Athletic ball heating device

Abstract

An athletic ball heating device capable of heating an athletic ball using air. The device can include an airflow component that delivers a flow of air to a ball, wherein a temperature of the flow of air to the ball is managed by controller and/or a heating element to increase a temperature of the ball.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a casing;   a power supply that is configured to supply power;   an air intake vent and an air inlet;   a heating element configured to heat air;   an airflow component configured to create airflow through the device;   an air outlet configured to direct the air upwards to an aperture located on the top of the device whereas the aperture is configured to receive an athletic ball and the airflow changes a temperature of the athletic ball due to the air being heated by the heating element;   a switch that is operable to power at least one of the heating element or airflow component;   a controller that is configured to perform a timing function and the controller is further configured to vary the device's air temperature or air flow rate with a control signal to at least one of the heating element or the airflow component.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a money receiving component that is configured to receive currency. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a duration of time for changing the temperature of the athletic ball. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface that is configured to receive a user input, wherein the user input is a request for at least one of a temperature profile or a rate of air flow profile. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the temperature profile includes a target temperature and is customizable for a user and is selectable via the user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the rate of air flow profile includes a first rate at a first time and a second rate at a second time, the first rate is lower than the second rate and the first time is before the second time. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the first rate is a rate that elevates the athletic ball but maintains the athletic ball inside the aperture and the second rate is a rate that elevates the athletic ball outside the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an image device that is configured to capture an image of the athletic ball to determine if the athletic ball is damaged. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , the controller is further configured to receive an instruction that identifies the athletic ball and tracks images for the athletic ball. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the images for the athletic ball are saved and the controller compares the images of the athletic ball over time. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , the controller identifies a change on a surface of the athletic ball and communicates a condition of the surface or a rating for the surface of the athletic ball. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the controller communicates the condition of the surface to an official for a match the athletic ball is being used. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the temperature profile or the rate of air flow profile is set based on a regulation or rule for a game the athletic ball is being used. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the athletic ball is a squash ball.