Pickleball Court Marking and Process for Improved Line Calling

Abstract

This disclosure describes a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint for pickleball, pickleball courts formed using the marking tape or paint, and pickleball ball inbounds or out of bounds determinations using the marking tape or paint. The marking tape or paid is configured to, when set on the playing surface of a pickleball court, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation, in the color or the like, of the marking tape or paint at the point of contact by a pickleball ball. The temporary localized variations enable clear determination of whether the pickleball ball is inbounds or out of bounds during game play.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

This disclosure relates to pickleball in general, and to court markings of pickleball courts and improved line calling more particularly.

BACKGROUND

Pickleball has recently become very popular and is played both indoors and outdoors, as either doubles or singles. The rules are relatively simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn. However, among skilled players, pickleball can develop into a quick, fast-paced, and competitive game.

Pickleball games are typically played without a referee and are self-judged. Each player makes the line calls as to whether the ball is in or out when the ball contacts the playing surface on that player's side. Correct fault determinations (e.g., accurate line calls) are often very important for each shot. Any disagreement about whether a ball is in or out of bounds can be significantly disruptive to the game.

Therefore, apparatuses and methods for improved line calls in pickleball are desired.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint for pickleball, pickleball courts formed using the marking tape or paint, and pickleball ball inbounds or out of bounds determinations using the marking tape or paint. The marking tape or paid is configured to, when set on the playing surface of a pickleball court, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation, in the color or the like, of the marking tape or paint at the point of contact by a pickleball ball. The temporary localized variations enable clear determination of whether the pickleball ball is inbounds or out of bounds during game play.

According to an embodiment, a pickleball court comprises a playing surface with at least baselines and/or sidelines comprising a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint. The pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is configured to, responsive to a pickleball ball contacting one of the baselines and/or sidelines, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting by the ball.

According to an embodiment, a pressure-sensitive pickleball court marking tape or paint is provided. The marking tape or paint is configured to, responsive to a pickleball ball contacting the marking tape or paint set on a pickleball court, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting by the ball.

According to an embodiment, a method of building a pickleball court is provided. The method comprises applying a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint on a playing surface to one or more baselines and/or sidelines of the pickleball court. The pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is configured to, responsive to a pickleball ball contacting one of the one or more baselines and/or sidelines, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting by the ball.

According to an embodiment, a method of determining whether a ball is in bounds or out of bounds during a pickleball game being played on a pickleball court is provided. The method comprises responsive to the ball contacting a surface area of the pickleball court, calling the ball as in bounds or out of bounds by visually determining whether a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint applied to one of the baselines and/or sidelines generates a temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some features are shown by way of example, and not by limitation, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals may reference similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows an example pickleball court, in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied.

FIG. 2A shows an example ball contact at or near a sideline or baseline in pickleball in a scenario applicable to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows an example ball contact at or near a sideline or baseline in tennis.

FIG. 3 shows an example scenario in which the pickleball ball is detected as in bounds when the contact point is on the baseline and/or sidelines comprising a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an example pickleball court configuration in which the pressure-sensitive tape or paint on the baselines/sidelines are enhanced by a second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint indicating, in response to a pickleball ball contact, a temporary localized variation of color in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a pressure-sensitive marking tape according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a process for determining whether a ball is in bounds or out of bounds during a pickleball game being played on a pickleball court, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a process for, in addition to the process of the flowchart in FIG. 7, further determining whether the ball is in bounds or out of bounds during the pickleball game being played on the pickleball court, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a process for, in addition to the process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 and, optionally, in addition to the process of the flowchart of FIG. 8, further determining whether the ball is in bounds or out of bounds during the pickleball game being played on the pickleball court, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

This disclosure relates to “Pickleball,” a game that has in recent years seen a massive increase in popularity among all age groups of players, including among senior citizens. Pickleball is a game that can be described as combining aspects of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a badminton-sized court, with paddles and a ball similar to a whiffle ball, but slightly smaller in size. The net used in pickleball is similar to a tennis net but is lowered at the center.

Pickleball has recently become very popular and is played both indoors and outdoors, as either doubles or singles. The rules are relatively simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn. However, among skilled players, pickleball can develop into a quick, fast-paced, and competitive game.

FIG. 1 shows an example pickleball court 100 that includes a pickleball playing surface 130 and a pickleball net 132. The playing surface 130 comprises two left serve areas 102 and 108, two right serve areas 104 and 106, and two non-volley areas 110 and 112, with one of the left serve areas, one of the right serve areas, and one of the non-volley areas being on each side of the pickleball net 132. The net is 36 inches tall at the edges, and lowered to 34 inches in the middle. The areas 102-112 are defined by baselines 118 and 120 each 20 feet, sidelines 114 and 116 each 44 feet, center lines 122 and 124 each 15 feet, and non-volley lines 126 and 128 each the same size as a baseline. Each of the lines may be 2 inches wide. The term “court line” is used in this disclosure to refer to any sideline, baseline, centerline or non-volley line on the pickleball court. Non-volley areas 110 and 112, each extending 7 feet from the net, are also referred to as the “kitchen”.

The game of pickleball is played with a pickleball paddle 134 and pickleball ball 136. The ball 136 is typically made of plastic and has a 3-inch diameter. Similar to a wiffleball, the ball 136 has through holes throughout the surface. Different types (e.g., with different levels of hardness and different sizes of the through holes) may be used for playing the game on the various types of pickleball courts (e.g., indoor, outdoor, hard surface, soft surface etc.).

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, and is most commonly played as doubles. Each point begins with an underarm serve. The serve is performed diagonally beginning at the right-hand service area. A valid serve sends the ball from one left serve area to the other left serve area or from one right serve area to the other right serve area. The serve must clear the non-volley-zone. The serve must bounce before being hit by the receiver. The return of serve must also bounce before being hit (this is known as the 2 bounce rule). After the serve and the return of the serve, the ball can land anywhere on the opposite side of the playing surface 130. Volleys can only be performed outside of the non-volley zone. Volleys, that is, hitting the ball in the air without first letting it bounce, can only be made after the 2 bounce rule has been followed. However, if the ball is hit from within the kitchen, then it cannot land in the kitchen on the other side of the net.

A fault is any action that stops play due to a rule violation. A fault by the receiving team results in the serving team earning a point. A fault by the serving team results in the server's loss of service and/or side out. A fault is committed when the serve touches any part of the non-volley zone (including the line) or the ball is hit out of bounds.

Pickleball games are typically played without a referee and are self-judged. Each player makes the line calls as to whether the ball is in or out when the ball contacts the playing surface on that player's side. The game continues to at least 11 points and requires a 2-point difference for a win.

With 11 being the winning threshold, the correct fault determinations (e.g., accurate line calls), are very important for each shot. Any disagreement about whether a ball is in or out of bounds can therefore be significantly disruptive to the game. The self-judging increases the potential confusion in determining whether a ball that lands in close proximity to any of the 2-inch-wide court lines is indeed in or out of bounds. For example, the viewpoint that the player who makes the line call (e.g., player nearest to the ball) has of the ball hitting the playing surface is different from the viewpoint that the player who hit the ball (e.g., a player on the opposing side of the net), and thus one player may see the ball having landed on a court line while the other sees the ball landing marginally outside of that court line.

As noted above, players sometimes have difficulty determining if the ball is in bounds or out of bounds. The rules for tennis are different than the rules for pickleball. According to the 2018 Official Rulebook for Pickleball, a ball contacting the playing surface outside of the baseline or sideline, even though the edge of the ball overlaps the line, is considered out of bounds (see FIG. 2A). FIG. 2A shows an example ball contact at or near a court line in pickleball in a scenario applicable to embodiments of the present disclosure. In contrast, FIG. 2B shows an example ball contact at or near a sideline or baseline in tennis.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, whereas in tennis, a ball is considered inbounds if even a part of the ball overlaps the baseline or sideline, in pickleball, the ball is considered inbounds only if the ball contact is on the baseline or sideline. For example, FIG. 2A shows an example left sideline 202 separating the court area 204 from outside 206 of the court area. 208-220 show various ball positions of potential ball impact on the playing surface or on the surface outside the playing surface. The ball impact positions 208, 210 and 216 are entirely within the court area 204 and are therefore determined to be inbounds without confusion. The ball impact position 220 is entirely outside the court area and is therefore determined to be out of bounds without confusion. The ball impact position 214 is on the middle of the sideline 202 and therefore it is very likely that it can be determined as being in bounds with clarity.

However, ball impact position 212 appears to, although the point of impact is not on the sideline 202 and is on the court area 204, have a portion of the ball overlap the sideline 202. Since regardless of whether the impact position is in court area 204 or on the sideline 202, the ball would be in bounds, there may be no significant uncertainty with position 212.

Ball impact position 218 appears to, although the point of impact is not on the sideline 202 and is on the outside 206, have a portion of the ball overlap the sideline 202. Since in pickleball the point of impact is determinative, rather than whether any portion of the ball overlaps the sideline (i.e., as in tennis), ball impact position 218 is out of bounds according to the rules of the game. However, the different positions of the players at the time of ball hitting the playing surface result in the players each having a different view angle of the ball position and thus the likelihood of some of the players being unable to decide whether the ball's impact position is on sideline 202 increases and can lead to disruptions in the game.

The pickleball scenario of FIG. 2A can be contrasted with the tennis ball scenario shown in FIG. 2B. In FIG. 2B, of the 5 ball positions illustrated, the middle three positions each result in the sideline being overlapped by some portion of the ball and thus being considered inbounds according to the rules of tennis. For example, the ball position that is left of the rightmost ball position has a contact point that is outside of the sideline, but is considered in bounds because the edge of the ball overlaps the sideline. It is only when the ball is entirely out of the line (e.g., no part of the ball overlaps the sideline), that the ball is out of bounds (the 5^th (rightmost) ball position shown).

Camera-based line call systems that are used in tennis and several other sports have also been proposed for use in pickleball. However, such sophisticated and expensive line call systems are impractical for recreational pickleball players. Such equipment can easily get damaged or moved and have relatively high electrical power consumption. Recreational pickleball players care about in and out calls, but typically do not bother to carry in/out call sensors around. Thus, there is a need for a simple solution that is transparent to the end user.

Since, unlike in other sports such as tennis, pickleball in/out depends exclusively on the point of contact by the ball on the playing surface, in example embodiments of this disclosure, pressure-sensitive marker tape or paint is used to mark the court lines. In example embodiments, the pressure change caused by the ball hitting the marker tape or paint results in a temporary variation in the tape's or the paint's color (or other characteristic) in a manner that is quickly visually detectable by the players. The temporary variation may last only a few seconds but lasts long enough so as to enable the players to detect the variation.

FIG. 3 shows an example scenario in which the pickleball 310 is detected as inbounds when the contact point 312 is on the baseline and/or sideline 302. The court area 306 and outer area 308 adjacent to the baseline and/or sideline 302 are also shown. According to an example embodiment, a pressure-sensitive marker tape or paint is applied overlaying, or as, the baselines and sidelines of a pickleball court such as the pickleball court 100. The marker tape or paint responds to the pressure of the impact of the ball hitting it at 312, and generates a visually distinguishable (visually detectable) variation in color or other characteristic in a localized area surrounding the point of impact 312. The variation in the characteristic may be contained in an area in a manner that enables a player to determine the point of impact of the ball. For example, the variation may be localized to a circular area with a small radius relative to the size of the marker tape or paint so that the player can determine that the point of impact (e.g., point of contact by the ball) is at the center of that circular area. In some embodiments, however, the localized area may be substantially larger than the point of impact. Regardless of the size of the localized area, the occurrence of the variation in color indicates to the players that the point of contact of the ball was on the court line 302.

The marker tape or paint is such that it may be insensitive, and thus does not generate the above mentioned visually distinguishable variation in response, to the ball contact occurring in areas such as 306 and 308 that are proximate to the marker tape or paint.

FIG. 4 shows an example pickleball court configuration in which the pressure-sensitive tape or paint on the baselines/sidelines 402 are enhanced by a second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint 404, according to some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the second marking tape or paint 404 is applied on the inside (i.e., in the court area 406) of the baseline and/or sideline. With this configuration, whether the ball 410 strikes the court area (e.g., at 412) adjacent to the marker tape or paint 402 or strikes on the marker tape or paint, the marker tape or paint will generate the localized variation in the characteristics at the point of impact and the players are able to accurately determine that the ball is in bounds.

In some embodiments, in addition to, or instead of, the second marking tape or paint, a third marking tape or paint may be applied to the outer area 408 that is proximate to the marker tape or paint 402. This configuration may allow players to definitively determine the point of impact when it narrowly misses the marker tape or paint.

When the second and/or third pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is being used, the second and/or third pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint may have a color that is different from that of the first marking tape or paint so that the baseline and/or sideline can be clearly identified. For example, in example embodiments, the first marking tape or paint can be white color or similar light color, and the second marking tape or paint can be green, blue or other court area color. In some embodiments, the third marking tape or paint may be configured to generate the localized variation in a color different than the color of the first marking tape's localized variation to aid determining ball in or out scenarios. The second marking tape or paint may be configured to have a color for its localized variation that is the same as, or that is different from, the color of the first marking tape or paint's localized variation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a localized variation of color or other characteristic 504 on an example pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint 502. In response to the impact from the ball hitting the marker tape or paint at the center of area 504, the marking tape or paint 502 is configured to generate a visually distinguishable variation of a characteristic such as, for example, color, in the localized area 504 which may be a circular area centered at the point of impact. The area 504 in which the variation is detectable may be larger than the impact area, while still enabling the players to determine the point of impact with clarity. In some embodiments, the size and/or shape of the localized variation may not permit the identification of the point of impact, but the occurrence of the variation indicates that the point of contact was on the marking tape or paint 502.

In some embodiments, the pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint 502 comprises a chemical composition that changes the localized area 504 surrounding the point of impact into a desired color that is different from the color of the marker tape or paint under normal circumstances (e.g., without additional pressure being applied). For example, in some embodiments the tape comprises two layers, a micro-encapsulated color layer and a color-developing layer, where when pressure is applied, some of the microcapsules rupture and release their dye, which then reacts with the color-developing layer to produce a visible color change. The color change can be reversed momentarily by the microcapsules rescaling themselves. In another embodiment, the tape temporarily changes color when exposed to a certain temperature and pressure, such as that caused by a ball contact. In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint comprises a plurality of chemical components that change their composition temporarily in a local area where pressure is applied, and reverses itself after the pressure is removed. The chemical composition and strength of respective chemical components can be tailored so that the desired variation occurs only in accordance with a minimum and/or maximum area of contact, and/or minimum and/or maximum amount of pressure, of a pickleball ball contact in order to avoid activating such variations in response to contact by other objects than the pickleball ball. For example, the chemical composition and strength of respective chemical components can be configured so that that localized variation occurs for contact by pickleball balls but does not occur when the contact is by a player stepping on the tape or paint or when a heavier or larger ball (e.g., tennis ball) strikes the tape or paint.

The chemical composition and strength of respective chemical components can also be tailored to obtain the desired reversal duration. For example, the chemical composition may be configured so that, after the pickleball strikes the tape or paint on one side of the court during play, the localized variation is reversed before the ball returns back to the same side in the same play.

In some embodiments, a combination of magnetic materials can be used in combination with, or in place of, the chemical materials. In some embodiments, one or more magnetic materials are used to improve the marking tape or paint's attaching to the playing surface. In some other embodiments, one or more magnetic materials are activated in response to a contact of a pickleball ball on the marking tape or paint, for example, in accordance with threshold size of a contact area and/or contact pressure that is consistent with a pickleball ball contact.

In yet another embodiment, instead of tape, a pressure-sensitive paint can be used. Piezochromic paints are an example paint type that can be used in some embodiments. When pressure is applied (e.g., by ball contact on the paint), the pigment molecules in the piezochromic paint undergo a change in electronic structure, which alters absorption and reflection of light, resulting in a visible color change. The color change is reversed when the pressure is removed. Similar to the tailoring of chemical composition and strength of respective chemical components described above, the molecule composition and strength of respective components can be tailored so that the desired variation occurs only in accordance with a minimum and/or maximum area of contact, and/or minimum and/or maximum amount of pressure, in order to avoid activating such variations in response to contact by other objects than the pickleball ball.

FIG. 6 is a pressure-sensitive marking tape 602 in accordance with some embodiments. The marking tape 602 comprises an outer layer 604, an illumination layer 606, and a pressure-sensing layer 608. The lighting layer may comprise light emitting diodes (LED) connected via wire 610 to a control unit 612 that includes a power source (e.g., battery) and control circuits. The pressure sensing layer 608 comprises a series of pressure sensors that may also be connected to the same control unit 612 for power and configuration.

The control circuitry in control unit 612 may enable marker tape 602 used for the baselines and sidelines to respond differently than the marker tape 602 used for non-volley lines. For example, such differentiated operation of the same or similar marking tape or paint on different court lines, enable correctly calling ball contact in baselines and sidelines as in bounds while calling ball contact (on serve) on the non-volley lines as out of bounds as required in pickleball. The sensors can be tailored so that the desired variation occurs only in accordance with a minimum and/or maximum area of contact, and/or minimum and/or maximum amount of pressure, in order to avoid activating such variations in response to contact by other objects than the pickleball ball. The bottom of the marker tape 602 may have an adhesive (e.g., glue or other adhesive) that enables the marker tape to be sturdily attached on the court surface.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart 700 of a process for determining whether a ball is in bounds or out of bounds during a pickleball game being played on a pickleball court, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The process may begin before the pickleball game is started. At 702, a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is applied to baselines and/or sidelines of the pickleball court. The pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint may be any of the types described above in relation to FIGS. 5 and 6. The applying may include overlaying existing court line markings with the marking tape or paint, or using the marking tape or paint itself to form the court lines. Any known technique for applying tape or paint to a pickleball court may be used at 702.

At 704, responsive to the ball contacting a surface area near one of the baselines and/or sidelines, whether the marking tape or paint near the surface area generates a temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting is visually determined. Example ball contact positions are described, for example, in relation to FIG. 2A. Example, local variations in response to ball contact on marking tape or paint are described in relation at least to FIGS. 5-6 above.

At 706, when the visually determining determines that the marking tape or paint near the surface area includes the temporary localized variation, the ball is called as being in bounds. Alternatively, when the visually determining determines that the marking tape or paint near the surface area does not include the temporary localized variation, the ball is called as being out of bounds. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates examples of the ball being called in bounds or out of bounds based on the point of contact, FIG. 3 shows an example contact on the marking tape or paint, and FIG. 5 illustrates an example local variation.

In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint may be configured to generate the temporary localized variation at a point of impact of the ball on the marking tape or paint, when the ball contacts the marking tape or paint. The marking tape or paint may be configured to be insensitive to the contacting when the point of impact is outside of the marking tape or paint.

In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when a size of an area of the point of impact is below a threshold. For example, the area threshold may be configured to be less than the area of a player's foot landing on the marking tape or paint, or less that the area of a tennis ball striking the marking tape or paint (e.g., due to the higher flexibility and weight of a tennis ball relative to the flexibility of a typical pickleball ball, the tennis ball's contact area may be larger).

In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when an amount of pressure is above a threshold. For example, a first pressure threshold may be such that the first threshold is exceeded and the localized variation is activated when the contact is by a ball being returned by a player's return shot but the first pressure threshold is not exceeded and the localized variation is not activated when the ball is after a first bounce on the same side of the court. A second pressure threshold may be such that a typical contact by a returned pickleball ball does not exceed the second pressure threshold but a contact by a tennis ball or player's foot would exceed the second pressure threshold and prevent activation of the localized variation.

In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when an area of the point of impact is below a first threshold and an amount of pressure is above a second threshold.

In some embodiments, the temporary localized variation comprises a temporary change in color at a point of impact of the ball on the marking tape or paint. The marking tape or paint is configured to provide the temporary localized variation in response to pressure from the ball. The marking tape or paint may be configured to provide the temporary localized variation in response to pressure detected in an area having a size corresponding to the ball.

In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint may include chemical materials sensitive to pressure. For example, the chemical materials may change color in response to pressure. In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint includes a magnetic material sensitive to pressure. The magnetic material may be configured to change color in response to the pressure.

In some embodiments, the marking tape or paint comprises marking tape configured to change an electrical property in response to pressure. The electrical property may be resistance or capacitance. The marking tape may be illuminated in response to the pressure. Alternatively, the marking tape may change color in response to the pressure.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart 800 of a process for, in addition to the process of flowchart 700, for further determining whether the ball is in bounds or out of bounds during the pickleball game being played on the pickleball court, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

At 802, the pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is additionally applied to non-volley lines of the pickleball court.

At 804, responsive to the ball contacting a second surface area near one of the non-volley lines, whether the marking tape or paint near the second surface area generates a temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting is visually determined.

At 806, when the visually determining determines that the marking tape or paint near the second surface area includes the temporary localized variation, the ball is called as being out of bounds. Alternatively, when the visually determining determines that the marking tape or paint near the surface area does not include the temporary localized variation, calling the ball as inbounds.

In the determination at 806, a different conclusion is drawn for the ball contacting the marking tape or paint that the conclusion drawn at 706. In some embodiments, the marking tape described in relation to FIG. 6 may be used to generate the localized temporary variation in different colors for the baselines and sidelines and for the non-volley lines on the pickleball court.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart 900 of a process for, in addition to the process of flowchart 700 and, optionally, in addition to the process of flowchart 800, for further determining whether the ball is in bounds or out of bounds during the pickleball game being played on the pickleball court.

At 902, a second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is applied to one or both side areas adjacent to the baselines and/or sidelines of the pickleball court. For example, FIG. 4 shows the second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint being used on the court side of the baselines/sidelines.

At 904, responsive to the ball contacting the surface area near one of the baselines and/or sidelines, whether the second marking tape or paint on one of the side areas near the surface area includes a temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting is visually determined.

At 906, when the visually determining determines that the second marking tape or paint on said one of the side areas near the surface area includes the temporary localized variation and the said one of the side areas is an inner side of the baselines and/or sidelines, the ball is called as being in bounds. Alternatively, when the visually determining determines that the marking tape or paint on one of the side areas near the surface area includes the temporary localized variation and the said one of the side areas is an outer side of the baselines and/or sidelines, the ball is called as being out of bounds.

Thus, as described above, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, pickleball court lines are drawn by pressure-sensitive tape or paint. The color, or other characteristic, of the tape or paint changes for a few seconds due to the pressure exerted when the pickleball ball hits a court line. In some embodiments, the tape or paint may include pressure-based line sensors that may be more accurate and easier to implement.

Example embodiments described above have several advantages over the line call technology currently available for pickleball. Unlike the camera-based systems that are currently in use in various sports, the tapes and/or paints in example embodiments may not require calibration. The technology of the example embodiments is simple to implement, and can be permanent and immovable, thereby providing an economical and practical configuration for at least recreational play.

Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail, the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or example.

Claims

1. A pickleball court comprising a playing surface with at least baselines and/or sidelines comprising a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint, wherein the pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is configured to, responsive to a pickleball ball contacting one of the baselines and/or sidelines, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting by the ball.

2. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the visually detectable temporary localized variation is a temporary change in color at a point of the contact on the marking tape or paint.

3. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to be insensitive to the contacting when the contact by the ball is outside of the marking tape or paint.

4. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when a size of an area of the contact is below a threshold.

5. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when an amount of pressure imposed by the contact is above a threshold.

6. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when an area of the contact is below a first threshold and an amount of pressure imposed by the contact is above a second threshold.

7. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint comprises chemical materials sensitive to pressure from the contact.

8. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint includes a magnetic material sensitive to pressure from the contact.

9. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking is configured to change an electrical property in response to pressure from the contact.

10. The pickleball court according to claim 9, wherein the electrical property is resistance or capacitance, and wherein the marking tape is illuminated at a point of the contact in response to the pressure.

11. The pickleball court according to claim 1, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to automatically reverse the localized variation in response to a pressure of the contact being removed for a time interval.

12. The pickleball court according to claim 1, further comprising a second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint set on one or both side areas adjacent to the first marking tape or paint, wherein the second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is configured to generate a second visually detectable localized variation when the contact is on the second pressure-pressure sensitive marking tape.

13. A pressure-sensitive pickleball court marking tape or paint configured to, responsive to a pickleball ball contacting the marking tape or paint set on a pickleball court, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting by the ball.

14. The pressure-sensitive pickleball court marking tape or paint according to claim 13, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to change color at a point of the contact in response to the contacting.

15. The pressure-sensitive pickleball court marking tape or paint according to claim 13, wherein the marking tape or paint corresponds to dimensions of pickleball court baselines and/or sidelines.

16. A method of building a pickleball court comprising applying a pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint on a playing surface to one or more baselines and/or sidelines of the pickleball court, wherein the pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is configured to, responsive to a pickleball ball contacting one of the one or more baselines and/or sidelines, generate a visually detectable temporary localized variation responsive to the contacting by the ball.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the visually detectable temporary localized variation is a temporary change in color at a point of the contact on the marking tape or paint.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to generate the temporary localized variation when an area of the contact is below a first threshold and/or an amount of pressure imposed by the contact is above a second threshold.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the marking tape or paint is configured to automatically reverse the localized variation in response to a pressure of the contact being removed for a time interval.

20. The method according to claim 16, the method further comprises applying a second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint on one or both side areas adjacent to the first marking tape or paint, wherein the second pressure-sensitive marking tape or paint is configured to generate a second visually detectable localized variation when the contact is on the second pressure-pressure sensitive marking tape.