US4432058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micro-computer network systems for making and using automatic line-call decisions in tennis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-07-16
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Granted: 1984-02-14
•
Expires: 2000-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Systems are disclosed for making automated decisions in tennis based on analyzing effects resulting from the bounce of a tennis ball by means of pattern recognition in order to determine whether the detected "bounce" was a valid bounce of a tennis ball and not caused by other events. The tennis court is laid out with electrical circuits which can define "in" and "out" areas of the court. These circuits are connectable to a network of micro-computers which can analyze the makes and breaks in the electrical circuits resulting from the bounce of an electrically conductive tennis ball and compare said results with predetermined patterns of makes and breaks caused by known valid ball bounces. The systems are designed on a flexible basis to operate with or without an umpire. The systems use an electrically conductive tennis ball which makes and breaks electrical circuits when bouncing on them. The resulting pattern of makes and breaks is characteristic for an electrically conductive tennis ball in distinction by way of first example from the pattern resulting when a steel tennis racket is touched against electrical circuits deployed around the court and by way of second example from the pattern resulting when an electrically conductive tennis ball rolls along the ground (or remains motionless) in contact with said electrical circuits. The systems may also employ infra-red radiation beams to produce the patterns.
Inventors
- 👤 Lyle D. Supran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:24
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; A63B2071/0611; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/02; A63B43/00; A63B43/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for making automated decisions in tennis including: electrical circuits which can be switched by means of a tennis ball action in a zone being monitored; and means operating on a pattern recognition basis for recognizing said tennis ball action in distinction from other events by analyzing at least the frequency of switchings at least in one of said electrical circuits.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for making automated decisions in tennis including: electrical circuits which can be switched by means of a tennis ball action in a zone being monitored; and means operating on a pattern recognition basis for recognizing said tennis ball action in distinction from other events by analyzing at least the frequency of switchings at least in one of said electrical circuits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 including means for operating the system without umpire or linesmen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 2 including at least one housing containing at least one micro-computer; input/output units; switches operable by the players; and connection means to enable connection to electrical circuits included with a tennis court.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1 including means for operating the system by an umpire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 4 including an umpire's console; at least one micro-computer; input/output units; and connection means to enable electrical connection to electrical circuits included with a tennis court.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said umpire's console includes a portable case having a detachable lid; said case being designed to rest on a support carried by the arms of an umpire's chair; and said detachable lid being deployable on other supports of said umpire's chair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 1 including means to indicate said automated decisions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 including means to indicate said automated decisions visually and/or audibly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 including means to indicate said automated decisions by generated speech.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said generated speech is in English.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said generated speech is in a language other than English.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said generated speech is in a combination of languages.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 including means to switch said electrical circuits on or off.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuits include one or more semi-conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuits are included with a tennis court.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuits are incorporated into a tennis court.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said tennis ball is electrically conductive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said action is a bounce of said tennis ball.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said zone is used for playing tennis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means operating on a pattern recognition basis analyzes each of the following: (a) the duration of switching of said electrical circuits; (b) the number of said switchings in a given time period; (c) the number of said electrical circuits switched in a given time period; (d) the sequence of said switching; and (e) the combination of said electrical circuits switched.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said other events include at least one of the following: (a) a conductor other than an electrically conductive tennis ball influencing said electrical circuits; (b) a non-conductor other than said tennis ball influencing said electrical circuits; (c) events not influencing said electrical circuits; (d) a steel racket contacting said electrical circuits; (e) an electrically conductive shoe contacting said electrical circuits; (f) aerial effects influencing said electrical circuits; and (g) noise influencing said electrical circuits.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuits are included with a tennis court and wherein an electrically conductive tennis ball can switch a plurality of said circuits by bouncing within said zone, whereby said means operating on a pattern recognition basis can distinguish between a bounce of said electrically conductive tennis ball and said other events.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
98 words
A system according to claim 1 including: an electrically conductive tennis ball; a plurality of micro-computers interconnectable to form a network of micro-computers, said circuits being connectable to the micro-computer network system; at least one local and/or remote input/output units being connectable to said micro-computers; and means for arranging said micro-computer network system to be capable of operation either with or without umpire and linesmen whereby a bounce of said electrically conductive tennis ball on said electrical circuits can be detected by said network of micro-computers and "in"/"out" decisions indicated by at least one of said output units.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 including means for switching said electrical circuits by said tennis ball action on a plurality of electro-magnetic radiation beams.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 24 wherein said electro-magnetic radiation beams are infra-red.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for making automated decisions in a sporting game in which an object is employed in the playing of the game including: electrical circuits which can be switched by means of the action of said object in a zone being monitored; and means operating on a pattern recognition basis for recognizing said action of the object in distinction from other events by analyzing at least the frequency of switchings at least in one of said electrical circuits.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for making automated decisions in a sporting game in which an object is employed in the playing of the game including: electrical circuits which can be switched by means of the action of said object in a zone being monitored; and means operating on a pattern recognition basis for recognizing said action of the object in distinction from other events by analyzing at least the frequency of switchings at least in one of said electrical circuits.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 26 wherin said object is electrically conductive.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein said means operating on a pattern recognition basis analyzes each of the following: (a) the duration of switching of said electrical circuits; (b) the number of said switchings in a given time period; (c) the number of said electrical circuits switched in a given time period; (d) the sequence of said switching; and (e) the combination of said electrical circuits switched.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 28 wherein said object is electrically conductive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer system for making automatic decisions in tennis, said system comprising in combination; a plurality of tennis balls, each said tennis ball having a cloth cover which is electrically conductive; a plurality of electrical circuits provided in the playing area of the court; means for detecting which of said circuits the ball has bounced on; a computer for accessing and processing information accessible to it from the electrical circuits and other electrical detecting means and programmed in accordance with the rules of tennis currently in force; visual and/or audible display means for indicating the latest state of play, controlled by the output of the computer; and manually operated means for updating said display means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer system for making automatic decisions in tennis, said system comprising in combination; a plurality of tennis balls, each said tennis ball having a cloth cover which is electrically conductive; a plurality of electrical circuits provided in the playing area of the court; means for detecting which of said circuits the ball has bounced on; a computer for accessing and processing information accessible to it from the electrical circuits and other electrical detecting means and programmed in accordance with the rules of tennis currently in force; visual and/or audible display means for indicating the latest state of play, controlled by the output of the computer; and manually operated means for updating said display means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer system according to claim 30, wherein each tennis ball cover is made of cloth into which electrically conductive material has been introduced.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer system according to claim 30, additionally including a playing surface having electrical circuits introduced into the playing suurface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer system according to claim 30, wherein said display system incorporates electronic means for indicating the exact state of play in a doubles or singles tennis match.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-13 | 1987-08-15 | 1988-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-13 | 1991-08-15 | 1992-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-13 | 1995-08-15 | 1996-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |