Patent Application
20240181324
The invention relates generally to systems and methods for a paddle for sports, such as pickleball, and particularly a paddle providing feedback to the user indicating the location of ball strikes on the paddle, and illuminate an LED as a training aid.
Pickleball is a competitive sport that is growing in popularity. In addition to promoting health through exercise, pickleball is a multiplayer sport that promotes socialization. For players that are experienced in pickleball or another racquet sport (e.g., racquetball, tennis, etc.), pickleball is a natural extension of their prior activities. However, those wishing to engage in the sport may be reluctant to do so, or start but soon quit without coaching to improve their game. While there are many resources available to assist a player in learning the basics and best practices, having a coach to provide timely and specific feedback can be critical to improving a player's game, especially for new or novice players. However, a sufficiently skilled personal coach may be unavailable and, when available, a human coach may not catch certain aspects of the player's form.
While any portion of a paddle may strike the ball, paddles and racquets generally have a “sweet spot” in the center. Striking the ball in the sweet spot allows the user to have greater control over the trajectory of the ball, impart a desired spin or “English,” apply more force or use less effort in striking the ball, and provide better comfort and less strain on the user's hand, wrist, and arm. In contrast, striking the ball outside of the sweet spot may cause the ball trajectory or spin to be more random to the user, may result in a strike with less force or cause the user to use more effort to strike the ball, and/or cause discomfort to the user with excessive vibration of the paddle and twisting of the paddle from repeated off-center strikes.
These and other needs are addressed by the various embodiments and configurations of the present invention. The present invention can provide a number of advantages depending on the particular configuration. These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein.
The embodiments herein are primarily directed to a pickleball paddle and providing strike-location feedback to the user when the paddle is used to strike a pickleball. However, certain embodiments described herein may be applied to other paddle or racquet types (e.g., ping pong, tennis, racquetball, etc.). In another embodiment, LEDs are located on the paddle and illuminate in response to a detected strike, which may occur anywhere on the paddle, and remain illuminated for a previously determined period of time. As a benefit, a player can readily determine if they see the light, indicating proper visual attention, or if they did not see the light, indicating their visual attention was directed elsewhere. Additionally or alternatively, LEDs are selectively located and/or color indicating and illuminated on the paddle as an aid to the player to indicate the location of a strike and to further focus the player's attention on a desired portion of the paddle. For example, an LED that is green and/or located at a first location on the paddle may indicate a sweet-spot strike, whereas a LED that is red and/or located in a second location on the paddle may indicate a strike in a zone outside of the sweet-spot.
As a general introduction to the embodiments herein, and in one embodiment, a paddle is disclosed having sensor(s), processor(s), and feedback component(s) to provide feedback to a user of the paddle as to where and when the ball strike occurred.
In one embodiment, a paddle is disclosed comprising five major functional features: an audio sensor incorporated into the programmable controller element; a pressure sensitive pad attached to the surface of, or incorporated into, a pickleball paddle; light-emitting diodes (LEDs) placed on the periphery, or incorporated into, a pickleball paddle; an audio annunciator incorporated into the programmable controller element; and a programmable controller placed on or near the paddle's handle, or incorporated into a pickleball paddle. Each block performs a function in furtherance of training, in particular training a novice pickleball player.
A pickleball paddle, like most sporting equipment, has a set form factor of all or a portion of the components utilized to play the sport. The form factor may be determined by a governing body or a player's preference. On and in the form factor provided embodiments herein may be deployed. Again, like most sporting equipment, size and weight are at a premium. Components such as controllers, sensors, memory, LEDs, switches, batteries, etc., all take up precious space and add weight. Accordingly, embodiments herein provide enhancements to the paddle while conforming to the form factor of the paddle and minimizing additional weight.
In another embodiment, an impact sensor comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone. The impact sensor determines when the paddle has impacted, which may require additional information (e.g., a location of an impact) to determine if the impact occurred by a user hitting a ball (e.g., a strike) or an impact that may be determined to be not a strike, such as setting the paddle down on a surface. The MEMS microphone may be operated in a wake-on-sound mode, such as to energize other components upon detection of an impact by a ball. In order to help limit triggering of the MEMS microphone to only impacts with the paddle, the MEMS microphone may be closed to the atmosphere or, if otherwise open, sealed, encased, etc., in whole or in part (e.g., blocking a sound-entry port) to better isolate the MEMS microphone from the atmosphere and attenuate sound waves from the MEMS microphone. As a benefit, the physical attachment and mechanical communication between the MEMS microphone and the remainder of the paddle allow the microphone to remain sensitive to mechanical vibrations induced into the paddle (e.g., impacts with a ball). In another embodiment, the impact sensor is embodied as a piezoelectric component to convert a mechanical input (e.g., vibrations in the paddle) into electrical energy. The resulting electrical energy may then be utilized to report an impact and/or activate other components, such as the impact sensor or a portion thereof that may then be energized to report a particular location of the impact. In another embodiment, the microphone sensor and the impact sensor comprise a combined sensor (i.e., a single sensor).
In another embodiment, the audio sensor is monitored by the programmable controller for the distinctive sound made by a pickleball when it strikes anywhere on the paddle. The sound triggers the programmable controller to wake up from a battery saving/sleep mode and read the pressure sensitive pad's electrical outputs. The outputs are read to determine if the trigger was caused by a pickleball contacting the surface of the paddle or not. The focus output (LEDs) indicates the impact regardless of if the sensor output, such as in the case when a ball is hit on the backhand side of the paddle or anyplace outside of the pressure Sensor area. Embodiments may include placing pressure sensing areas on both sides of the paddle, such as to record the location of impact on the surface when used for both forehand and backhand shots. However, in other embodiments, sensors are not applied to the backhand surface. As a result, a backhand shot would only be recognized as hitting the paddle that was outside the (forehand only) sensing area.
In another embodiment, the pressure sensitive pad is an electronic device that reacts to the pressure from contact with a pickleball. The location of the pickleball's contact can be determined by the programmable controller reading the pressure sensitive pad's electrical outputs and identifying the coordinates of the pickleball's contact with the surface of the paddle. Due to the size of a pickleball and its compression when contacting the pressure sensitive pad, one or more coordinates may be activated upon contact, leading to ambiguity as to the exact location of the pickleball's contact with the paddle when read by the programmable controller. The programmable controller uses a software algorithm to disambiguate this information.
In another embodiment, the LEDs provide visual feedback or a “focus” feature designed to train a novice player, although more skilled players may also benefit, to keep their attention on the pickleball's incoming trajectory until the player contacts the pickleball with the paddle. Specifically, the LEDs are positioned directly in the user's line-of-sight of the “sweet spot” of the paddle. When the player contacts the pickleball with the paddle and sees the LEDs flash, the player will know they have kept their eyes on the pickleball and followed it to the paddle until contact; whereas if the player contacts the pickleball with the paddle and does not see the LEDs flash, it means the player took their eyes off the ball, typically turning their attention to their opponent before the impact is completed (analogous to a golfer looking up to see the trajectory of the ball before the backswing is completed). The LEDs thus provide visual feedback, which helps the player to build hand-eye coordination, muscle memory, and consistency when striking the pickleball. Two LEDs are provided to allow left-handed and right-handed players to share a paddle (or for a trainer to use the same paddle with either type of player). Two LEDs also allow focus training to occur on backhand shots without requiring the user to flip the paddle when switching from forehand to backhand for either right-handed or left-handed players.
In another embodiment, using spoken words, the audio annunciator provides audio feedback to the novice player to aid them in recognizing the location where the pickleball has struck the paddle. A player strives to strike a pickleball consistently in the “sweet spot” of the paddle. The programmable controller can use a software algorithm along with the x-y coordinates from the pressure sensitive pad to output a spoken word identifying a specific region on the pressure sensitive pad where the pickleball made contact. By identifying where the pickleball is striking the paddle, the audio annunciator helps the novice player to make appropriate minor adjustments when swinging the paddle to achieve more strikes of the pickleball in the “sweet spot.”
In another embodiment, the programmable controller consists of a battery-powered microprocessor with software algorithms and connections to various inputs and outputs. The inputs are: (1) the pressure sensitive pad; and (2) the audio sensor. Outputs are: (1) the audio annunciator; and (2) the LEDs.
The programmable controller's software algorithms control the behavior of the paddle in two modes of operation: (1) Normal Play Mode; and (2) Feature Programming Mode, which enables the player to select various user options/behaviors of the paddle.
Normal Play Mode: A summary of how the paddle works in “Normal Play Mode” is now provided and assumes that the LED “focus” and audible annunciations are enabled. The following summary assumes the programmable controller is in its “low-power sleep mode.”
(1) A pickleball approaches a player who watches the ball, adjusting his/her body and paddle position to make proper contact with the pickleball.
(2) A pickleball strikes the paddle (assume it strikes in the programmed “sweet spot”).
(3) The sound of the pickleball striking the paddle “wakes up” the programmable controller.
(4) The programmable controller checks the pressure sensitive pad and determines whether there was a detected pressure on the pressure sensor pad substantially concurrent (e.g., within human perception, such as 8-12 milliseconds) with the sound, such as during play or practice. If no concurrent pressure was detected, the impact may be a non-play impact, such as a tap associated with triggering the Feature Programming Mode of the paddle. The programmable controller then gathers the information about where on the paddle the pickleball strike occurred.
Additionally or alternatively, a pickleball strike that does not strike the pressure sensor pad or a strike on the backhand side of the paddle (when embodied without a pressure sensor on the backhand side of the paddle) will still activate the LEDs. This is done to give utility to backhand shots and to allow an embodiment of the paddle to be used without the pressure sensor pad function.
(5) The programmable controller resolves any ambiguities as to location of the pickleball strike by using its disambiguation algorithm and using the “best choice” result to cause the audible annunciator to output the verbal audible cue “sweet.”
(6) The programmable controller causes the “focus” LEDs to flash for a predetermined amount of time.
(7) The programmable controller goes back into “low-power sleep mode.”
(8) The player receives visual and audible indications of proper swing, eye-focus, and contact with the pickleball.
Feature Programming Mode: A summary of Feature Programming Mode is now provided. Initially, the programmable controller is in its “low-power sleep mode.”
Feature Programming Mode comprises:
(1) The player strikes the paddle three times with a pickleball. These strikes must not be on the pressure sensitive pad but can be on any other part of the paddle as detected by sensors connected to the programmable controller. The strikes must be at a repetition rate that would not normally be encountered during play or training, for example three times within two seconds.
(2) The sound of the pickleball striking the paddle (other than on the pressure sensitive pad) “wakes up” the programmable controller.
(3) The programmable controller checks the pressure sensitive pad and, if a determination is made that two (or more) strikes were made on the pressure sensitive pad within a time threshold, the strikes are a wake-up signal and are not impacts due to game play. As a result, the programmable controller enters Feature Programming Mode. A pickleball strike (e.g., a “hit”) is deemed to occur if the time between impacts is reflective of game play, such as the time to make a hit, have the ball returned by the opponent, and make a second hit. However, if two impacts are within a predetermined time threshold, such as 300 msec, the second impact is determined to be too soon to be game play and is considered a “tap.”
(4) The programmable controller uses the audible annunciator to indicate to the player that the paddle is in the Feature Programming Mode.
(5) Using a series of subsequent pickleball strikes on the paddle and audible annunciator verbal prompts, the programmable controller can lead the player through a series of variable option choices including, but not limited to, changing the size of the “sweet spot” or muting the verbal announcement of the sweet spot hits. As a player gains skill they can reduce the size of the sweet spot to further refine their technique. Also, more skillful players will normally strike the sweet spot on the majority of hits and may not want the repetition of the “sweet spot” announcement. In this mode the paddle only announces shots where correction is needed.
(6) The player can exit the Feature Programming Mode either by following a prompt from the programmable controller at the appropriate times or by simply allowing the Feature Programming Mode to time out by doing nothing more for a predetermined amount of time.
(7) Any options selected by the player will be stored in non-volatile memory in the programmable controller until subsequently changed by the player.
In another embodiment, and due at least in part to the pickleball's size and compression when hitting the paddle, the pressure sensitive pad may return one or more coordinates when read by the programmable controller after a pickleball strike. The programmable controller's disambiguation of the coordinates is accomplished by using a programmed “truth table” to determine a rational or “best guess” point of the pickleball's contact.
In another embodiment, the size of the “sweet spot” is a variable value stored in the programmable controller's parameter settings stored in a memory. The value used by the programmable controller to determine if a pickleball strike occurred in a “sweet spot” may be selected by the player based upon their preferences. For example, a novice player may choose a large “sweet spot” to aid in building confidence while developing their hand-eye coordination, and a smaller “sweet spot” may be selected by a player as their skills improve and they desire to refine their swing.
In another embodiment, the programmable controller's software receives signals from the pressure sensing pad, or one of the multiple regions thereof, for the purpose of providing audio feedback such as spoken audio annunciation cues to the player when the pickleball strikes the paddle. For example, verbal cues may include, but are not limited to, the spoken word “sweet,” which would tell the player a ball strike hit the sweet spot on the paddle; while spoken words such as “out” would tell the player a ball strike hit the outer (top) extreme of the paddle's surface.
Multiple such cues are possible and are only limited by the number of “regions” fabricated into the pressure sensitive pad and the available memory in the programmable controller.
In another embodiment, the programmable controller's audio feedback, such as verbal cues, from the audio annunciator are stored in the programmable controller's parameter settings and can be modified by the player. For example, a player may choose to know only about “sweet spot” contacts of the pickleball with the paddle, and thus allow only “sweet” to be spoken and all other verbal cues could be disabled (e.g., omit “left,” “right,” “in”, “out”, etc.).
In another embodiment, powering-up, programming, and normal play functionality are each triggered and operated by touch and/or sound.
In another embodiment, touching the pressure sensor, as might occur in normal handling, is ignored. However, if the touch is observed but preceded or followed within a previously determined threshold (e.g., 10 milliseconds) by the sound of an impact, then additional processing is performed, such as to “wake” the controller and determine the location of the strike.
At the time of the impact, the controller may be in sleep mode and, as a result, an impact is not sensed. However, the impact is registered by the sensor and stored (e.g., sample and hold), such as in a memory or register of the sensor or other component. If the sound of an impact is detected (a process that is enabled while the controller is in sleep mode), the controller accesses or reads the held value. If an impact is determined to have occurred within the previously determined time (e.g., 10 milliseconds), the impact is determined to be a ball strike and the controller “wakes” to become fully operational. If there is no stored value of the impact, or no impact within the previously determined time, the impact is ignored and the controller may resume/return to sleep mode. As a benefit, the controller may omit an on-off switch, be responsive to ball strikes, and ignore other handling while using minimal power. Without implementing a sample-and-hold, the controller would need to process all contacts observed on the pressure sensor, even those that occur during non-use handling (e.g., transporting in a sports bag, etc.).
In another embodiment, the controller operates in sleep mode wherein the sound of a ball impacting the paddle always wakes the controller. If the controller is in “play” mode, the LEDs are energized, such as with a “focus” feature (see below), and instructions of a qualification algorithm executed to determine if the user is attempting to enter setup mode. In this embodiment, contact on the pressure sensor is irrelevant. The pressure sensor's outputs are continuously active, and if an output is true (i.e., pressure is sensed) for a minimum amount of time, for example 250 microseconds, then the input to the controller is held “true” (e.g., a first register or memory value, voltage, etc.) for a threshold period of time (e.g., at least 10 milliseconds) after the pressure is removed, at which time the input returns to the “false” state (e.g., a second register or memory value, voltage, etc.). An input could be held “true” for contact occurring anywhere on the pressure sensor, contact at a particular location (e.g., x-y coordinates), or contact on one of a number of a specific areas of the pressure sensor (e.g., left, right, sweet, in, out, etc.). The controller may then have additional logic to determine the location of the contact. Additionally or alternatively, the sound of an impact is sensed by a function that is also always active and, when encountered, wakes the controller from sleep mode. On waking, if the controller is in Normal Play Mode, the controller pulses the focus LEDs and accesses or reads the conditioned outputs of the pressure sensor. If any sensor output is true at that time, indicating that pressure had been applied within the previous 10 milliseconds, then an audio announcement is issued based on the state of all of the sensor outputs and the current setup parameters. As a further embodiment, the audio announcement is omitted if the pressure sensor indicates a state not associated with play, such as contact on both the left and right sensing areas.
In another embodiment, the “focus” feature will activate regardless of whether the ball contacted the pressure sensor or not. It therefore aids the player with impacts that are towards the edge of the paddle and also for backhand shots if the player did not rotate the paddle to present the sensor side to the ball. Rotating the paddle is not always possible in a fast game or training session, and the focus feature can still aid the player in these situations.
Impacts on the paddle that activate the sensor may be ignored when entering battery check and setup modes. This helps eliminate unwanted voice prompts that are not relevant when the paddle is being used for training.
Focus training by itself, i.e., implemented in the paddle with the pressure sensor disabled or an embodiment that omits the pressure sensor, can aid the user in recognizing the location where the pickleball has struck the paddle. In one embodiment, the controller coupled to an audio sensor may detect the sound (via air or via mechanical connectivity through the paddle) of an impact on the paddle and trigger an illumination of an LED. As a benefit, a player is trained to maintain eye contact with the paddle during the impact, and see the illuminated LED, rather than look elsewhere and not see the illuminated LED. Additionally or alternatively, an LED is illuminated at a location on the paddle that is in alignment with the line-of-sight of the player. Embodiments of the paddle are contemplated that disable or omit the pressure sensor, which can be added later if desired. The system software does not need to be changed, such as in embodiments with and without the pressure sensor, so no configuration setting is required; the controller works without the pressure sensor and, with the pressure, installed or later plugged in, the controller continues to work as before but with additional functionality provided by knowing strike locations on the pressure sensor.
In another embodiment, an impact sound or audio sensor of the controller is an extremely low-power device, such as one designed for internet-of-things (IOT) voice activated devices, and the paddle is always activated and has no on-off switch. Despite the fact that it is always on, the paddle can stay in standby for over a year, waiting for the sound of an impact. Charging an internal battery may be accomplished via connection to a charging cable and power source.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, including: a controller; and an input component; and wherein the input component receives a first mechanical input, converts the first mechanical input into a first electrical signal, and provides the first electrical signal to the controller; wherein the input component receives a second mechanical input, converts the second mechanical input into a second electrical signal, and provides the second electrical signal to the controller; wherein the controller, in response to receiving the second electrical signal within a predetermined threshold of time after receiving first electrical signal, while in a low-power state, causes the controller to transition to a programmable state.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein: the controller further evaluates the first electrical signal to determine whether the first electrical signal corresponds to a wake signal; upon determining the first electrical signal is associated with the wake signal, the controller exits the low-power state and processes at least one additional electrical signal different from the first electrical signal; and upon determining the first electrical signal is not associated with the wake signal, the controller maintains operation in the low-power state and ignores all inputs other than the first electrical signal.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the first mechanical input includes a tap.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the input component includes a microphone and the tap is determined from sampling sound energy received from the microphone.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the input component includes an accelerometer and the tap is determined from sampling motion reported by the accelerometer.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the predetermined threshold is 300 milliseconds.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, further including: an impact sensor providing a location of a strike thereupon; wherein the input component receives a second mechanical input, converts the second mechanical input into a second electrical signal, and provides the second electrical signal to the controller; and wherein the controller, in response to receiving the second electrical signal, while in the low-power state, causes the controller to enter a playable state, and wherein inputs received from the impact sensor are processed and a result reported therefrom.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, including: a controller; an impact sensor to output an impact signal upon an impact with the paddle; a location sensor to output a location signal upon the impact with the paddle occurring at a sensing location on the paddle and wherein the sensing location is less than all of the paddle; and a reporting component; wherein the impact sensor senses the impact, and in response, outputs the impact signal to the controller; and wherein the controller, upon receiving the impact signal, accesses the location signal and determines therefrom whether the impact occurred at the sensing location or at a location other than the sensing location and reports the impact to the reporting component in accordance with the impact occurring at the sensing location or at the location other than the sensing location.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the controller reporting the impact to the reporting component includes the controller reporting indicia of the impact to the reporting component, and wherein the reporting component includes a computer memory.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the controller reporting the impact to the reporting component includes the controller energizing the reporting component, and wherein the reporting component includes at least one of a light or a speaker.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the controller reporting the impact to the reporting component includes the controller energizing the reporting component, and wherein the reporting component includes a radio frequency transmitter.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the impact sensor and the location sensor are each portions of a combined sensor.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the location sensor includes a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the MEMS microphone includes an atmospheric sound attenuation component.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein at least one of the impact sensor or the location sensor includes a piezoelectric sensor.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, including: a controller; a sensor; a memory; and a reporting component; wherein the sensor senses an impact at a location of the sensor and, in response, outputs an impact signal to the controller; wherein the controller, upon receiving the impact signal, reports the impact at the location to the memory; and wherein the controller accesses the memory and energizes the reporting component to output indicia of the impact.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the controller reports the impact including a plurality of impacts to the memory, and wherein the controller energizes the reporting component to output indicia of the plurality of impacts including indicia of the impact.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the reporting component includes a light.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the reporting component includes a speaker and outputs an audio signal.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, wherein the reporting component includes a radio frequency transmitter and outputs the signal encoded with the indicia of the impact as an encoded radio frequency signal.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a paddle, including: an impact sensor to output an impact with the paddle; a reporting component including a light; wherein the impact sensor senses the impact, and in response, outputs an impact signal to the reporting component; and wherein the reporting component, upon receiving the impact signal, energizes the light to indicate the impact.
It is to be appreciated that any feature described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features come from the same described embodiment.
The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” “or,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “A, B, and/or C,” and “A, B, or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.
The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers to any process or operation, which is typically continuous or semi-continuous, done without material human input when the process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is received before performance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be “material.”
Aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an embodiment that is entirely hardware, an embodiment that is entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” Any combination of one or more computer-readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium.
A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible, non-transitory medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including, but not limited to, wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
The terms “determine,” “calculate,” “compute,” and variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique.
The term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f) and/or Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
The preceding is a simplified summary of the invention to provide an understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the invention and its various embodiments. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention but to present selected concepts of the invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. Also, while the disclosure is presented in terms of exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that an individual aspect of the disclosure can be separately claimed.
The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appended figures:
The ensuing description provides embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the embodiments. It will be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Any reference in the description comprising a numeric reference number, without an alphabetic sub-reference identifier when a sub-reference identifier exists in the figures, when used in the plural, is a reference to any two or more elements with the like reference number. When such a reference is made in the singular form, but without identification of the sub-reference identifier, it is a reference to one of the like numbered elements, but without limitation as to the particular one of the elements being referenced. Any explicit usage herein to the contrary or providing further qualification or identification shall take precedence.
The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure will also be described in relation to analysis software, modules, and associated analysis hardware. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the following description omits well-known structures, components, and devices, which may be omitted from or shown in a simplified form in the figures or otherwise summarized.
For purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific details set forth herein.
It should be appreciated that certain embodiments herein are directed to the sensing and feedback portions alone and omit the structure of the paddle itself. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes impact sensor 110 (and zones defined by out sensor area 112, left sensor area 114, sweet spot sensor area 116, right sensor area 118, in sensor area 120), controller housing 122, speaker 124, LED 126, LED 128, and/or other components utilized for sensing and responding to impacts, such as on controller housing 122. However, omitted are portions of paddle 100 itself, such as frame 102, paddle surface 108, paddle core 104, handle 106, and/or other portions that may be necessary or beneficial to play, but are not required for sensing and reporting ball strikes and/or programming the controller. In such embodiments, the system may be a discrete component, which may be utilized as a stand-alone device or be subsequently applied/attached to a paddle, racquet, or similar device for use therewith.
Paddle 100 may be embodied to comprise one, some, or all of an audio sensor, a pressure sensitive pad, a controller, and one or more output components. The audio sensor (not shown) may be a portion of, or in communication with, a controller maintained in controller housing 122. The audio sensor receives sound energy and provides a signal (digital and/or analog) to the controller. If the controller is in a power-saving (e.g., sleep) state, the controller receives the signals from the audio sensor and determines if the sound comprises a distinctive “wake” sound. For example, the wake sound may be the sound of a pickleball striking paddle 100 or other distinctive sound (e.g., a user of paddle 100 saying the word “wake”). Sounds other than the wake sound may be ignored (e.g., omitted from further processing and thereby maintaining the controller in sleep state).
In another embodiment, the controller (e.g., a programmable controller) operates in a “battery saving” state or “sleep” mode, such as to suspend any output signals (e.g., causing electrical power to be omitted from impact sensor 110, LED 126, paddle surface 108, speaker 124, etc.) and/or ignore any input signals (e.g., signals from impact sensor 110) other than the wake sound received from the audio sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the paddle may incorporate a switch, such as to completely terminate electrical power from a power supply to all components of the paddle when off, and/or to immediately wake the controller when initially turned on.
In another embodiment, impact sensor 110 comprises one or more zones (e.g., zones defined by out sensor area 112, left sensor area 114, sweet spot sensor area 116, and right sensor area 118) and reports the location of the zone that is activated when a ball strike to the controller occurs. Impact sensor 110 may comprise distinct zones, such as a particular wire connected to the controller that is activated only when a strike is observed in a particular one zone, or may comprise a single array and report the location (e.g., an x-y coordinate) to the controller to resolve which zone recorded the strike based on the boundary of the zones. Optionally, impact sensor 110 may comprise an accelerometer (not shown), such as to determine if any strike anywhere on paddle 100 has occurred. For example, the controller may wake initiate the Feature Programming Mode, output strike results that occurred over a session of use, and so on, in response to a particular tapping on frame 102 determined by the accelerometer and/or impact sensor 110. As a further option, an accelerometer may report a motion of paddle 100 (e.g., swing, backhand swing, etc.) or attribute (e.g., direction, speed, etc.) to the controller.
In another embodiment, the one or more output components receive a signal from the controller to activate a particular one output and/or a particular type of output, in response to the signal indicating a ball strike in a particular one of the zones. The output component may comprise a light-emitting diode (e.g., LED 126, LED 128, or other LED) that is illuminated by a signal from the controller only when certain ball strikes are detected (e.g., only strikes at the sweet spot or only strikes outside the sweet spot) or by light in response to a ball strike occurring in a particular zone (e.g., a particular LED for strikes occurring in left sensor area 114, another LED for reporting strikes occurring in sweet spot sensor area 116, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the LEDs may be multicolor or comprise an array of different colored LEDs, such as to convey a message via energizing an LED of a particular color (e.g., green for strikes observed in sweet spot sensor area 116, red for non-sweet spot strikes and/or different colors for different non-sweet spot zones, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the output component may comprise an audio generation component to receive signals from the controller and output an audio signal, such as a tone, generated speech, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the output component may comprise haptic feedback, such as multiple location-specific vibration devices to convey the location of a strike (e.g., one part of handle 106 vibrates for a sweet spot hit, another for left, etc.) and/or encoded vibration signals (e.g., short for sweet spot, long-short for left, short-long for right, etc.). In other embodiments, the output device may comprise a transmitter such as to provide strike locations to another device (e.g., a smart phone or wearable device) via radio frequency (e.g., Bluetooth) and optionally receive inputs therefrom. Outputs may be configured, such as to report each strike and where the strike occurred or to report on a group of strikes (e.g., “Your last 100 hits included 85% in the sweet spot, 7% in left . . . ,” “25 sweet-spot hits in a row. A new personal best.”).
Optionally, processing continues to test 204 wherein a strike type is determined, which is described more completely with respect to processes 300 and 400 (see
Step 208 receives or reads the output of impact sensor 110 to obtain strike location data, which may be in a machine form (e.g., x-y coordinates, a cell identifier when impact sensor 110 is embodied as a multi-cell sensing component, etc.). Step 210 resolves the location of the strike, such as to determine left, right, sweet, in, or out. Step 210 may be further determined in accordance with a feature setting. For example, the impact of a pickleball on impact sensor 110 may be observed to have occurred at a number of locations (e.g., a centroid having x-y dimensions, a number of cells, etc.). As will be described more completely below (see
Step 212 then outputs the location of the strike. For example, a generated voice announcement (e.g., “Sweet,” “Left,” etc.), an LED, and/or another output is triggered or energized.
Next, step 304 announces the mode (e.g., a particular LED or LED pattern, outputting generated speech such as “Programming mode,” etc.). As will be described more completely with respect to process 400 (see
The input received (or not received, i.e., timeout) is then evaluated in step 310 to determine if it is a change. For example, a single tap may be a change of the setting (e.g., a change in the sweet spot size). A double tap may indicate “save” and cause test 310 to be determined in the affirmative and store the currently selected setting to memory at step 312. If test 310 determines there is no change, test 314 determines if other configurations are available. If test 314 is determined in the affirmative, step 316 prompts for the next configuration (e.g., turn on or off annunciations) and process 300 loops to step 308 to evaluate any changes to the current setting. Once step 314 is evaluated in the negative, process 300 may end. Additionally or alternatively, any time waiting for a user input that is greater than a previously determined threshold may cause process 300 to time out and terminate.
Step 406 enters a programing phase of operation for the controller, which optionally is presented to the user as a battery status report, such as to cause LED 126 and/or LED 128 to flash in accordance with a battery charge level (e.g., one for low, two for medium, three for high, etc.). Process 400 may comprise a “timeout” feature at any point, wherein a delay waiting for a user input is over a previously determined threshold that causes process 400 to end and the controller to revert back to low-power mode. In one embodiment, after the “wake” (step 402), a timer is started at step 408 to determine if a subsequent input is received to enter programming mode. Test 410 determines if an input, such as a tap, is received. If not, processing continues to test 412 to determine if a timeout has occurred. If test 412 is determined in the affirmative, processing continues to exit programming mode in step 422 and process 400 ends. If test 412 is determined in the negative, processing loops back to test 410.
If test 410 is determined in the affirmative, the controller enters the setup state in step 414. Test 410 may determine an input has been received, such as tap(s) and not impacts from a ball strike on the pressure sensor that may occur during a game or practice session. Step 416 reports a configurable element. For example, the controller may cause speaker 124 to present speech such as “Sweet spot size.” Step 418 reports the current setting state (e.g., small, large, etc.) and test 420 determines the type (if any) of input received in response to step 418.
Test 420 evaluates input devices (e.g., microphone, accelerometer, etc.) and determines the type of input received. For example, if no input was received, processing continues to step 422 and programming mode ends. Additionally or alternatively, step 422 may cause the controller to enter “play” mode (e.g., evaluate inputs as being ball strikes) or return to the low-power mode. If test 420 determines a single strike has been received, step 424 cycles to the next setting (e.g., small to large, small to medium, etc.) to be announced in step 418 wherein the process repeats. As a result, a user may cycle through all available options for a setting.
Once the user has made their desired selection, test 420 determines if a double tap has been received and, if so, processing continues to step 425 wherein the setting is saved to a memory available to the controller. Processing continues to step 426 wherein the next configurable element is selected and reported in step 416. As a result, a user may cycle through all options (e.g., annunciations on/off, sweet spot size, “focus” mode, etc.). Once test 420 determines an “exit” input has been received (e.g., three inputs or no input), processing continues to step 422 and process 400 ends.
Battery 506 is provided with electrical charge from charging controller 505 regulating electrical power received from charging input 502, such as when plugged in to a power source. Charging controller 505 may also monitor or measure power usage in order to report battery power level to controller 510.
Microphone 508 converts sound energy into electrical signals, which may be analog or digitized, and provides the electrical signals to controller 510. Location sensor 522 provides strike location data from impact sensor 110, which may be held in sample and hold 516. Voice data 525 provides speech generation settings and/or recordings to enable controller 510 to generate speech.
System 500 comprises one or more output components. Audio amplifier 512 receives low-power signals from controller 510 and outputs a sufficient amplitude signal to drive speaker 124. LED driver 518 receives control signals from controller 510 to drive LEDs 520 (e.g., LED 126, LED 128).
Paddle 100 may comprise a memory utilized to store statistics of use as recorded by controller 510. The memory may be on-chip (e.g., within controller 510) or other memory storage component. Such statistics may include, but are not limited to, number and/or ratio of total strikes and/or strikes within one or more portions of the paddle (e.g., out sensor area 112, left sensor area 114, sweet spot sensor area 116, right sensor area 118, sensor area 120, etc. and/or strikes on paddle 100 that were not registered anywhere on impact sensor 110, such as strikes on frame 102 or on the backhand side of paddle 100 when no backhand strike-sensing area is provided. Statistics may be reported as raw data or indicia (e.g., transmitting a block of bits encoded with strike information) and/or further processed into an aggregation for a plurality of strikes or indicia thereof.
Indicia of an impact (strike or hit) may be an energized audio (e.g., speaker), visual (e.g., LED), and/or other component. Encoding may be a simple “on” or further encoded with data, such as a speaker audibly announcing the number of strikes in a particular zone, percentage(s), strikes over time, changes therein, coded light flashes, etc. Accordingly, and in another embodiment, paddle 100 may comprise one or more data output components, such as LED 126, LED 128, speaker 124 that are utilized as a machine-to-human output device but may also be utilized by device 602. In other embodiments, paddle 100 may be configured with a radio transmitter (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near-field communications, etc.) and/or detachable data cable to communicate with device 602. The communication may include reporting the stored statistics. Device 602 may then receive the statistics from the communication. For example, controller 510 may utilize one or more LEDS (e.g., LED 126, LED 128) to illuminate in a pattern to visually transmit the statistics to a camera of device 602. Device 602 then decodes the illumination pattern to extract the statistics for further processing, presentation on a display of device 602, and/or reporting to another device (not shown). In another embodiment, speaker 124 may be utilized by controller 510 to produce audio signals encoded with the statistics. The audio signals may then be received by a microphone of device 602 for processing, storing, and/or reporting. Similarly, in an embodiment utilizing radio signals, controller 510 encodes the statistics in the radio frequency signals for transmission to a receiver of device 602 for processing, storing and/or reporting.
In addition to the components of controller 704, device 702 may utilize computer memory 706 and/or data storage 708 for the storage of accessible data, such as instructions, values, etc. Communication interface 710 facilitates communication with components, such as controller 704 via bus 714 with components not accessible via bus 714. Communication interface 710 may be embodied as a network port, card, cable, or other configured hardware device. Additionally or alternatively, human input/output interface 712 connects to one or more interface components to receive and/or present information (e.g., instructions, data, values, etc.) to and/or from a human and/or electronic device, such as a microphone, accelerometer, impact sensor 110, etc. Examples of input/output devices 730 that may be connected to input/output interface include, but are not limited to, keyboard, mouse, trackball, printers, displays, sensor, switch, relay, speaker, microphone, still and/or video camera, etc. In another embodiment, communication interface 710 may comprise, or be comprised by, human input/output interface 712. Communication interface 710 may be configured to communicate directly with a networked component or configured to utilize one or more networks, such as network 720 and/or network 724.
Network 720 may be a wired network (e.g., Ethernet), wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.) network, or combination thereof and enable device 702 to communicate with networked component(s) 722 (e.g., device 602). Optionally, network 720 may be omitted such as when device 702 communicates with networked component(s) 722 via encoded light (via visible or invisible portions of the spectrum) and/or via encoded audio signals.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more other networks may be utilized. For example, network 724 may represent a second network, which may facilitate communication with components utilized by device 702.
Components attached to network 724 may include computer memory 726, data storage 728, input/output device(s) 730, and/or other components that may be accessible to controller 704. For example, computer memory 726 and/or data storage 728 may supplement or supplant computer memory 706 and/or data storage 708 entirely or for a particular task or purpose. As another example, computer memory 726 and/or data storage 728 may be an external data repository (e.g., server farm, array, “cloud,” etc.) and enable device 702, and/or other devices, to access data thereon. Similarly, input/output device(s) 730 may be accessed by controller 704 via human input/output interface 712 and/or via communication interface 710 either directly, via network 724, via network 720 alone (not shown), or via networks 724 and 720. Each of computer memory 706, data storage 708, computer memory 726, data storage 728 comprise a non-transitory data storage comprising a data storage device.
It should be appreciated that computer readable data may be sent, received, stored, processed, and presented by a variety of components. It should also be appreciated that components illustrated may control other components, whether illustrated herein or otherwise. For example, one input/output device 730 may be a router, a switch, a port, or other communication component such that a particular output of controller 704 enables (or disables) input/output device 730, which may be associated with network 720 and/or network 724, to allow (or disallow) communications between two or more nodes on network 720 and/or network 724. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other communication equipment may be utilized, in addition or as an alternative, to those described herein without departing from the scope of the embodiments.
In the foregoing description, for the purposes of illustration, methods were described in a particular order. It should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the methods may be performed in a different order than that described without departing from the scope of the embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the methods described above may be performed as algorithms executed by hardware components (e.g., circuitry) purpose-built to carry out one or more algorithms or portions thereof described herein. In another embodiment, the hardware component may comprise a general-purpose microprocessor (e.g., CPU, GPU) that is first converted to a special-purpose microprocessor. The special-purpose microprocessor then having had loaded therein encoded signals causing the, now special-purpose, microprocessor to maintain machine-readable instructions to enable the microprocessor to read and execute the machine-readable set of instructions derived from the algorithms and/or other instructions described herein. The machine-readable instructions utilized to execute the algorithm(s), or portions thereof, are not unlimited but utilize a finite set of instructions known to the microprocessor. The machine-readable instructions may be encoded in the microprocessor as signals or values in signal-producing components by, in one or more embodiments, voltages in memory circuits, configuration of switching circuits, and/or by selective use of particular logic gate circuits. Additionally or alternatively, the machine-readable instructions may be accessible to the microprocessor and encoded in a media or device as magnetic fields, voltage values, charge values, reflective/non-reflective portions, and/or physical indicia.
In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this invention can be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal microprocessor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing the methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the various aspects of this invention. Exemplary hardware that can be used for the present invention includes computers, handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital, analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Some of these devices include microprocessors (e.g., a single or multiple microprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and output devices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein as provided by one or more processing components.
In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented in conjunction with software using object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance with this invention is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the system, the particular function, and the particular software or hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized.
In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partially implemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executed on programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this invention can be implemented as a program embedded on a personal computer such as an applet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server or computer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurement system, system component, or the like. The system can also be implemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into a software and/or hardware system.
Embodiments herein comprising software are executed, or stored for subsequent execution, by one or more microprocessors and are executed as executable code. The executable code being selected to execute instructions that comprise the particular embodiment. The instructions executed being a constrained set of instructions selected from the discrete set of native instructions understood by the microprocessor and, prior to execution, committed to microprocessor-accessible memory. In another embodiment, human-readable “source code” software, prior to execution by the one or more microprocessors, is first converted to system software to comprise a platform (e.g., computer, microprocessor, database, etc.) specific set of instructions selected from the platform's native instruction set.
Although the present invention describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present invention. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents included in the present invention.
The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease, and/or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
Moreover, though the description of the invention has included a description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights, which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 63/429,450, filed on Dec. 1, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63429450 | Dec 2022 | US |
