US008292709B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,292,709 B2

Welch (45) Date of Patent: Oct. 23, 2012
(54) SPORTS GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD 4,534,557 A * 8/1985 Bigelow et al. ............... 473/442
4,855,711 A * 8/1989 Harrop et al. .. 473/467
4,872,674. A * 10/1989 Deal ............................. 473/435
(76) Inventor: Richard Bruce Welch, London (GB) 4.915,384 A 4, 1990 Bear et al.
ck
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 3.93% A ck 1943, SE r 33.
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 5,171,012 A * 12/1992 Dooley .......... ... 463/2
U.S.C. 154(b) by 814 days. 5,174,759 A * 12/1992 Preston et al. . ... 434/317
5,354,063 A * 10/1994 Curchod ........ 473,156
5,390,927 A * 2/1995 Angelos ...... 473,155
(21) Appl. No.: 11/875,348 5,401,018 A * 3/1995 Kelly et al. . ... 473,430
5,419,562 A * 5/1995 Cromarty ....... 473,269
(22) Filed: Oct. 19, 2007 5,419,565 A * 5/1995 Gordon et al. ................ 473,455
(65) Prior Publication Data (Continued)
US 2008/O153634 A1 Jun. 26, 2008 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
WO WO O2O74397 A1 * 9, 2002
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
Apr. 20, 2005 (GB) ................................... 05079918 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Newgy, Robo Pong Table Tennis, Ping Pong Robot Pongmaster
(51) Evi (2006.01) Game, 2000, Robbins Table Tennis Specialties, Inc., pp. 1-3.*
(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 463/7: 463/3: 463/30: 463/36;
273/108.3; 273/244.1; 273/317.6: 273/317.7; Primary Examiner — Arthur O. Hall
377/5; 446/415:473/451; 473/468 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Baker Botts LLP
(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 463/1-9,
463/20, 23, 25, 30 32, 34, 36–37, 40–43,
463/46–47, 50, 53, 56; 273/108.1, 108.3, (57) ABSTRACT
273/108.4, 118 R, 150, 244, 244.1, 247, 259,
273/317.1, 317.3,317.4, 317.5, 317.6, 359, There is described an apparatus for a sports game involving
273/406, 440.1, 460 461; 340/323 R, 323 B; movement of a projectile, the apparatus comprising impact
377/4-5; 446/415; 473/451, 468, 498–499, sensors for detecting impacts by a player of the sport game or
473/504,564–565,598,600, FOR. 102, FOR. 135, the projectile, the impact sensors being coupled to a processor
473/FOR. 169, FOR. 192: A63F 13/12 operable to derive characteristic data for a projectile move
See application file for complete search history. ment from impacts detected by two or more of the player
impact sensors. By monitoring impacts, rather than the move
(56) References Cited ment of the projectile through the air, the apparatus may be
both inexpensive and easy to install.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,698,712 A * 10, 1972 Pero .............................. 473/4.54
4,304.406 A * 12/1981 Cromarty ...................... 473,225 25 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
29

179 175

1, 13

177

25
 US 8,292,709 B2
Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 7,052,391 B1*ck 5/2006 Luciano, Jr. ...................... 463,3
5,472,205 A ck 12, 1995 Bouton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473/222 7,084,888 B2. 8, 2006 Takahama et al. 345,649

5,566,934. A * 10/1996 Blacket al. . 473,431

7,722,465 B2*ck 5/2010 Sumi ............... ... 463,31
5,697,791 A * 12/1997 Nashner et al. 434.247 7,789,742 B1* 9/2010 Murdocket al. .................. 463,3
5.757.266 A 5, 1998 Rider et all 2003/0047001 A1 3, 2003 Liao
- er et al. 2005/01 1903.6 A1* 6/2005 Albanna et al. ................... 463,7
5,798,703 A * 8/1998 Sakai et al. . 340,666 2005.0245302 A1*ck 11/2005 Bathiche et al. 463/1
5,820.496 A * 10/1998 Bergeron . 473,455 2006/0166737 A1*ckck 7/2006 Bentley ........ ... 463,30
5,868,578 A * 2/1999 Baum ...... 434.247 2006, O180647 A1* 8, 2006 Hansen .... 235,375
5.988,646 A * 1 1/1999 Fair ...... 273 371 2006/0189386 A1*ckck 8/2006 Rosenberg ...................... 463/37
5.988,861 A * 1 1/1999 Baum .. 702/142 2007/0200298 A1* 8, 2007 Course ..... 273,317.5
6,605,011 B1* 8/2003 Yamamoto et al. 473,455 2008/020O285 A1* 8, 2008 HaSeth 473/422
6,709,351 B2* 3/2004 Hori ............... 473455 -v vs. v.-vv -v- , , , , -v vs. cost. . . . . . . . . . .
6,837.495 B2 * 1/2005 Gerson et al. ................. 273/372 * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Oct. 23, 2012 Sheet 1 of 7 US 8,292,709 B2

29
FIG. 1

&
S&
S&
X

25
U.S. Patent Oct. 23, 2012 Sheet 2 of 7 US 8,292,709 B2

FIG. 2A
U.S. Patent Oct. 23, 2012 Sheet 3 of 7 US 8,292,709 B2

FIG. 4A
61a

65a
U.S. Patent Oct. 23, 2012 Sheet 5 Of 7 US 8,292,709 B2

Entry in Player Database

PerSona Details 12

19
Tag Number 123

Bowling Arm 125

Bowling Style 27

Bowling Standard 129

Ball Release Height 131

Delivery Stride/Ball Release Time

Gap 33

Batting Hand 135

Batting Standard 137

F.G. 6
U.S. Patent Oct. 23, 2012 Sheet 6 of 7 US 8,292,709 B2

Entry in Session Database

Session D
43

Sensor Configuration
145

Playing Conditions
147
F.G. 7
Field Setting
149

Batsman
151

Deliveries
153

Entry in Delivery Database

Delivery ID
163

165

167

FG. 8
U.S. Patent Oct. 23 2012 Sheet 7 of 7 US 8,292.709 B2

l.
//

T? S;
 US 8,292,709 B2
1. 2
SPORTS GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the configu
ration of data stored in an entry of a delivery data database
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED forming part of the coaching assistant apparatus illustrated in
APPLICATIONS FIG. 1; and
FIG. 9 shows an exemplary display of the coaching assis
This application is a continuation of International Appli tant apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5.
cation PCT/GB06/001189, filed Mar. 31, 2006, which claims First Embodiment
the benefit of Great Britain Application No. 0507991.8, filed As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment of the inven
Apr. 20, 2005, each of which is incorporated by reference in tion conventional cricket net apparatus is modified to include
its entirety herein. 10 a plurality of sensors which provide information about a
This invention relates to apparatus associated with a sport delivery to a coaching assistant apparatus 1 for review by a
game. It has particular, but not exclusive, relevance to a coach 3. In particular, the plurality of sensors include:
cricket game. an RFID tag sensor 5 provided at the bowler's end of the
A problem with cricket games, as well as other games, is batting strip (i.e. the area between the bowler's wicket
how to record automatically data representative of a ball
15 and the batsman's wicket) which detects an RFID tag 7
worn by a bowler 9:
delivery to allow for future analysis. In recent years, the a crease sensor 11 placed on the batting strip at the bowler's
Hawkeye system (which is generally described in PCT Patent end to detect the impact of the front foot 13 of the bowler
Application WO 01/03781) has been used by television com 9 when making a delivery:
panies and the like to analyse ball deliveries and provide a pitch sensor 15 extending over the middle of the batting
virtual television replays. In the Hawkeye system, multiple strip for detecting the impact of the cricket ball on the
cameras record a cricketball delivery from respective differ batting strip during a delivery;
ent orientations allowing trajectory information, including a a bat sensor 17 covering the cricket bat of the batsman 19;
three-dimensional flight path, for the delivery to be calcu left and right pad sensors 21a, 21b covering the cricket
lated. 25 pads of the batsman 19;
The Hawkeye system has the problems that it is expensive left, middle and right stump sensors 23a, 23b, 23c covering
and requires the precision alignment of many cameras, which the cricket stumps at the batsman’s end of the pitch;
is a time-consuming process. These problems are exacerbated a back stop sensor 25 vertically arranged behind the bats
in the context of "nets' sessions in which two or more bats man; and
men play deliveries in respective netted enclosures or in com 30 left and right wall sensors 27a, 27b vertically arranged to
pact training areas where cameras cannot be appropriately the left-hand side and right-hand side of the pitch respec
sited. tively.
An aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative In this embodiment, apart from the RFID tag sensor 5 the
sports game apparatus for deriving projectile trajectory data remaining sensors are ElekTex cloth sensors which are avail
which is better suited to use by small sporting clubs and the 35 able from Eleksen Limited, an English company having a
like. place of business at Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver
According to the present invention, there is provided appa Heath, Buckinghamshire, UK. An Elektex cloth sensor has at
ratus for a sport game involving movement of a projectile, the least two conductive layers which are separated by a central
apparatus comprising impact sensors for detecting impacts by layer which allows conduction between the conductive layers
a player of the sport game or the projectile, the impact sensors 40 when compressed. Further details of such a cloth sensor may
being coupled to a processor operable to derive characteristic be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,117, whose whole contents
data for a projectile movement from impacts detected by two are hereby incorporated by reference.
or more of the planar impact sensors. By monitoring impacts, Elektek cloth sensors have a number of mechanical prop
rather than the movement of the projectile through the air, the erties which make them suited to the present invention. These
apparatus may be both inexpensive and easy to install. 45 mechanical properties include being lightweight (which is
Preferably, the impact sensors are planar because this convenient for storage and portability), hard-wearing (which
allows for easier integration into existing sports facilities and is required due to absorb the repeated impacts of the bowler
also compact storage. and cricket ball), waterproof (which allows both indoor and
Various embodiments of the invention will now be outdoor use), and flexible (which allows the cloth sensors to
described with reference to the attached Figures in which: 50 be bent around objects such as cricket bats and cricket stumps.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a cricket Further, the co-ordinate resolution of less than a centimeter is
net practice system according to the present invention; more than adequate for the invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically show views of a cricket bat In this embodiment, each cloth sensor has associated pro
sensor forming part of the system illustrated in FIG. 1; cessing circuitry which monitors the cloth sensor and in
FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically show views of a cricket 55 response to an impact sends a signal conveying the impact
pad sensor forming part of the system illustrated in FIG. 1; co-ordinates, the impact pressure and the impact timing to the
FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically show views of a cricket coaching assistant apparatus 1 via a wireless communication
stump sensor forming part of the system illustrated in FIG. 1; apparatus (not shown in FIG. 1) using the Bluetooth protocol.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing sensors and All the cloth sensors are also able to communicate with each
the main components of a coaching assistant apparatus form 60 other, and the RFID tag sensor 7, using the Bluetooth protocol
ing part of the system illustrated in FIG. 1; in order to achieve time synchronisation.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configu The RFID tag sensor 5 is conventional and is able to iden
ration of data stored in an entry inauser database forming part tify the closest of a plurality of RFID tags 7. Each bowler 9 is
of the coaching assistant apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; given a respective different RFID tag 7 so that by sensing the
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configu 65 nearest RFID tag 7 when a bowler9 deliversaball the identity
ration of data stored in an entry in a session database forming of the bowler may be detected and logged by the coaching
part of the coaching assistant apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; assistant apparatus 1.
 US 8,292,709 B2
3 4
In this embodiment, the batting strip is grass and the crease As shown in FIG. 5, the database memory 83 stores a
sensor 11 and the pitch sensor 15 are secured in position by player database 93, a session database 95, a delivery database
Small pegs (not shown). The crease sensor 11 and the pitch 97 and a delivery library 99.
sensor 15 have markings thereon (not shown) which facilitate The player database 93 stores details for each player. As
alignment with the stumps and the crease lines at each end. 5 shown in FIG. 6, an entry 119 in the player database 93 stores:
The back stop sensor 25 and the left-hand and right-hand wall personal details including name, club (if appropriate),
sensors 27a, 27b are hung from a conventional frame 29 in nationality, gender, date-of-birth and contact details;
place of nets. a tag number 123 for the RFID tag 7 associated with the
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the bat sensor 17 is formed player,
by a cloth sensor which wraps around the cricket bat and is 10 bowling arm information 125 (left or right):
secured behind the bat by a hook-and-eye fastener 41a, 41b bowling style information 127 (e.g. spin, medium-paced,
such as Velcro. A further hook-and-eye fastener 43a. 43b is fast-paced);
provided to secure around the bottom tip of the bat, and two bowling standard information 129;
separate hook-and-eye fasteners 45a, 45b and 47a, 47b are ball release height information 131 (i.e. the typical height
provided to secure around the handle of the bat. 15 of the ball above ground when released by the player
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each pad sensor 21 is during the bowling action);
formed by a cloth sensor which wraps around the pad and is delivery stride/ball release time gap information 133 (i.e.
secured by three hook-and-eye fasteners 51a, 51b, 53a, 53b the typical time between the players front foot on deliv
and 55a, 55b around the back of the pad. Further hook-and ery striking the pitch and the ball being released by the
eye fasteners 57a, 57b and 59a, 59b are provided to secure player during the bowling action);
around the top of the pad. batting hand information 135 (left or right); and
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, each stump sensor 23 is batting standard information 137.
formed by a strip of cloth sensor which is wrapped around a The session database 95 stores session data for each ses
stump and secured by three hook fasteners 61, 63 and 65 at Sion. In this embodiment, each session is associated with a
different positions around the stump which engage a single 25 single batsman in the nets, or simple bowling practice with no
eye fastener provided along the length of the stump. batsman present. As shown in FIG. 7, an entry 141 in the
As discussed above and shown in FIG. 5, in this embodi session database 95 stores:
ment the RFID Tag Sensor 7 and the various impact sensors a session identification number 143 which is unique to the
are each connected to a respective different wireless commu session;
nication apparatus 71 which transmits sensor readings to a 30 sensor configuration information 145 indicating which
wireless communication apparatus 73 provided in the coach sensors were present;
ing assistant apparatus 1 using the Bluetooth protocol. playing conditions information 147 such as level of bounce
In the coaching assistant apparatus 1, the wireless commu of pitch and age of cricketball;
nication apparatus 73 is connected to a data bus system 75. field setting information 149 for an imaginary field setting
The coaching assistant apparatus also includes an operator 35 around the pitch;
interface 77, a remote device interface 79, a processor 81, batsman information 151 identifying the batsman for the
database memory 83, program routine memory 85 and vola session, if one is present, or information about a type of
tile memory 87, all of which are interconnected by the data batsman to be simulated; and
bus system 75. Although the database memory 83, the pro deliveries information 153 storing a unique identification
gram routine memory 85 and the volatile memory 87 are 40 number for each delivery in the session so that the deliv
schematically represented as separate memories in FIG. 5, it ery data for the session may be identified.
will be appreciated that they are in practice different memory The raw delivery data for the session is stored in the deliv
regions of the coaching assistant apparatus 1 which may form ery database 97. As shown in FIG. 8, each entry 161 in the
part of a common memory device Such as a hard disk. delivery database 97 stores:
In this embodiment, the operator interface 77 includes a 45 the unique delivery identification number 163 for the deliv
keyboard for allowing the operator to enter data into the ery;
coaching assistant apparatus 1 and a display for allowing the the unique session identification number 165 for the ses
operator to read data from the coaching assistant apparatus 1. sion in which the delivery took place; and
The operator interface 77 also includes a CD-ROM reader/ sensor data 167 for the delivery.
writer via which data stored on a CD-ROM 89 can be input 50 The database memory 83 also stores a delivery library 99
into the coaching assistant apparatus 1 or data may be written which, as will be described in more detail hereafter, stores
onto a recordable CD-ROM. processed delivery data for deliveries recorded by the sensors.
The remote device interface 79 allows data to be input into In this embodiment, in order to facilitate data entry and
and output from the coaching assistantapparatus 1 in the form integrity the data is stored in the database memory 83 using
of a signal 91. The remote device interface 79 allows either 55 conventional relational database techniques.
direct connection to a remote device or indirect connection As shown in FIG. 5, the program routines memory 85
via a computer network Such as the internet. stores a Master Control routine 101, a Log Player Routine
The processor 81 performs processing operations in accor 103, an Initiate Session routine 105, a Store Delivery Data
dance with program routines stored in the program routine routine 107 and a Process Delivery Data Routine 109. Each of
memory 85. These program routines may be either stored in 60 these routines will now be discussed in detail.
the program routine memory 85 during manufacture, or input Master Control Routine
to the coaching assistant apparatus 1 via the operatorinterface The Master Control routine 101 controls the overall opera
77 or the remote data interface 79. The program routines tion of the coaching assistant apparatus 1 by monitoring for
process sensor data received via the wireless communication interrupts indicating that a processing operation is required,
apparatus 73, data input by the operator interface 77 and/or 65 and then initiating the processing operation. In particular: in
data input by the remote device interface 79 and store the response to the operator of the coaching assistant apparatus 1
resultant data in the database memory 83. selecting a “Log Player” option using the operator interface
 US 8,292,709 B2
5 6
77, the Master Control routine 101 initiates the Log Player detected by the RFID Tag sensor 7 and identifies the batsman,
routine 103; in response to the operator of the coaching assis if there is one, from the entry in the session database for the
tant apparatus 1 selecting a “New Session' option using the session in which the delivery took place.
operator interface 77, the Master Control routine 101 initiates In general, the graphical representation of the ball delivery
the Initiate Session routine 105; and in response to the opera is generated by determining the position of the ball at three
tor of the coaching assistant apparatus 1 selecting a “Process separate instants. These three separate positions will hereafter
Delivery' option using the operator interface 77, the Master be referred to as the delivery position, the pitch impact posi
Control routine initiates the Process Delivery Data routine tion and the second impact position. The trajectory of the ball
109.
Log Player Routine 10
is interpolated from these three positions.
As mentioned above, the Log Player routine 103 is initiated The delivery position is determined from the sensor read
in response to the operator of the coaching assistant apparatus ing on the crease sensor 11, which provides the lengthwise
1 selecting a “Log Player option. The Log Player routine 103 and widthwise co-ordinates with respect to the batting strip,
displays a series of questions about the new player, and the and the Ball Release Height data 131 which provides the
entered answers to these questions are used to form a new 15 height co-ordinate above the batting strip. The pitch impact
entry in the player database 93. position is determined by sensor reading of the pitch sensor
Initiate Session Routine 15. The second impact position is determined by one of:
As mentioned above, the Initiate Session routine 105 is the position of the impact of the ball on the back stop sensor
initiated in response to the operator of the coaching assistant 25;
apparatus 1 selecting a “New Session' option. The Initiate the position of the ball on one of the stump sensors 23;
Session Routine 105 generates a unique session identification the position of the ball on one of the pad sensors 21; and
number and then displays a series of questions about the new the position of the ball on the bat sensor.
session. The unique session identification number and the From these three positions, the Process Delivery Data rou
answers entered in response to the displayed questions are tine generates and displays a side view ball trajectory 175 and
used to form a new entry in the session database 95. This 25 a top view ball trajectory 177.
includes information identifying which sensors are being It will be appreciated that for some deliveries the ball may
used. not hit the pitch sensor 15, for example for a very full delivery
The Initiate Session routine 105 then awaits sensor data for where the ball pitches close to the batsman's crease. In this
the session. In response to receipt of sensor data by the wire embodiment, if no impact on the pitch sensor is detected then
less communication apparatus 73, the Initiate Session routine 30 the Process Delivery Data routine 109 displays a message
105 initiates the Store Delivery Data routine 107 which stores indicating a graphical representation is not possible.
the sensor data in the delivery database 97 as is described in The Process Delivery Data routine 109 also determines the
more detail below. speed of the delivery based on the delivery position and the
The Initiate Session routine 105 ends in response to the second impact position and their associated timings, and the
operator of the coaching assistant apparatus selecting an "End 35 delivery stride/ball release time gap data 133 stored in the
Session' option using the operator interface 77. entry for the bowler in the player database. In particular, the
Store Delivery Data Routine timing at the delivery position is modified by adding the
In response to the receipt of sensor data by the wireless delivery stride/ball release time gap to generate a delivery
communication apparatus 73, the Store Delivery Data routine timing, and the speed is calculated from by dividing the
107 generates a unique delivery identification number for the 40 distance between the delivery position and the second impact
delivery, and then stores the unique delivery identification position by the difference between the delivery timing and the
number together with the unique session identification num second impact timing. The speed of the delivery is displayed
ber and the received sensor data as an entry in the delivery in an analytical data window 179 along with characteristic
database 97. data for the delivery.
It will be appreciated that not all the sensors will record a 45 It will be appreciated that if the second impact position is
reading for each delivery. For example, only one of the back on the bat sensor 17 or one of the pad sensors 21, then the
stop sensor 25 and the left and right wall sensors 27a, 27b will second impact position can only be approximated because the
normally record a reading. batsman may move the bat or the pads and accordingly the
Process Delivery Data routine trajectory and speed information will only be approximate.
As mentioned above, the Process Delivery Data routine 50 In this embodiment, if the ball impacts the bat and one of
109 is initiated in response to the operator of the coaching the back stop sensor 25 and the left wall and right wall sensors
assistant apparatus 1 selecting a "Process Delivery option 27a.27b, a result for the ball may also be given independence
using the operator interface 77. When the “Process Delivery” on the selected field setting for the session. For example, if the
option is selected, the Process Delivery Data routine 109 ball hits a position of the bat sensor 17 corresponding to the
displays a request for the operator to select a session; once the 55 edge of the bat and then the back stop sensor 25, then depend
operator has selected the session the Process Delivery Data ing on the position of impact on the back stop sensor 25 and
routine 109 displays a request for the operator to select a the number of slip fielders in the field setting, it may be judged
delivery. if the batsman is out caught behind or if the ball goes for four
After a delivery has been selected by the operator of the runs. Further, different regions of the left wall and right wall
coaching assistant apparatus 1, the Process Delivery Data 60 sensors 27 can be associated with fielders of the field setting
routine 109 processes the sensor data to generate a graphical so that if these portions are hit then no runs are scored,
representation of the ball trajectory of the delivery, and then whereas if these positions are avoided then the number of runs
displays the graphical information together with analytical scored may be determined in accordance with the magnitude
data. An exemplary display is shown in FIG.9. The processed of the impact on the wall sensor.
delivery data is also stored in the delivery library 99. 65 Second Embodiment
Initially, the Process Delivery Data routine 109 identifies In the first embodiment, data characteristic of a ball deliv
the bowler for the delivery from the RFID Tag number ery is generated. A second embodiment will now be described
 US 8,292,709 B2
7 8
in which this characteristic data is used to recreate the ball The RFID tag number and sensor data from the crease sensor
delivery using an automated bowling machine. are then sent together to the coaching assistant apparatus.
This embodiment utilises a BOLA Cricket Bowling The RFID tag sensor is not essential if alternative means
Machine, available from Stuart & Williams, 6 Brookfield for identifying the bowler are present, or the bowler identity is
Road, Cotham, Bristol, BS65PQ, UK. The BOILA Cricket 5 not required. For example, if only one bowler is bowling or a
Bowling Machine has a control panel via which speed, Swing group of bowlers are bowling in strict rotation then bowler
and spin for a delivery may be entered. information could be entered directly into the coaching digi
In this embodiment, the coaching assistant apparatus 1 of tal assistant.
the first embodiment has an addition routine which, in Although separate stump sensors are provided for each
response to an instruction from the operator, outputs the set 10 stump in the illustrated embodiment, alternatively a single
tings which need to be entered into the Cricket Bowling sensor could be formed as a sleeve around all three stumps.
Machine for the speed, Swing and spin in order to recreate the This would have the advantage of reducing the number of
delivery. sensors and wireless communication apparatuses.
Third Embodiment In the illustrated embodiment, the pad sensors are wrapped
In the second embodiment, the characteristic data for a ball 15 around the cricket pads. As the pad sensors are made of cloth,
delivery is used to calculate settings for a cricket bowling it will be appreciated that the pad sensors could be built
machine to recreate the delivery. In a third embodiment of the directly into the cricket pads.
invention, the characteristic data for a ball delivery is pro In the first embodiment, the back stop sensor and the left
cessed to recreate the ball delivery virtually as part of a and right wall sensors are hung from a frame in place of
computer game. In this way, a real bowler may play against a conventional nets. For safety reasons, it may be desirable to
virtual batsman. hang nets in addition to the back stop sensor and left and right
There exists cricket computer games in which a player is wall sensors, particularly close to the batsman's crease.
able to control the bowling action using a joystick or the like, It will be appreciated that additional sensors could be uti
for example EA Sports Cricket 2005. In this embodiment, the lised to provide even more information relating to a delivery.
coaching assistant apparatus processes the sensor readings to 25 For example, an impact sensor could be provided on the
determine parameters which may be entered directly into ground by the stumps to the impact of full pitch deliveries and
Such a computer game platform in place of joystick data in also to monitor the movement of the feet of the batsman. In
order to reproduce a recorded ball delivery. this case, the processing electronics includes pattern match
Modifications and Further Embodiments ing software to differentiate between the distinctive impacts
While a BOLA Cricket Bowling Machine was used in the 30 of the cricketball and the feet of the batsman.
second embodiment, it will be appreciated that alternative In the first embodiment, the sensors are synchronised by a
bowling machines could be used. synchronisation signals transmitted using wireless commu
The ability to recreate a ball delivery using a bowling nication. Alternatively, the sensors may be synchronised
machine as described in the second embodiment opens up a using a calibration procedure in which two or more sensors
large number of possibilities. For example, in one embodi 35 receive simultaneous impacts to provide synchronous timing
ment a bowler bowls a ball in one net without a batsman, the information, and then other sensors are grouped with respec
characteristic data for the ball delivery is processed to deter tive ones of the synchronised sensors and the process repeated
mine settings for a bowling machine, and these settings are until all sensors have been synchronised.
transmitted to a remote location in which the bowling In the illustrated embodiments, data is communicated from
machine bowls the ball delivery to a batsman. In this way, a 40 the sensors to the coaching assistant apparatus using wireless
new cricket game in which a bowler “bowls' to a batsman in data transfer in accordance with the Bluetooth protocol. It
a separate locality may be played. will be appreciated that other forms of data transfer could be
The coaching assistant apparatus may output the settings used. Further, wire communication links could replace the
for a remote bowling machine either through the operator wireless communication links. In this respect, the wired com
interface 77, relying on the operator to pass the settings on, or 45 munication links could be formed by cloth wires which are
more preferably via the remote device interface 79 directly to provided with the ElekTex cloth sensors. The use of such
the remote bowling machine. cloth wires is desirable because of their portability and simple
While the ElekTex cloth sensor is used for the impact deployment properties.
sensors in the illustrated embodiments, other forms of impact As described in the first embodiment, the operator interface
sensor could be used. For example, the pad sensor described 50 of the coaching assistant apparatus may have a keyboard for
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,295 could be used. Alternatively, a entering data and a display for displaying sensor. Otherforms
simple array of pressure sensors could be used with process of man-machine interface are possible. For example, the
ing electronics associating each of the array of pressure sen coaching assistant apparatus may have a touch-sensitive
sors with an associated position. screen of the type used by many personal digital assistants
In the illustrated embodiments, separate crease and pitch 55 (PDAs).
sensors are provided. Alternatively, the crease and pitch sen In the first embodiment, the coaching assistant apparatus
sors could be integrally formed to form an elongate strip the provides views of a ball delivery trajectory from the side and
entire length of the wicket. Advantageously, the elongate Strip from above. It will be appreciated that other views of the ball
could have wicket markings Such as the popping crease delivery trajectory could be presented, for example from
marked thereon to allow a wicket to be formed by simply 60 behind the batsmans wicket. In an embodiment, the operator
unrolling the elongate strip. may select any desired orientation for viewing the ball deliv
Preferably, the RFID Tag Sensor and the crease sensor ery trajectory.
could be integrated into a single sensing system, sharing In the embodiments described above, a coaching assistant
common processing electronics and wireless communication apparatus is provided which allows onsite analysis of the
apparatus. In this way, when the crease sensor sensing the 65 sensor readings. Alternatively, the sensor readings could be
front foot impact of a bowler the RFID tag sensor is instructed simply stored onsite and then transferred to a remote process
to identify the closest RFID tagin order to identify the bowler. ing apparatus for analysis. The remote processing apparatus
 US 8,292,709 B2
10
could be a convention personal computer running customised derive data indicative of the movement of the ball on the
Software for performing the analysis. Alternatively, the sensor basis of the determined ball delivery position and the
readings could be uploaded to a website for processing. second impact data from at least one of the additional
It will be appreciated that a single coaching assistant appa impact sensors.
ratus could collate and analyse data from several sets of 5 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one
sensors, each corresponding to a different batting Strip. In this of the impact sensors comprises a planar sensor.
way, a coach may centrally monitor the amount of time spent 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said at least
batting by each player, the number of balls delivered by each one impact sensor comprises at least two conductive layers
player and the like. In an embodiment, the coaching assistant separated by a central layer which allows conduction between
apparatus gives an alert to the coach under predetermined 10
the conductive layers when compressed.
conditions, e.g. that a batsman has been bowled out or that no 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
ball has been delivered in one batting strip for a predefined RFID sensor operable to detect an RFID tag carried by a
period of time. The coach would also be able to filter data to player.
compare, for example, different fast bowlers or different spe
cialist batsmen. 15 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the commu
While the invention has been described in relation to a nications link comprises a wireless communication link.
cricket game, it will be appreciated that the invention may 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wireless
also be applied to other forms of ball games such as tennis, communication link is operable to transfer data using a blue
squash and the like. tooth protocol.
Although the described embodiment of the invention com 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proces
prises computer apparatus and processes performed in the sor is operable to generate data for displaying a graphical
computer apparatus, the invention also extends to computer representation of the trajectory of the ball using impact data
programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, from at least two impact sensors.
adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proces
may be in the form of Source code, object code, a code 25 sor is operable to process impact data from at least two of the
intermediate Source and object codes such as in a partially impact sensors to calculate speed information for the move
compiled form, or in any other form Suitable for using the ment of the ball.
implementation of the processes according to the invention. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proces
The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying sor is operable to calculate input parameters for an automatic
the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage 30 ball delivery machine to enable reproduction of a ball trajec
medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a semi tory.
conductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proces
example a floppy disk, or a hard disk. Further, the carrier may sor is operable to calculate input parameters for a computer
be a transmissible carrier Such as an electronic or optical program to enable virtual reproduction of a ball trajectory by
signal which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable 35 the computer program.
or by radio or other means. 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sport
When the program is embodied in a signal which may be game is cricket.
conveyed directly by cable or other device or means, the 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least
carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or two of the impact sensors comprise mats operable to be posi
means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit 40 tioned on a cricket pitch.
in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit 13. An apparatus according to claim 11, comprising a mat
being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance operable to define a cricket pitch having at least one impact
of the relevant processes. sensor embedded therein.
Although in the described embodiments the invention is 14. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least
implemented using software, it will be appreciated that alter 45 one of the additional impact sensors is mounted on a conven
natively the invention could be implemented using hardware tional cricket bat.
devices, or a combination of hardware devices and Software. 15. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least
one of the additional impact sensors is mounted on a conven
The invention claimed is: tional cricket pad.
1. An apparatus for playing a sport game in which a bowler 50 16. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least
situated at a bowling location delivers a ball to a batter situ one of the additional impact sensors is mounted to one or
ated at a batting location, the apparatus comprising: more cricket Stumps.
a first impact sensor disposed at the bowling location and 17. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least
operable to provide first impact data relating to the time one of the additional impact sensors is mounted to a cricket
and position on the first impact sensor of an impact 55 nets frame.
caused by the bowler contacting the first impact sensor; 18. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the plu
a plurality of additional impact sensors positioned in proX rality of additional sensors includes a second impact sensor
imity to the sport game, each additional impact sensor disposed between the bowling and the batting locations.
being operable to provide second impact data relating to 19. A method of analyzing the movement of a ball during a
the time and position on the additional impact sensor of 60 sport game in which a bowler situated at a bowling location
an impact caused by the ball on the additional impact delivers a ball to a batter situated at a batting location, the
sensor; and method comprising:
a processor coupled to the first impact sensor and to the receiving first impact data from a first impact sensor dis
plurality of additional impact sensors by a communica posed at the bowling location and operable to provide
tions link, wherein the processor is operable to: 65 impact data relating to the time and position on the
determine a ball delivery position on the basis of the first impact sensor of an impact caused by the bowler con
impact data from the first impact sensor, and tacting the first impact sensor,
 US 8,292,709 B2
11 12
receiving second impact data from one or more of a plu puter program to enable virtual reproduction of a ball trajec
rality of additional impact sensors, each additional tory by the computer program.
impact sensor being operable to provide impact data 24. A method according claim 19, wherein the plurality of
relating to the time and position on the impact sensor of additional impact sensors includes a second impact sensor
an impact caused by the ball on the additional one or 5 disposed between the bowling and the batting locations.
more impact sensors; 25. A non-transitory storage device storing instructions
including instructions for programming a programmable pro
processing the first impact data from the first impact sensor cessing apparatus to implement a method of analyzing the
to determine a ball delivery position; and movement of a ball during a sport game in which a bowler
processing the second impact data from at least one of the 10 situated at a bowling location delivers a ball to a batter situ
additional impact sensors to derive data indicative of the ated at a batting location, the method comprising:
movement of the ball on the basis of the determined ball receiving first impact data from a first impact sensor dis
delivery position and the second impact data from said at posed at the bowling location and operable to provide
least one of the additional impact sensors. impact data relating to the time and position on the
20. A method according claim 19, wherein the processing 15 impact sensor of an impact caused by the bowler con
step comprises generating data for displaying a graphical tacting the first impact sensor,
representation of the trajectory of the ball using impact data receiving second impact data from one or more of a plu
from the first impact sensor and at least one of the additional rality of additional impact sensors, each additional
impact sensors. impact sensor being operable to provide impact data
21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the process relating to the time and position on the impact sensor of
ing step comprises processing impact data from at least two of an impact caused by the ball on the additional one or
the impact sensors to calculate speed information for the more impact sensors;
movement of the ball. processing the first impact data from the first impact sensor
22. A method according to claim 19, wherein the process to determine a ball delivery position; and
ing step comprises calculating input parameters for an auto 25 processing the second impact data from at least one of the
matic ball delivery machine to enable reproduction of a ball additional impact sensors to derive data indicative of the
movement of the ball on the basis of the determined ball
trajectory. delivery position and the second impact data.
23. A method according to claim 19, wherein the process
ing step comprises calculating input parameters for a com k k k k k