ITMI20130059A1 - PLAYING BALL WITH ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT - Google Patents

Description

Title: â € œGame ball with electronic circuitryâ €

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to game balls and in particular to a game ball in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

Playing balls are known, for example a soccer ball, in which an electronic circuitry is housed inside the respective casing, for example one or more devices in RFID technology (from the English acronym, Radio Frequency IDentication), essentially used to determine, in cooperation with an external electronic infrastructure installed on the sidelines, the progressive position of the game ball during the course of the game.

The use of this ball on a playing field necessarily requires the installation on the sidelines of the aforementioned external electronic infrastructure. In other words, in order to be able to use this ball on a playing field, it is necessary to equip the playing field itself in this sense, thus entailing costs both for setting up the playing field and for any maintenance costs.

Furthermore, the information relating to the position of the ball during the game is not sufficient to provide complete and representative information of the quality of the game developed by a player, or even by a team, both during a match and during the game. ™ workout.

The object of the present invention is to provide a game ball which allows to at least partially obviate the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art.

This purpose is achieved by means of a game ball in accordance with claim 1.

Preferred forms of such a playing ball are defined in the dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the game ball according to the invention will result from the following description of preferred examples of embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, in which: - figure 1 illustrates a view of a device according to the invention â € ¦;

Figure 1 illustrates examples of game balls;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates, by means of a block diagram, an electronic circuitry of a game ball, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of a game ball according to an embodiment of the invention, e

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of a game ball according to a further embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the above figures, 1 indicates a game ball according to the invention as a whole.

It should be noted that the same or similar elements will be indicated in the figures with the same numerical references.

For the purposes of this description, a game ball means any ball or game ball that can be used both at a competitive and recreational level such as a soccer ball, a basketball, a volleyball, a rugby ball or American football, a golf ball, a tennis ball, a baseball, and so on.

With particular reference to Figure 1, three examples of game ball 1 are illustrated, namely a basketball (on the left), a soccer ball (in the center) and a tennis ball (on the right).

In accordance with an embodiment, the game ball 1 comprises a casing 2, for example having a substantially spherical shape.

The game ball 1 also comprises an electronic circuitry 3 (not visible in Figure 1) housed inside the casing 2, according to different possible modes as will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

With particular reference to Figure 2, the electronic circuitry 3 comprises a data processing unit 4, for example a microprocessor or microcontroller (CPU, Central Processing Unit). The data processing unit 4 is configured to store a program code suitable for allowing the data processing unit 4 to manage the electronic circuitry 3 of the game ball 1.

The electronic circuitry 3 also comprises a memory unit 5, for example of the FLASH type, operatively connected to said data processing unit 4. The memory unit 5 is configured to store the data processed by the data processing unit. data processing 4.

According to the embodiment of figure 2, the memory unit 5 is external to the data processing unit 4. According to a further embodiment (not shown in the figures), the memory unit 5 can be internal to the data processing unit 4.

The electronic circuitry 3 also comprises at least one unit 6 for detecting at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball 1, operatively associated with the data processing unit 4.

For the purposes of this description, as will be described below, for at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball 1 sâ € ™ means any angular or linear parameter detected with respect to a reference system SR, i.e. the angular velocity, the velocity linear, angular acceleration, linear velocity, angular distance, and so on.

The reference system SR, schematically illustrated in figure 1 overlapping the soccer ball, comprises a first reference axis X and a second reference axis Y, both orthogonal to each other and lying on the same reference plane XY, for example corresponding to the playing field, and a third reference axis Z, orthogonal to the XY reference plane.

The detection unit 6 of at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball 1 comprises a first gyroscope 7a configured to detect a first angular speed of rotation of the game ball 1 around the first reference axis X, a second gyroscope 7b configured for detecting a second angular speed of rotation of the game ball 1 around the second reference axis Y, a third gyroscope 7c configured to detect a third angular speed of rotation of the game ball 1 around a third reference axis Z.

The data processing unit 4, on the basis of the values of the first angular velocity, the second angular velocity and the third angular velocity detected in real time by the first gyro 7a, by the second gyro 7b and by the third gyro 7c, respectively, is configured to determine, for example by comparing the detected velocity values with predetermined angular velocity values stored in the memory unit 5, if the game ball 1 has been hit in such a way as to assume predetermined angular velocities such as to allow the trajectory of assume in turn a predetermined effect or if the game ball 1 is simply rolling on the playing field (XY reference plane) and at what linear speed, which can be calculated by the data processing unit 4 starting from the linear speeds detected.

The detection unit 6 of at least one parameter representative of a movement of the game ball 1 further comprises a first accelerometer 8a configured to detect a first angular acceleration of rotation of the game ball 1 around the first reference axis X, a second accelerometer 8b configured to detect a second angular speed of rotation of the game ball 1 around the second reference axis Y, a third accelerometer configured 8c to detect a third angular speed of rotation of the game ball 1 around the third reference axis Z.

The data processing unit 4, on the basis of the values of the first angular acceleration, of the second angular acceleration and of the third angular acceleration measured in real time by the first accelerometer 7a, by the second accelerometer 7b and by the third accelerometer 7c, respectively, is configured to calculate the amount of energy transmitted by the player to the ball 1. Furthermore, the data processing unit 4, based on the calculated amount of energy, is configured to calculate the linear speed and direction of movement of the ball game 1.

The detection unit 6 of at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball 1 further comprises a first magnetometer 9a configured to detect a first angular distance of rotation of the game ball 1 about the first reference axis X with respect to a reference magnet , a second magnetometer 9b configured to detect a second angular distance of rotation of the game ball 1 around the second reference axis Y with respect to the reference magnet, a third magnetometer configured 9c to detect a third angular distance of rotation of the game ball 1 around the third reference axis Z with respect to the reference magnet.

The reference magnet, not shown in the figures, is associated with the player of the game ball 1, for example it can be housed inside a cuff worn by the player (if the game ball 1 is played with the hands) or a shoe worn by the player (in case the game ball 1 is played with the feet).

The data processing unit 4, on the basis of the first angular distance, the second angular distance and the third angular distance measured in real time by the first magnetometer 7a, by the second magnetometer 7b and by the third magnetometer 7c, respectively, is configured for enable specific interactive functions of game ball 1 (for example, opening an interactive menu).

The electronic circuitry 3 further comprises a module 10 for detecting the compression of the envelope 2 of the game ball 1, for example a barometric sensor, operatively connected to the data processing unit 4.

In this regard, the data processing unit 4 is configured to compare the compression value detected with an established compression value and signal, on the basis of the aforementioned comparison, if the pressure value detected falls within the standard values for that type. of playing ball or if the playing ball is damaged and is no longer suitable for regular play.

It should be noted that in other embodiments (not shown in the figures), the electronic circuitry 3 may be devoid of the aforementioned compression detection module.

Returning to the embodiment of Figure 2, the electronic circuitry 3 further comprises a module for detecting the position 11 of the game ball 1, operatively connected to the data processing unit 4.

According to an embodiment, the module for detecting the position 11 of the game ball 1 comprises a satellite reception module of the GPS type.

Alternatively, the module for detecting the position 11 of the game ball 1 comprises a radio type location module.

The data processing unit 4, on the basis of the position of the detected game ball 1, is configured to associate the processed data relating to the movement of the game ball 1 to the position of the game ball 1. In this way, the Data processing unit 4 is able to provide more complete information on the movement of the game ball 1.

Referring again to the block diagram of Figure 3, the electronic circuitry 3 further comprises a module 12 for generating acoustic and / or visual signals, operatively connected to the data processing unit 4.

In greater detail, this acoustic and / or visual signal generation module 12 comprises a plurality of RGB-type LEDs and at least one loudspeaker or speaker.

The data processing unit 4 is configured to activate the module 12 for generating acoustic and / or visual signals in the event that the game ball 1 is in an established condition or game situation.

Acoustic and / or visual signals can be a combination or sequence of colors or the emission of pre-recorded acoustic messages.

Examples of game conditions or situations may be the reaching of a set threshold value of one of the measured parameters, for example angular speed, acceleration, distance traveled, position inside the playing field, and so on.

The loudspeaker or speaker is also configured to function as a voice command user interface to allow the player or a user in general (for example a coach) to control the game ball 1 through the data processing unit 4 or to reprogram the data processing unit 4 by loading updated program codes.

Returning again to the embodiment of Figure 2, the electronic circuitry 3 further comprises a first data transceiver module 14 in wireless mode 13, for example in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology, operatively connected to the data processing unit 4.

In this regard, the data processing unit 4 is configured to communicate, by means of the first data transceiver module 13, with a remote server with respect to the game ball 1.

Note that the communication channel between game ball 1 and the remote server can be enabled by a remote portable electronic device (not shown in the figures), for example a smartphone or tablet, configured to acquire a ball identification code. game 1, for example a bar code or a QR code, placed on the outer surface of the casing 2 of the game ball 1.

Through the aforementioned enabled communication channel, the remote server is able to configure the game ball 1 providing for example to the data processing unit 4 basic functions such as the light and / or acoustic signals that can be generated.

Furthermore, again through the enabled communication channel, the remote server is also able to download from the game ball 1 the data detected by the detection group 6 representative of the movement of the game ball 1 in order to be able to represent such data in maps. interactive and / or graphics suitable for evaluating the behavior of players during a match.

Furthermore, the remote server, on the basis of the data downloaded from game ball 1, can generate and publish on social networks notification messages of events occurred with game ball 1, for example `` I scored '', `` I kicked at an unprecedented power the balloonâ €, â € œthe balloon is traveling at a stratospheric speedâ €.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the data processing unit 4, by means of the first data transceiver module 13 can be configured to communicate with remote detection devices with respect to the game ball 1, for example detection sensors heart rate or blood oxygenation. In addition, on the basis of the data acquired by these remote detection devices with respect to the game ball 1, the data processing unit is configured to generate acoustic and / or visual signals to signal the detected physical situation to the player (e.g. example, that the physical limit situation is close and that it is advisable to stop).

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the data processing unit 4, by means of the first data transceiver module 13, can be configured to activate, for example through a communication channel in Bluetooth technology, with one or more remote speakers or microphones with respect to the game ball 1, in the event that the game ball 1 is in an established playing condition or situation.

The beeps can be pre-recorded beeps.

Examples of game conditions or situations may be the reaching of a set threshold value of one of the measured parameters, for example angular speed, acceleration, distance traveled, position inside the playing field, and so on.

This embodiment advantageously allows to reduce the complexity of the electronic circuitry 3 of the game ball 1 since it is not necessary to have an acoustic signal generation module (loudspeaker or speaker) or a microphone.

Returning again to the embodiment of Figure 2, the electronic circuitry 3 further comprises a second data transceiver module 14, for example in RFID technology, operatively connected to the data processing unit 4.

The data processing unit 4 is configured to acquire an identification code, for example a TAG in RFID technology, through the second data transceiver module 14.

In greater detail, according to an embodiment, the identification code is representative of a player, for example printed on a worn garment (shoe, sock, shirt, cuff, and so on). In this case, the data processing unit 4, on the basis of the acquired recognition code, is configured to store in the memory unit 5 the data detected by the game ball 1 associating them with the player associated with the acquired recognition code .

According to a further embodiment, the recognition code identifies an operating condition of the game ball 1, for example the entry into office, the activation of the data download, the activation of the programming of the Data processing unit 4, activation of standby mode.

According to a further embodiment, the data processing unit 4 is configured to recognize the player who has hit the game ball 1 on the basis of the type of magnet associated with the player.

The magnet can be associated, for example, with a player's shoe in the event that the ball is played with the feet or with a cuff worn by the player in which the game ball 1 is played with the hands.

As regards the type of magnet, each player of the game ball 1 can be equipped, for example, with a magnet of different size, of different intensity or of different spatial configuration.

Each type of magnet is stored in the memory unit 5 associated with the respective player of the game ball 1.

In this regard, the data processing unit is configured to recognize the type of magnet on the basis of information provided by the first magnetometer 7a, by the second magnetometer 7b and by the third magnetometer 7c, respectively, with which the group of detection 6 of the electronic circuitry of the game ball 1.

In this case, the data processing unit 4, once the player has been recognized, is configured to store in the memory unit 5 the data detected by the game ball 1, associating them with the recognized player of the game ball 1.

This embodiment also advantageously allows to reduce the complexity of the electronic circuitry 3 of the game ball 1 since it does not require the presence of a second data transceiver module 14, for example a TAG in RFID technology.

Furthermore, in a further embodiment, the data processing unit 4 is configured to load a training profile of a player into the memory unit 5.

The training profile of a player is defined, for example by a coach, on the basis of the parameters that the survey group 6 is able to detect and that the data processing unit 4 is able to determine and / or calculate, for example, the distance covered with the game ball 1, the maximum speed reached by the game ball 1, the force with which the game ball 1 was hit, and so on.

Furthermore, the data processing unit 4 can be configured to update the player, for example through acoustic and / or visual signals, whether the results to be achieved foreseen by the training profile have been achieved or not.

In addition, the data processing unit 4 can also be configured to publish training results online, for example on a portable electronic device (smartphone or tablet) of the coach.

With reference again to Figure 2, the electronic circuitry 3 further comprises a battery 15 and an electric recharging module (16) for said battery 15.

The electric charging module 16 of the battery 15 is operationally connected to the data processing unit 4.

In one embodiment, the charging module 16 of the battery 15 is a contact device.

According to an alternative embodiment, the recharging module 16 of the battery 15 is a contactless electromagnetic device.

In greater detail, in this last embodiment, the electric charging module 16 of the battery 15 is configured to be activated by the data processing unit 4 on the basis of an identification code, acquired by the second data transceiver module 14 in RFID technology, of the charging module 16 of the battery 15.

The data processing unit 4, as already mentioned above, is configured to generate acoustic and / or visual signals in order to signal the progress of the battery charging 15, for example, by switching on from the lighting of LEDs red when green LEDs turn on or by emitting an intermittent acoustic signal that passes from a first operating frequency to a second operating frequency lower than the first operating frequency (or vice versa).

With reference to the embodiment of Figure 3, the electronic circuitry 3 is operatively connected to a flexible electronic support 17.

The flexible electronic support 17 is fixed to an internal portion of the casing 2 of the game ball 1.

With reference to Figure 4, according to an alternative embodiment with respect to that illustrated in Figure 3, the electronic circuitry 3 is operatively associated with a rigid electronic support 18.

The rigid electronic support 18 is substantially arranged in the center of the casing 2 of the game ball 1.

The rigid electronic support 18 comprises a plurality of fixing rods 19, each fixing rod of said plurality 19 having a first end fixed to the rigid electronic support 18 and a second end, opposite to said first end, being fixed to a point 20 of the € ™ wrapper 2 of the game ball 1.

This embodiment, compared to the previous one (figure 3), advantageously allows to obtain more uniform and real data from the detection unit 6 since the electronic circuitry 3, being substantially at the center of the casing 2, is substantially always the same distance from any point where the game ball 1 could be hit by a player.

The advantages of the game shovel 1 according to the present invention are now illustrated, giving some application examples.

In the event that the game ball 1 is a soccer ball, the data processing unit 4 acquires information that it associates in real time with the last player who had possession of the ball, for example, the speed and position of the ball. ball in the field, accelerations suffered by the ball, position of the ball in the field at a set time.

With the use of this information, it is possible to obtain, for example on the remote server, statistical information on the progress of the game, for example the maximum speed reached and the accelerations suffered by the ball and which player produced it, game performed during a match.

In the case of a training or training phase, the soccer ball can inform the player in real time, by means of the module for generating acoustic and / or visual signals, if during training he remains above a set speed. or, in the case of a kick to the ball, if this took place at an established power. This will allow you to evaluate your fitness in relation to the efficiency of the game.

Furthermore, during the training phase it will be advantageously possible to check with the coach the implementation and efficiency of certain game schemes.

In the event that the game ball 1 is a basketball, in addition to what has already been described above for football, it is advantageously possible, for example, to count the number of dribbles made, the frequency and the energy produced during the movement in field, and so on.

In the event that the ball 1 is an oval ball, for example intended for the game of rugby or American football, the accelerometers contained inside the oval ball can give important information regarding the power with which the oval ball is kicked or even the force with which a player in possession of the ball is tackled.

In the event that the game ball 1 is a volleyball ball, in addition to what has already been indicated above, it is advantageously possible to study the dribble frequency or the height to which the ball is lifted for the dunk.

It should be noted that the electronic circuitry described above, in addition to medium-sized game balls (for example, footballs, basketballs or volleyballs), can be further miniaturized and used in small balls, such as, for example, soccer balls. tennis, golf or baseball.

In the event that the game ball 1 is a tennis ball, it is advantageously possible to detect both the force and the effect impressed by the player on the ball and analyze its flight profile and its impact on the ground.

Furthermore, by analyzing the number of rebounds on the ground, it is also advantageously possible to understand whether the last player has actually scored a point or whether the opposing player has managed to send the ball back to the opposite half.

In the case in which the game ball 1 is a golf ball, it is advantageously possible to study on the basis of the type of club what was the thrust produced and in the `` flight '' phase what was the type of movement generated as a result of the force impressed on the stick.

Finally, in the event that the game ball 1 is a baseball, it is advantageously possible to determine and verify what is the power produced on the ball by the bat, what is the range or type of catch and by which player it was played. .

As it can be seen, the purpose of the invention is fully achieved as the game ball according to the present invention integrates an electronic circuitry that allows to obtain automatically, in real time and as complete as possible information in about the quality of play developed by a player (or team) on a playing field.

As illustrated above, this is possible both at a competitive and amateur level, both during a competition and during training.

Furthermore, the fact that the electronic circuitry is integrated in the playing ball allows it to be used quickly on any playing field without having to prepare a particular electronic equipment on the sidelines.

In the event that the game ball interacts with the outside, for example to detect the position of the game ball with the position detection module (for example, the GPS-type reception module), the game ball uses pre-existing infrastructures therefore, even more so, does not even in that case entail additional costs for setting up or maintaining a playing field.

To the embodiments of the game ball described above, a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, can make modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be realized independently of the other described embodiments.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS 1. Game ball (1) comprising: - a casing (2); - an electronic circuitry (3) housed inside said casing (1), said electronic circuitry (3) comprising: - a data processing unit (4); - a memory unit (5) operatively connected to said data processing unit (4); the game ball (1) being characterized in that the electronic circuitry (3) further comprises: - at least one detection group (6) of at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball (1), operationally associated with the data processing unit (4). Game ball (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit (6) of at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball (1) comprises a first gyroscope (7a) configured to detect a first angular velocity rotation of the game ball (1) around a first reference axis (X), a second gyroscope (7b) configured to detect a second angular speed of rotation of the game ball (1) around (1) a second axis reference, a third gyroscope (7c) configured to detect a third angular speed of rotation of the game ball (1) around a third reference axis (Z), the first reference axis (X) and the second reference axis (Y) being orthogonal to each other and lying on a reference plane (XY), the third reference axis (Z) being orthogonal to said reference plane (XY). Game ball (1) according to any one of the claims, wherein the detection assembly (6) of at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball (1) further comprises a first accelerometer (8a) configured to detect a first angular acceleration of rotation of the game ball (1) around the first reference axis (X), a second accelerometer (8b) configured to detect a second angular speed of rotation of the game ball (1) around the second reference axis ( Y), a third accelerometer configured (8c) to detect a third angular speed of rotation of the game ball (1) around the third reference axis (Z). Game ball (1) according to any one of the dependent claims, wherein the detection unit (6) of at least one parameter representative of the movement of the game ball (1) further comprises a first magnetometer (9a) configured to detect a first angular distance of rotation of the game ball (1) around the first axis of reference (X), a second magnetometer (9b) configured to detect a second angular distance of rotation of the game ball (1) around the second axis of reference (Y), a third magnetometer configured (9c) to detect a third angular distance of rotation of the game ball (1) around the third reference axis (Z). 5. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic circuitry (3) further comprises a module (10) for detecting the compression of the casing (2) of the game ball (1) operatively connected to the data processing unit (4). 6. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic circuitry (3) further comprises a module for detecting the position (11) of the game ball (1), operatively connected to the processing unit data (4). Game ball (1) according to claim 6, wherein the position detection module (11) comprises a satellite reception module of the GPS type. Game ball (1) according to claim 7, wherein the position detection module (11) comprises a radio type location module. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic circuitry (3) further comprises an acoustic and / or visual signal generation module (12), operatively connected to the data processing unit ( 4). 10. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuitry (3) further comprises a first wireless data transceiver module (13) operatively connected to the data processing unit (4), the data processing unit (4) being configured to communicate by means of the first data transmission module (13) with a remote server with respect to the game ball (1). 11. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic circuitry (3) further comprises a second data transceiver module (14) of the RFID type, operatively connected to the data processing unit (4) , the data processing unit (4) being configured to acquire an identification code by means of the second data transceiving module (14). Game ball (1) according to claim 11, wherein said identification code is representative of a player. Game ball (1) according to claim 11, wherein said recognition code is representative of an operating condition of the game ball (1). Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuitry (3) further comprises a battery (15) and an electric recharging module (16) of said battery (15), said recharging module (16) of the battery (15) being operationally connected to the data processing unit (4). Game ball (1) according to claim 14, wherein said electric charging module (16) is configured to be activated by the data processing unit (4) on the basis of an identification code acquired by the second data transceiver (14). Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (4) is configured to load into the memory unit (5) a training profile of a player. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuitry (3) is operatively connected to a flexible electronic support (17), said flexible electronic support (17) being fixed to an internal portion of the € ™ casing (2) of the game ball (1). 18. Game ball (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 17, wherein the electronic circuitry (3) is operatively associated with a rigid electronic support (18), said rigid electronic support (19) being substantially arranged at the center of the casing (2) of the game ball (1), said rigid electronic support (18) comprising a plurality of fixing rods (19), each fixing rod of said plurality (19) having a first fixed end to the rigid electronic support (18) and a second end, opposite to said first end, being fixed to a point (20) of the casing (2) of the game ball (1).