GROUND.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001], The present invention relates generally to the management of balls used in a sport. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus configured to handle a ball, and methods and systems including such apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[002], In many ball sports, persons are engaged to manage the one or more balls used in the course of a game. For example, in football (known as “soccer” in jurisdictions such as Australia and the United States), children and youths typically perform this ball management role. A “ballboy” or “ballgirl” (hereinafter “ball person”) is stationed near the boundary of the field. The basic role of a ball person is to efficiently and quickly retrieve a ball that goes out of play and to return the ball (or provide a spare ball) in a timely manner to the player that is responsible for resuming play. The overall aim of the ball person is to minimise the amount of time of inactive play, and keep the game moving.

[003], Ball persons are often used in other ball sports such as tennis, baseball, cricket, basketball and American football,

[004], A problem arises in that a ball person may be injured in the course of their duties. A famous example occurred in 2013 during a semi-final game between Chelsea and Swansea City, involving 17-year-old ball person Charlie Morgan. The ball went out for a goal kick, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard ran for the ball to ensure a quick restart, but instead accidentally kicked Mr. Morgan in the ribs as he was attempting to retrieve the ball. Less commonly, a player may make deliberate contact with, or even physically or verbally attack a ball person. These instances can leave a lasting psychological or physical trauma on the unfortunate ball person concerned.

[005], In other examples, players have collided with ball persons, and ball persons have been injured by the ball. Ball persons are also known to slip and fall, trip, and run into stationary objects. Moreover, players can slip when seeking to retrieve a ball that has gone out of play, for example on an athletics track or other smooth surface surrounding the playing field. [006], Ball persons must be well trained, and in some cases are remunerated for their services. A financial burden is therefore imposed on a sporting competition where ball persons are required.

[007], A further problem is that ball persons have varying abilities, and in some cases an unusually high or low level of ability can influence the outcome of a game. In tennis, for example, a player may become annoyed when a ball is awkwardly passed to him or her for service. As another example, a ball person who is very quick in providing a ball may effective limit the time for defenders to move into position when play resumes.

[008], Away from a game situation, it may be desirable for a ball person to be present. For example, balls may require retrieval during a practice session. Similar problems to those outlined above may arise.

[009], Ball persons are known to sit on balls not currently in play, thereby decreasing ball pressure. Furthermore, a ball person may or may not clean or dry a ball that is covered in soil or is wet. Accordingly, there may be an inconsistency in the quality of the ball over the course of a game. Such inconsistency can positively or negatively impact a team or a player.

[010], In some sports, ball persons are not used. In such cases a problem arises in that a ball must be nevertheless managed in the course of practice or play. Ball management may be typically performed by one of more of the players, thereby negatively affecting the game experience for the player and/or spectators.

[Oi l], Where a player is involved in handling a ball that is out of play, the player may attempt to gain an advantage by being deliberately slow or deliberately quick in returning the ball to play. This problem arises also where a ball person has an allegiance with one of the playing teams, as is typically the case in football.

[012], Yet further problems arise due to the lack of consistency in the location that a ball is provided. Typically, a ball must be provided at (or very proximal to) the location at the boundary of the playing area that the ball went out. A ball person or player may attempt to gain an advantage by providing the ball at a more advantageous location at the edge of the playing area. In other cases, a simple error or lack of care leads to the ball being provided at a location materially different to that where it went out of play. In any event, a penalty may be issued or play unduly protracted due to intervention by an official such as a referee. [013], It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improvement or alternative in ball handling in sports having reliance on a ball person. It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a new means of ball handling in sports that have not typically relied on a ball person.

[014], The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[015], In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a sport ball handling apparatus configured to receive a sport ball and deliver the sport ball to a desired location at or about a sport playing area.

[016], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the desired location is at or about a sports playing area boundary where a sport ball transitioned from an in-play status to an out-of-play status.

[017], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises sport ball motive means configured to eject the ball outwardly therefrom.

[018], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the sport ball motive means is configured to move the sport ball by way of a motor, a mechanical mechanism, an electromagnetic mechanism, a pneumatic pressure, a hydraulic pressure, an electromagnetic mechanism, a combustion pressure, or a spring.

[019], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the sport ball motive means is user-controllable or processor-controllable so as to allow for the sport ball to be provided with a kinetic energy required to deliver the ball to the desired location.

[020], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises sport ball directing means that is configured to direct a sport ball in more than one direction when ejected from the apparatus by the sport ball motive means.

[021], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the sport ball directing means is configured to eject a sport ball in one of a plurality of possible directions, and allowing for a user-selection or processorselection of the one of a plurality of possible direction. [022], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises an output chute configured to guide the ball outwardly from the apparatus such that the sport ball travels in a substantially straight line after leaving the apparatus.

[023], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises sport ball treating means.

[024], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the sport ball treating means comprises cleaning means and/or drying means and/or inflating means and/or deflating means.

[025], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises sport ball sensing means.

[026], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the sport ball sensing means is one or more of: a sport ball pressure sensing means, a sport ball resilience sensing means, a sport ball wetness/dryness sensing means, a sport ball soiling sensing means, a sport ball damage sensing means, a sport ball shape sensing means, a sport ball weight sensing means, a sport ball dimension sensing means, a sport ball smoothness/roughness sensing means, a sport ball light reflectivity sensing means, a sport ball temperature sensing means, a sport ball imaging means, and a sport ball geo-locating means.

[027], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises one or more electric or electronic controllers configured to control any one or more of: the sport ball motive means, the sport ball directing means, the sport ball treating means, and the sport ball sensing means.

[028], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises one or more electric or electronic interfaces configured to receive a signal or data output by the ball sensing means.

[029], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises a communication module, wherein the apparatus is configured to establish a wired or wireless connection with one or more remote processors.

[030], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus is configured such that the one or more electric or electronic controllers is are configured to receive a signal or data from the communication module.

[031], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus is configured such that the one or more electric or electronic interfaces is/are configured to transmit a signal or data to the communication module.

[032], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises one or more electronic processors, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the one or more electronic processors inputs a signal or data output by the sport ball sensing means and/or outputs a signal or data for use as input by the sport ball treating means or the sport ball motive means. [033], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more electronic processors and/or electronic memory in data communication with the one or more electronic processors hold processor-executable instructions effecting to one or more algorithms configured to interpret input from the sport ball sensing means so as to provide output to the sport ball treating means and/or the sport ball motive means.

[034], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more algorithms are configured to sense a condition of a sport ball and compare the sensed condition to a desired condition so as to determine any treatment and/or any level of treatment required by the sport ball treatment means to transform the sport ball from the sensed condition to the desired condition.

[035], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more algorithms are configured to sense a location of a sport ball relative to a boundary of a sport playing area so as to determine at what location the sport ball crossed the boundary to move outside the sport playing area, so as to define a desired location to deliver a sport ball by the apparatus, and control the sport ball motive means and/or the sport ball directing means so as to deliver a sport ball to the desired location.

[036], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more algorithms are configured to sense a condition of a sport ball and control the motive means based on the sensed condition so as to impart an amount of kinetic energy in the sport ball so as to deliver the ball to the desired location.

[037], In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more algorithms account for a material of the sport ball and/or a material of the surface around the sport playing area and/or a condition of the surface around the sport playing area and/or a wind condition about the apparatus.

[038], In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for delivering a sport ball to a desired location at or about a sport playing area, the system comprising the apparatus of any embodiment of the first aspect.

[039], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system comprises a sport ball that is locatable by the apparatus.

[040], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the sport ball is locatable by way of the sport ball imaging means of the apparatus and/or the sport ball geo-locating means of the apparatus.

[041], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the sport ball comprises an electromagnetic radiation emitter or reflector configured to assist the imaging means and/or the geo-locating means of the apparatus to locate the ball. [042], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the electromagnetic radiation is in the visible light spectrum, the infrared spectrum, the ultraviolet spectrum, the radio wave spectrum or the micro wave spectrum.

[043], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the sport ball comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device configured to report a sensed position wirelessly to the apparatus or to a remote processor.

[044], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the position of the sport ball is determined by one or more apparatus according to any embodiment of the first aspect, or an external sport ball positioning system.

[045], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the external sport ball positioning system relies on one or more ball locating means disposed about the sports playing area.

[046], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the external ball positioning system relies of an imaging system and/or the global positioning system (GPS).

[047], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system comprises one or more remote electronic processors in wired or wireless data connection with a communication module of the apparatus.

[048], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more remote electronic processors inputs a signal or data output by the sport ball sensing means and/or outputs a signal or data for use as input by the sport ball treating means or the sport ball motive means.

[049], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more remote electronic processors and/or electronic memory in data communication with the one or more remote processors hold processor-executable instructions effecting to one or more algorithms configured to interpret input from the sport ball sensing means so as to provide output to the sport ball treating means and/or the sport ball motive means.

[050], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more algorithms are configured to sense a condition of a sport ball and compare the sensed condition to a desired condition so as to determine any treatment and/or any level of treatment required by the sport ball treatment means to transform the sport ball from the sensed condition to the desired condition.

[051], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more algorithms are configured to sense a location of a sport ball relative to a boundary of a sport playing area so as to determine at what location the sport ball crossed the boundary to move outside the sport playing area, so as to define a desired location to deliver a sport ball by the apparatus, and control the sport ball motive means and/or the sport ball directing means so as to deliver a sport ball to the desired location.

[052], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more algorithms are configured to sense a condition of a sport ball and control the motive means based on the sensed condition so as to impart an amount of kinetic energy in the sport ball so as to deliver the ball to the desired location.

[053], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the algorithm accounts for a material of the sport ball and/or a material of the surface around the sport playing area and/or a condition of the surface around the sport playing area and/or a wind condition about the apparatus.

[054], In one embodiment of the second aspect, the he system comprises a ball collecting apparatus, wherein the system and/or ball handling apparatus and/or ball collecting apparatus are configured such that the ball collecting apparatus delivers a ball collected by it to the ball handling apparatus.

[055], In a third aspect, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon software instructions, that when executed by a processor: determines a condition of a sport ball and compare the sensed condition to a desired condition so as to determine any treatment and/or any level of treatment required by the sport ball treatment means to transform the sport ball from the sensed condition to the desired condition

[056], In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon software instructions, that when executed by a processor: determines a location of a sport ball relative to a boundary of a sport playing area so as to determine at what location the sport ball crossed the boundary to move outside the sport playing area, so as to define a desired location to deliver a sport ball by the apparatus, and control the sport ball motive means and/or the sport ball directing means so as to deliver a sport ball to the desired location.

[057], In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon software instructions, that when executed by a processor: determines a condition of a sport ball and control the motive means based on the sensed condition so as to impart an amount of kinetic energy in the sport ball so as to deliver the ball to the desired location.

[058], In one embodiment, the algorithm of the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of the third, fourth or fifth aspects, accounts for a material of the sport ball and/or a material of the surface around the sport playing area and/or a condition of the surface around the sport playing area and/or a wind condition about the apparatus.

[059], In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a sports playing area having installed thereon or thereabouts one or more apparatus according to any embodiment of the first aspect.

[060], In a seventh embodiment, the present invention provides a sports playing area having installed thereon or thereabouts the system of any embodiment of the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[061 ]. FIG. 1 illustrates in a highly diagrammatic manner a non-limiting of an apparatus according to the present invention. This embodiment comprises on-board processing means.

[062], FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred ball pressure sensing and inflation system used in the context of an apparatus of the present invention.

[063], FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred ball pressure sensing, inflation, and washing system used in the context of an apparatus of the present invention.

[064], FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred ball motive (moving) means used in the context of an apparatus of the present invention.

[065], FIG. 5 illustrates in a highly diagrammatic manner a non-limiting of an apparatus according to the present invention and a smartphone in communication therewith by 5G connection. In this embodiment the apparatus lacks any on-board processing means. Processor capacity is assumed by the smartphone.

[066], Unless otherwise indicated herein, features of the drawings labelled with the same numeral are taken to be the same features, or at least functionally similar features, when used across different drawings.

[067], The drawings are not prepared to any particular scale or dimension and are not presented as being a completely accurate presentation of the various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

[068], After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments, or indeed any embodiment covered by the claims.

[069], Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[070], Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.

[071], As used herein, positional terms such as “lateral”, “across”, “above”, “below”, “higher”, “lower”, “upward”, “downward, “plan view” and the like are to be considered with reference to an apparatus as used in a normal upright position as shown in the drawings.

[072], The present invention is predicated at least in part on the inventors’ discovery that an apparatus may be configured to automatically treat a sport ball so as to provide a ball that is consistently within a predetermined specification with regard to a parameter such as internal gas pressure and cleanliness.

[073], Moreover, the apparatus is able to provide a ball within specification to a desired point on or about a sport playing area in a timely and consistent manner so that play may resume without undue delay after a ball leaves the playing area.

[074], These advantages are highly desirable at the professional sport level where consistency of a ball delivered to a player is important at reducing the potential for any inconsistency in the ball, or an inconsistency in how timely the ball is delivered to a player.

[075], The present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following nonlimiting embodiments.

[076], Reference is made to the preferred embodiment of Figure 1 showing (in highly diagrammatical form) an apparatus (10) of the present invention comprising a main body portion (15), a ball input chute (20) and a ball output chute (25). The apparatus (10) further comprises ball sensing means (30), ball treating means (35), and ball motive means (40). A processor (45) comprising algorithms in the form of program instructions (not drawn) is in communication with each of the ball sensing means (30), ball treating means (35), and ball motive means (40).

[077], The ball at position (100) has previously been in play and is destined to be returned to the field to replace a ball (not drawn) that has been kicked off the playing field at a later time. The ball enters the apparatus (10) via the input chute (20) and drops by gravity into position (200).

[078], In position (200) the ball is proximal the ball sensing means (30) which functions to sense a parameter such as the gas pressure inside the ball (for example with a digital pressure sensor inserted into the ball valve), the presence moisture on the ball (for example by using a digital conductivity sensor), the presence of soil on the ball (for example, by using a camera in operable connection with image processing means), or the weight of the ball (for example, using a digital load cell). The general function of the ball sensing means is to determine (in accordance with the algorithms executed by the processor (45)) whether the ball is within a predefined specification (for example, a specification determined by a football association, such as FIFA) with respect to one or parameters. The upper and lower limits acceptable in the context of the specification are input by the manufacturer or a user when initially configuring the apparatus (10) for use, and stored in the context of the algorithms.

[079], The ball then drops under gravity into positon (200), which is proximal the ball treatment means (35). The general function of the ball treatment means is to treat the ball in some manner such that the ball is returned to a specification. For example, if the sensing means (30) determines that the ball has unacceptably low pressure and is soiled, then the treatment means (35) inflates the ball to an acceptable pressure and directs jets of water onto the ball to remove the soil, and dries the ball by blowing with warm air from a source of heated air.

[080], In some embodiments, the ball remains in a single position with the sensing (30) and treating (35) means being operable with the ball in the single position. For example, the ball pressure and inflation (or deflation if necessary) is effected with the ball in a single position. A needle may be inserted into the ball valve, the pressure measured digitally, and if below the minimum specified pressure is inflated until the required pressure is achieved.

[081], Reference is made to Figure 2 (showing an exemplary combined ball pressure sensing and inflating arrangement), Figure 3 (showing an exemplary washing .arrangement), and Figure 4 (showing an exemplary motive means). [082], In some embodiments, the ball is treated in any event and without any regard to a sensed condition of the ball. Steps such as washing and/or drying the ball may be performed by the ball treatment means (35) irrespective of its condition upon entry to the apparatus.

[083], In some embodiments of the invention the apparatus (100) has no sensing means (30) and/or treating means (35), and comprises only motive means (40). The motive means (40) may have an associated direction means (not drawn) as further described infra.

[084], After any sensing and treatment of the ball is completed, the ball is moved to position (400) which is proximal the ball motive means (40). The function of the ball motive means (400) is to eject the ball from the apparatus, as shown at position (500). Exemplary means include a rapidly spinning motorised roller bearing on the surface of the ball, a pneumatically or solenoid-actuated plunger striking the rear of the ball, and a spring being released and bearing on the rear of the ball.

[085], Preferably the motive means is controllable to the extent that the amount of kinetic energy imparted on the ball can be controlled so as to control the distance that the ball travels after it leaves the apparatus (10). In an exemplary embodiment the motive means (35) is a rotating roller having a controllable rate of rotation. A high speed of rotation will eject the ball at a higher speed, and therefore the ball will travel further. The speed of rotation may be controlled by controller module under instruction by an algorithm executed by the processor (45).

[086], Generally, the apparatus (10) will be required to deliver the ball to a location that is at or very close to the point on the boundary line where the previous ball crossed. The distance from the apparatus to that point may be calculated (possibly by processor (45) using relevant input such as the output of an image processor) or otherwise (by way of a GPS-derived location), and based on a digital look-up table accessible by processor (45) control the ball motive means (40) such that the ball is delivered to that point. Considering the example of the motive means (35) being a variable speed rotating roller, the look-up table may relate rotation speed (RPM) to distance for the type of ball involved.

[087], A number of look-up tables may be provided, with the most appropriate selected according to the conditions. For example, a first look-up table may be selected where the surface upon which a ball is ejected and rolled is grass, and a second look-up table may be selected where the surface is paved. The look up table may be user selected. Alternatively, the apparatus may be manually calibrated on the relevant surface, with the results of the calibration being stored electronically in the apparatus (10) for access by the processor (45). [088], To deliver the ball to that point will also require that the ball is ejected in a specific direction. Thus, the apparatus (10) may have a ball directing means (not drawn). Considering the embodiment of Figure 1, the apparatus (10) as a whole may be disposed on a turntable (not drawn) capable of controllable axial rotation (say, be way of a stepper motor geared to the turntable platform) so as to direct the output chute (25) in a required direction. The direction will be generally toward the point on the boundary line at which the previous ball crossed to go out-of-play. That point may be determined by any method, including the method describe supra herein.

[089], The apparatus (1000) shown in Figure 2 is devoid of any processor, software and algorithm. Instead, these components are provided by a remote processor embodied in a smartphone (55) or other remote processor-enable device. The smartphone (55) communicates with the cell phone communication module (50) so as to in turn communicate with the sensing means (30), treatment means (35), motive means (40) and directional means. In this embodiment, the smartphone (55) effectively replaces the processor (45), software and algorithms of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Smartphone (55) may provide for complete or partial manual remote control of the apparatus (10) by a user.

[090], A manual remote control of some description may also be provided for the embodiment of Figure 1, and in such a case the apparatus (10) of Figure 1 will have some type of wired or wireless interface to accept input of a remote manual control device which may be a smartphone or another type of device.

[091], The apparatus (10) is preferably enabled to deliver a ball to a point at or about where a previous ball crossed the boundary line. That point may be determined by the apparatus itself, for example by way of a camera monitoring a proximal boundary line, and image processing means configured to detect a ball crossing the boundary line, and inferring or calculating the location of the crossing point based on the processed images. As will be appreciated, the art is provided with such means for tracking the movement of a ball, such as the flight of a tennis ball on a court (such as the Hawk-Eye™ system), or the flight of a golf ball on a course (such as Toptracer™).

[092], The point at which a ball crosses a boundary line may be determined by ball tracking information provided by two, three, four or more apparatus of the present invention sharing information. It would be expected that a higher degree of accuracy for the ball position would be obtained where the ball is considered from a plurality of different positions about the playing field, as shown in Figure 3. Alternatively, a stadium may have a number of ball tracking cameras disposed well above the playing surface, such cameras being separate to the present apparatus. The output of the stadium cameras may be accessible by a processor (45) or (50) of the present invention.

[093], As a further alternative means of locating the point at which the ball crosses the boundary line, the ball may be fitted with an emitter that emits a detectable electromagnetic radiation which assists in determining the ball location. For example, a light reflective coating may reflect light making the ball more visible to a ball tracking camera. As another alternative, the ball may be fitted with a radio wave emitter allowing tracking of the ball.

[094], Yet a further alternative is a Global Positioning System (GPS) version whereby the ball is fitted with a GPS module having lightweight a power supply such as a lithium ion battery or a rechargeable gel polymer electrolyte battery. As will be appreciated, the ball-mounted components should ideally not materially affect the behaviour of the ball in a game play situation. The GPS module is configured to report ball location (down to an accuracy of less than about 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, 1.5 meters, 2 meters, 2.5 meters, 3 meters, 4 meters or 5 meters. By reference to the reported GPS location the ball (or a replacement ball) can be returned to the desired location.

[095], The present invention further contemplates use of a sport ball collecting apparatus to be used in a system comprising the present sport ball handling apparatus. The sport ball collecting apparatus is mobile, and operates to collect a ball that has gone out of play and to deliver the ball to the sport ball handling apparatus for later use in the game.

[096], The sport ball collecting apparatus is configured so as to move to a ball that is no longer in play, and in that regard has on-board ball locating means (such as described elsewhere herein), or is instructed to travel to the ball by a remote apparatus that has ball locating means (such as the present apparatus, or a system installed in the stadium).

[097], Thus, the sport ball collecting apparatus may comprises motive means configured to transport over and about a playing area. In some embodiments, the motive means is an electrically powered motor turning rollers or wheels which contact the substrate. The motor may be processor controlled to govern speed. Some steering means may be incorporated, such as a leading wheel that is rotatable on a swivel axis by a processor-controllable servo motor. In one embodiment, the sport ball collecting apparatus is similar to an autonomous robot floor cleaner, such as the iRobot™ Roomba™ or other similar device. [098], The sport ball collecting apparatus may comprise ball contacting means to allow the apparatus to push, pull carry or project a ball from a collection point to a destination point. As one example, the ball contacting means may be a simple scoop disposed at the front of the apparatus allowing for the ball to be collected and rolled as the apparatus moves forward. As another example, the apparatus may comprise a ramp such that as the apparatus moves toward a ball, the ball rolls upwardly along the ramp and onto a ball carrying surface. In a further example, apparatus positions behind the ball and a ball urging means (such as a solenoid) projects the ball toward the desired destination.

[099], The ball collecting apparatus is typically configured to deliver a collected ball to the ball handling apparatus, and in that regard will be apprised of the position of the latter by some electronic location means or proximity sensing. Generally speaking, multiple ball handling apparatuses will be present about a playing area and the ball collecting apparatus may be configured to deliver a collected ball to the closest ball handling apparatus. Alternatively, the ball collecting apparatus may deliver a collected ball to a ball handling apparatus that is devoid of a ball, or is in danger of being devoid of a ball, such that at any given time each of the ball handling apparatuses has at least one ball in reserve. In this way, a ball can be made available no matter where about the playing area one is required.

[100], The sport ball collecting apparatus may operate autonomously or semi-autonomously. The apparatus may act simply as a slave under the control of an umbrella computer system that interfaces also with the ball handling apparatus, or any other apparatus, or a system in a stadium or other sports facility. In order to communicate with another system or apparatus, the collecting apparatus may comprise a wireless communication module. The module may be in operable connection with a processor of the ball collecting apparatus or another apparatus of system, the module acting a means for receiving and conveying a signal or an instruction to a motor, a solenoid, a steering mechanism, a brake, a location detector a camera or other on-board electrical or electronic hardware.

[101], The combination of the ball handling apparatus and the ball collecting apparatus may obviate or limit the need for human involvement in the recovery of balls going out of play, and the delivery of balls to replace an out of play ball. In such as system, the ball handling apparatus and the ball collecting apparatus may be configured to operate in a complimentary manner. For example, the ball handling apparatus may comprise an input port at ground level configured to accept a ball rolled or carried to it at or about ground level by the ball collecting apparatus. [102], The application software of the present invention may be executable on any past, present or future operating system of a mobile communication device including Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Linux™ and the like.

[103], In the present systems, any of the devices or servers may comprise network interface means configured to interface with other components of the system. The network interface means typically routes data into and out of a system component.

[104], The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or in whole through one or more processors that execute computer software, program codes, and/or instructions on a processor. The processor may be part of a server, client, network infrastructure, mobile computing platform, stationary computing platform, or other computing platform. A processor may be any kind of computational or processing device capable of executing program instructions, codes, binary instructions and the like. The processor may be or may include a signal processor, digital processor, embedded processor, microprocessor or any variant such as a coprocessor (math co-processor, graphic co-processor, communication co-processor and the like) and the like that may directly or indirectly facilitate execution of program code or program instructions stored thereon. In addition, the processor may enable execution of multiple programs, threads, and codes.

[105], The threads may be executed simultaneously to enhance the performance of the processor and to facilitate simultaneous operations of the application. By way of implementation, methods, program codes, program instructions and the like described herein may be implemented in one or more thread. The thread may spawn other threads that may have assigned priorities associated with them; the processor may execute these threads based on priority or any other order based on instructions provided in the program code. The processor may include memory that stores methods, codes, instructions and programs as described herein and elsewhere.

[106], Any processor or a mobile communication device or server may access a storage medium through an interface that may store methods, codes, and instructions as described herein and elsewhere. The storage medium associated with the processor for storing methods, programs, codes, program instructions or other type of instructions capable of being executed by the computing or processing device may include but may not be limited to one or more of a CD-ROM, DVD, memory, hard disk, flash drive, RAM, ROM, cache and the like.

[107], A processor may include one or more cores that may enhance speed and performance of a multiprocessor. In some embodiments, the processor may be a dual core processor, quad core processors, other chip-level multiprocessor and the like that combine two or more independent cores (called a die).

[108], The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or in whole through one or more hardware components that execute software on a server, client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and/or networking hardware. The software program may be associated with a server that may include a file server, print server, domain server, internet server, intranet server and other variants such as secondary server, host server, distributed server and the like. The server may include one or more of memories, processors, computer readable media, storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessing other servers, clients, computers, and devices through a wired or a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs or codes as described herein and elsewhere may be executed by the server. In addition, other devices required for execution of methods as described in this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructure associated with the server.

[109], The server may provide an interface to other devices including, without limitation, clients, other servers, printers, database servers, print servers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers and the like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitate remote execution of program across the network. The networking of some or all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a program or method at one or more location without deviating from the scope of the invention. In addition, any of the devices attached to the server through an interface may include at least one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, code and/or instructions. A central repository may provide program instructions to be executed on different devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may act as a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

[110], The software program may be associated with a client that may include a file client, print client, domain client, internet client, intranet client and other variants such as secondary client, host client, distributed client and the like. The client may include one or more of memories, processors, computer readable media, storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessing other clients, servers, computers, and devices through a wired or a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs or codes as described herein and elsewhere may be executed by the client. In addition, other devices required for execution of methods as described in this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructure associated with the client.

[111], The client may provide an interface to other devices including, without limitation, servers, other clients, printers, database servers, print servers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers and the like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitate remote execution of program across the network. The networking of some or all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a program or method at one or more location without deviating from the scope of the invention. In addition, any of the devices attached to the client through an interface may include at least one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, applications, code and/or instructions. A central repository may provide program instructions to be executed on different devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may act as a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

[112], The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or in whole through network infrastructures. The network infrastructure may include elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs, firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routing devices and other active and passive devices, modules and/or components as known in the art. The computing and/or non-computing device(s) associated with the network infrastructure may include, apart from other components, a storage medium such as flash memory, buffer, stack, RAM, ROM and the like. The processes, methods, program codes, instructions described herein and elsewhere may be executed by one or more of the network infrastructural elements.

[113], The methods, program codes, calculations, algorithms, and instructions described herein may be implemented on a cellular network having multiple cells. The cellular network may either be frequency division multiple access (FDMA) network or code division multiple access (CDMA) network. The cellular network may include mobile devices, cell sites, base stations, repeaters, antennas, towers, and the like. The cell network may be a GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G, EVDO, mesh, or other networks types.

[114], The methods, programs codes, calculations, algorithms and instructions described herein may be implemented on or through mobile devices. The mobile devices may include navigation devices, cell phones, mobile phones, mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, palmtops, netbooks, pagers, electronic books readers, music players and the like. These devices may include, apart from other components, a storage medium such as a flash memory, buffer, RAM, ROM and one or more

Y1 computing devices. The computing devices associated with mobile devices may be enabled to execute program codes, methods, and instructions stored thereon.

[115], Alternatively, the mobile devices may be configured to execute instructions in collaboration with other devices. The mobile devices may communicate with base stations interfaced with servers and configured to execute program codes. The mobile devices may communicate on a peer to peer network, mesh network, or other communications network. The program code may be stored on the storage medium associated with the server and executed by a computing device embedded within the server. The base station may include a computing device and a storage medium. The storage device may store program codes and instructions executed by the computing devices associated with the base station.

[116], The computer software, program codes, and/or instructions may be stored and/or accessed on computer readable media that may include: computer components, devices, and recording media that retain digital data used for computing for some interval of time; semiconductor storage known as random access memory (RAM); mass storage typically for more permanent storage, such as optical discs, forms of magnetic storage like hard disks, tapes, drums, cards and other types; processor registers, cache memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory; optical storage such as CD, DVD; removable media such as flash memory (e.g. USB sticks or keys), floppy disks, magnetic tape, paper tape, punch cards, standalone RAM disks. Zip drives, removable mass storage, off-line, and the like; other computer memory such as dynamic memory, static memory, read/write storage, mutable storage, read only, random access, sequential access, location addressable, file addressable, content addressable, network attached storage, storage area network, bar codes, magnetic ink, and the like.

[117], The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and/or or intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systems described herein may also transform data representing physical and/or intangible items from one state to another.

[118], The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts and block diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries between the elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may be implemented on computers through computer executable media having a processor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as a monolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these, and all such implementations may be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[119], Furthermore, the elements depicted in any flow chart or block diagrams or any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capable of executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawings and descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems, no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functional aspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the various steps identified and described above may be varied, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particular applications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various steps should not be understood to require a particular order of execution for those steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context.

[120], The methods and/or processes described above, and steps thereof, may be realized in hardware, software or any combination of hardware and software suitable for a particular application. The hardware may include a general purpose computer and/or dedicated computing device or specific computing device or particular aspect or component of a specific computing device. The processes may be realized in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or other programmable device, along with internal and/or external memory. The processes may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured to process electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one or more of the processes may be realized as a computer executable code capable of being executed on a computer readable medium.

[121], The Application software may be created using a structured programming language such as C, an object oriented programming language such as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language (including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages and technologies) that may be stored, compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well as heterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, or combinations of different hardware and software, or any other machine capable of executing program instructions. [122], Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinations thereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executing on one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In another aspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the steps thereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, or all of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalone device or other hardware. In another aspect, the means for performing the steps associated with the processes described above may include any of the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[123], The invention may be embodied in program instruction set executable on one or more computers. Such instructions sets may include any one or more of the following instruction types:

[124], Data handling and memory operations, which may include an instruction to set a register to a fixed constant value, or copy data from a memory location to a register, or vice-versa (a machine instruction is often called move, however the term is misleading), to store the contents of a register, result of a computation, or to retrieve stored data to perform a computation on it later, or to read and write data from hardware devices.

[125], Arithmetic and logic operations, which may include an instruction to add, subtract, multiply, or divide the values of two registers, placing the result in a register, possibly setting one or more condition codes in a status register, to perform bitwise operations, e.g., taking the conjunction and disjunction of corresponding bits in a pair of registers, taking the negation of each bit in a register, or to compare two values in registers (for example, to see if one is less, or if they are equal).

[126], Control flow operations, which may include an instruction to branch to another location in the program and execute instructions there, conditionally branch to another location if a certain condition holds, indirectly branch to another location, or call another block of code, while saving the location of the next instruction as a point to return to.

[127], Coprocessor instructions, which may include an instruction to load/store data to and from a coprocessor, or exchanging with CPU registers, or perform coprocessor operations.

[128], A processor of a computer of the present system may include "complex" instructions in their instruction set. A single "complex" instruction does something that may take many instructions on other computers. Such instructions are typified by instructions that take multiple steps, control multiple functional units, or otherwise appear on a larger scale than the bulk of simple instructions implemented by the given processor. Some examples of "complex" instructions include: saving many registers on the stack at once, moving large blocks of memory, complicated integer and floating-point arithmetic (sine, cosine, square root, etc.), SIMD instructions, a single instruction performing an operation on many values in parallel, performing an atomic test-and-set instruction or other read-modify-write atomic instruction, and instructions that perform ALU operations with an operand from memory rather than a register.

[129], An instruction may be defined according to its parts. According to more traditional architectures, an instruction includes an opcode that specifies the operation to perform, such as add contents of memory to register — and zero or more operand specifiers, which may specify registers, memory locations, or literal data. The operand specifiers may have addressing modes determining their meaning or may be in fixed fields. In very long instruction word (VLIW) architectures, which include many microcode architectures, multiple simultaneous opcodes and operands are specified in a single instruction.

[130], Some types of instruction sets do not have an opcode field (such as Transport Triggered

Architectures (TTA) or the Forth virtual machine), only operand(s). Other unusual "0-operand" instruction sets lack any operand specifier fields, such as some stack machines including NOSC.

[131], Conditional instructions often have a predicate field — several bits that encode the specific condition to cause the operation to be performed rather than not performed. For example, a conditional branch instruction will be executed, and the branch taken, if the condition is true, so that execution proceeds to a different part of the program, and not executed, and the branch not taken, if the condition is false, so that execution continues sequentially. Some instruction sets also have conditional moves, so that the move will be executed, and the data stored in the target location, if the condition is true, and not executed, and the target location not modified, if the condition is false. Similarly, IBM z/Architecture has a conditional store. A few instruction sets include a predicate field in every instruction; this is called branch predication.

[132], The instructions constituting a program are rarefy specified using their internal, numeric form (machine code); they may be specified using an assembly language or, more typically, may be generated from programming languages by compilers.

[133], Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to further variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention comprises all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[134], While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[135], Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.