Method of automatically detecting offside in Soccer using fixed and wireless sensors and central server

Abstract

Broadly speaking, the embodiments of the present invention fill the need for a method of accurately determining if an offense soccer player is in an offside position. This is determined using a combination of sensors on the players and the ball which are then sensed using fixed sensors on the field. The instantaneous sensor readings are used to locate each player, offense and defense with respect to the location of the ball and goal posts. These data are analyzed using an algorithm on a computer which can then determine if the player was in an offside position.

1 . A method of determining offside in soccer using a combination of sensors on the players and detectors on the field, all analyzed using a central server:
 (1) assign distinct wireless sensors for players, with the two teams being clearly distinguishable;   (2) a third distinct class of sensor on the ball to allow it to clearly distinguished from the others;   (3) A network of fixed detectors along the field which read inputs from the sensors; these detectors can be on the field as well as on the goal posts.   (4) determine the location of each player and the ball using “triangulation” or other location detection methods,   (5) determine if the ball and the offense player is on the opposite side of the field,
 if the ball is not near the offense player, ensure that there are at least two defense players between the offense player and the opposite goal, 
   (6) determine if the offense player was not offside when the ball was passed to him,
 if the offside criterion are met, enable a signal to indicate the infraction 
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed detectors can be connected to the central server using wireless techniques 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed detectors can be connected to the central server using wired techniques 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors can be battery powered or self powered. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the centralized server can be made up of several computation units. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the number of players on the field is less than the standard regulation of eleven per side. 
   
   
       7 . The method in  claim 1  where the size of the soccer field differs from regulation standards. 
   
   
       8 . The method in  claim 1  where the game can be played indoors as well as outdoors. 
   
   
       9 . The method in  claim 1  where the location of the players and the ball is determined using triangulation. 
   
   
       10 . The method in  claim 1  where the location of the players and the ball is determined using Multilateration. 
   
   
       11 . The method in  claim 1  where the computer program saves limited time stamped players' physical locations. 
   
   
       12 . The method in  claim 1  where the computer program saves time stamped players' physical locations for the entire game. 
   
   
       13 . The method in game  1  where the stored information can be used for post-game analysis and learning. 
   
   
       14 . The method  claim 1  where the sensors for all members of the same team need not be uniquely identifiable other than uniquely distinguishing between the two teams. 
   
   
       15 . The method in  claim 1  where the sport or application other than soccer needs substantially similar relative physical location determination. 
   
   
       16 . The method in  claim 1  where the distance between sensors are measured using electromagnetic signals.