Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Distance or direction finding
Patent
1993-08-10
1995-08-29
Eldred, J. Woodrow
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Distance or direction finding
367125, 367127, 367129, 367128, G01S 380
Patent
active
054467012
ABSTRACT:
An object locating system, especially for use in locating a gaming ball in the game of football, utilizes a series of three sensors positioned on one side of a football playing field and a calibration source positioned on the other side. The calibration source emits an ultrasonic signal which is received by the sensors in order to provide a calibration signal. A ball marking unit is positionable on the field at a location of the ball and emits an ultrasonic signal which is received by the sensors and an RF signal which is received by the calibration source in order to turn the calibration source off. The sensors provide signals in which a processing unit calculates time delays by a time acquisition process in order to determine the position of the ball. In an alternate embodiment, the ball marking unit emits only an RF signal which is received by the sensors. The sensors again provide signals which are analyzed by the processing unit to determine delay between receipt of the signals at the sensors. Additionally, an automatic ball marking unit on a track drive can be controlled by the processing unit to automatically provide a visual representation of the ball's location.
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European Search Report from EPO dated Jun. 28, 1994.
Aslakson Joel T.
Eidsness John L.
Ellingson Gary L.
Utke Reinhold E.
Van de Loo Dale P.
Eldred J. Woodrow
Teem Systems, Inc.
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