[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/310,591, "Ball," filed on March 4, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field

[0002] The technology described herein relates to a ball (or similar object) that can be used for sporting (or other) events and is instrumented to include technology to sense information about the ball (or similar object).

Description of the Related Art

[0003] The remarkable, often astonishing, physical skills and feats of great athletes draw millions of people every day to follow sports that range from the power of football to the grace of basketball. Sports fans are captivated by the unique abilities of the individual players, as well as the coordination of the team. As a result, there has been an interest in tracking objects at sporting events, such as game balls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a football.

[0005] Figure 2A is a cutaway view of a football.

[0006] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a football.

[0007] Figure 3 A is a cutaway view of a football.

[0008] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a football.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a football.

[0010] Figure 5 shows one of two bladders for one embodiment of a football.

[0011] Figure 6 shows two bladders for one embodiment of a football.

[0012] Figure 7 shows two bladders (or two segments of a segmented bladder) for one embodiment of a football.

[0013] Figure 8 shows two bladders (or two segments of a segmented bladder) for one embodiment of a football.

[0014] Figure 9 shows a bladder for a football.

[0015] Figure 10 shows a bladder for a football.

[0016] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a football.

[0017] Figure 12 shows four of eight bladders for one embodiment of a football.

[0018] Figure 13 shows four of eight bladders for one embodiment of a football. [0019] Figure 14 shows four of eight bladders (or four of eight segments of a segmented bladder) for one embodiment of a football.

[0020] Figure 15 shows four of eight bladders (or four of eight segments of a segmented bladder) for one embodiment of a football.

[0021] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a football.

[0022] Figure 17 shows a cross section of a football.

[0023] Figure 18 shows a portion of a cross section of a portion of a football.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A ball (or other object) is provided to be used with a sporting event or other event. The ball (or other object) includes one or more electrical components (including active and passive components) positioned inside the ball so that data about the ball can be obtained (e.g., the location of the ball can be tracked).. Various embodiments are disclosed for positioning the one or more electrical components in the ball.

[0025] Game balls for sports such as basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, rugby balls, etc. typically include an inflatable bladder covered with a layer of windings and encased in a layer of elastomeric material (referred to as the carcass of the ball). One or more additional layers of material, such as a cover or padding may be placed over portions, or all, of the outer surface of the carcass to form the ball.

[0026] The cover of the various balls is typically a flexible and soft material. Covers of game balls are commonly formed of leather, rubber, synthetic leather, or a polymeric material. In one embodiment, the cover includes a plurality of cover panels. In other embodiments, the cover is one panel. [0027] One can imagine using the disclosed method for implanting electronics in other types of objects, such as a kite used for kite surfing. These kites have several inflated members that each contain a bladder. The "carcass" however is basically sail material. Such use might not be for an event, but rather for normal recreational use, or for emergency.

[0028] The bladder is an inflatable air tube that usually approximates the desired shape of the ball. The bladder is typically disposed within the windings, carcass and the cover. In alternative embodiments, the bladder can be disposed directly within the cover. The bladder enables the ball to retain a predetermined amount of air, thereby, achieving the desired air pressure within, or firmness to, the ball. The bladder is typically made of latex, butyl rubber or other suitable material. The bladder typically includes a valve that extends through the windings, the carcass and the cover for access by a user.

[0029] The layer of windings include one or more elongated threads which are wound around the bladder. The threads from the layer of windings reinforces the bladder and retains the general shape of the bladder. The threads are formed of a high tensile strength material (e.g., nylon). In alternative embodiments, the thread can be a textile, wire or other conventional thread material. In some embodiment, a ball includes a layer of reinforcing material between the bladder and leather that is not a winding. In one example, the windings can include 210 denier nylon thread. Some embodiments of a ball can be formed without the layer of windings. In other embodiments, the layer of windings can be formed through one or more segments of adhesive tape or similar material.

[0030] The carcass is generally in the shape of the ball and disposed over the windings. In one embodiment, the carcass can be formed by placing a plurality of carcass segments onto outer surfaces of the windings and then mulling the carcass segments over the wound bladder to produce a uniform spherical layer of material. The material of the carcass can also be injected, or otherwise inserted, within a mold to form the carcass. It is common for a portion of the carcass material to impregnate, bind to or otherwise engage the layer of the windings. In one embodiment, the carcass is made of an elastic material, such as latex. Alternatively, the carcass can be made of material such as butyl rubber, natural rubber, a synthetic polymeric plastic material, or other elastomeric material. In another alternative, the carcass can be a multilayered body including one or more layers of fabric or elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the ball will not include a carcass. Some embodiments of the ball will only include a bladder and a cover, without including windings and/or a carcass.

[0031] The technology for adding one or more electrical components in the ball can be applied to many different types of balls. The examples below show a football; however, the technology described herein can be applied to basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, rugby balls and other types of balls, tires, or other inflated objects

[0032] Figure 1 is a prospective view of one embodiment of a football 10. From the prospective, it can be seen that football 10 includes a cover 12. A valve 14 protrudes through a hole in cover 12. The valve is part of the bladder, and is used to add air to or remove air from the bladder. In one embodiment, cover 12 of football 10 includes multiple panels, including panel 18 and panel 20, which are stitched together along line 21. Football 10 also includes a set of laces 16 which are used to grip the ball with a human hand in order to throw the ball. Laces 16 are provided above line 21. The laces also close the opening into which the bladder is inserted.

[0033] Figure 2A is a cutaway view of football 10 cut along line 21. In this view, bladder 22 can be seen. In one embodiment, football 10 only includes a cover and bladder, without windings or a carcass. In other embodiments, the football could include the windings and carcass; however, the windings and carcass are not depicted in Figure 2 A. As can be seen, cover 12 is disposed over bladder 22 such that the bladder is completely within cover 12.

[0034] Football 10 includes one or more electrical components 24 positioned inside football 10. In one embodiment, the one or more electrical components 24 are positioned between bladder 22 and cover 12. Figure 2B provides a cutaway view along line AA of Fig. 2A showing one or more electrical components 24 positioned between cover 12 and bladder 24. In one embodiment, an adhesive can be placed between cover 12 and the one or more electrical components 24. Additionally, an adhesive can be placed between the one or more electronics 24 and bladder 22. In one example, the adhesive can be double-sided tape or a liquid adhesive.

[0035] The one or more electrical components 24 can be any electrical components (active or passive) that could help track ball 10 or serve a different purpose. In one embodiment, the one or more electrical components 24 includes a battery (or other power source) and a transponder that can receive signals and transmit signals. In another embodiment, the one or more electrical components 24 can include only a receiver or only a transmitter, rather than the transponder. In one embodiment, the one or more electrical components 24 include a receiver connected to one or more light emitting diodes, as discussed below. The one or more electrical components 24 could also include a RFID tag, other type of RF transmitter, radar repeater, etc. Many different types of electrical components can be used with the technology discussed herein. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical components are active electrical components.

[0036] Because of the air pressure inside bladder 22, the wall of bladder 22 will be pushed up against cover 12 and pushed up against electrical components 24; therefore, holding electrical components 24 in place against cover 12.

[0037] Although Figures 2A and 2B show the one or more electrical components 24 sandwiched between cover 12 and bladder 22 at the bottom of the football, the one or more electrical components can be placed in other locations within the football. For example, Figure 3A shows the one or more electrical components 24 sandwiched between cover 12 and bladder 22 at the top of football 10, just below laces 16. Figure 3B shows a cross section along line BB of Figure 3A. The one or more electrical components 24 are positioned such that if laces 16 are opened, there will be a gap between panel 18 and panel 20 such that one or more electrical components 24 can be inserted through the gap into position within the football or removed from within the football 10 via the gap between the laces. In the embodiments of Figures 1- 3B, the one or more electrical components are between the bladder and cover, not in the cover and not in the bladder.

[0038] Other embodiments include multiple bladders inside the cover such that the one or more electrical components are positioned inside the ball between two or more of the bladders. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one example of a football 100 that includes multiple bladders. Football 100 includes a cover 102 having multiple panels. Figure 4 depicts panels 104 and 106 which are stitched together along line 105, and laces 112. In one example embodiment, football 100 will include two bladders and each bladder will include its own air valve. In such an embodiment, football 100 includes air valve 108 for a first bladder and air valve 1 10 for a second bladder.

[0039] Figure 5 shows one example of a bladder 120 that includes air valve 1 10. In one embodiment, football 100 will include two bladders: bladder 120 and a bladder that is the mirror image of bladder 120. The bladder that is the mirror image of bladder 120 will include air valve 108. The two bladders are equal in size and when placed together form the shape of a football, each bladder in the shape of half the football.

[0040] Figure 6 is a cross-section of the two bladders, taken across line CC of Figure 4. As can be seen bladders 120 and 122 each have the profile of half the cross-section (e.g., semi-circle). One or more electrical components 124 are positioned between bladders 120 and 122. Figure 6 is somewhat of an exploded view. When bladders 120 and 122 are inside cover 102, bladders 120 and 122 are abutting against each other with the one or more electrical components 124 sandwiched between bladders 120 and 122 In some embodiments, however, the bladders need not be in direct contact; for exmalpe, in the case of a foil corner reflector the bladders might not touch. The air pressure inside bladder 120 and the air pressure inside bladder 122 will cause the two bladders to hold the one or more electrical components 124 in place between (and touching - though touching is not necessary) the two bladders. Figure 6 shows the two bladders separated from each other for purposes of illustration.

[0041] In one embodiment, the one or more electrical components 124 are positioned below laces 112 so if the laces are removed, the opening between panels 104 and 106 at the area of the laces will allow for the one or more electrical components 124 to be inserted into the football into position between bladders 120 and 122 or removed from the football. In one embodiment, a ball will include windings and elastomeric material over the multiple bladders, as discussed above.

[0042] In the embodiment of Figures 4, 5, and 6, the two bladders are not connected and cannot communicate air between the two bladders; therefore, each of the bladders has its own air valve that protrudes through apertures in cover 102. In other embodiments the two bladders can be connected so that air can be communicated between the two bladders. For example, Figure 7 shows two bladders 130 and 132 that are connected via bladder connector 134 and bladder connector 136 such that air can pass between bladders 130 and 132. In this manner, only one air valve 136 is needed to fill both bladders. Therefore, the embodiment of Figure 7 can be placed inside a football having a cover with an opening for only one air valve ( as depicted in Figure 1 - see cover 12). As can be seen from Figure 7, two bladders 130 and 132 will be sandwiched together when installed inside a football such that they will hold one or more electrical components 124 in place between bladders 130 and 132. The previous discussion referred to bladders 130 and 132 as separate bladders; however, the can also be considered as separate segments of a single multi- segmented bladder.

[0043] Figure 8 is another example embodiment of two bladders 140 and 142 that are connected by a tube 144 that allows air to pass between bladders 140 and 142. Since the two bladders are connected, only one valve 146 is needed to put air in or move air from both bladders 140 and 142. When the two bladders are installed in a football, they will but against each other and sandwich one or more electrical components 124 in order to hold one or more electrical components 124 in place inside the football. The cover will be disposed over the multiple bladders. Figure 8, however, shows the two bladders separated from each other for ease of illustration; therefore, tube 144 appears stretched and becomes thinner in the middle. When the two bladders are placed close to each other, the diameter of tube 144 may be constant throughout tube 144.

[0044] Note the embodiments of Figures 4-8 show a ball with two bladders. However, in other embodiments, more than two bladders can be used. In one embodiment, each of the bladders would have its own air valve that would protrude through a hole in the cover of the ball. In other embodiments, all or multiple bladders can be connected so that air can pass between the connected bladders and the multiple bladders can (optionally) share a valve. [0045] Figure 9 depicts an example bladder 200 that can fit with inside cover 12 of football 10 depicted in Figure 1. Bladder 200 includes air valve 202 and a sleeve 204. Inside sleeve 204 is positioned one or more electrical components 206. In the embodiment of Figure 9, sleeve 204 runs the entire diameter of bladder 200 such that the sleeve has two openings: a first opening on a first side of bladder 200 and a second opening on a second side of bladder 200 (e.g., analogous to a doughnut hole). In one embodiment, sleeve 204 is thin such that when bladder 200 is positioned within cover 12 and sufficient air is pumped into bladder 200, the inner walls of sleeve 204 will abut against the one or more electrical components 206 to hold the one or more electrical components 206 in place inside sleeve 204.

[0046] Figure 10 depicts another embodiment of a bladder 250 that includes a sleeve 256 that does not extend the entire diameter of bladder 250. Rather, sleeve 256 extends partially through bladder 250 (while sleeve 204 extends completely through bladder 200 of Figure 9). Bladder 250 also includes an air valve 252 which protrudes through an aperture in cover 12 of football 10. In one embodiment, bladder 250 includes a webbing (or other type of material 260) that connects to the surface of bladder 250 and also connects to the bottom of sleeve 256 to prevent sleeve 256 (with one or more electrical components 258) from flopping around inside bladder 250. In one embodiment, webbing 260 is made from the same material as bladder 250. In the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10, the one or more electrical components will be suspended inside the air cavity of the bladder.

[0047] As discussed above, some embodiments can include multiple bladders. In embodiments that have multiple bladders, the bladders can be separate (not connected) or connected by welding them together or connecting tubes (or other passageways) between the various bladders. One advantage of connecting the bladders is to ensure consistent pressure throughout. Other advantages are that only a single inflation point must protrude through the outer surface of the ball, and the user only has to inflate from one point.

[0048] Figures 11-13 show an embodiment that includes 8 bladders inside the football. For example, Figure 1 1 shows football 300 having a cover 302. Cover 302 can include multiple panels, including panels 304 and 306 that are stitched together. Football 300 also includes laces 318, as discussed above. In one set of implementations, each of the multiple bladders will have their own air valves. If the football includes eight bladders, then there will be eight air valves. In one example implementation, there will be four air valves on top of the football and four air valves on the bottom of the football. Figure 1 1 shows air valves 310, 312, 314 and 316 on top of the football. Each of the four air valves 310, 312, 314 and 316 are connected to separate bladders.

[0049] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of football 300 taken along line EE of Fig. 11. However, Figure 12 only shows the bladders. Figure 12 does not show cover 302, any windings or any elastomeric material. Because Figure 12 is a cross-section, it only shows four of the eight bladders. For example, Figure 12 shows bladder 340, bladder 342, bladder 344 and bladder 346.

[0050] Figure 13 shows another cross-section of football 300 along the line DD of Figure 11. Figure 13 shows bladders342, 344, 350 and 352. For ease of illustration, Figures 12 and 13 show the bladders slightly separated from each other; however, when installed inside cover 302, the bladders will be abutting up against each other (except to the extent that something is placed between them). In one embodiment, one or more electrical components can be sandwiched between two or more bladders. Alternatively, the one or more electrical components can be sandwiched between any one or more of the bladders and cover 302. In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used between the one or more electrical components and any one or more of the bladders and/or between the one or more electrical components and the cover. In another embodiment, a corner reflector will be used inside the ball. For example corner reflector 348 can be placed at the intersection of the eight bladders as depicted in Figures 12 and 13. In one embodiment, the corner reflector would likely be as big as the adjacent faces of the bladders, and may even be formed by simply painting or coating those faces. In other implementations, the corner reflector would be smaller than the adjacent faces of the bladders. In one embodiment, a corner reflector is a device that normally consists of three metallic (or other material) surfaces or screens perpendicular to one another, designed to act as a radar target or marker. In radar interpretation, a corner reflector, by means of multiple reflections from the multiple smooth surfaces, produces a radar return of greater magnitude than might be expected from the physical size of the reflector. In many instances, the strong reflection is due to the fact that it reflects signals back toward the source, rather than scattering them. Another example of a corner reflector uses silver sputtering.

[0051] Figures 14 and 15 provide another embodiment of a ball that uses eight bladders. In the embodiments of Figures 12 and 13, each of the eight bladders are not connected to each other; therefore, each of the bladders has its own air valve. In the embodiments of Figures 14 and 15, the bladders are connected to each other such that air can pass between the bladders. As such, the multiple bladders can share one (or more than one) air valve. For example, Figure 14 shows the bladders cut along line DD to depict bladders 360, 362, 364 and 366. Bladders 360 and 362 are connected by passageway 370. Bladder 362 and 364 are connected by passageway 372. Bladders 364 and 366 are not connected but can communicate through the other bladders. Bladders 360 and 366 are connected via passageway 374. Figure 15 shows the bladders along the cut of line EE, and depicts bladders 360, 366, 380 and 382. Bladders 360 and 380 communicate and are connected by passageway 386. Bladders 380 and 382 are connected by and communicate air by passageway 388. [0052] In some embodiments, the one or more electrical components can include one or more transmitters that can transmit one or more electromagnetic signals. If the transmitters transmit an RF signal, then the transmitter can be wholly within the cover of the ball. If the transmitter is going to transmit a signal in the visible light range, ultraviolet light range or infrared light range, then it may be necessary to position one or more communication components (connected to the transmitter) within holes in the cover of the ball so that these components can transmit their signal. In some implementations, these holes may be covered by any material that's transparent to the emission) For example, the cover of a football can include one or more holes and one or more LEDs can be positioned in those holes and connected to a transmitter. The LED (or another type of electromagnetic transmitter) can transmit a visible light signal, infrared light signal, ultraviolet light signal, or other type of signal. In other embodiments, the one or more communication components can be one or more sensors that can be placed in the holes in the cover to sense one or more signals from an external source. Those sensors can also be in communication with transmitter/receiver electronics within the ball.

[0053] Figures 16-18 depict one embodiment of a ball that includes one or more electrical components and one or more communication components (transmitting devices and/or receiving devices) positioned in holes in the cover. For example, Figure 16 shows ball 400 having cover 402. The cover includes multiple panels 404 and 406, as well as other panels not depicted on the other side of the ball 400. In the example of a football, ball 400 will include laces 418. If ball 400 were a basketball, there would be no laces. Ball 400 also includes an air valve 408 connected to the bladder for the ball. The bladder is inside the cover 402 such that cover 402 is positioned over the bladder. The cover includes a set of apertures. Communication components 420, 422, 424 and 426 are positioned in those apertures. There are four additional communication components in apertures on the bottom side of the ball not depicted in Figure 16. Although the embodiment of Figure 16 includes eight communication components, in other embodiments there can be more than eight or less than eight communication components. Alternatively, the communication components can be arranged as clusters rather than equally (or non-equally) distant around the surface of the ball. The communication components can be arranged based on existing features of the ball; for example, positioning LED's (or other devices) in the existing lace holes or even along the valley of the seams of a ball.

[0054] One example of the communication component is an LED that emits an infrared signal. In another embodiment, the communication device could be an LED that emits a visible light signal and has a filter in front of it to filter out visible light and only transmit infrared light. Figure 17 depicts a cross-section of football 400 along line FF of Fig. 16. In this cross-section, two of the communication components on top of the ball 422 are depicted. Additionally, the cross-section in Figure 17 shows two the communication components 420 and 430 on the bottom of the ball. Each of the communication components are positioned inside an aperture in cover 402 and partially positioned between cover 402 and the bladder 440.

[0055] Figure 18 is a close-up depicting how a communication component is positioned in an aperture in cover 402 such that at least a portion of the communication component is sandwiched between cover 402 and bladder 440. For example, Figure 18 shows communication component 450 which can be a diode or other device. In one embodiment, communication component 450 has its front surface flush with the surface of cover 402. In another embodiment, there is some protective material 452 in front of communication component 450 and such that material 452 is flush with the surface of cover 402 . Material 452 can serve to protect communication component 450 as well as protect an athlete handling ball 400 (and may be used for aesthetic purposes as well) In one embodiment, material 452 can be an adhesive, an epoxy, a lens, plastic, silicone, etc. As can be seen, communication component 450 is positioned in an aperture in cover 402. The communication components can also be another type of transmission device or a sensor device.

[0056] One side of communication component 450 is connected to or mounted on flexible material 454 which can be a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, a ribbon cable, or other flexible material. Flexible material 454 is positioned and sandwiched between cover 402 and bladder so that communication component 450 is anchored inside ball 400 and will not fall through the aperture in cover 402. A wire 456 is connected to communication component 450 and runs through ball 400 to a transmitter, receiver, transponder, battery or other component which is housed inside ball 400 using any of the embodiments discussed above. The flexible material can be fastened to the cover and/or the bladder using an adhesive (single or double sided tape, glue, or other). The material would not necessarily be flexible if the footprint is small enough.

[0057] Note that many of the embodiments discussed above with the football can be applied to other balls such as basketball, soccer balls, volleyballs, etc. The main difference is that the shape will change from the oblong shape of a football to a spherical shape of the soccer ball, volleyball, etc. This spherical shape can be divided so that multiple bladders can be used as discussed above as long as the composite group of bladders is in the shape of the desire shape of the ball. In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used between flexible material 454 and the bladder and/or between flexible material 454 and the cover. Therefore, the above-described technology can be used with other types of balls, (or even other inflatable equipment such as traction kites or tires).

[0058] Note that none of the drawings show the windings or elastometric material. This is done for illustration purposes. Some embodiments will not include the windings or elastomeric material. Other embodiments will include the windings or elastomeric material. In some embodiments that include windings and elastomeric material, the one or more electrical components can be outside of the bladder, windings and elastomeric material, and inside of the cover. Alternative arrangements can also be made. For example, the one or more electrical components can be inside the windings and/or inside the elastomeric material.

[0059] The above-described balls can be used in the systems that track the ball using any of various technologies known in the art. For example, the above- described balls can be used with systems described in any of the following patent documents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Patent No. 5,912,700; U.S. Patent No. 5,862,517; and United States Provisional Patent Application 61/307,578.

[0060] One embodiment includes a bladder, a cover disposed over the bladder, and one or more electrical components positioned inside the ball. The one or more electrical components are positioned between, but not in, the bladder and the cover.

[0061] One embodiment includes multiple bladders, a cover disposed over the multiple bladders, and one or more electrical components positioned inside the ball between two or more of the bladders.

[0062] One embodiment includes a bladder having a sleeve, a cover disposed over the bladder, and one or more electrical components inside the ball and positioned in the sleeve.

[0063] One embodiment includes a bladder, a cover disposed over the bladder, the cover having one or more apertures, and one or more communication components positioned in the one or more apertures. [0064] One embodiment includes at least eight bladders, a cover disposed over the eight bladders, and a corner reflector inside the cover and positioned between all eight bladders.

[0065] The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.