US20150224369A1

US20150224369A1 - Ball having information display function

Info

Publication number: US20150224369A1
Application number: US14/430,161
Authority: US
Inventors: Tae Hoon AHN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-17
Filing date: 2013-09-10
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: EP2896437A2; BR112015005864A2; WO2014042402A2; WO2014042402A3; CN104619382A; KR101369990B1; CN104619382B; EP2896437A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ball having an information display function. The ball having an information display function according to the present invention includes a sensor unit which measures motion information of the ball which is moved by a force applied to the ball, a display unit which outputs the motion information outward from the ball, and a power supply unit which has a storage battery and supplies power to the sensor unit and the display unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a ball with an information display function. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ball with an information display function, which collects motion information according to a movement of the ball via a sensor installed inside the ball and which outputs the motion information via a display.

BACKGROUND ART

Various sports are played using a ball, for example, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and the like. With industrialization, sports are enhanced in a scientific manner, and application of advanced technology to sports is increasing.
Particularly in sports using a ball, a flying direction and distance of the ball, the magnitude of impulse applied to the ball, or whether the ball curves due to spin placed on the ball are considered as the important factors of the sports.
Consequently, technology for collecting motion information of a ball has been developed, and Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2004-0007847 discloses technology for displaying movement speed of a ball on a display board using an external sensor when a soccer ball is kicked to hit a target.
However, application of the above-mentioned technology is excessively restrictive because information is collected in a restricted space in which a measurement device is equipped to measure motion information of a ball. Also, as the technology may detect an object besides a ball, it is difficult to obtain desired information without an error.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a ball with an information display function, capable of collecting motion information of the ball through a sensor by embedding the sensor in the ball.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball with an information display function, which enables a user to check the motion information of the ball by outputting the collected motion information to the user.

Technical Solution

A ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention, which has an inner space and which is covered with a covering, includes: a sensor unit for measuring motion information of the ball that moves by force applied to the ball; a display unit for outputting the motion information to an outer surface of the ball; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the sensor unit and the display unit. The sensor unit and the power supply unit are disposed at a center of the ball by being connected to elastic wire supports. The display unit is disposed on an inner surface of the covering of the ball, and a part of the covering that covers the display unit may be made of a transparent material.
The ball with an information display function further includes a center-of-gravity control unit having a weight corresponding to that of the display unit, and the center-of-gravity control unit may be disposed at a location opposite the display unit.
The center-of-gravity control unit includes a plurality of center-of-gravity control units and the center-of-gravity control units may be dispersively disposed on the inner surface of the covering of the ball so that a center of gravity of the ball is at the center of the ball.
The sensor unit may include: an acceleration sensor unit for measuring acceleration information generated as the ball moves; and a location information sensor unit for measuring movement distance information of the ball by collecting GPS information.
A ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention, which has an inner space and which is covered with a covering, includes: a sensor unit for measuring motion information of the ball that moves by force applied to the ball; a display unit for outputting the motion information to an outer surface of the ball; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the sensor unit and the display unit. The sensor unit and the power supply unit are disposed at a center of the ball by being connected to elastic wire supports. The display unit is disposed on an inner surface of the covering of the ball, and a part of the covering that covers the display unit may be made of a transparent material.
The ball with an information display function further includes a center-of-gravity control unit having a weight corresponding to that of the display unit, and the center-of-gravity control unit may be disposed at a location opposite the display unit.
The center-of-gravity control unit includes a plurality of center-of-gravity control units and the center-of-gravity control units may be dispersively disposed on the inner surface of the covering of the ball so that a center of gravity of the ball is at the center of the ball.
The sensor unit may include: an acceleration sensor unit for measuring acceleration information generated as the ball moves; and a location information sensor unit for measuring movement distance information of the ball by collecting GPS information.
The acceleration sensor unit may calculate speed information corresponding to one or more of an average speed and a maximum speed of the ball using the acceleration information and the movement distance information.
The ball with an information display function may further include a lighting unit for outputting a different color of light depending on one or more of the acceleration information and the speed information.
The sensor unit may further include an energy measurement unit for calculating information of calories that a user consumes, using both information of a time, for which the ball moves, and previously input physical information.
The sensor unit may further include an impact sensor unit for calculating impulse information applied to the ball using the acceleration information.
The ball with an information display function may further include a lighting unit for outputting a different color of light depending on the impulse information.
The display unit may be made of a flexible display material.
Between the display unit and the covering of the ball, a display protection unit made of a transparent material may be deposited.
The power supply unit includes a solar cell for collecting solar energy and for converting the collected solar energy into electric energy. The solar cell is disposed on the inner surface of the covering of the ball and a part of the covering that covers the solar cell may be made of a transparent material.
The ball with an information display function may further include a communication unit for transmitting the motion information of the ball to an external terminal.
The communication unit may control an on/off operation of the power supply unit in compliance with operation control information by receiving the operation control information from the external terminal.

Advantageous Effects

According to an aspect of the present invention, as motion information of balls is collected by embedding a sensor in various types of balls, it is possible to provide a ball with an information display function, thus making collection of the motion information of the ball possible without an error.
Also, it is possible to provide a ball with an information display function, which enables a user to check in real time the ball's motion information that is collected through the sensor, such as the magnitude of force applied to the ball, a movement distance, the speed, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a detailed configuration of a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a communication unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a power supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a sensor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an internal structure of a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an internal structure of a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Repeated descriptions and descriptions of known functions and configurations that have been deemed to make the gist of the present invention unnecessarily obscure will be omitted below. The embodiments of the present invention are intended to fully describe the present invention to a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the shapes, sizes, etc. of components in the drawings may be exaggerated to make the description clearer.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a detailed configuration of a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention contains therein a display unit 110, a communication unit 120, a power supply unit 130, a sensor unit 140, a center-of-gravity control unit 150, and a lighting unit 160.
The display unit 110 may display motion information generated according to a movement of a ball on the outer surface of the ball.
As shown in FIG. 1, a user may check in real time the motion information such as the speed, a movement distance, the impulse (force), and the calorie consumption through the display unit 110.
Referring to FIG. 3 to specifically describe the display unit 110, the display unit 110 is located on an inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball 10, and the part of the covering, which covers the display unit 110, may be made of a transparent material.
In this case, the display unit 110 is configured to include an information display unit 1110 for displaying motion information of the ball 10, which is transmitted from the sensor unit 140, and a display protection unit 1120, which is made of a transparent material, for strengthening the durability of the information display unit 1110. The display protection unit 1120 may be deposited on the information display unit 1110.
In this case, the information display unit 1110 may be made of a flexible display material.
Here, an adhesive material is applied on the display protection unit 1120, and the information display unit may be attached to the display protection unit 1120 via the adhesive material.
The communication unit 120 transmits the motion information of a ball to an external terminal 120 through a wireless communication method, and a user may check the motion information transmitted to the external terminal 120.
Referring to FIG. 4 to specifically describe the communication unit 120, the communication unit 120 is configured to include an output control unit 1210, a wireless communication unit 1220, and a location communication unit 1230.
The output control unit 1210 may function as a control unit for controlling operations of each of the units including the display unit 110, the communication unit 120, the power supply unit 130, the sensor unit 140, and the like.
Also, the output control unit 1220 may control an ON/OFF operation of the power supply unit 130 according to operation control information by receiving the operation control information from the external terminal 120.
When the operation control information includes a command for turning OFF an information display function or a sensor activation function of the ball 10, the output control unit 1220 outputs a control signal for deactivating the relevant function, whereby the power supply to the relevant unit may be deactivated by the power supply unit 130.
The wireless communication unit 1220 may transmit the motion information of the ball to the external terminal 20 using a wireless communication method, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wibro, and the like.
The wireless communication unit 1220 may include an antenna and a communication module for wireless communication.
The location communication unit 1230 may collect in real time GPS information of the point at which the ball 10 is located.
The power supply unit 130 may supply power to each unit that operates by being supplied with the power, such as the display unit 110, the communication unit 120, and the sensor unit 140.
Referring to FIG. 5 to specifically describe the power supply unit 130, the power supply unit 130 is configured to include a solar cell 1310, a charging unit 1320, and a storage battery 1330.
The solar cell 1310 is exposed to the outer surface of the ball to collect solar energy, and may convert the collected solar energy to electric energy.
The charging unit 1320 may supply the electric energy generated by the solar cell 1310 to the storage battery 1330.
The charging unit 1320 may supply power to each of the units including the display unit 110, the communication unit 120, the power supply unit 130, the sensor unit 140, and the like.
The charging unit 1320 further includes a connection unit for being supplied with alternating current power or direct current power from outside of the ball, and may be supplied with the power by being connected to a power line.
The sensor unit 140 may measure motion information of the ball that moves by force applied to the ball.
Referring to FIG. 6 to specifically describe the sensor unit 140, the sensor unit 140 is configured to include an acceleration sensor unit 1410, a location information sensor unit 1420, an energy measurement unit 1430, and an impact sensor unit 1440.
The acceleration sensor unit 1410 may measure acceleration information generated as the ball 10 moves.
The location information sensor unit 1420 may measure movement distance information of the ball 10 by collecting GPS information.
In this case, the location communication unit 1230 may deliver the collected GPS information to the location information sensor unit 1420.
In this case, using the acceleration information and the movement distance information, the acceleration sensor unit 1410 may calculate speed information such as the average speed, the maximum speed, and the like.
The energy measurement unit 1430 measures time information for which the ball 10 moves, and may calculate the calorie information that a user consumes hitting or kicking the ball using the time information and previously input physical information.
The impact sensor unit 1440 may calculate the impulse information applied to the ball 10 using the acceleration information.
The lighting unit 160 may output a different color of light depending on at least one piece of information among the acceleration information, the speed information, and the impulse information, which are collected and calculated by the sensor unit 140.
For example, white light, yellow light, and red light may be output when the speed of the ball is less than 90 km/h, greater than 90 km/h and less than 120 km/h, and greater than 120 km/h, respectively.
Also, for another example, depending on the magnitude of the acceleration or the magnitude of the impulse, the color of the light may be differently output as white, yellow, or red.
In this case, the lighting unit 160 for outputting various colors is covered with the covering 15 of the ball 10, and the part of the covering 15 for covering the lighting unit 160 may be made of a transparent material.
On the other hand, the display unit 110, the communication unit 120, the power supply unit, the sensor unit 140, and the lighting unit 160 may be distributed inside the ball or may be fixed using wire supports from the center of the ball so that the center of gravity of the ball 10 is at the center of the ball 10.
In this case, to adjust the center of gravity of the ball 10, the center-of-gravity control unit 150 may be additionally disposed inside the ball.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating an internal structure of a ball with an information display function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 7, the display unit 110 and the solar cell 1310 may be attached on the inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball 10.
In this case, the display unit 110 and the solar cell 1310 are covered with the covering 15 of the ball 10, but the parts of the covering 15 for covering the display unit 110 and the solar cell 1310 may be made of a transparent material.
In this case, the display unit 110 and the solar cell 1310 are connected with a central circuit unit 1000 through an electric wire 11 so as to give and receive a signal or power.
The central circuit unit 1000 including the communication unit 120, the power supply unit 130, and the sensor unit 140 is located at the center of the ball 10, and the central circuit unit 1000 may be fixed to the covering 15 of the ball by being connected to the wire support 12.
In this case, the wire support 12 may be made of materials such as elastic steel, rubber, or plastic.
On the other hand, it is possible to locate the center of gravity of the ball at the center of the ball by dispersively disposing the center-of-gravity control units 150 of which the weight corresponds to the weight of the display unit 110 and solar cell 1310, on the inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball 10.
In this case, the center-of-gravity control units 150 may be arranged both on the point opposite the display unit 110 and on the point opposite the solar cell 1310 so as to form a cross shape.
Also, assuming a virtual line perpendicular to the cross-form of a extension line, which is generated by arranging the center-of-gravity control units 150 respectively opposite the display unit 110 and opposite the solar cell 1310, it is desirable to additionally arrange the center-of-gravity control units 150 on the both points at which the virtual line meets the covering 15 of the ball 10.
In this case, it is desirable that the weight of the display unit 110 is the same as the weight of the solar cell 1310.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, depending on the locations of the display unit 110 and solar cell 1310, a plurality of center-of-gravity control units 150 of which the weight corresponds to the weight of the display unit 110 and solar cell 1310 may be dispersively disposed on the inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball 15.
In this case, the number of the center-of-gravity control units 150 is not necessarily four. Depending on whether the solar cell 1310 exists and depending on the dispositions of the display unit 110 and the solar cell 1310, both the number and the location of the center-of-gravity control units 150 may be changed.
Also, when each of the units included in the central circuit unit 1000 is dispersively disposed on the inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball 10 rather than disposed at the center of the ball 10, it is possible to dispersively dispose the center-of-gravity control units 150 at random locations on the inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball to adjust the center of gravity.
Also, removing the solar cell 1310, the center-of-gravity control unit 150 may be disposed at the location of the solar cell 1310 to substitute the solar cell 1310.
Also, when the lighting unit 160 is disposed on the inner surface of the covering 15 of the ball 10, the center-of-gravity control unit 150 of which the weight corresponds to the weight of the lighting unit 160 may be additionally disposed inside the ball.
As described above, optimal embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in the drawings and the specification. Although specific terms have been used in the present specification, these are merely intended to describe the present invention and are not intended to limit the meanings thereof or the scope of the present invention described in the accompanying claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible from the embodiments. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the claims.

Claims

1. A ball with an information display function, which has an inner space and which is covered with a covering, comprising:

a sensor unit for measuring motion information of the ball that moves by force applied to the ball;

a display unit for outputting the motion information to an outer surface of the ball; and

a power supply unit for supplying power to the sensor unit and the display unit,

wherein the sensor unit and the power supply unit are disposed at a center of the ball by being connected to elastic wire supports, and

wherein the display unit is disposed on an inner surface of the covering of the ball, and a part of the covering that covers the display unit is made of a transparent material.

2. The ball of claim 1, further comprising a center-of-gravity control unit having a weight corresponding to that of the display unit, the center-of-gravity control unit being disposed at a location opposite the display unit.

3. The ball of claim 2, wherein the center-of-gravity control unit includes a plurality of center-of-gravity control units, and the center-of-gravity control units are dispersively disposed on the inner surface of the covering of the ball so that a center of gravity of the ball is at the center of the ball.

4. The ball of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises:

an acceleration sensor unit for measuring acceleration information generated as the ball moves; and

a location information sensor unit for measuring movement distance information of the ball by collecting GPS information.

5. The ball of claim 4, wherein the acceleration sensor unit calculates speed information corresponding to one or more of an average speed and a maximum speed of the ball using the acceleration information and the movement distance information.

6. The ball of claim 5, further comprising a lighting unit for outputting a different color of light depending on one or more of the acceleration information and the speed information.

7. The ball of claim 4, wherein the sensor unit further comprises an energy measurement unit for calculating information of calories that a user consumes, using both information of a time, for which the ball moves, and previously input physical information.

8. The ball of claim 4, wherein the sensor unit further comprises an impact sensor unit for calculating impulse information applied to the ball using the acceleration information.

9. The ball of claim 8, further comprising a lighting unit for outputting a different color of light depending on the impulse information.

10. The ball of claim 1, wherein the display unit is made of a flexible display material.

11. The ball of claim 10, wherein between the display unit and the covering of the ball, a display protection unit made of a transparent material is deposited.

12. The ball of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit comprises a solar cell for collecting solar energy and for converting the collected solar energy into electric energy, the solar cell being disposed on the inner surface of the covering of the ball and a part of the covering that covers the solar cell being made of a transparent material.

13. The ball of claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting the motion information of the ball to an external terminal.

14. The ball of claim 13, wherein the communication unit controls an on/off operation of the power supply unit in compliance with operation control information by receiving the operation control information from the external terminal.