Let detection system for monitoring movement of a net cord
AssigneeSportsMEDIA Technology Corporation
InventorFrank C. Mitchell, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A let detection system includes a sensor including an accelerometer attached to a tennis net. The sensor is in wireless communication with an umpire device able to send a message to the sensor, wherein the message causes the sensor to calibrate and begin monitoring for a let. The sensor determines a three-dimensional (3D) vector representing the gravity acting on the sensor as a baseline. When the sensor detects vertical acceleration of the net relative to the baseline and the vertical motion is above a preset threshold, the sensor automatically transmits a let notification message to the umpire device.
Claims20
A system for detecting net cord contact, comprising:
- at least one sensor, coupled with a processor and a memory, attached to a net including a net cord;
- wherein the at least one sensor is in network communication with at least one umpire device;
- wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one accelerometer, operable to generate three-dimensional (3D) acceleration data;
- wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect when the net cord is substantially at rest and determine an adjusted vertical axis when the net cord is substantially at rest;
- wherein the at least one sensor is operable to automatically determine a vertical acceleration for the net cord, wherein the vertical acceleration is a component of the 3D acceleration data along the adjusted vertical axis;
- and
- wherein the at least one sensor is configured to transmit an alert to the at least one umpire device when a change in the vertical acceleration of the net cord exceeds a preset threshold.
A method for detecting net cord contact, comprising:
- providing at least one sensor including at least one accelerometer, coupled with a processor and a memory, attached to a net including a net cord;
- wherein the at least one sensor is in network communication with at least one umpire device;
- the at least one accelerometer generating three-dimensional (3D) acceleration data;
- the at least one sensor detecting when the net cord is substantially at rest and determining an adjusted vertical axis when the net cord is substantially at rest;
- the at least one sensor automatically determining a vertical acceleration for the net cord, wherein the vertical acceleration is a component of the 3D acceleration data along the adjusted vertical axis;
- and
- the at least one sensor transmitting an alert to the at least one umpire device when a change in the vertical acceleration of the net cord exceeds a preset threshold.
A system for detecting net cord contact, comprising:
- at least one sensor, coupled with a processor and a memory, attached to a net including a net cord;
- wherein the at least one sensor is in network communication with at least one umpire device;
- wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one net strap sensor attached to a net strap, wherein the net strap is a component of the net in tension with the net cord;
- wherein the at least one sensor includes one or more sensors attached directly to the net cord;
- wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one accelerometer, operable to generate three-dimensional (3D) acceleration data in real time;
- wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect when the net cord is substantially at rest and determine an adjusted vertical axis when the net cord is substantially at rest;
- wherein the at least one sensor is operable to automatically determine a vertical acceleration for the net cord, wherein the vertical acceleration is a component of the 3D acceleration data along the adjusted vertical axis;
- wherein the at least one sensor is configured to transmit an alert to the at least one umpire device when a change in the vertical acceleration of the net cord exceeds a preset threshold;
- and
- wherein the net cord is determined to be substantially at rest when the 3D acceleration measured by the at least one sensor is below a second preset threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.