ES1216785U - DISTANCE SIGNALING DEVICE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for signaling distances, with respect to a ball (4) on sports grounds, characterized in that it comprises: a position sensor (3) of an object in the field of play; a controller configured to calculate the position of a mark at a predefined distance from the object; and at least one laser projector (1) configured to mark said mark on the playing field. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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DESCRIPTION

DISTANCE SIGNALING DEVICE SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention relates to a device for signaling distances on a sports court or playing field, for example in football. It is applicable in the field of sport, especially in team sports.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

In some sports, when a foul or any other wrong is sanctioned, the defenders must separate at a minimum distance from the ball or ball. Sometimes that distance is easily fulfilled, because the position of the ball is not relevant. However, in others the proximity to the defended goal encourages the barrier to get closer to hinder the attacking or launching of the attacker.

In professional football the referee has a spray with an evanescent paint that allows him to make a temporary mark with which he defines the position of the ball and the defenders. In this way, you can control if any of the elements moves from its correct position. This method is effective but takes time and depends on a measure taken by the referee through steps or the naked eye. Therefore, the result may vary each time you take it, which creates small disadvantages for the attacker or defender who can break the fair equity.

The applicant does not know any device similar to the invention.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a distance signaling device in the sports field, according to the claims.

The distance signaling device of the invention allows marking or signaling distances with respect to a ball (disc, ball, etc.) on sports grounds. For this it includes:

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A position sensor of an object on the pitch. This object will normally be the ball.

A controller configured to calculate the position of a mark and project it at the predefined distance of the object. Since the pitch is a fixed plane and in a known position, the controller must change the coordinates to draw the mark.

At least one laser projector configured to mark said mark on the pitch.

A command with which to activate the device to project the mark, which could sometimes be carried by the referee

There are several ways to perform that position sensor. The first is to equip the device with one or more cameras (even remote) with an optical recognition system configured to identify the ball and calculate its position on the pitch.

Similarly, the object (ball or remote control) may have a transmitter. Thus it is configured to emit an appropriate location signal to the position sensor of the device.

Preferably, the device comprises a mobile element such as a drone, a zeppelin or a mobile car on the pitch. Two illustrative examples of applicable cars can be seen in patents US20070064208A1 and US4710819A, which are incorporated by reference.

The device can have an acoustic sensor configured to identify the type of beep of the referee, so that its activation is automatic, and can even be configured to identify the type of signal and make the corresponding mark.

Other variants will be described later.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included.

Figure 1: scheme of an example of the device according to the invention applied to a soccer field.

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Figure 2: Simplified electronic scheme of an embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Next, an embodiment of the invention will be briefly described as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

The device shown in the figures corresponds to one or more laser projectors (1), at several fixed points of the pitch, preferably at a height, carried by a drone (2), by a series of cables fixed to the stadium ceiling, by a zeppelin or by another equivalent system. In any case, the device will be able to locate accurately.

The device also has a position sensor (3) of the ball (4), which may correspond to an optical recognition system from one or more cameras (5), which may be remote, may correspond to the reading of a signal emitted by a transmitter located on the ball (4) or directly attend to the mark of an operator who points to the ball from a tripod with the laser device as if it were a television camera. In either case, the position will be triangulated to ensure that the position is accurate.

Once the ball (4) is located, and normally, when requested by the referee, with the device, the predefined measure will be calculated and marked with the laser projector (1). For example, in the case of a foul or free kick in football, a circle or circular arc will be marked whose radius will be 9.15 meters (10 yards).

Depending on the sport, the shape of the brand and the distance will be different. In American football, the line will be straight and placed at 9.15 meters. In handball, it will be 3 meters. If a sport has several possible distances, the device must keep them in memory and identify the one that should be used. For this, you can have an acoustic sensor (6), which recognizes the type of beep of the referee (length, repetitions, ...) or a receiver of a remote control in the possession of the referee.

In a second embodiment, the referee's remote control is the one that issues the location signal, so that the device centers the distance on the remote control

when the referee presses an appropriate button. In that embodiment, the device marks both the line for the defense and the position of the ball.

All laser projectors (1) can be turned off after a preset time, upon receiving a new signal from the remote control, or by recognizing by the acoustic sensor (6) the signal for the launch of the fault. In the latter case, the projection can stop automatically or start a countdown.

This system can be used, preferably at breaks or when the game is stopped, to include any relevant information: identify players, playing time, player who will throw the foul, ... as decided by an operator of the system or the regulations of the competition. It may also include advertising in any part of the field as long as it is not required for its main use. For example, in the area of the field where the ball is not (4).

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When the device is mobile, because it is in a drone, zeppelin or carried by cables, it will preferably be placed on the ball (4) to facilitate distance marking, ensuring that there is no one to block the laser path. If it is at fixed points, preferably the signal will be marked from several parallel and coordinated devices 20 to decrease the shadow areas for the laser.

All the components of the device will have their power supply and any control unit (7) or movement (servomotors, galvanometers ,.) that is required by the technique. It will also comprise means of communication, via 25 or wireless wiring, with other devices to coordinate, or with remote equipment.

Claims (1)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1- Distance signaling device, with respect to a ball (4) on sports grounds, characterized in that it comprises: a position sensor (3) of an object on the pitch; a controller configured to calculate the position of a mark at a predefined distance from the object; Y at least one laser projector (1) configured to mark said mark on the pitch. 2- Device according to claim 1, whose position sensor (3) is one or more cameras (5) with an optical recognition system configured to identify the ball (4) and calculate its position on the pitch 3- Device according to claim 1, whose position sensor (3) is a mark generated remotely by a device manually operated by an operator. 4- Device, according to any of the preceding claims, comprises a mobile element such as a drone (2), a zeppelin or a tripod or mobile car on the pitch. 5- Device, according to any of the preceding claims, which has an acoustic sensor (6) configured to identify the type of beep of the referee. 6- Device, according to any of the preceding claims, which has a remote control. 7- Device according to claim 6, whose remote control is configured to emit a suitable location signal to the position sensor (3) of the device. FIGURES image 1 image2