Abstract: An inflatable ball with integrated electronics and a method of manufacture. The inflatable ball comprises a bladder defining an inflatable interior of the ball and an electronics casing attached to, or integrally formed with, the bladder. The electronics casing defines a compartment adjacent an inner surface of the inflatable interior of the ball and sealed within the inflatable interior of the ball. The inflatable ball further comprises at least one electronic component, wherein the electronic component is located within the compartment of the electronics casing; and wherein the compartment is in fluid communication with the inflatable interior of the ball such that the compartment is at the same pressure as the inflatable interior of the ball.

Abstract: At least one device is mounted on or over the bladder wall of an inflatable ball such that a center of mass of the device is located away from a center of the inflatable interior of the ball. The device includes an electronic device. The center of mass of the device defines a first point on the bladder wall coincident with or closest to the center of mass of the device and a second point on the bladder wall opposite the first point. The ball comprises a distributed balancing mass for at least partially rotationally balancing the mass of the device. The distributed balancing mass comprises one or more balancing mass elements on or over the bladder wall. The balancing mass elements are arranged at a plurality of locations spaced around the second point on the bladder wall and closer to the second point than the first point.

Abstract: An inflatable ball with integrated electronics and a method of manufacture. The inflatable ball comprises a bladder defining an inflatable interior of the ball and an electronics casing attached to, or integrally formed with, the bladder. The electronics casing defines a compartment adjacent an inner surface of the inflatable interior of the ball and sealed within the inflatable interior of the ball. The inflatable ball further comprises at least one electronic component, wherein the electronic component is located within the compartment of the electronics casing; and wherein the compartment is in fluid communication with the inflatable interior of the ball such that the compartment is at the same pressure as the inflatable interior of the ball.

Abstract: An apparatus for permitting electrical connection between the exterior of an inflatable sports ball and electronics located inside the inflatable sports ball is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member, the support member having separate first and second through-holes provided therein for respectively connecting the exterior of the inflatable sports ball with the interior of the inflatable sports ball. An electrical connection port is located in the first through-hole of the support member for permitting an electrical connection to be made through the first through-hole. An air valve is located in the second through-hole of the support member, the air valve comprising an aperture for selective communication of air.

Abstract: An apparatus for permitting electrical connection between the exterior of an inflatable sports ball and electronics located inside the inflatable sports ball is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member, the support member having separate first and second through-holes provided therein for respectively connecting the exterior of the inflatable sports ball with the interior of the inflatable sports ball. An electrical connection port is located in the first through-hole of the support member for permitting an electrical connection to be made through the first through-hole. An air valve is located in the second through-hole of the support member, the air valve comprising an aperture for selective communication of air.

Abstract: A sports pad for use in estimating a force exerted by an external object on the sports pad is provided. The sports pad comprises: an array of sensors, the sensors being spaced apart from one another across a grid of sensor positions of the sports pad, each sensor being configured to independently collect data indicative of the force acting on the respective sensor; and a data receiver configured to receive the collected data from each of the array of sensors such that data from a plurality of the sensors may be used to estimate a force.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting and categorising an event occurring on a sports field, the method comprising: obtaining a series of ball and player position data measurements; determining a rotation rate of the ball device over the time period from data received from the ball device; determining the player is likely in possession of the ball based on a plurality of possession tests comprising: comparing a current position of the ball device and the player device to identify a relative distance between the ball device and the player device and calculating if the relative distance is lower than a reference value; comparing an obtained velocity of the ball device and the player device, respectively, to identify a relative velocity of the ball device with respect to the player device and calculating if the relative velocity is lower than a reference value; and, calculating if the rotation rate of the ball device is lower than a reference value; subsequently

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting and categorising an event occurring on a sports field, the method comprising: obtaining a series of ball and player position data measurements; determining a rotation rate of the ball device over the time period from data received from the ball device; determining the player is likely in possession of the ball based on a plurality of possession tests comprising: comparing a current position of the ball device and the player device to identify a relative distance between the ball device and the player device and calculating if the relative distance is lower than a reference value; comparing an obtained velocity of the ball device and the player device, respectively, to identify a relative velocity of the ball device with respect to the player device and calculating if the relative velocity is lower than a reference value; and, calculating if the rotation rate of the ball device is lower than a reference value; subsequently