# US 11,896,878 B2 · Computer trackable football, system and method of manufacturing

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- Number: US 11,896,878 B2
- Document ID: US11896878B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/646,202
- Filed: 2021-12-28
- Published: 2022-06-30
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2020-12-31
- Assignees: Sports Virtual Training Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Sports Virtual Training Systems Inc.
- Inventors: Ted Sundquist; William Jacob Harris; Benjamin J. Kwitek; Matthew Feigenbaum; Cody Schauer; Taj Ford; Noah Rogers; Vishnu Chatari; Andrew Essex; Kamil Kieszkowski; Nicholas Autobee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896878B2

## CPC

- A63B 43/06: with illuminating devices {; with reflective surfaces}
- A63B 41/02: Bladders
- A63B 43/002: {with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical (discs for throwing A63B65/10)}
- A63B 2024/0028: {Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch}
- A63B 2225/74: with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
- A63B 2243/007: American football
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

A ball includes a ball body and a light system including integrated infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs). In accordance with a disclosed embodiment, the ball is a football and is adapted for use in conjunction with virtual reality (VR) systems.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A ball, comprising:
a ball body includes an inflatable bladder, a flexible shell having a mounting base, and a skin, the skin includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a central layer between the inner layer and the outer layer; and
a light system including integrated infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) mounted on tabs of flexible circuit material, an infrared light-emitting-diode control board, a battery, a charging chip, and a charging cable adapter, wherein the infrared light-emitting-diode control board is positioned on the mounting base of the flexible shell;
wherein the outer layer of the skin of the ball body includes LED holes and the tabs are shaped and dimensioned to be inserted through the LED holes in the skin of the ball body such that the infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are positioned between the outer layer and the central layer of the skin.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is a football.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The ball according to claim 2, wherein the football is adapted for use in conjunction with VR systems.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is adapted for use in conjunction with VR systems.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball body is of the shape of prolate spheroid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein the control board is a circuit board and is mounted upon the mounting base secured to an internal surface of the skin of the ball body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein the infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are connected to the control board via electrical wiring.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein the mounting base is a flat mounting base.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, further including a pocketed bladder in which components of the light system are housed.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, wherein infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are integrated into or onto skin of the ball body.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The ball according to claim 10, wherein the infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are mounted on small tabs of flexible circuit material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The ball according to claim 1, further including an indicator light and an on/off switch.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

The ball according to claim 6, wherein the infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are connected to the control board via electrical wiring.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The ball according to claim 13, wherein the mounting base is a flat mounting base.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The ball according to claim 14, wherein the infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are integrated into or onto the skin of the ball body.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The ball according to claim 15, wherein the infrared (IR) light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are mounted on small tabs of flexible circuit material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The ball according to claim 16, further including an indicator light and an on/off switch.