

Radio reports or television coverage of soccer, rugby, handball, or basketball matches require the constant participation of a commentator to transmit sounds to the viewers or radio listeners that characterize the game situation, in particular due to shots on the ball, as opposed to tennis matches where the ball hits the racket or tennis court contributes to a more efficient perception of the exchange of blows during the game.

The noises accompanying ball shots in the above sports are difficult to perceive due to the large size of the playing fields and courts and due to the high mobility of the players.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a technical solution to eliminate this drawback and to provide the ability to receive ball noise and transmit it to a stationary installation, where these signals can be combined with the commentator's speech signal or with a common background signal received by stationary microphones.

This result is achieved by the fact that in the method of obtaining information about the dynamic situation associated with the ball, in the process of sports playing the ball in accordance with the invention, a device comprising a radio frequency transmitter and a microphone is embedded inside the ball, said device being installed inside the ball using means elastic suspension, a radio frequency receiver is placed next to the playing ground for receiving signals transmitted by said device integrated into the ball and reproducing corresponding sounds the first signal during the sports game perceive background sound sensor signals, to modulate the perceived background sound signal transmitter radio frequency signal transmitting modulated radio frequency signal, receiving the transmitted RF signal RF receiver and reproduce corresponding audio signal.

Moreover, said device is preferably actuated by an acceleration-sensitive sensor, and the power supply to the RF transmitter is delayed for a predetermined time after being turned on.

The specified device allows you to directly pick up noises, for example, accompanying blows to the ball, and transmit them to a stationary receiver. It allows you to use a microphone with low sensitivity and low bandwidth. According to a preferred embodiment, said device is mounted at the level of the center of gravity of the ball, which avoids disturbances in both the static and dynamic state of the ball.

The microphone in the preferred embodiment is made with low sensitivity, which eliminates the perception of background noise signals (screaming from the audience, wind noise, etc.), and only accept noise inherent to the ball (due to blows to the ball, bounces).

When the ball is at rest for a time longer than a predetermined time, and the external environment, characterized by sound signals, a priori, is not of interest, you can interrupt the power of the transmitter in order to increase the battery life of the device. This is ensured by a switch that can be accessed through the valve for pumping the ball and which can be actuated using an RF signal.

A radio receiver consumes significantly less electricity than a transmitter, which allows you to increase the battery life of the device.

In addition, the power supply is not carried out by the switching circuit, which is sensitive to the level of the signal generated by the microphone, to supply power to the transmitter only when the specified level exceeds a threshold value, and the power supply to the transmitter is delayed for a predetermined time after switching on.

The above result is also achieved using a ball, which contains in its volume in an inflated state a device containing a microphone, a low-frequency circuit for supplying a modulation signal to a radio frequency transmitter and a power source.

In this case, preferably, the ball comprises a chamber provided with an elastic tubular sleeve located essentially diagonally inside which said device is located. In this case, the coupling is preferably made with holes in the walls and in communication with the valve for pumping the chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a switch that can be accessed through said sleeve with a rod inserted through a pump valve.

In another embodiment, the chamber is provided with resilient suspensions arranged substantially in the radial direction between the inner wall and said device.

The above result is also achieved in a stationary radio station to obtain information about the dynamic situation associated with the ball, and / or to reproduce the sound background during the sporting event associated with the ball game, which in accordance with the invention contains a receiver, an electronic processing circuit and a circuit a mixer for generating a low-frequency signal corresponding to an external sound background.

In this case, the electronic processing circuit preferably comprises an analog-to-digital converter for receiving demodulated signals from the output of the receiver and a microcomputer for threshold processing of the digital signal from the output of the analog-to-digital converter and generating a signal for switching the audio signal switch on or off, the analog-to-digital converter providing a digital calculator signal corresponding to the amplitude of the audio signal, and comparing the received digital signal with a given value th corresponding to the response threshold.

In addition, the microcomputer is configured to block the switch of the audio signal when the converted audio signal is less than a predetermined value, and turn on the switch of the audio signal for a time interval T, the duration of which is less than the duration of the reverb, and the microcomputer provides locking the switch of the audio signal for a time approximately equal to the duration of the reverberation, at the end of the interval time T during which the audio switch has been turned on.

In this case, the radio station preferably contains a band-pass filter with a central frequency of approximately 1000 Hz to ensure processing of the output audio signal.

The invention is illustrated by a description of a variant of its implementation with reference to the drawings, which show the following:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a device embedded in a ball;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a ball according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a processing unit of a stationary radio station;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a received signal.

In FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a device integrated in a ball. It contains a piezoelectric microphone 1, which delivers a signal pre-amplified by the low-frequency circuit 2. The signal generated by the low-frequency circuit 2, provides frequency modulation of the high-frequency circuit 3, operating in the frequency range from 140 to 180 MHz, with a transmit power of approximately 5 mW , which provides a transmission range of about 200 m. The power supply of low-frequency 2 and high-frequency 3 circuits is provided by a lithium element 4. Switch 5 allows you to turn off the device in the storage state Ball. Access to the switch is provided, for example, by means of a rod inserted into the pump valve. It can also be made in the form of an electronic switch controlled by radio commands. Due to the fact that the receiver consumes significantly less electricity than the transmitter, such a radio-controlled switch can significantly increase the life of the battery 5.

The device comprises a detector circuit 6, including power to the high-frequency circuit 3, at a time when the signal supplied by the low-frequency circuit exceeds a threshold value, even in transition mode. The delay circuit 7 supports the power of the high-frequency circuit 3 for a predetermined time, for example, for 30 s, after the pulse received from the circuit 6 to avoid intermittent signal transmission.

In FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a ball containing the described device. It is made in a known manner and consists of a tire 8 formed, for example, of stitched polygonal parts cut from a multilayer material. Inside the tire contains the ball chamber 9, for example, from latex, which communicates with the external environment through the valve 10.

Inside the chamber 9 there is a clutch 11 formed by a latex tube, in the wall of which there are openings for air to pass when the ball is inflated. This coupling is welded at the level of the end ends 1 2, 1 3 to the inner wall of the chamber 9 and is located essentially along the diameter of the ball. In the middle of this clutch 11, a radio transmitting device 14. A radio transmitting device is held by elastic deformation of the clutch 11. It is placed essentially in the center of the ball, in the middle of the clutch 11, so that its weight does not change the static or dynamic state of the ball. Replacing the device can be done through the hole provided for pumping the camera.

The radio transmitting device 1 4 can be introduced into the clutch 11 using a piston, the inner cross section of which corresponds to one of the ends of the device. The length of the piston is greater than the radius of the ball. The device is mounted on the end of the piston, which ensures its movement in the middle of the sleeve 11. To facilitate the positioning of the device, the piston is provided with an outer ring that limits movement inside the ball. After the device 14 has reached the middle of the clutch 11, the piston is removed, and the device remains blocked by the clutch 11.

The invention is described above with an example that does not impose any limitations. Specialists in this field can make various modifications without changing the essence of the invention. In particular, the suspension of the device in the ball can be carried out using means similar to a perforated sleeve, for example, using a continuous sleeve or an elastic system of stretch marks.

When using a continuous coupling, the pressure acting on the walls of the coupling helps to lock the device in its central position.

When using an elastic system of stretch marks, the device is suspended by a set of threads converging in the center of the ball, one of the ends of the threads being attached to the inner wall of the chamber or ball, and the other end of the threads being attached to the device.

The invention also relates to a receiving station for implementing the method according to the invention.

This station contains means for reproducing an audio signal with the desired characteristics from the received modulated signal. The sound received by the microphone can not always be used due to the influence of resonance phenomena, distortions caused by the installation in the center of the ball, and the limitation of high power signals, etc.

In order to eliminate these disadvantages, an option is proposed, which consists in the fact that the signal is subjected to temporary filtering.

In FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a device according to the invention.

The node installed in the ball contains a micro-transmitter 20 and a low-frequency modulation circuit 21 connected to a microphone 22. The battery 23 provides power.

The stationary unit includes a receiver 24, an electronic processing circuit 25, and a mixer circuit 26 generating a low-frequency signal.

In FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an electronic processing unit of a stationary station. It contains an analog-to-digital Converter 27, receiving a demodulated audio signal from a high-frequency receiver. The digitized signal is used by the microcomputer 28, which determines the threshold and provides an on or off signal to the audio switch 29.

The demodulated audio signal coming from the receiver 24, digitized by an analog-to-digital converter 27, delivers to the microcomputer 28 in the form of a digital signal corresponding to the amplitude of the audio signal. This signal is compared with a predetermined value corresponding to the threshold. If the value of the signal from the analog-to-digital converter is less than the specified value, then the microcomputer blocks the audio signal switch 29. At this point, the microcomputer 28 starts a new analog-to-digital conversion cycle and again compares the signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter 27 with a predetermined value. The cycle resumes again if the converted audio signal is less than the specified value. If the signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter is greater than a predetermined value, the microcomputer 28 turns on the audio signal switch 29 for a short period T in comparison with the reverberation period, which is approximately 10 ms. Preferably, stepwise adjustment of this duration is carried out in increments of 1 ms to improve the quality of the output signal. At the end of the switch-on period T, the microcomputer 28 again locks the audio signal switch 29 for a time equal to approximately the reverberation time, from about 200 to 500 ms. This duration is also adjustable.

In FIG. 5 shows a timing diagram of a received signal. Curve 30 shows the change in the audio signal versus time, and the bottom curve 31 illustrates the status of the audio switch 29.

The advantage of this processing is that it eliminates the vibrational modes inherent in the ball, while preserving the information generated by the built-in micro-transmitter. At the same time, the intensity of sounds and the dynamics of the signal are restored correctly.

Then the signal is processed by a band-pass filter tuned to a frequency of the order of 1000 Hz to ensure equalization of the tonality of the sound signal generated by the ball.

Various embodiments of the invention are possible without changing the spirit of the invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIM 1. The method of obtaining information about the dynamic environment associated with the ball, and / or playing back the background sound during a sports event associated with a ball game, based on the fact that the ball is used with a device (14) located in it on an elastic suspension, containing a radio frequency transmitter and a sensor, such as an accelerometer, a shock sensor, or a microphone, and a radio frequency receiver is placed near the playing field to receive signals transmitted by the device built into the ball, while in the process of sports and GGs sense the sound background signals by the sensor, modulate the RF transmitter signal with the perceived sound background signal and transmit the modulated RF signal, receive the transmitted signal by the RF receiver and use the received signal to play the sound background signal. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (14) is activated by means of a sensor sensitive to accelerations, and the power supply to the radio frequency transmitter is delayed for a predetermined time after activation. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it provides the possibility of interrupting the supply of power to the radio frequency transmitter using a switch, which is accessed through a valve for pumping the ball. 4. The method according to p. 3, characterized in that the switch actuate the radio frequency signal. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the power supply to the radio frequency transmitter is performed by means of an activation circuit sensitive to the level of a signal generated by the microphone, in order to ensure that power is supplied only when the level exceeds the threshold value and delaying the power supply to the RF transmitter for a predetermined time after being turned on. 6. The ball, which provides information about the dynamic situation associated with the ball, and / or the reproduction of the background sound during a sporting event, containing in its volume the inflated state device (14), centered relative to the ball's center of gravity, containing successively connected microphones, low-frequency a circuit for the formation of a modulating signal and a radio frequency transmitter, as well as the power source of the device 7. The ball according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a chamber (9), provided with an elastic tubular sleeve, which is located substantially along the diameter of the chamber and inside which said device (1 4) is placed. 8. The ball according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling (11) is made with holes in the walls and communicates with a valve for pumping the chamber (9). 9. The ball according to claim 8, characterized in that the chamber (9) has elastic suspensions located essentially in the radial direction between the inner wall of the chamber and said device (1 4). 10. The ball according to any one of paragraphs.6-9, characterized in that the microphone is made with low sensitivity for the perception of only the noise caused by the ball, and exclude the perception of external noise. 11. Stationary radio station for receiving information about the dynamic situation associated with the ball and / or for reproducing the background sound during a sports event associated with a ball game, containing a receiver (24), an electronic processing circuit (25) and a mixer circuit (26 ) to generate a low-frequency signal corresponding to the external sound background. 12. Radio station according to claim 11, characterized in that the electronic processing circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter (27) for receiving demodulated signals from the receiver output (24) and a micro-calculator (28) for threshold processing of a digital signal from the output of the analog-to-digital converter ( 27) and generate a signal on or off the switch (29) audio signal. 13. Radio station according to claim 12, characterized in that the analog-to-digital converter (27) provides a digital signal to the microcalculator (28) corresponding to the amplitude of the audio signal, while the microcalculator is designed to compare the received digital signal with a predetermined value corresponding to the response threshold . 14. Radio station according to claim 13, characterized in that the micro-calculator is configured to block the audio signal switch (29) when the converted audio signal is less than the specified value, and switch the audio signal switch (29) on for the time interval T, the duration of which is less than the reverberation time. 15. The radio station of claim 14, wherein the micro-calculator (28) is configured to lock the audio signal switch (29) for a time approximately equal to the reverb duration at the end of the time interval T, during which the audio signal switch (29) was turned on. 16. The radio station on p. 15, characterized in that it contains a band-pass filter with a center frequency of approximately 1000 Hz, to ensure the processing of the output audio signal.