# US 8,771,073 B2 · Interactive sporting apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,073 B2 - Document ID: US8771073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/060,145 - Filed: 2008-08-22 - Published: 2011-06-23 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-08-23 - Assignees: Funky Moves Ltd - Applicants: Ralf Klinnert - Inventors: Ralf Klinnert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771073B2 ## CPC - A63B 69/0053: {Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort} - A61B 5/162: {Testing reaction times} - A63B 24/0075: {Means for generating exercise programmes or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases} - A63B 24/0084: {Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races} - A63B 63/00: Targets or goals for ball games (golf cups A63B57/40) - A63B 71/06: Indicating or scoring devices for games or players {, or for other sports activities} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - G09B 19/0038: {Sports} - A63B 2024/0081: {Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users} - A63B 2024/0096: {using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars} - A63B 2071/0018: {for wheelchair users} - A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music} - A63B 2071/063: {Spoken or verbal instructions} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport - A63B 2214/00: Training methods - A63B 2220/13: Relative positions - A63B 2220/62: Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal - A63B 2220/803: Motion sensors - A63B 2220/805: Optical or opto-electronic sensors - A63B 2225/10: Multi-station exercising machines - A63B 2225/15: with identification means that can be read by electronic means - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A63B 2225/54: Transponders, e.g. RFID - A63B 2225/74: with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights - G07C 1/22: in connection with sports or games - G08C 2201/93: Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract There is disclosed interactive sporting apparatus comprising a control unit (2) and a plurality of interactive units (4), the interactive units comprising: at least one signalling device (52,54) which is operable to generate a sensory stimulus or a signalling device interface adapted (51) to demountably retain a signalling device for generating a sensory stimulus; and at least one sensor (54) which is operable by a game participant proximate to an interactive unit to generate a sensing event or a sensor interface adapted to demountably retain a sensor operable by a game participant proximate to an interactive unit to generate a sensing event; wherein the control unit is operable to communicate remotely with the plurality of interactive units to specify sensory stimuli to be generated by the plurality of interactive units. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Interactive sporting apparatus comprising a control unit and a plurality of remote units, the remote units comprising a ground engaging base having either: (i) an interface for demountably retaining: (a) a signalling device for generating a sensory stimulus; or (b) a sensor operable by a game participant proximate to the remote unit, for generating a sensing event, or (ii) an interface for demountably retaining a device which comprises both a signalling device for generating a sensory stimulus and a sensor operable by a game participant proximate to the remote unit, for generating a sensing event, and a plurality of exchangeable sensors of different types which are demountably attachable to the interface of a remote unit, at least one of the sensors being remotely actuated, wherein the control unit is operable to communicate remotely with the plurality of remote units to specify sensory stimuli to be generated by one or more remote units. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface of a remote unit is adapted to demountably retain a signalling device or a sensor, or a device which comprises both a signalling device and a sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of different exchangeable devices comprising both a signalling device and a sensor which are demountably attachable to the interface of a remote unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one exchangeable device comprises a sensor, wherein the sensor is remotely operable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to communicate with and receive instructions from or communicate stored performance data to an external computer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each remote unit comprises a programmable electronic controller which is operable to control the generation of sensory stimuli by the signaling device dependent on a program. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of exchangeable signaling devices of different types which are demountably attachable to the interface of a remote unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operable to record data relating to sensing events. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is operable to record performance data relating to one or more participants in a sporting game using the interactive sporting apparatus simultaneously or consecutively. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to communicate with and receive instructions from an external computer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to communicate stored performance data to an external computer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit and the plurality of remote units are operable to form a wireless communications network. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the plurality of remote units interact differently with participants. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the remote units are labeled differently. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote units comprise internal power supplies. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a unique identifying tag reader. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 16 comprising a plurality of unique identifying tags. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface of a remote unit is adapted to demountably retain a signalling device or a sensor, but not a device which comprises both a signalling device and a sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the interface of a remote unit is adapted to demountably retain a device which comprises both a signalling device and a sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of signalling devices each of which is demountably attachable to the interface of a remote unit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the remote units can be placed remotely from each other in use. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) Interactive sporting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the remote units can be placed remotely from the control unit in use. ### Claim 23 A method of using interactive sporting apparatus comprising a control unit and a plurality of remote units, the remote units comprising a ground engaging base having either: (i) an interface for demountably retaining a signalling device for generating a sensory stimulus or a sensor operable by a game participant proximate to the remote unit, for generating a sensing event, or (ii) an interface for demountably retaining a device which comprises both a signalling device for generating a sensory stimulus and a sensor operable by a game participant proximate to the remote unit, for generating a sensing event, and a plurality of exchangeable sensors of different types which are demountably attachable to the interface of a remote unit, at least one of the sensors being remotely actuated, wherein the control unit is operable to communicate remotely with the plurality of remote units to specify sensory stimuli to be generated by one or more remote units, the method comprising customising one or more of the said remote units by demountably attaching a respective exchangeable sensor from the said plurality of exchangeable sensors to each of the said one or more remote units via their respective interfaces. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method according to claim 23 further comprising placing the remote units remotely from each other. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method according to claim 23 further comprising placing the remote units remotely from the control unit. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The method according to claim 23 wherein the interactive sporting apparatus further comprises a plurality of signaling devices each of which is demountably attachable to the interface of a remote unit, the method further comprising customizing one or more remote units by demountably attaching a respective signaling device from the said plurality of signaling devices to each of the said one or more remote units via their respective interfaces.