WO2007022282A2 - Batte à dispositif d’identification - Google Patents

Batte à dispositif d’identification Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007022282A2
WO2007022282A2 PCT/US2006/032002 US2006032002W WO2007022282A2 WO 2007022282 A2 WO2007022282 A2 WO 2007022282A2 US 2006032002 W US2006032002 W US 2006032002W WO 2007022282 A2 WO2007022282 A2 WO 2007022282A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bat
sports bat
sports
rfid
reading device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/032002
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007022282A3 (fr
Inventor
John Stote, Iii
Kevin Schullstrom
Original Assignee
Anaconda Sports, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anaconda Sports, Inc. filed Critical Anaconda Sports, Inc.
Publication of WO2007022282A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007022282A2/fr
Publication of WO2007022282A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007022282A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/46—Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
    • A63B59/50—Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0605—Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B55/00—Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
    • A63B2055/402—Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
    • A63B2209/023—Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/83—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
    • A63B2220/833—Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/15—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with identification means that can be read by electronic means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/20—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/50—Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/50—Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
    • A63B2225/54—Transponders, e.g. RFID
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0616—Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and method of positively identifying an item to ensure the item has not been tampered or otherwise altered. More particularly, it relates to a sports bat that can be used in baseball and Softball games having an identification device to facilitate detection as to whether the bat has been tampered with or modified after manufacture to defeat certified performance standards.
  • the identification device may also be used to track and maintain production, inventory, shipping, and sales control.
  • bat manufacturers are able to produce bats capable of hitting a ball faster than the reaction time of a fielder.
  • baseball and softball leagues strive to address the increasing number of injuries sustained attributable to high-performance bats, many organizations have mandated performance-regulated bats.
  • the modification of certified performance-regulated bats has become a major problem as even in these amateur leagues, some hitters attempt to gain a competitive advantage by modifying the regulated bats.
  • Many of the certified bats manufactured are easily modified to "out perform" their performance certification. These modifications include changing the weight of a bat, reducing the wall thickness of a bat, and camouflaging non-approved bats.
  • the restitution of a bat that is, the relationship with the "bounciness" of an object, also determines how far a ball will travel when struck with a bat. Bats made out of aluminum or graphite or composite materials, including wood composite and polymer composites, hit balls farther than bats made of solid wood.
  • the end of the barrel is not part of the sweet spot, and is simply called the tip or end of the bat.
  • the barrel tapers down, and becomes the "handle.”
  • the handle is very thin, so that batters may comfortably grip the bat in their hands.
  • the handle is wrapped with a rubber or cloth "grip.”
  • the "knob" of the bat a wider piece that keeps the bat from sliding out of a batter's hands.
  • Bats are more often given a rounded head, but bats incorporate a "cup-balanced" head, in which a cup-shaped recess is made in the head. This lightens the bat and moves its center of gravity toward the handle. Finally, the bat is stained or finished in a color approved by the league or association or player for whom it was manufactured. Similarly, composite bats are manufactured in layers on a mandrel, so as the bats are manufactured, they have open ends to remove the mandrel. After the bat has been finished, the ends are sealed with a knob at the handle end and an end plug at the barrel tip.
  • a corked bat is an illegally modified baseball bat that has been filled with cork or similar light, less dense substances to make the bat lighter without losing much power.
  • a lighter bat gives a hitter a quicker swing (increased velocity) and may improve the hitter's timing.
  • the bat since the bat is lighter, the ball does not necessarily travel quite as far as with a heavier bat, but usually only by a few feet at most. More importantly, in a modified bat the location of the center-of- mass of the bat shifts towards the handle end of the bat. This results in a decreased
  • hitters may attempt to modify the manufactured bat by sanding or filing the wall of the bat.
  • the composite bats Once the composite bats are manufactured they have open ends to remove the mandrel. After the bat has been finished, the ends are sealed with a knob and an end plug.
  • Hitters may modify composite or metal bats by removing the end plug and removing material from the inside of the bat by sanding or filing or by other means. When the end plug is replaced, the illegal modification is extremely difficult to detect.
  • the end effect of altering a composite or metal bat is the same as corking a wooden bat — the center of mass shifts toward the handle end of the bat and the bat now exceeds the performance standards to which it was certified.
  • leagues dictate that the wall of the bat be a specified thickness or composition. Similarly, other leagues may specify dimensions and weights for their bats. Other leagues employ a bat performance standards based on collision efficiency, restitution characteristics, or batted ball speed measurements. Leagues enact these rules to attempt to minimize tlie possibility ot injury ana to impart uniformity to tne equipment used by competing teams, thereby ensuring the higher skilled team prevails in a game rather than the team with the equipment advantage. When hitters modify otherwise approved bats or camouflage non-approved bats to pass them off as approved bats, the hitters acquire an advantage and placed opposing fielders in jeopardy.
  • the balance points of three 30" wood bats with weights of 26 ounces, 23 ounces, and 20 ounces are located at the same place. Since the profile shapes of the bats are the same and they are all made from the same solid wood, the balance point is the same regardless of the total weight. Similarly with composite or metal bats, the same profile and construction will result in the same balance point regardless of the total weight. In contrast, a corked bat that is actually heavier, but has its balance point more than an inch closer to the handle, will be easier to swing.
  • a composite bat that has had the wall of the barrel thinned will also be easier to swing because its balance point is now closer to the handle as well. This is directly related to theswing weight of a bat. -This is the reason that not all 28 ounce softball bats swing the same. Similarly, an end-loaded bat can have the same weight as a normal bat, but will feel heavier because more of the mass is distributed towards the barrel end of the bat.
  • the bat and ball act as two springs that mutually compress each other, and potential energy in the ball is restored by the spring action of the bat
  • the ball compresses to nearly half its original diameter, losing up to 75% of its initial energy to internal friction forces during this compression
  • the bat barrel compresses somewhat like a spring when the ball impacts it. This means that the ball is not compressed as much and therefore loses less energy to internal friction forces.
  • Thinner- walled composite or metal bats have more of a trampoline effect than their thicker- walled counterparts. Therefore, the ball loses less energy to frictional forces as well.
  • a hole approximately 1 A to 1 inch in diameter is drilled down through the thick end (barrel) of the bat roughly six to eight inches deep.
  • Cork, rubber, sawdust, or other similar material is compacted into the hole and the end is typically patched and repaired with glue and sawdust or a wooden dowel plug. The repaired end is sanded to cover the modification. If the hole were left unfilled, the sound produced by the bat striking a ball is noticeably different. Placing cork beyond roughly six inches into the bat threatens the bat's structural integrity and makes it more susceptible to breakage. Corked bats breaking while in play during games is the most typical way that their use is discovered.
  • a batter is out for illegal action when:
  • the present invention relates to a system and method of positively identifying an item to ensure the item has not been tampered or otherwise altered.
  • the present invention relates to a sports bat with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to facilitate detection as to whether the bat has been tampered with or modified to defeat certified performance standards.
  • RFID tag is embedded in the bat during the manufacturing process.
  • the RFID tag stores information related to the individual bat, such as manufacturer, model number, serial number, company name, date of manufacture, ship date, length, weight, dimensions, inventory numbers, and the like.
  • the RFID tag may also store information regarding the particular baseball or softball association standards for which the bat is approved.
  • the information stored in the embedded RFID tag may be read using an
  • the RFID tag may also be used to track and maintain production, inventory, shipping, and sales control, by the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, and other components of the supply chain while ensuring the bat remains in the same condition as when it was manufactured.
  • an advantage of the present invention is in providing a bat with features to facilitate detection and elimination of a modified or altered bat from competition. This advantage serves to discourage players from modifying or altering the bat and promotes the safety of the competitors.
  • Another advantage of the present invention is in providing a bat that facilitates inventory lno " mtorm ⁇ lB ⁇ d " contr ⁇ l7 " ⁇ "'
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary system for storing and reading RFID tag information in a sports bat in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE Z slows a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary bat with an RFID tag embedded within the bat in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 3 shows an exemplary radio frequency reading device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention extends the functionality of sports bats by employing systems and methods of storing and reading manufacturing, inventory, and certification information associated with a particular bat.
  • the stored information is " encoded on an ⁇ RFID (RadkrFrequency Identification) tag or similar identification device and embedded within the sports bat.
  • the system and method of the invention When the sports bat is to be used in a game, the system and method of the invention then reads the stored information on the RFID tag and verifies that the sports bat is approved for use in a particular league or association game, and has not been altered or otherwise modified. If the information read by the RFID reading device is incorrect or nonexistent, the system and method of the present invention returns a message indicating that the bat is not approved for use.
  • the system and method of the present invention has many advantages over prior systems because the determination of a non-approved or modified bat is wholly objective, can be performed prior to the bat being used in a game, and is performed much more quickly than possible solely with manual inspections.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which concepts and methods consistent with the present invention may be performed.
  • system 100 comprises a number of radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 3Od placed in locations that may physically receive a bat 10 with an embedded RFID tag 20.
  • radio frequency reading device and RFID reading device are synonymous.
  • the radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 3Od may be located anywhere in the world and may be proximate to manufacturing facility 152 or in a location where such bats are distributed, sold, or used.
  • four radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are shown, but it should be understood that any number of radio frequency reading devices may use the system 100 with which to access sports bat data stored as data in a database.
  • a portion of the database, or the total set' of data may be housed within radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 3Od (illustrated in detail in Figure 3 as database 38) and/or may be maintained in an off-site location.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates database 103 as located within the manufacturing facility 152.
  • Database 103 may also be a network of databases as well.
  • any number of manufacturing facilities may be used by the system.
  • a single manufacturing facility 152 comprising an RFID writer 106, an RFID computer 102, an RFID server 104, and a sports bat database 103 is shown as one preferred embodiment.
  • any radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 3Od may access data housed and stored by another user, such as a second manufacturing facility, a distributor, a reseller, a retail store, or any user that may provide and/or receive data indicative of a sports bat using the RFID tags and database.
  • Manufacturing facility 152 is illustrated as components, including computer 102, database 103, server 104, and tag writer 106 merely to show a preferred embodiment and a preferred configuration.
  • the data collection utilized in database 103 in manutacturmg tacility 152 can also be in a distributed environment, such as servers and devices on the world wide web.
  • Radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 3Od may access an data
  • any computer network 198 including the Internet, telecommunications networks in any suitable form, local area networks, wide area networks, wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, G3 communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), intranets, or any combination of these networks or any group of two or more computing devices linked together with the ability to communicate with each other.
  • PSTNs Public Switched Telephone Networks
  • PDNs Packet Data Networks
  • intranets or any combination of these networks or any group of two or more computing devices linked together with the ability to communicate with each other.
  • radio frequency reading devices 30a, 3Ob 5 30c, 30d are nodes on the network as is manufacturing facility 152.
  • Radio frequency reading devices 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and RFID computer 102a may be any suitable device capable of providing and receiving data to and from another device.
  • these devices may be any suitable servers, workstations, PCs, laptop computers, PDAs, Internet appliances, ⁇ handheld-devices;xellular"telephonesrwireless devices; otherdevices, and the like, capable of performing the processes of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1-3.
  • the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1-3 can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices. In general, these devices may be any type of computing device connected to a network and interacting with application programs.
  • tag writer 106 is used to write data to
  • RFID tag 20 As outlined previously, the various information regarding the bat 10 such as the model number, serial number, manufacturing company name, date of manufacture, ship date, dimensions, and the like may be written to RFID tag 20. RFID tag 20 may also store information regarding for which baseball or softball association standards the bat 10 is approved for use. Of course, additional information may be stored in the RFID tag 20. The particular type of RFID tags selected for use, including write-once, write many, or read only tags, is dependent upon the situation in which the bat will be used. Similarly, more than one RFID tag may be inserted and written to depending upon the information the manufacturer or supply chain participant requires. For example, a single write-once RFID tag may be written with information by the manufacturer. This information would never be subject to change, other than by illegal or unauthorized means.
  • one RFID tag may be written with may be written with performance standard information regarding the bat by the manufacturer, and a second RFID tag may be written by a wholesaler or retailer with inventory information, such as model number, serial number, manufacturing company name, date of manufacture, SKU number, stock number, cost, sales price, and the like.
  • inventory information such as model number, serial number, manufacturing company name, date of manufacture, SKU number, stock number, cost, sales price, and the like.
  • the manufacturer has the flexibility to write any or all of the information to one or more RFID tags.
  • the RFID tag 20 is embedded in bat 10. Bat 10 with RFID tag 20 embedded within it are then shipped to a buyer, such as a retail facility, wholesaler, end user, or the like.
  • radio frequency reading device 30 with which to read the embedded RFID tag 20.
  • RFID tag 20 may be read by radio frequency reading device 30a to access a database.
  • the accessed database 38 may reside within radio frequency reading device 30 (shown in FIGURE 3) or the accessed database may reside in a different location than the radio frequency reading device 30a, such as database 103 (as shown in FIGURE 1), depending upon the particular unique data and information indicative of the bat being examined and depending upon the desired implementation of this invention.
  • the information may be read using radio frequency reading device 30, which is schematically shown in FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3.
  • FIGURE 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an example bat 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention having an RFID tag 20 embedded therein.
  • the bat 10 may be any type of bat that can be manufactured with an RFID tag 20 embedded therein, such as a wood bat, a composite bat, a metal bat, and the like.
  • RFID tag 20 is inserted into the inside layer of the bat 10 while the bat 10 is being manufactured.
  • the bats are manufactured in layers on a mandrel with successive layers applied on the mandrel to fo ⁇ n a substantially cylindrical bat. The first layer applied becomes the inside-most layer when the manufacturing process is complete.
  • RFID tag 20 may be inserted into any layer of the bat as the manufacturing process progresses, since most illegal modifications or alterations are performed on the interior of the bat, preferably, the RFID tag 20 is placed approximately between 0.001 to 1 inch in the inner layer of the bat 10. In one embodiment, the RFID tag 20 is embedded in the barrel portion of the bat, because modifications are typically made to the barrel portion of the bat 10. As noted, the RFID tag 20 stores various information regarding the bat 10 such as the model number, serial number, manufacturing company name, date of manufacture, ship date, and the like. The RFID tag 20 may also store information regarding which baseball or softball association standards for which the bat 10 is approved.
  • Radio frequency reading device 30 interrogates RFID tag 20 embedded within bat 10.
  • the RFID tag 20 returns a signal back to the radio frequency reading device 30 with the requested information.
  • Radio frequency reading device 30 is shown in greater detail in FIGURE 3 and includes display 32, keypad 34, controller 36, and database 38 such as a memory, disk, or other storage media capable of storing a database.
  • the radio frequency reading device 30 may be viewed on display 32. Additionally, an on-board controller 36 may be used to process the information by comparing the received information to known information, such as that stored in databases 38 and/or 103. The result of the comparison is then provided to a user on display 32. The results of the comparison may be that the examined bat 10 includes information that exactly matches known information stored in databases 38 and/or 103.
  • the radio frequency reading device 30 may Be implemented so that in the case of a baseball or Softball game situation, an "approved for play" message or similar message may be shown on display 32.
  • the bat 10 includes an RFID tag 20 with information that does not match the known information stored in databases 38, 103, or if the RFID tag 20 is missing, or otherwise cannot be interrogated or read by radio frequency reading device 30, a "not approved for play" message or similar message may be shown on display 32.
  • the comparison may be performed manually by an umpire or other user capable of distinguishing between bats approved for play and those not permitted on the basis of the displayed information. For example, when the display 32 reads "2006 Worth Mayhem 120 Slowpitch Softball Bat," an umpire may know that this bat is approved .
  • the information queried by the radio frequency reading device 30 may relate to stock numbers, SKU information, cost and warranty information, and the like.
  • the message shown on display ⁇ 32 " may relateTorstart authorized dealers, restocking charges, and the like.
  • the message displayed by radio frequency reading device 30 may be customized or configured by the user, be they a shipping coordinator, a customer service representative, or an umpire, for example.
  • Sports ® may store data related to that bat on the RFID tag. If a purchaser or other user attempts to make a warranty return outside the stipulated warranty period, the RFID tag will provide information to ensure the accuracy of the warranty claim. Additionally, if a purchaser were to attempt to return the bat to a different manufacturer or supplier, the RFID tag will provide information related to the identity of the manufacturer, the identity of the seller, the model number, and additional information with which to confirm an authorized return.
  • an end user may provide important feedback to a manufacturer or other seller regarding the bat.
  • an association that monitors bats that are to used in their league tournament monitors IUU bats by reading the KbID tag in each of the IUU bats with a radio frequency reading device.
  • the league or association may determine that each of a particular manufacturer's bats examined are out-of-compliance with league specifications and rules and are thereby considered "not approved for play.”
  • the league or association may upload the data acquired when reading the RFID tag of each of the particular manufacturer's bats and send the data to the manufacturer. With this information, the manufacturer may address quality control, shipping, warranty, and other issues related to the bats.
  • radio frequency reading device 3 U has the capability to query and read an RFID tag from the bat IU, view data from RFID tags, write RFID tag data, clear RFID tag data, and view comparison data for RIFD tags, as applicable. Multiple radio frequency reading devices 3U may be connected on a single network.
  • One embodiment of the present invention uses a Datalogic JET mobile computing device configured as a radio frequency reading device.
  • the Datalogic reading device captures, computes, and communicates RFID tag information using Microsoft Windows CE 4.2 Net Operating System.
  • This " example implementation includes an " Intel XScale 4UU MHz microprocessor with 64 MByte system RAM and 32/64 MByte system flash memory and employs a real-time clock for time and date stamping under software control.
  • the reading device of this example includes IrDA integrated high speed bi-directional communication port (IrDA LU); an integrate 3 pin RS232 serial communication port up to 115.2Kbps, and a USB integrated high speed port (USB 1.1).
  • This example implementation of the reading device also includes wireless data communication on a local area network using IEEE 8U2.1 Ib (Wi-Fi), an internal antenna with diversity option, and a frequency range of typically 2.4-2.5 GHz.
  • Wide area wireless network data communication may include GSM/GPRS (9UU/18UU/19UU MHz) user accessible SIM socket for FSM/GPRS, an internal antenna, and Bluetooth IEEE 8U2.15.
  • the Datalogic radio frequency reading device operates at 13.56 MHz for
  • the radio frequency reading device may be any similar reading device capable of reading one or more of the EMS LRP Series, ISO 15693, Gemplus FOLIO, Inside PicoTag, Omron V720, Philips LCODE 5 Microchip MCRF355, MCRF360, Texas Instruments RFID Tag-It, or other similar RPID tags.
  • An alphanumeric keypad 34 and a display screen 32 facilitate input/output communication from and to a user.
  • the portable reader is built for indoor and outdoor use and is preferably rain and dust resistant, IP64 compliant, powered by rechargeable lithium ion 7.4 volt 1070/1800 mAh (7.9/13.3 Watt-hours) battery with a connection for fast battery charging.
  • the reading device 30 may be accommodated by a docking station (not shown) to provide desktop or workstation connectivity. This allows the RFID tag data stored in the radio frequency reading device to be uploaded to other users such as the manufacturing facility, distributor, and other similar users that may have a need for such 1 data. [0049] As described, the radio frequency reading device 30 reads the data to ensure the bat 10 has not been modified or is otherwise not approved for use.
  • the embedded RFID tag 20 in bat 10 may be used for determining and discouraging user modifications to certified bat performance standards. In particular, when modifying 5ats, users typically remove material from the inner layer of the bat 10. Because the RFID tag 20 is embedded between 0.001 to 0.005 inch from inner layer of the bat 10, removal of material will damage or remove the RFID tag 20. In other words, damage of the RFID tag 20 renders it inoperable. If the RFID tag 20 cannot be read using the radio frequency reading device 30, whether because the RFID tag 20 is damaged or is missing, the bat 10 may be considered to be damaged or tampered with, and "not approved for play". '
  • the present invention also makes the use of a mis-marked bat more difficult and discourages such attempts.
  • the present invention also allows improved production, inventory, shipping, and sales tracking and management of returns to reduce false returns to the manufactures.
  • unique numbers such as serial numbers assigned to each bat, can be stored in the RFID tag 20. Such numbers can be used for inventory control purposes and to check bats for return authorization.
  • the manufacture can read the RFID tag 20 to detect fraud when warranty issues arise. In this regard, it is not unusual for people to buy false receipts for fraudulent claims through the Internet. Correspondingly, the present invention helps to discourage such practices.
  • FIGURES 1-3 are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the exemplary embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts.
  • the functionality of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1- 3 can be implemented via one or more programmed computer systems or devices.
  • the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1-3 can store information relating to various processes described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like, of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1-3.
  • One or more databases of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1-3 can store the information used to implement the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • AU or a portion of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGURES 1-3 can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and software arts.
  • network transmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics, and the like.
  • Network transmission media also can take the form of acoustic, optical, electromagnetic waves, and the like, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) communications, infrared (IR) data communications, and the like.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • General Factory Administration (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système et un procédé destinés à identifier formellement une batte de sport pour garantir qu’elle n’a pas été modifiée ou autrement altérée après fabrication, comprenant une étiquette RFID intégrée à la batte pendant sa fabrication. Cette étiquette enregistre des informations sur la batte. En compétition, les informations enregistrées dans l’étiquette intégrée sont lues à l’aide d’un dispositif de lecture RFID. Si une batte a été modifiée ou autrement altérée après fabrication, son étiquette RFID est endommagée ou absente. Dans ce cas, le dispositif de lecture RFID ne peut pas lire correctement l’étiquette et les informations qui y sont enregistrées, et la batte peut être considérée comme non approuvée pour le jeu. De manière similaire, l’étiquette RFID peut également servir à des fins de gestion et de suivi de stock, tout en permettant que la batte conserve son état de fabrication initial.
PCT/US2006/032002 2005-08-16 2006-08-16 Batte à dispositif d’identification WO2007022282A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US70839605P 2005-08-16 2005-08-16
US60/708,396 2005-08-16

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WO2007022282A2 true WO2007022282A2 (fr) 2007-02-22
WO2007022282A3 WO2007022282A3 (fr) 2007-10-18

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CN (1) CN101300049A (fr)
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CN101300049A (zh) 2008-11-05
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