Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Echo systems – Speed determination
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-11
2001-04-03
Pihulic, Daniel T. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Echo systems
Speed determination
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212129
ABSTRACT:
The invention at hand concerns a multipurpose velocity-measuring device as specified in the patent specification 1.
A variety of usage areas, such as air and road traffic control, a broad spectrum of industries and sports are faced on a daily basis with the necessity of measuring the velocity of moving objects.
Navigation requirements of air traffic control and road traffic speed surveillance are often met through use of Doppler-effect radar devices. These devices operate on the basis of electromagnetic radiation, and commonly consist of an emitter, a receiver, and a display; the electromagnetic waves emitted by the device are formed into a club-shaped radiation field via the parabolic reflectors and directed at the chosen area of measurement. Objects traversing this area reflect the waves striking their surface, so that a fraction of the emitted energy returns to the receiver antenna. The receiver subsequently amplifies the returning signals into measurable electric impulses and forwards them to the display unit, usually a screen. By comparing the frequency of the original signal with the frequency of the Doppler-modified echo the device is able to determine the state of movement (velocity and direction) of the followed object. An example of a Doppler-effect radar device and the appropriate measurement technique are described in the patent specification EP 0 424 704 (published May 2, 1991). Measuring devices of this type provide highly accurate results but remain prohibitively costly.
Optical velocity-measuring devices and techniques are also known. The patent specification CH 656 009 (published May 30, 1986) suggests a measurement technique relying on directing measuring rays towards the object tracked via optic impulses; the rays reflected by the moving object are then received and analysed. The time of passage between the device and the object and back is subsequently analysed and transformed into distance, distance change, and velocity values. The major disadvantage of this measurement principle is the analysis-driven necessity for considerable computing power within the measuring device.
Further of note are laser-based velocity-measuring devices operating on the Doppler-effect principles. Laser-based devices are currently under patent procedures U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,558 (published Mar. 26, 1996) and WO 92/06389 (published Apr. 16, 1992).
Both the optical and the laser-based velocity-measuring devices are technically reliant on strongly focused measurement rays and are therefore not suitable for small, relatively distant objects. The followed object must also possess surface areas conducive to optimal reflection of optical impulses and laser beams. Owing to the above-mentioned technical limitations, neither of these measurement devices and principles is suitable for extended usage in ball sports.
The patent procedure EP 0 625 716 (published Nov. 23, 1994) further describes a surveillance device aimed at determination of movement attributes of objects based on no less than two cameras featuring light-sensitive measurement fields. The followed object is marked with several contrast areas; the light emitted by these areas is captured in the camera measurement fields and further analysed. This method provides data on the direction, speed, and spin of the object. On the negative side the device is sizeable and accordingly expensive, and the entire operation with no less than two measuring cameras is unwieldy and cumbersome. In addition, the followed object must be carefully marked with appropriate contrast areas.
Further velocity-measuring devices and procedures based on sound wave techniques are also known. Such acoustic measuring devices detect speed via analysis of sound waves' time of passage. Devices of this type are currently under patent procedures U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,454 (published Apr. 30, 1991) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,393 (published Mar. 28, 1995). Both devices are extremely limited in their ranges of potential usage. The device described under patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,454 is only applicable to velocity measurement of objects moving in a linear fashion, whereas the device U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,393 may only be applied to velocity measurement of water-based vehicles.
Also known are acoustic velocity-measuring devices determining object speed via phase displacement of sound waves. A procedure based on this principle is described under patent procedure U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,384 (published Jan. 10, 1995). It is only suitable for the determination of vertical velocity of underwater vehicles.
Further of note are acoustic velocity-measuring devices determining the speed of a moving object via Doppler effect phase displacement. Devices of this type are described under patent procedures U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,075 (published Jan. 29, 1993) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,499 (published Jan. 9, 1996). The device mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,075 is designed for measurement of velocity of water currents. It consists of two instruments—one measures the velocity via the analysis of phase displacement, whereas the other utilises ultra-sound signal frequency displacement. The device is equipped with a switch for instrument selection. The negative sides are its complexity and according high costs.
Another complex and unwieldy device is described under patent procedure U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,499. It is designed to create water stream profiles of high space-time resolution, and operates via a pulsing, phase-coded acoustic signal.
The patent procedure 1 may be generically traced to the principles of the device registered under U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,760. This measuring device is of an exceedingly complex structure, utilising several oscillators, an impulse- or peak generator and a number of saw-tooth generators in addition to a cathode ray tube. The emitter of this device is coupled to an equally complex signal modifier which is also capable of receiving sound waves reflected from the followed object. The velocity of movement of a given object is vertical to the wave front.
An example for sports applications of velocity measurement is usage in football training, particularly training goals such as an improvement of sprinting velocity, jumping power (crucial for headers), stamina, shot accuracy and velocity. Shot velocity is the most difficult measurement to execute in training circumstances. Shot velocity in this example means the speed of flight of the kicked ball. It is also a good indication of the distance of the kick. It is of crucial importance for goal shots—the higher the velocity, the less chances for a successful save by the opposing goalkeeper and the greater possibility of scoring. Shot velocity is a factor of the power of the kick. A goal-oriented exercise program aimed at enlarging the entirety of the leg musculature is an optimal way for increasing this power. It is of paramount importance that the sportsman has the possibility of keeping his increases in efficiency under constant surveillance—this is the sole way of ascertaining whether the training method being used is optimal for his training goals. Should the hoped-for training results not materialise he has the options of increasing training intensity or changing the training method. Thus, constant measuring of efficiency increase—or lack of it—is the only way to ensure best possible training circumstances.
According to the present developments on the technical field, the following possibilities for measuring the shot velocity of the ball exist:
It is well known that the shot velocity may be measured indirectly via the shot distance measurement. However, this process is extremely inaccurate—the shot distance does not depend only on the shot velocity but also on the angle of the kick. Additionally, this process is slow, for the ball must be brought back to the kick-off point after every shot, creating long, unproductive pauses.
Measuring devices based on the principle of light barriers are another viable possibility. These devices consist of a pair of vertical, rectangular frames positioned parallel to each other at a preordained
Nussbaumer Marcel
Schönenberg Beat
Brown & Wood LLP
Pihulic Daniel T.
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