WO2024069469A1 - Sport visual displays - Google Patents

Sport visual displays Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024069469A1
WO2024069469A1 PCT/IB2023/059607 IB2023059607W WO2024069469A1 WO 2024069469 A1 WO2024069469 A1 WO 2024069469A1 IB 2023059607 W IB2023059607 W IB 2023059607W WO 2024069469 A1 WO2024069469 A1 WO 2024069469A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
visual display
advertising
visual
display
basketball
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/059607
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Carlō VILJOEN
Andries Johannes HERBST
Ivan MOOLMAN
Gertruida Wilhelmina BASSON
Original Assignee
Goal Post Marketing (Pty) Ltd
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 Goal Post Marketing (Pty) Ltd filed Critical Goal Post Marketing (Pty) Ltd
Publication of WO2024069469A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024069469A1/en

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Definitions

  • This invention relates to sports visual displays.
  • the invention relates to a visual display arrangement and a visual display system for use in a ballgame, a visual display kit for ballgames, and a basketball court arrangement.
  • the backboard is an elevated board to which the basket is affixed.
  • the basket is comprised of a hoop with a mounting formation for attaching the basket to the backboard and a net suspended from the hoop.
  • the backboard is planar and is typically rectangular shaped, although recreational backboards can be circular, ovoid or fan shaped.
  • the backboard is typically supported above a stanchion and can be either portable or permanent. Some backboards are suspended from ceiling joists or rafters with hoist mechanisms for lifting them into the ceiling when not in use.
  • the backboard As the basket hoop is typically manufactured of steel, the backboard must be sufficiently sturdy to support the weight thereof. Furthermore, as basketballs often hit the backboard at high velocities, the backboard must be able to resist damage. For these reasons, backboards were traditionally manufactured of wood or fibreglass. Later, tempered glass and transparent plastics (e.g. acrylic glass) replaced wood and fibreglass to allow spectators positioned behind the backboard to view shots at the basket through the backboard. When a team shoots a successful shot through a basket, spectators who have not themselves observed the shot are notified as such by game officials and/or by a scoreboard. An arrangement of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is sometimes provided around the edges of a backboard for effect.
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • the inventors are aware of the various designs of backboards currently available to the public, as well as the drawbacks of the current techniques of notifying spectators of successful and/or unsuccessful scoring attempts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a suitable addition to these techniques which will boost the overall experience of the game. This addition will also increase the marketing opportunities at basketball games, by providing a new marketing device at a focal point of a basketball game which renders the marketing content highly visible throughout Play.
  • backboard can refer to a backboard for basketball, a backboard for 3x3 basketball or any other backboard for a ball game.
  • an advertising visual display device for use in a basketball game, which includes a multi-layered display screen on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during a ballgame, of which at least one layer is in the form of a visual output layer, and a further layer is in the form of an impact shockabsorbing layer.
  • the visual output layer may be a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) panel, an electroluminescent display (ELD) panel, a quantum dot (QD) display panel, or the like.
  • the visual output layer may be in the form of a film material.
  • the film material may comprise of any one or more of the following: a self- adhesive foil, see-through film or the like.
  • the visual output layer may be capable of reproducing any image, video, text, alphanumeric characters, advertising content or the like.
  • the impact shock-absorbing layer may be and acrylic material, tampered glass, glass, Perspex, polycarbonate, plexiglass, or the like, providing sufficient force-absorption to withstand the force of a shot (i.e., a basketball thrown against the multi-layered display screen).
  • the multi-layered display screen comprises of the impact shock-absorbing layer, the visual output layer and at least one or more further impact shock-absorption layers. All layers of the multi-layered display screen may be transparent.
  • the visual output layer may include a tint providing a transparency of between 25% and 85%, on either or both a front end and back end of the display screen.
  • the advertising visual display device may include a holding frame in which the multi-layered display screen is seated, for holding the layers together.
  • the advertising visual display device may include mounting brackets provided on the holding frame, for mounting the advertising visual display device within a conventional void basketball backboard frame.
  • the advertising visual display device may be in the form of a basketball backboard.
  • the advertising visual display device may include mounting means, such that the advertising visual display device is mountable onto a basketball backboard.
  • the multi-layered display screen may include apertures arranged thereon and through which a scoring basket may be mounted to the advertising visual display device.
  • the visual output layer may include a receiver for receiving visuals to display thereon.
  • the visual output layer may include any one or both of a receiving card and sending card.
  • a visual display arrangement for use in a basketball game which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; and a scoring basket mountable proximate the basketball backboard, through which points can be scored when a ball passes therethrough during the ballgame.
  • the basketball backboard may be in the form of the advertising visual display device as described above, with the display screen being the visual output layer.
  • the visual display arrangement may further include a support structure, on which the basketball backboard is supported.
  • the scoring basket may be mountable to any one of the basketball backboard or support structure.
  • the visual display arrangement may include a framed bracket shaped and dimensioned to house the basketball backboard therein, which bracket may be fastened to the support structure.
  • the support structure may be in the form of a stanchion with a base and upright support.
  • the basketball backboard may be shaped and dimensioned to regulation requirements for the ballgame.
  • the basketball backboard may be approximately 6 feet wide and 24 inches tall. It is to be appreciated that, different dimensions of the basketball back board may be workable in different embodiments of the invention.
  • the visual display arrangement may provide a marketing device, in use operable to display marketing content on the display screen which is visible to spectators on either side of the visual display arrangement.
  • the visual display arrangement may further include one or more braces attached to a rear, upper side of the basketball backboard, in use to be braced against the stanchion such that the upper side of the basketball backboard is supported.
  • the visual display arrangement may include electrical connection means operable to connect the display screen to a power supply.
  • the electrical connection means may run through the scoring structure.
  • the power supply may be in the form of a mains power supply to a sports stadium.
  • the visual display arrangement may include one or more batteries which form the power supply. The one or more batteries may be housed within the scoring structure.
  • the visuals may include any or more of: an image, video, text, alphanumeric characters, advertising content or the like.
  • the visuals may be related to events in the ballgame.
  • the visuals may indicate any one or more of: a point scored by a first team, a point scored by a second team, a foul by a first team, a foul by a second team, a unique move, a player substitution, an injury, game time, halftime, game start, game end, or the like.
  • the visuals may be advertising images.
  • the visual display arrangement may include a memory on which display instructions, which determine the visuals to be displayed on the display screen in use, may be stored.
  • the memory may include any one or combination of: random access memory (RAM) and derivatives thereof (e.g. DRAM, FCRAM or SRAM), read-only memory (ROM) and derivatives thereof (e.g. EPROM or EEPROM), field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or the like.
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • FPGAs field- programmable gate arrays
  • the memory may be hosted on a server.
  • the server may be a remote server (e.g. a cloud-based server).
  • the memory may be hosted in proximity to the display screen, for example housed within the basketball backboard and/or the support structure, such that remote retrieval of display instructions is unnecessary.
  • the memory may be provided on a media player device.
  • the display screen may also include a receiver.
  • the display screen may include a screen sending and/or receiving card or the like, in use operable to communicate with the media player device to display visuals on the display screen.
  • the visual display arrangement may include a controller which is in electronic communication with the memory and the display screen.
  • the controller may be operable to execute display instructions retrieved from the memory on command, by displaying the respective visuals on the display screen.
  • the controller may be in the form of any one or combination of: a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a microprocessor or the like.
  • the controller may be in the form of a screen sending and/or receiving card.
  • the visual display arrangement may include a trigger means which is in electronic communication with the controller and which is operable to send display signals to the controller at certain game events. For example, when the game event is a point being scored by a first team, the trigger means sends a “Team 1 Score” display signal to the controller, which in turn executes the display instructions by displaying the relevant “Team 1 Score” visuals on the display screen.
  • a trigger means which is in electronic communication with the controller and which is operable to send display signals to the controller at certain game events. For example, when the game event is a point being scored by a first team, the trigger means sends a “Team 1 Score” display signal to the controller, which in turn executes the display instructions by displaying the relevant “Team 1 Score” visuals on the display screen.
  • the trigger means may include a manual trigger which is manually activated by an operator (typically a game official) on visually confirming the game event, the manual trigger sending the respective display signal to the controller.
  • the manual trigger may be a wired device which is wired to the controller and to the display screen.
  • the wired device may be in the form of a switch, a push button or the like.
  • the manual trigger may be a remote device which is in wireless communication with the controller.
  • the remote device may be in the form of a tuned handheld device, a cellular telephone, a tablet, a personal computer or the like, and may include a rechargeable power source.
  • the trigger means may include an automatic trigger which is automatically activated (i.e. without an operator) and automatically generates and sends the respective display signal to the controller.
  • the automatic trigger may include detection means which is capable of detecting certain game events, particularly point scoring events, and which is capable of generating detection signals.
  • the automatic trigger may further include a processor which receives the detection signals from the detection means and which processes the detection signals to determine if a point was scored. If the processor determines that a point was scored, the automatic trigger is activated, and a display signal is sent to the controller. If the processor determines that no point was scored, the automatic trigger is not activated.
  • the detection means may be located proximate any one or more of: the basketball backboard, the scoring basket and the support structure.
  • the detection means may include at least one sensor which is capable of sensing a ball moving through the scoring basket.
  • the at least one sensor may be in the form of any one or more of: a motion sensor, a heat sensor, a visual sensor or the like.
  • the detection means may include at least one camera which is capable of capturing imagery of a ball moving through the scoring basket.
  • the at least one camera may be in the form of a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, an artificial intelligent camera or the like.
  • the at least one camera may be coupled to an image processing unit which is capable of processing the imagery in real-time.
  • DSLR digital single-lens reflex
  • the detection means may include a lidar detection system having at least one laser and at least one sensor which measures the distance between the at least one laser and the ball by illuminating a zone above the scoring basket with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with the at least one sensor.
  • the detection means may include a combination of: sensors, cameras and lidars, which work together to detect game events.
  • the visual display arrangement may include both the manual trigger and the automatic trigger such that, in use, the manual trigger can be activated by the operator on game events occurring distant from the scoring basket (e.g. a foul, halftime, or the like) and the automatic trigger can be automatically activated on game events occurring proximate the scoring basket and detected by the detection means.
  • the manual trigger may be capable of overriding the automatic trigger in cases of an incorrectly detected event or other malfunctioning.
  • the visual display arrangement may include wired connections between any one or more of the components of the visual display arrangement for wired communication.
  • the visual display arrangement may include wireless communication means between any one or more of the components of the visual display arrangement for wireless communication.
  • the wireless communication means may include any one or combination of: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC) or the like.
  • the visual display arrangement may further include an audio device which is also in communication with the controller, such that display instructions executed by the controller are simultaneously received by the audio device to provide synchronized audio-visual displays.
  • the display instructions may include instructions to display any one or more of: a rectangular visual indicator visual, to be displayed during the game to assist players in shooting, the rectangular visual indicator visual being shaped and dimensioned according to regulations for the ballgame; a score visual, to be displayed if a basketball goes through the basket; an airball visual, to be displayed if a basketball misses a backboard and the basket; an alley-oop visual, to be displayed if a player jumps and catches a pass from another player whilst simultaneously dunking the basketball in the basket or shooting it in before landing; an and-one visual, to be displayed if a player gets fouled whilst shooting and the basketball goes through the basket, the player receiving one free throw; a bank shot visual, to be displayed if a basketball bounces off the backboard before it goes through the basket; a swish visual, to be displayed if a basketball goes through the basket without touching the hoop; a foul visual, to be displayed if a foul is committed by a player on either team; advertising
  • a visual display kit for ballgames which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; and trigger means in communication with the display screen such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of visuals on the display screen of the at least one basketball backboard.
  • the trigger means may be any one or a combination of the following: a manual trigger and an automatic trigger.
  • the visual display kit may include a media player device from which the visuals to be display are retrieved and/or stored on.
  • the display screen may include a receiver.
  • the display screen may include any one or both screen receiving and sending cards, in use operable to receive visuals form the media player device and display the visuals on the display screen.
  • the visual display kit may include a remote control in the form of any of the following: a remote mobile device, a desktop device or the like.
  • the remote controller may communicate with the media player device by means of a wired connected or wireless connection, thereby allowing for visuals to be displayed on the display screen.
  • a marketing display system to be used during a basketball game, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visuals can be displayed and gains which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; a media storing device, in communication with the advertising visual display device, having pre-loaded advertising content to be displayed on the advertising visual display device; and a trigger means in communication with any one or both of the advertising visual display device and media storing device, such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of the pre-loaded advertising content.
  • the pre-loaded advertising content may include a set of advertising visuals to be displayed during a basketball game.
  • the trigger means may be in the form of an automatic trigger which includes detection means capable of detecting point scoring events, and which is capable of generating detection signals.
  • the detection means may sense when a scoring event takes place, and triggers the display of an advertising visual from the set of advertising visuals on the multi-layered display screen.
  • a method of displaying visuals to a crowd in basketball stadium which includes detecting when a playing ball passes through a scoring basket; and displaying a visual selected from pre-loaded advertising content on a basketball backboard when the playing ball is detected as passing through the scoring basket.
  • the basketball backboard may be in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visual can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame.
  • Figure 1 shows two front views of a visual display arrangement, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, when not in use and when in use;
  • Figure 2 shows two side views of a visual display arrangement, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, when not in use and when in use;
  • Figure 3 shows a functional diagram of a visual display arrangement in communication with various other components, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows an illustrative view of an advertising visual display device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows a holding frame to be used in accordance with the invention shown in Figure 4.
  • like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.
  • reference numeral 10 refers to a visual display arrangement for use in a ballgame.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) includes a basketball backboard (12) in the form of an advertising visual display device (14) on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame.
  • the advertising visual display device (14) is in the form of a multi-layered display screen, having a visual output layer, and an impact shock-absorbing layer.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) also includes a scoring basket (16) mounted to the basketball backboard (12), through which points can be scored when a ball passes therethrough during the ballgame. It is to be appreciated that as the scoring basket (16) is a central focus point during a basketball game, the visuals displayed on the display screen (14) of the basketball backboard (12) will be in constant view of the spectators of the game. In particular, if marketing content is displayed on the display screen (14), this marketing content will have high visibility throughout the game.
  • FIG. 1 an example of the visual display arrangement (10) is shown where the display screen (14) forms the basketball backboard (12) itself.
  • the visual output layer of the display screen (14) is in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) panel which is transparent.
  • the transparency of the LED panel (14) allows spectators to view balls travelling through the scoring basket (16) or missing the scoring basket (16) during a game.
  • the LED panel (14) is rectangular and is shaped and dimensioned to regulation requirements for basketball (i.e. 6 feet wide and 24 inches tall), it is to be appreciated that the aforementioned dimensions are for example purposes only.
  • the display screen (14) is also sufficiently force-absorbent to withstand the force of a basketball hitting it at high velocity.
  • the impact shockabsorbing layer of the display screen (14) is in the form of a polycarbonate layer (not shown) which increases the durability thereof.
  • the LED panel (14) is capable of displaying a rectangular visual indicator (14.1) which assists players when making a shot (note: the indicator (14.1) disappears when other visuals are displayed).
  • the rectangular visual indicator may be a 2-inch wide white rectangle with dimensions of 24 inches horizontally and 18 inches vertically, with a base of the rectangular visual indicator being level with the hoop.
  • the basketball backboard (12) also includes a mounting formation (not shown) to which the scoring basket (16) is mounted.
  • the display screen (14) is integral with the basketball backboard (12) and the basketball backboard (12) includes an impact shock-absorbing layer in the form of a housing (18) in which the visual output layer is secured.
  • the visual output layer of the display screen (14) in this example is an electroluminescent display (ELD) which is transparent, again allowing spectators to view balls travelling through the basket (16) during a game.
  • the housing (18) is box-like and is also transparent, having at least one opening through which the ELD (14) can be accessed for maintenance purposes.
  • the housing (18) is manufactured from tempered glass to withstand the force of a shot and provide sufficient durability, and further includes a mounting formation (not shown) to which the scoring basket (16) is mounted.
  • the housing (18) also includes a rectangular visual indicator (18.1) which assists players when making a shot (note: as this indicator (18.1) is a permanent feature (e.g. tape) on the housing (18), it does not disappear when visuals are displayed on the ELD).
  • the display screen (14) is in the form of a multi-layered display screen which comprises of two impact shockabsorbing layers (14.2, 14.3) and a visual output layer (14.4), arranged on the basketball backboard (12) and seated within a holding frame (17), as shown in Figure 5.
  • the impact shock-absorbing layers (14.2, 14.3) are in the form of tempered glass and an acrylic material, respectively
  • the visual output layer (14.4) is in the form of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).
  • the display screen (14) and the basketball backboard (12) each include four apertures (not shown) indexed to four corresponding apertures (also not shown) arranged on the scoring basket’s (16) mounting bracket, such that scoring basket (16) can be fastened to both the display screen (14) and basketball backboard (12).
  • the holding frame (17) includes four members (17.1), shaped and dimensioned to allow for the members (17.1) to be fastened together in an interlocking manner, thereby retaining the layers (14.2, 14.3 and 14.4) together and therein.
  • a plurality of brackets (19) are provided on the holding frame (17), for mounting the multi-layered display screen (14) within a conventional void basketball backboard frame (100), by means of nuts and bolts.
  • the examples of the visual display arrangement (10) shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4 can be mounted to a pole, a stanchion, a wall, a roof or a supporting structure.
  • Figure 3 shows yet a further example of the visual display arrangement (10).
  • the visual display arrangement (10) includes a stanchion (20) having a base (20.1) and an upright support (20.2).
  • the basketball backboard (12) is mounted to the stanchion (20) at an upper end of the upright support (20.2) with a framed bracket (not shown).
  • the visual display arrangement (10) further includes two braces (also not shown) attached to a rear, upper side of the basketball backboard (12) and the stanchion (20) such that the upper side of the display screen (14) is supported.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) includes electrical connection means (22), which is an electrical wire, operable to connect the display screen (14) to a power supply (24).
  • the power supply (24) is in the form of a rechargeable battery which is housed within the base (20.1 ) of the stanchion (20).
  • the electrical wire (22) runs from the display screen (14), through the upright support (20.2) of the stanchion (20) to the power supply (24).
  • this provides for a neat visual display arrangement (10) with no electrical wires externally visible to spectators or causing a disruption to play.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) includes a memory (26) on which display instructions (28), which determine the visuals to be displayed on the display screen (14) in use, are stored.
  • the memory (26) includes a combination of random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), which is hosted on a server (30).
  • the server (30) is a remote, cloud-based server.
  • the display instructions (28) which are stored in the memory (26) include:
  • any other display instructions (28) can be loaded to the memory (26), including for example, game start display instructions, halftime display instructions, game end display instructions, player substitution display instructions, injury display instructions and game time display instructions. When executed, these display instructions would bring about the visuals associated with those particular instructions.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) can also form a marketing device, operable to display pre-loaded advertising content.
  • the display instructions (28) stored in the memory (26) include instructions to display various marketing visuals related to particular companies.
  • the marketing visuals can include images (e.g. a particular basketball shoe) or branding (e.g. a particular company logo) etc.
  • the display instructions (28) relating to game events, described above are combined with display instructions (28) for marketing visuals, thereby enhancing the overall effect for spectators.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) further includes a controller (32) which is in electronic communication with memory (26) and with the display screen (14).
  • the controller (32) is operable to execute the display instructions (28) retrieved from the memory (26) on command, by displaying the respective visuals on the display screen (14).
  • the controller (32) is in the form of a processor.
  • the visuals which are displayed by the display screen (14) once the display instructions (28) are executed include images, video, text, alphanumeric characters and advertising content. As reflected by the display instructions (28), the visuals in this example are related to events in the basketball game, specifically points scored, fouls and unique moves.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) further includes trigger means (34) which is in electronic communication with the controller (32) and which is operable to send display signals to the controller (32) at certain game events, thereby triggering the controller (32) to retrieve the relevant instructions (28) from the memory (26) and execute same.
  • the trigger means (34) includes both a manual trigger (34.1) and an automatic trigger (34.2), as shown.
  • the manual trigger (34.1) is manually activated by an operator (typically a game official) on visually confirming the game event, the manual trigger (34.1) sending the respective display signal to the controller (32).
  • Visually confirming the game event typically includes the game official seeing the referee raise his/her flag, the referee’s hand gestures or observing a ball passing through the scoring basket (16), for example.
  • the manual trigger (34.1) is a remote device, specifically a personal computer in this example, which is in wireless communication with the controller (32).
  • the personal computer (34.1) has a rechargeable power source and the game official activates the trigger (34) by pressing a button(s).
  • the automatic trigger (34.2) is automatically activated (i.e. without an operator) and automatically generates and sends the respective display signal to the controller (32).
  • the automatic trigger (34.2) includes detection means (not shown) which is capable of detecting certain game events, particularly point scoring events (i.e., a ball passing through the scoring basket (16)), and which is capable of generating detection signals.
  • the detection means in this example includes a combination of motion sensors, high-definition cameras and lidar, which are located proximate the scoring basket (16) and which work together to detect game events. More specifically, these components of the detection means are located on the basketball backboard (12) and above from the scoring basket (16).
  • the automatic trigger (34.2) further includes a processor (also not shown) which receives the detection signals from the various components of the detection means and which processes the detection signals to determine if a point was scored. If the processor determines that a point was scored, the automatic trigger (34.2) is activated, and a display signal is sent to the controller (32). If the processor determines that no point was scored, the automatic trigger (34.2) is not activated.
  • a processor also not shown
  • the manual trigger (34.1) can be activated by the operator on game events occurring distant from the scoring basket (16) (e.g. a foul, halftime, etc.) whereas the automatic trigger (34.2) can be automatically activated on game events occurring proximate the scoring basket (16) and detected by the detection means. Furthermore, the operator of the manual trigger (34.1 ) can also override the automatic trigger (34.2) in cases of an incorrectly detected event or other malfunctioning.
  • the visual display arrangement (10) includes both wired connections for wired communication and wireless communication means for wireless communication.
  • the wireless communication means is in the form of Wi-Fi.
  • the visual display arrangement also includes an audio device (not shown) which is also in communication with the controller (32), such that display instructions (28) executed by the controller (32) are simultaneously received by the audio device to provide synchronized audio-visual displays, further increasing the effect of the visuals displayed.
  • This kit includes at least one basketball backboard with a scoring structure mounted thereon, the at least one basketball backboard having a display screen on which visuals can be displayed (this is similar to the device described above); and a trigger means in communication with the display screen such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of visuals on the display screen of the at least one basketball backboard.
  • the trigger means can be a manual trigger or an automatic trigger.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a marketing display system (not shown), to be used during a basketball game, which includes the advertising visual display device (14), defining the basketball backboard (12), a media storing device (not shown), in communication with the advertising visual display device (14), having pre-loaded advertising content to be displayed on the multi-layered display screen (14) and the trigger means in communication with both of the multi-layered display screen (14) and media storing device.
  • the pre-loaded advertising content include a set of advertising visuals to be displayed during a basketball game.
  • the trigger means is activated when a ball passes through the scoring basket (16), thereby triggering the display of advertising content on the multilayered display screen (14) for a pre-determined time period (i.e. , until the game starts again).
  • a pre-determined time period i.e. , until the game starts again.
  • the advertising content is removed from the multi-layered display screen (14), and only once the ball again passes through the scoring basket (16), the trigger means is again triggered, resulting in the display of advertising content on the multi-layered display screen (14).
  • Yet a further aspect of the invention provides a basketball court arrangement (also not shown).
  • This basketball court arrangement includes two visual display arrangements (10), as described above, positioned on opposing ends of a basketball court, in use the display screens (14) on the two visual display arrangements displaying visuals related to events in a basketball game or pre-loaded advertising content.
  • the basketball court arrangement can include the audio device.
  • the invention provides a visual display arrangement for use in a ballgame, like basketball, which will increase spectator’s visibility of successful and/or unsuccessful scoring attempts, as well as boost the overall experience of the game by spectators.
  • the visual display arrangement further provides for marketing opportunities at basketball games by providing a new marketing device, specifically located at the focal point of the game which renders the marketing content highly visible throughout play.
  • the invention goes further to provide a visual display system which integrates the arrangement with other audio-visual components in the basketball arena, to provide comprehensive visual display opportunities.

Abstract

The invention relates to an advertising visual display device (14) for use in a basketball game, which includes a multi- layered display screen (14) on which visual can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the game, of which at least one layer is in the form of a visual output layer (14.4), and a further layer is in the form of an impact shock-absorbing layer (14.2, 14.3). The invention extends to a marketing display system, which includes the advertising visual display device (14), a media storage device in communication with the advertising visual display device (14), having pre-loaded advertising content to be displayed on the multi-layered display screen and a trigger means, which when triggered, provides for the displaying of the pre-loaded advertising content on the multi-layered display screen. The pre-loaded advertising content includes a set of advertising visuals.

Description

SPORT VISUAL DISPLAYS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sports visual displays. In particular, the invention relates to a visual display arrangement and a visual display system for use in a ballgame, a visual display kit for ballgames, and a basketball court arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In basketball, the backboard is an elevated board to which the basket is affixed. The basket is comprised of a hoop with a mounting formation for attaching the basket to the backboard and a net suspended from the hoop. The backboard is planar and is typically rectangular shaped, although recreational backboards can be circular, ovoid or fan shaped. The backboard is typically supported above a stanchion and can be either portable or permanent. Some backboards are suspended from ceiling joists or rafters with hoist mechanisms for lifting them into the ceiling when not in use.
As the basket hoop is typically manufactured of steel, the backboard must be sufficiently sturdy to support the weight thereof. Furthermore, as basketballs often hit the backboard at high velocities, the backboard must be able to resist damage. For these reasons, backboards were traditionally manufactured of wood or fibreglass. Later, tempered glass and transparent plastics (e.g. acrylic glass) replaced wood and fibreglass to allow spectators positioned behind the backboard to view shots at the basket through the backboard. When a team shoots a successful shot through a basket, spectators who have not themselves observed the shot are notified as such by game officials and/or by a scoreboard. An arrangement of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is sometimes provided around the edges of a backboard for effect.
The inventors are aware of the various designs of backboards currently available to the public, as well as the drawbacks of the current techniques of notifying spectators of successful and/or unsuccessful scoring attempts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a suitable addition to these techniques which will boost the overall experience of the game. This addition will also increase the marketing opportunities at basketball games, by providing a new marketing device at a focal point of a basketball game which renders the marketing content highly visible throughout Play.
It is to be appreciated that in the specification, the term “backboard” can refer to a backboard for basketball, a backboard for 3x3 basketball or any other backboard for a ball game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an advertising visual display device for use in a basketball game, which includes a multi-layered display screen on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during a ballgame, of which at least one layer is in the form of a visual output layer, and a further layer is in the form of an impact shockabsorbing layer.
The visual output layer may be a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) panel, an electroluminescent display (ELD) panel, a quantum dot (QD) display panel, or the like. The visual output layer may be in the form of a film material. The film material may comprise of any one or more of the following: a self- adhesive foil, see-through film or the like. In use, the visual output layer may be capable of reproducing any image, video, text, alphanumeric characters, advertising content or the like.
The impact shock-absorbing layer may be and acrylic material, tampered glass, glass, Perspex, polycarbonate, plexiglass, or the like, providing sufficient force-absorption to withstand the force of a shot (i.e., a basketball thrown against the multi-layered display screen).
In a preferred embodiment, the multi-layered display screen comprises of the impact shock-absorbing layer, the visual output layer and at least one or more further impact shock-absorption layers. All layers of the multi-layered display screen may be transparent. The visual output layer may include a tint providing a transparency of between 25% and 85%, on either or both a front end and back end of the display screen.
The advertising visual display device may include a holding frame in which the multi-layered display screen is seated, for holding the layers together.
The advertising visual display device may include mounting brackets provided on the holding frame, for mounting the advertising visual display device within a conventional void basketball backboard frame.
The advertising visual display device may be in the form of a basketball backboard. In an alternative embodiment, the advertising visual display device may include mounting means, such that the advertising visual display device is mountable onto a basketball backboard.
The multi-layered display screen may include apertures arranged thereon and through which a scoring basket may be mounted to the advertising visual display device.
The visual output layer may include a receiver for receiving visuals to display thereon.
The visual output layer may include any one or both of a receiving card and sending card.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a visual display arrangement for use in a basketball game, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; and a scoring basket mountable proximate the basketball backboard, through which points can be scored when a ball passes therethrough during the ballgame. The basketball backboard may be in the form of the advertising visual display device as described above, with the display screen being the visual output layer.
The visual display arrangement may further include a support structure, on which the basketball backboard is supported. The scoring basket may be mountable to any one of the basketball backboard or support structure.
The visual display arrangement may include a framed bracket shaped and dimensioned to house the basketball backboard therein, which bracket may be fastened to the support structure.
The support structure may be in the form of a stanchion with a base and upright support.
The basketball backboard may be shaped and dimensioned to regulation requirements for the ballgame. In a preferred embodiment, the basketball backboard may be approximately 6 feet wide and 24 inches tall. It is to be appreciated that, different dimensions of the basketball back board may be workable in different embodiments of the invention.
The visual display arrangement may provide a marketing device, in use operable to display marketing content on the display screen which is visible to spectators on either side of the visual display arrangement.
The visual display arrangement may further include one or more braces attached to a rear, upper side of the basketball backboard, in use to be braced against the stanchion such that the upper side of the basketball backboard is supported.
The visual display arrangement may include electrical connection means operable to connect the display screen to a power supply. The electrical connection means may run through the scoring structure. Advantageously, this provides for a neat display of the visual display arrangement with no electrical wires externally visible. In one embodiment, the power supply may be in the form of a mains power supply to a sports stadium. In another embodiment, the visual display arrangement may include one or more batteries which form the power supply. The one or more batteries may be housed within the scoring structure.
The visuals may include any or more of: an image, video, text, alphanumeric characters, advertising content or the like. The visuals may be related to events in the ballgame. In particular, the visuals may indicate any one or more of: a point scored by a first team, a point scored by a second team, a foul by a first team, a foul by a second team, a unique move, a player substitution, an injury, game time, halftime, game start, game end, or the like. Preferably, the visuals may be advertising images.
The visual display arrangement may include a memory on which display instructions, which determine the visuals to be displayed on the display screen in use, may be stored. The memory may include any one or combination of: random access memory (RAM) and derivatives thereof (e.g. DRAM, FCRAM or SRAM), read-only memory (ROM) and derivatives thereof (e.g. EPROM or EEPROM), field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or the like. The memory may be hosted on a server. The server may be a remote server (e.g. a cloud-based server). In an alternative embodiment, the memory may be hosted in proximity to the display screen, for example housed within the basketball backboard and/or the support structure, such that remote retrieval of display instructions is unnecessary.
In one embodiment of the invention, the memory may be provided on a media player device. The display screen may also include a receiver. The display screen may include a screen sending and/or receiving card or the like, in use operable to communicate with the media player device to display visuals on the display screen.
The visual display arrangement may include a controller which is in electronic communication with the memory and the display screen. In one embodiment, the controller may be operable to execute display instructions retrieved from the memory on command, by displaying the respective visuals on the display screen. The controller may be in the form of any one or combination of: a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a microprocessor or the like. The controller may be in the form of a screen sending and/or receiving card.
The visual display arrangement may include a trigger means which is in electronic communication with the controller and which is operable to send display signals to the controller at certain game events. For example, when the game event is a point being scored by a first team, the trigger means sends a “Team 1 Score” display signal to the controller, which in turn executes the display instructions by displaying the relevant “Team 1 Score” visuals on the display screen.
The trigger means may include a manual trigger which is manually activated by an operator (typically a game official) on visually confirming the game event, the manual trigger sending the respective display signal to the controller. The manual trigger may be a wired device which is wired to the controller and to the display screen. The wired device may be in the form of a switch, a push button or the like. Alternatively, the manual trigger may be a remote device which is in wireless communication with the controller. The remote device may be in the form of a tuned handheld device, a cellular telephone, a tablet, a personal computer or the like, and may include a rechargeable power source.
The trigger means may include an automatic trigger which is automatically activated (i.e. without an operator) and automatically generates and sends the respective display signal to the controller. The automatic trigger may include detection means which is capable of detecting certain game events, particularly point scoring events, and which is capable of generating detection signals. The automatic trigger may further include a processor which receives the detection signals from the detection means and which processes the detection signals to determine if a point was scored. If the processor determines that a point was scored, the automatic trigger is activated, and a display signal is sent to the controller. If the processor determines that no point was scored, the automatic trigger is not activated.
The detection means may be located proximate any one or more of: the basketball backboard, the scoring basket and the support structure. The detection means may include at least one sensor which is capable of sensing a ball moving through the scoring basket. The at least one sensor may be in the form of any one or more of: a motion sensor, a heat sensor, a visual sensor or the like. Alternatively, the detection means may include at least one camera which is capable of capturing imagery of a ball moving through the scoring basket. The at least one camera may be in the form of a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, an artificial intelligent camera or the like. The at least one camera may be coupled to an image processing unit which is capable of processing the imagery in real-time. Alternatively, the detection means may include a lidar detection system having at least one laser and at least one sensor which measures the distance between the at least one laser and the ball by illuminating a zone above the scoring basket with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with the at least one sensor.
It is to be appreciated that the detection means may include a combination of: sensors, cameras and lidars, which work together to detect game events.
It is also to be appreciated that the visual display arrangement may include both the manual trigger and the automatic trigger such that, in use, the manual trigger can be activated by the operator on game events occurring distant from the scoring basket (e.g. a foul, halftime, or the like) and the automatic trigger can be automatically activated on game events occurring proximate the scoring basket and detected by the detection means. Furthermore, the manual trigger may be capable of overriding the automatic trigger in cases of an incorrectly detected event or other malfunctioning.
The visual display arrangement may include wired connections between any one or more of the components of the visual display arrangement for wired communication. Alternatively, the visual display arrangement may include wireless communication means between any one or more of the components of the visual display arrangement for wireless communication. The wireless communication means may include any one or combination of: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC) or the like. The visual display arrangement may further include an audio device which is also in communication with the controller, such that display instructions executed by the controller are simultaneously received by the audio device to provide synchronized audio-visual displays.
The display instructions may include instructions to display any one or more of: a rectangular visual indicator visual, to be displayed during the game to assist players in shooting, the rectangular visual indicator visual being shaped and dimensioned according to regulations for the ballgame; a score visual, to be displayed if a basketball goes through the basket; an airball visual, to be displayed if a basketball misses a backboard and the basket; an alley-oop visual, to be displayed if a player jumps and catches a pass from another player whilst simultaneously dunking the basketball in the basket or shooting it in before landing; an and-one visual, to be displayed if a player gets fouled whilst shooting and the basketball goes through the basket, the player receiving one free throw; a bank shot visual, to be displayed if a basketball bounces off the backboard before it goes through the basket; a swish visual, to be displayed if a basketball goes through the basket without touching the hoop; a foul visual, to be displayed if a foul is committed by a player on either team; advertising content, to be displayed; and the like.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a visual display kit for ballgames, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; and trigger means in communication with the display screen such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of visuals on the display screen of the at least one basketball backboard. The trigger means may be any one or a combination of the following: a manual trigger and an automatic trigger.
The visual display kit may include a media player device from which the visuals to be display are retrieved and/or stored on.
The display screen may include a receiver. The display screen may include any one or both screen receiving and sending cards, in use operable to receive visuals form the media player device and display the visuals on the display screen.
The visual display kit may include a remote control in the form of any of the following: a remote mobile device, a desktop device or the like.
In use, the remote controller may communicate with the media player device by means of a wired connected or wireless connection, thereby allowing for visuals to be displayed on the display screen.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a marketing display system, to be used during a basketball game, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visuals can be displayed and gains which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; a media storing device, in communication with the advertising visual display device, having pre-loaded advertising content to be displayed on the advertising visual display device; and a trigger means in communication with any one or both of the advertising visual display device and media storing device, such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of the pre-loaded advertising content.
The pre-loaded advertising content may include a set of advertising visuals to be displayed during a basketball game. The trigger means may be in the form of an automatic trigger which includes detection means capable of detecting point scoring events, and which is capable of generating detection signals. The detection means may sense when a scoring event takes place, and triggers the display of an advertising visual from the set of advertising visuals on the multi-layered display screen.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of displaying visuals to a crowd in basketball stadium, which includes detecting when a playing ball passes through a scoring basket; and displaying a visual selected from pre-loaded advertising content on a basketball backboard when the playing ball is detected as passing through the scoring basket.
The basketball backboard may be in the form of the advertising visual display device, as described above, on which visual can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures.
FIGURE(S)
In the figures:
Figure 1 shows two front views of a visual display arrangement, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, when not in use and when in use;
Figure 2 shows two side views of a visual display arrangement, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, when not in use and when in use;
Figure 3 shows a functional diagram of a visual display arrangement in communication with various other components, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 shows an illustrative view of an advertising visual display device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 5 shows a holding frame to be used in accordance with the invention shown in Figure 4. In the figures, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In the Figures, reference numeral 10 refers to a visual display arrangement for use in a ballgame. The visual display arrangement (10) includes a basketball backboard (12) in the form of an advertising visual display device (14) on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame. The advertising visual display device (14) is in the form of a multi-layered display screen, having a visual output layer, and an impact shock-absorbing layer.
The visual display arrangement (10) also includes a scoring basket (16) mounted to the basketball backboard (12), through which points can be scored when a ball passes therethrough during the ballgame. It is to be appreciated that as the scoring basket (16) is a central focus point during a basketball game, the visuals displayed on the display screen (14) of the basketball backboard (12) will be in constant view of the spectators of the game. In particular, if marketing content is displayed on the display screen (14), this marketing content will have high visibility throughout the game.
In Figure 1 , an example of the visual display arrangement (10) is shown where the display screen (14) forms the basketball backboard (12) itself. The visual output layer of the display screen (14) is in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) panel which is transparent. The transparency of the LED panel (14) allows spectators to view balls travelling through the scoring basket (16) or missing the scoring basket (16) during a game. As shown, the LED panel (14) is rectangular and is shaped and dimensioned to regulation requirements for basketball (i.e. 6 feet wide and 24 inches tall), it is to be appreciated that the aforementioned dimensions are for example purposes only. The display screen (14) is also sufficiently force-absorbent to withstand the force of a basketball hitting it at high velocity. In this example, the impact shockabsorbing layer of the display screen (14) is in the form of a polycarbonate layer (not shown) which increases the durability thereof. In this example, the LED panel (14) is capable of displaying a rectangular visual indicator (14.1) which assists players when making a shot (note: the indicator (14.1) disappears when other visuals are displayed). The rectangular visual indicator may be a 2-inch wide white rectangle with dimensions of 24 inches horizontally and 18 inches vertically, with a base of the rectangular visual indicator being level with the hoop. The basketball backboard (12) also includes a mounting formation (not shown) to which the scoring basket (16) is mounted.
In Figure 2, another example of the visual display arrangement (10) is shown. In this example, the display screen (14) is integral with the basketball backboard (12) and the basketball backboard (12) includes an impact shock-absorbing layer in the form of a housing (18) in which the visual output layer is secured. The visual output layer of the display screen (14) in this example is an electroluminescent display (ELD) which is transparent, again allowing spectators to view balls travelling through the basket (16) during a game. In this example shown, the housing (18) is box-like and is also transparent, having at least one opening through which the ELD (14) can be accessed for maintenance purposes. The housing (18) is manufactured from tempered glass to withstand the force of a shot and provide sufficient durability, and further includes a mounting formation (not shown) to which the scoring basket (16) is mounted. In this example, the housing (18) also includes a rectangular visual indicator (18.1) which assists players when making a shot (note: as this indicator (18.1) is a permanent feature (e.g. tape) on the housing (18), it does not disappear when visuals are displayed on the ELD).
In yet a further example, as shown in Figure 4, the display screen (14) is in the form of a multi-layered display screen which comprises of two impact shockabsorbing layers (14.2, 14.3) and a visual output layer (14.4), arranged on the basketball backboard (12) and seated within a holding frame (17), as shown in Figure 5. In this example, the impact shock-absorbing layers (14.2, 14.3) are in the form of tempered glass and an acrylic material, respectively, and the visual output layer (14.4) is in the form of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Furthermore, the display screen (14) and the basketball backboard (12) each include four apertures (not shown) indexed to four corresponding apertures (also not shown) arranged on the scoring basket’s (16) mounting bracket, such that scoring basket (16) can be fastened to both the display screen (14) and basketball backboard (12). The holding frame (17) includes four members (17.1), shaped and dimensioned to allow for the members (17.1) to be fastened together in an interlocking manner, thereby retaining the layers (14.2, 14.3 and 14.4) together and therein. Furthermore, a plurality of brackets (19) are provided on the holding frame (17), for mounting the multi-layered display screen (14) within a conventional void basketball backboard frame (100), by means of nuts and bolts.
The examples of the visual display arrangement (10) shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4 can be mounted to a pole, a stanchion, a wall, a roof or a supporting structure.
Figure 3 shows yet a further example of the visual display arrangement (10). In this example, the visual display arrangement (10) includes a stanchion (20) having a base (20.1) and an upright support (20.2). The basketball backboard (12) is mounted to the stanchion (20) at an upper end of the upright support (20.2) with a framed bracket (not shown). The visual display arrangement (10) further includes two braces (also not shown) attached to a rear, upper side of the basketball backboard (12) and the stanchion (20) such that the upper side of the display screen (14) is supported.
As shown, the visual display arrangement (10) includes electrical connection means (22), which is an electrical wire, operable to connect the display screen (14) to a power supply (24). In this example, the power supply (24) is in the form of a rechargeable battery which is housed within the base (20.1 ) of the stanchion (20). As shown, the electrical wire (22) runs from the display screen (14), through the upright support (20.2) of the stanchion (20) to the power supply (24). Advantageously, this provides for a neat visual display arrangement (10) with no electrical wires externally visible to spectators or causing a disruption to play.
The visual display arrangement (10) includes a memory (26) on which display instructions (28), which determine the visuals to be displayed on the display screen (14) in use, are stored. In this example, the memory (26) includes a combination of random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), which is hosted on a server (30). The server (30) is a remote, cloud-based server.
The display instructions (28) which are stored in the memory (26) include:
• instructions to display a rectangular visual indicator visual (14.1) shaped and dimensioned according to regulations for basketball, to be displayed during the game to assist players in shooting;
• instructions to display a score visual (such as that shown in Figures 1.2 and 2.2), to be displayed if a basketball goes through the basket (16) to score a point;
• instructions to display an airball visual, to be displayed if a basketball misses the backboard (12) and the basket (16) entirely;
• instructions to display an alley-oop visual, to be displayed if a player jumps and catches a pass from another player whilst simultaneously dunking the basketball in the basket (16) or shooting it in before landing;
• instructions to display an and-one visual, to be displayed if a player gets fouled whilst shooting and the basketball goes through the basket (16), the player receiving one free throw;
• instructions to display a bank shot visual, to be displayed if a basketball bounces off the backboard (12) before it goes through the basket (16);
• instructions to display a swish visual, to be displayed if a basketball goes through the basket (16) without touching the hoop; and
• a foul visual, to be displayed if a foul is committed by a player on either team.
It is to be appreciated that any other display instructions (28) can be loaded to the memory (26), including for example, game start display instructions, halftime display instructions, game end display instructions, player substitution display instructions, injury display instructions and game time display instructions. When executed, these display instructions would bring about the visuals associated with those particular instructions. In a preferred example, the visual display arrangement (10) can also form a marketing device, operable to display pre-loaded advertising content. In this example, the display instructions (28) stored in the memory (26) include instructions to display various marketing visuals related to particular companies. The marketing visuals can include images (e.g. a particular basketball shoe) or branding (e.g. a particular company logo) etc. In the preferred example, the display instructions (28) relating to game events, described above, are combined with display instructions (28) for marketing visuals, thereby enhancing the overall effect for spectators.
The visual display arrangement (10) further includes a controller (32) which is in electronic communication with memory (26) and with the display screen (14). The controller (32) is operable to execute the display instructions (28) retrieved from the memory (26) on command, by displaying the respective visuals on the display screen (14). In this example, the controller (32) is in the form of a processor.
The visuals which are displayed by the display screen (14) once the display instructions (28) are executed include images, video, text, alphanumeric characters and advertising content. As reflected by the display instructions (28), the visuals in this example are related to events in the basketball game, specifically points scored, fouls and unique moves.
In this example, the visual display arrangement (10) further includes trigger means (34) which is in electronic communication with the controller (32) and which is operable to send display signals to the controller (32) at certain game events, thereby triggering the controller (32) to retrieve the relevant instructions (28) from the memory (26) and execute same. In this example, the trigger means (34) includes both a manual trigger (34.1) and an automatic trigger (34.2), as shown.
The manual trigger (34.1) is manually activated by an operator (typically a game official) on visually confirming the game event, the manual trigger (34.1) sending the respective display signal to the controller (32). Visually confirming the game event typically includes the game official seeing the referee raise his/her flag, the referee’s hand gestures or observing a ball passing through the scoring basket (16), for example. The manual trigger (34.1) is a remote device, specifically a personal computer in this example, which is in wireless communication with the controller (32). The personal computer (34.1) has a rechargeable power source and the game official activates the trigger (34) by pressing a button(s).
The automatic trigger (34.2) is automatically activated (i.e. without an operator) and automatically generates and sends the respective display signal to the controller (32). The automatic trigger (34.2) includes detection means (not shown) which is capable of detecting certain game events, particularly point scoring events (i.e., a ball passing through the scoring basket (16)), and which is capable of generating detection signals. The detection means in this example includes a combination of motion sensors, high-definition cameras and lidar, which are located proximate the scoring basket (16) and which work together to detect game events. More specifically, these components of the detection means are located on the basketball backboard (12) and above from the scoring basket (16).
The automatic trigger (34.2) further includes a processor (also not shown) which receives the detection signals from the various components of the detection means and which processes the detection signals to determine if a point was scored. If the processor determines that a point was scored, the automatic trigger (34.2) is activated, and a display signal is sent to the controller (32). If the processor determines that no point was scored, the automatic trigger (34.2) is not activated.
Advantageously, the manual trigger (34.1) can be activated by the operator on game events occurring distant from the scoring basket (16) (e.g. a foul, halftime, etc.) whereas the automatic trigger (34.2) can be automatically activated on game events occurring proximate the scoring basket (16) and detected by the detection means. Furthermore, the operator of the manual trigger (34.1 ) can also override the automatic trigger (34.2) in cases of an incorrectly detected event or other malfunctioning.
The visual display arrangement (10) includes both wired connections for wired communication and wireless communication means for wireless communication. The wireless communication means is in the form of Wi-Fi. The visual display arrangement also includes an audio device (not shown) which is also in communication with the controller (32), such that display instructions (28) executed by the controller (32) are simultaneously received by the audio device to provide synchronized audio-visual displays, further increasing the effect of the visuals displayed.
Another aspect of the invention provides a visual display kit (not shown) for ballgames. This kit includes at least one basketball backboard with a scoring structure mounted thereon, the at least one basketball backboard having a display screen on which visuals can be displayed (this is similar to the device described above); and a trigger means in communication with the display screen such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of visuals on the display screen of the at least one basketball backboard. The trigger means can be a manual trigger or an automatic trigger.
A further aspect of the invention provides a marketing display system (not shown), to be used during a basketball game, which includes the advertising visual display device (14), defining the basketball backboard (12), a media storing device (not shown), in communication with the advertising visual display device (14), having pre-loaded advertising content to be displayed on the multi-layered display screen (14) and the trigger means in communication with both of the multi-layered display screen (14) and media storing device.
In this example, the pre-loaded advertising content include a set of advertising visuals to be displayed during a basketball game.
In use, the trigger means is activated when a ball passes through the scoring basket (16), thereby triggering the display of advertising content on the multilayered display screen (14) for a pre-determined time period (i.e. , until the game starts again). Once the next game (i.e., point) starts, the advertising content is removed from the multi-layered display screen (14), and only once the ball again passes through the scoring basket (16), the trigger means is again triggered, resulting in the display of advertising content on the multi-layered display screen (14). Yet a further aspect of the invention provides a basketball court arrangement (also not shown). This basketball court arrangement includes two visual display arrangements (10), as described above, positioned on opposing ends of a basketball court, in use the display screens (14) on the two visual display arrangements displaying visuals related to events in a basketball game or pre-loaded advertising content. The basketball court arrangement can include the audio device.
The inventors believe that the invention provides a visual display arrangement for use in a ballgame, like basketball, which will increase spectator’s visibility of successful and/or unsuccessful scoring attempts, as well as boost the overall experience of the game by spectators. Most importantly, the visual display arrangement further provides for marketing opportunities at basketball games by providing a new marketing device, specifically located at the focal point of the game which renders the marketing content highly visible throughout play.
The invention goes further to provide a visual display system which integrates the arrangement with other audio-visual components in the basketball arena, to provide comprehensive visual display opportunities.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . An advertising visual display device for use in a basketball game, which includes a multi-layered display screen on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during a ballgame, of which at least one layer is in the form of a visual output layer, and a further layer is in the form of an impact shock - absorbing layer.
2. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the visual output layer is selected from any one of: a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) panel, an electroluminescent display (ELD) panel, and a quantum dot (QD) display panel.
3. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 2, in which the visual output layer is in the form of a film material.
4. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the impact shock-absorbing layer is selected form any one or more of: acrylic material, tampered glass, glass, Perspex, polycarbonate and plexiglass.
5. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the multi-layered display screen comprises of the impact shock-absorbing layer, the visual output layer and at least one or more further impact shock-absorption layers.
6. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which all layers of the multi-layered display screen are transparent.
7. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 6, in which the visual output layer includes a tint providing a transparency of between 25% and 85%.
8. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a holding frame in which the multi-layered display screen is seated, for holding the layers together.
9. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 8, which includes mounting brackets provided on the holding frame, for mounting the advertising visual display within a conventional void basketball backboard frame.
10. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the advertising visual display device is in the form of a basketball backboard.
11 . The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the advertising visual display device includes mounting means for mounting the multilayered display screen onto a basketball backboard.
12. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the multi-layered display screen includes apertures arranged thereon, through which a scoring basket can be mounted to the advertising visual display device.
13. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the visual output layer includes a receiver for receiving visuals to display thereon.
14. The advertising visual display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the visual output layer includes any one or both of a receiving card and sending card.
15. A visual display arrangement for use in a basketball game, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; and a scoring basket mountable proximate the basketball backboard, through which points can be scored when a ball passes therethrough during the ballgame.
16. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, which further includes a support structure, onto which the basketball backboard mounted.
17. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 16, in which the scoring basket is mountable to any one of the basketball backboard and support structure.
18. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, in which the support structure is in the form of a stanchion with a base and upright support.
19. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, in which the basketball backboard is shaped and dimensioned to regulation requirements for the ballgame and is approximately 6 feet wide and 24 inches tall.
20. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, which is operable as a marketing device, in use operable to display marketing content on the advertising visual display device which is visible to spectators on either side of the visual display arrangement.
21. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, which includes electrical connection means operable to connect the display screen to a power supply.
22. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, in which the visuals include any or more of: an image, video, text, alphanumeric characters, and advertising content.
23. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, the visual display arrangement includes a memory on which display instructions, which determine the visuals to be displayed on the display screen, is stored.
24. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 23, in which the memory is provided on a media player device.
25. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, in which the display screen includes a receiver.
26. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 15, in which the display screen includes any one or both a screen sending and/or receiving card.
27. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 23, in which the visual display arrangement includes a controller which is in electronic communication with the memory and the display screen, the controller being operable to execute display instructions retrieved from the memory on command, by displaying the respective visuals on the display screen.
28. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 27, in which the controller is in the form of any one or combination of: a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a microprocessor and a screen sending and/or receiving card.
29. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 28, in which the visual display arrangement includes a trigger means which is in electronic communication with the controller and which is operable to send display signals to the controller at certain game events.
30. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 29, in which the trigger means includes a manual trigger which is manually activated by an operator.
31. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 30, in which the manual trigger is a remote device which is in wireless communication with the controller.
32. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 29, in which the trigger means includes an automatic trigger which is automatically activated and automatically generates and sends the respective display signal to the controller.
33. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 32, in which the automatic trigger includes detection means which is capable of detecting certain game events, particularly point scoring events, and which is capable of generating detection signals.
34. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 33, in which the detection means include at least one sensor which is capable of sensing a ball moving through the scoring basket., the sensor is selected from any one or more of: a motion sensor, a heat sensor and a visual sensor.
35. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 33, in which the detection means includes at least one camera which is capable of capturing imagery of a ball moving through the scoring basket.
36. The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 33, in which the detection means includes a lidar detection system having at least one laser and at least one sensor which measures the distance between the at least one laser and the ball by illuminating a zone above the scoring basket with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with the at least one sensor.
37 The visual display arrangement as claimed in claim 33, in which the detection means includes a combination of: sensors, cameras and lidars, which work together to detect game events.
38. A visual display kit for basketball, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; and trigger means in communication with the display screen such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of visuals on the display screen of the at least one basketball backboard.
39. The visual display kit for basketball as claimed in claim 38, in which the trigger means is a manual trigger, an automatic trigger or combination of both.
40. The visual display kit for basketball as claimed in claim 38, which includes a media player device from which the visuals to be display are retrieved and/or stored on.
41. The visual display kit for basketball, as claimed in claim 38, in which the display screen includes a receiver.
42. The visual display kit for basketball, as claimed in claim 40, which includes any one or both screen receiving and sending cards, in use operable to receive visuals form the media player device and display the visuals on the display screen.
43. The visual display kit for basketball, as claimed in claim 42, which includes a remote control in the form of any of the following: a remote mobile device, and a desktop device in use, the remote controller communicates with the media player device by means of a wired connected or wireless connection, thereby allowing for visuals to be displayed on the display screen.
44. A marketing display system, to be used during a basketball game, which includes a basketball backboard in the form of the advertising visual display device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame; a media storing device, in communication with the advertising visual display device, having pre-loaded advertising content to be displayed on the advertising visual display device; and a trigger means in communication with any one or both of the advertising visual display device and media storing device, such that in use, when activated, the trigger means triggers the display of the pre-loaded advertising content.
45. The marketing display system as claimed in claim 44, in which the pre- loaded advertising content includes a set of advertising visuals to be displayed during a basketball game.
46. The marketing display system as claimed in claim 44, in which the trigger means is in the form of an automatic trigger which includes detection means capable of detecting point scoring events, and which is capable of generating detection signals, the detecting means senses when a scoring event takes place, and triggers the display of an advertising visual from the set of advertising visuals on the multilayered display screen.
47. A method of displaying visuals to a crowd in a basketball stadium, which includes the steps of detecting when a playing ball passes through a scoring basket; and displaying a visual selected from pre-loaded advertising content on a basketball backboard when the playing ball is detected as passing through the scoring basket.
48. The method as claimed in claim 47, in which the basketball backboard is in the form of the advertising visual display device as claimed in any of claims 1 to
14, on which visuals can be displayed and against which a ball can be thrown during the ballgame.
PCT/IB2023/059607 2022-09-27 2023-09-27 Sport visual displays WO2024069469A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA202210654 2022-09-27
ZA2022/10654 2022-09-27

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Country Link
WO (1) WO2024069469A1 (en)

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