Method and apparatus for monitoring and determining the position of a football

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for tracking the position of a game ball relative to a playing field during a game. It allows game officials to selectively record and store position information for the game ball in response to events during play and further allows game officials to reposition the ball accurately at the recorded and stored location.

1 . A method for determining the position of a game ball during an athletic competition on a playing field having defined boundaries, comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a first signal from the game ball; and    receiving and analyzing said first signal, to determine the position of the game ball.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 communicating the game ball's position to a game official.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of: 
 displaying the game ball's position on a visual display.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the steps of: 
 selectively transmitting a second signal;    receiving said second signal;    recording the game ball's position in response to said second signal; and    transmitting a third signal to communicate the game ball's position to a game official.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of: 
 displaying the game ball's position on a visual display.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the steps of: 
 comparing the game ball's position, as determined by said first signal, to the position recorded in response to said second signal; and    providing the game official directions to move the game ball to a location described by the position recorded in response to said second signal.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein providing directions to said game official uses audible signals.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein providing directions to said game official uses visual signals.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 determining if the game ball has crossed a boundary of the playing field; and    communicating an out of boundary alert to a game official.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein communicating an out of boundary alert to said game official uses audible signals.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein communicating an out of boundary alert to said game official uses visual signals.  
   
   
       12 . A method of determining the position of a game ball during an athletic competition on a playing field comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a signal from the game ball;    receiving and analyzing said signal, using a microprocessor, to determine the position of said game ball; and    communicating the game ball's position to a game official.    
   
   
       13 . A method of determining the position of a game ball during an athletic competition on a playing field comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a signal from the game ball;    receiving and analyzing said signal, using a microprocessor, to determine the position of said game ball;    continuously recording the game ball's position;    attaching and storing a time stamp to the recorded position of said game ball; and    providing the game ball's position for a selected time in response to a query.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of: 
 graphically displaying the game ball's position at a remote terminal.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the game ball's position is graphically displayed at a remote terminal located with a game official.  
   
   
       16 . A method of determining the position of a game ball during an athletic competition on a playing field comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a first signal from a player carrying the game ball;    receiving and analyzing said first signal, to determine the position information of the game ball; and    communicating the game ball's position to a game official.    
   
   
       17 . A system for determining the position of a game ball during an athletic competition on a playing surface having defined boundaries, comprising: 
 a first transmitter positioned in the game ball, for transmitting a first signal;    a first antenna for detecting said first signal;    a first receiver for receiving said first signal;    a microprocessor for determining the position of the game ball in response to said first signal; and    means for recording said position.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising means for communicating the game ball's position to a game official.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said means for communicating the game ball's position comprises: 
 a second transmitter for transmitting a second signal, said second signal containing the game ball's position; and    display means for graphically displaying the game ball's position contained in said second signal.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising control means for selectively directing said microprocessor to record the game ball's position for a specific point in time.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said control means comprises a transmitter that is selectively operable to send a control signal to said microprocessor and wherein said microprocessor is programmed to record the game ball's position at the time said transmitter sends said control signal.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 said microprocessor comprising a first clock for associating first time information with said position;    a second transmitter for transmitting a second signal that contains said position;    a display/receiver comprising a second clock for providing second time information;    means for synchronizing said second clock with said first clock;    means for selectively recording said second time information;    means for communicating a third signal to said microprocessor, said third signal containing said second time information; and    wherein said second transmitter transmits said second signal in response to said third signal.    
   
   
       23 . Apparatus for determining the position of a game ball on a playing surface during an athletic competition, comprising: 
 a first transmitter located in the uniform of a player carrying the game ball, for transmitting a first signal;    a first antenna for detecting said first signal;    a first receiver for receiving said first signal; and    a microprocessor for determining the position of the game ball in response to said first signal.    
   
   
       24 . A football for use with a system for determining the position of a game ball on a playing surface during an athletic competition, said football including a transmitter mounted therein for sending a signal for being triangulated by a computer that stores and records position information for said football.  
   
   
       25 . A display/receiver for use with a system for determining the position of a game ball on a playing surface during an athletic competition, said display/receiver comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving a signal, said signal modulated to convey the game ball's location;    a microprocessor for interpreting the game ball's location modulated in said signal; and    means for communicating the game ball's location to a game official.    
   
   
       26 . The display/receiver of  claim 25  wherein said means for communicating the game ball's location communicates said location visually.  
   
   
       27 . The display/receiver of  claim 25  wherein said means for communicating the game ball's location communicates said location audibly.