Illumination system for a sports ball

Abstract

An illuminated sports ball can be used for both recreational purposes and to aid in training athletes. The ball has interior light source(s), a power source and at least one window from which the light source(s) can be seen. In some embodiments the power source is a rechargeable battery that can be charged wirelessly via induction charging. In other embodiments the source is charged via linear inductive charging. The ball can also comprise an accelerometer. Data from the accelerometer can be used to determine how hard a user has kicked, thrown, and/or thrown the ball and can change the color of the light source to allow the user to visually see this information. In other or the same embodiments, the data from the accelerometer can be used to determine the type of spin being placed on the ball and change the color of the light source accordingly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports ball comprising:
 (a) a first light source;   (b) a power source; and   (c) a first window located on the exterior surface of said sports ball.   
     
     
         2 . The sports ball comprising of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (d) a second window located on the exterior surface of said sports ball.   
     
     
         3 . The sports ball comprising of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 (e) a second light source,   
       wherein said second light source is configured to be seen via said second window and said first light source is configured to be seen via said first window. 
     
     
         4 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said first light source is a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         5 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         6 . The sports ball of  claim 5 , wherein said rechargeable battery recharges wirelessly via induction charging. 
     
     
         7 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said power source is charged via linear inductive charging. 
     
     
         8 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (d) an accelerometer; and   (e) a control subsystem.   
     
     
         9 . The sports ball of  claim 8 , wherein said first light source changes from a first color to a second color based on data provided from said accelerometer. 
     
     
         10 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said first window is circular. 
     
     
         11 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said sports ball is a soccer ball. 
     
     
         12 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said sports ball is a tennis ball. 
     
     
         13 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said sports ball is a volleyball. 
     
     
         14 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said sports ball is a football. 
     
     
         15 . The sports ball of  claim 3 , wherein said first window and said second window are configured to aid a user in determining whether said user is putting a first spin on said sports ball. 
     
     
         16 . The sports ball of  claim 15 , wherein said first light source is a first color and said second light source is a second color. 
     
     
         17 . An illumination training system comprising:
 (a) an illuminated sports ball wherein said sports ball comprises:
 (1) a first light source; 
 (2) a power source; and 
 (3) a first window formed on the exterior surface of said sports ball; 
   (b) a communication subsystem; and   (c) a monitoring subsystem.   
     
     
         18 . The illumination training system of  claim 17 , wherein said monitoring subsystem is configured to determine when said sports ball travels across a predetermined boundary and communicate with said communication subsystem to change a first color of said light source to a second color.