Patent US5976038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5976038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for detecting moving ball
Assignee: Toy Builders
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Filing: 1998-04-22
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Granted: 1999-11-02
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Expires: 2018-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided with a directional antenna having first and second antenna patterns oriented around an antenna boresight direction. The antenna boresight is oriented in a direction corresponding to a play determinative line on a playing field. Signals are emitted firm a playing object, used as a ball and detect using the two antenna patterns. Comparison of the detected signals provides an output indication when the playing object crosses the play determinative line.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Orenstein
- 👤 James J. Maune
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/04; A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; G01S3/00; G01S3/02; G01S3/14; G01S3/16; G01S3/22; G01S3/26; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/024; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q25/00; H01Q25/02; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/50; A63B2225/54; A63B2243/00; A63B2243/0066; A63B2243/007; A63B43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising the steps of: providing a directional receiving antenna having at least two alternate antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic antenna boresight, said receiving antenna being positioned with said boresight in substantial alignment with said linear boundary; emitting radio signals from said object; receiving said radio signals on said at least two antenna patterns to provide first and second received signals; and comparing said received signals to thereby detect coincidence between said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising the steps of: providing a directional receiving antenna having at least two alternate antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic antenna boresight, said receiving antenna being positioned with said boresight in substantial alignment with said linear boundary; emitting radio signals from said object; receiving said radio signals on said at least two antenna patterns to provide first and second received signals; and comparing said received signals to thereby detect coincidence between said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising: a directional receiving antenna having first and second signal output ports associated with first and second antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna, said boresight being aligned in predetermined relation to said linear boundary; a transmitter arranged to cause emission of radio signals from said object; and signal comparison circuits coupled to said first and second signal output ports for comparing signals received from said object by said receiving antenna to thereby determine coincidence between the position of said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising: a directional receiving antenna having first and second signal output ports associated with first and second antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna, said boresight being aligned in predetermined relation to said linear boundary; a transmitter arranged to cause emission of radio signals from said object; and signal comparison circuits coupled to said first and second signal output ports for comparing signals received from said object by said receiving antenna to thereby determine coincidence between the position of said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 2 wherein said transmitter is positioned in said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 2 wherein said first and second signal output ports correspond to sum and difference antenna patterns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 4 wherein said signal comparison circuits compare signals from said sum and difference ports at different gain levels thereby to enhance directional sensitivity in determining said coincidence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising: a directional receiving antenna having first and second signal output ports associated with first and second antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna, said boresight being aligned in predetermined relation to said linear boundary; a transmitter for illuminating said object with radio frequency radiation; a radio frequency reflector carried by said object to reflect radiation; and signal comparison circuits coupled to said first and second signal output ports for comparing reflected signals received from said object by said receiving antenna to thereby determine coincidence between the position of said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising: a directional receiving antenna having first and second signal output ports associated with first and second antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna, said boresight being aligned in predetermined relation to said linear boundary; a transmitter for illuminating said object with radio frequency radiation; a radio frequency reflector carried by said object to reflect radiation; and signal comparison circuits coupled to said first and second signal output ports for comparing reflected signals received from said object by said receiving antenna to thereby determine coincidence between the position of said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 6 wherein said reflector comprises at least one tuned reflector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising: a directional antenna for providing at least two antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna, said boresight being aligned in predetermined relation to said linear boundary; a transmitter and a receiver arranged for transmission of radio signals between said directional antenna and said object using said at least two antenna patterns; and signal comparison circuits for comparing signals received by said receiver corresponding to said at least two antenna patterns to thereby determine coincidence between the position of said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for detecting coincidence between a position of an object and a linear boundary, comprising: a directional antenna for providing at least two antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna, said boresight being aligned in predetermined relation to said linear boundary; a transmitter and a receiver arranged for transmission of radio signals between said directional antenna and said object using said at least two antenna patterns; and signal comparison circuits for comparing signals received by said receiver corresponding to said at least two antenna patterns to thereby determine coincidence between the position of said object and said linear boundary.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for use in connection with a game having a linear boundary, comprising: a directional antenna having at least two alternate antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna; a transmitter and a receiver arranged for transmission of radio signals between said directional antenna and a playing object of said game using said at least two antenna patterns; and signal comparison circuits for comparing signals corresponding to said at least two antenna patterns to thereby determine angular position of said playing object with respect to said electromagnetic boresight; whereby when said antenna is oriented and located with said electromagnetic boresight in predetermined relation to said linear boundary, said comparison circuits determine the position of said playing object with respect to said linear boundary.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for use in connection with a game having a linear boundary, comprising: a directional antenna having at least two alternate antenna patterns having predetermined relation to an electromagnetic boresight of said antenna; a transmitter and a receiver arranged for transmission of radio signals between said directional antenna and a playing object of said game using said at least two antenna patterns; and signal comparison circuits for comparing signals corresponding to said at least two antenna patterns to thereby determine angular position of said playing object with respect to said electromagnetic boresight; whereby when said antenna is oriented and located with said electromagnetic boresight in predetermined relation to said linear boundary, said comparison circuits determine the position of said playing object with respect to said linear boundary.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 9, wherein said object comprises a football, and wherein said transmitter is located on said football and said receiver is connected to said directional antenna.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 10 wherein there are provided two transmitters, one at each end of said football.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 10 where in said directional antenna is located adjacent a football field and arranged for movement with respect thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 12 wherein said directional antenna is provided with an optical sight for orienting said electromagnetic boresight with respect to said field.
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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) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |