Sporting Devices and Structures Having Dynamic Visual Indicia

Abstract

An on-field vision training system is disclosed that provides a visual identifier near the athlete during game play and training exercises and other visual identifier positioned away from the athlete, but so as to still be seen by the athlete during game play and training exercises. The athlete uses the visual identifiers during game play and training exercises to improve vision, focus, and concentration. An American football having unique visual identifiers for use as an in-flight visual training tool is also disclosed.

1 . A sporting device comprising:
 a display device configured to provide a visually-perceivable output of the sporting device; and   a processor and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:
 receiving an electronic signal picking one of a plurality of selections, wherein each of the selections are configured to alter a visually-perceivable property of the display device, wherein a first selection is configured to provide a first visual indicia of the sporting device and a second selection is configured to provide a second visual indicia; 
 wherein the first visual indicia is further configured to be utilized during a first athletic routine with the sporting device and the second visual indicia is configured to be utilized during a second athletic routine with the sporting device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:
 altering a visually-perceivable property of the display to provide the first visual indicia upon receiving the first selection.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second athletic routines each comprise a sport-specific training exercise. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second athletic routines each improve a single sport-specific skill. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first athletic routine is a sporting event with at least two opposing athletes and conducted in association with defined rules. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display device comprises at least one chromatic material. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the display device comprises at least one electro chrome. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:
 upon receiving the electronic signal picking the first selection, transmitting an electronic signal to a first electro chrome to switch the first electro chrome from a first state to a second state.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first electro chrome is substantially transparent while at the first state and the first electro chrome exhibits a first color while at the second state. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the display device comprises at least two electro chromes and wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:
 switching the second electro chrome from a first state to a second state responsive to receiving an electronic signal selecting the second athletic routine.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display devices comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: LED, LCD, thermo chrome, photo chrome, electro chrome, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a user input device configured to receive a user input picking the one of the plurality of selections.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the user input device is selected from the group consisting of: a fitness structure of the sporting device, an external electronic device, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with an external electronic device, wherein the user input device is located on the external electronic device.   
     
     
         15 . A sporting device comprising:
 a display device comprising at least one chromatic material configured to provide a visually-perceivable output of the sporting device;   a processor and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:
 receiving an electronic signal indicative of a user input selecting one of a plurality of selections that each are configured to alter a visually-perceivable property of the of the display device, wherein a first selection is configured to provide a first visual indicia and a second selection is configured to provide a second visual indicia. 
   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform the method of:
 altering a visually-perceivable property of the display device to provide the first visual indicia following reception of the user input.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a user input device configured to receive the user input picking the one of the plurality of selections.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the user input device is selected from group consisting of: a fitness structure of the sporting device, an external electronic device, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the user input is received from a fitness structure of the sporting device. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the sporting device is an American football and the fitness structure comprises at least one lace of the American football. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the sporting device comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with an external electronic device, wherein the user input device is located on the external electronic device. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect a motion parameter of the sporting device during a selected first athletic routine and the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:   during performance of the first athletic routine with the sporting device, detecting a parameter selected from the group consisting of: an athletic performance parameter, the motion parameter of the sporting device, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:
 transmitting information regarding the detected parameter to an external electronic device.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:
 responsive to the information regarding the detected parameter, associating the first selection with a third visual indicia.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising an energy scavenging power supply. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the energy scavenging device is configured to scavenge power from motion forces during an athletic routine, wherein the scavenged power is employed directly or indirectly toward controlling the display device. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the sporting device is a football having a first end and an opposite second end, the football comprising a sensor configured to detect a motion parameter of the sporting device during a first athletic routine;
 wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processer perform a method comprising:
 after receiving an electronic signal indicative of the first selection has been picked, displaying a first visual indicia positioned about said first end configured to be visually-perceivable during the first athletic routine; and 
 responsive to the athletic performance during the first athletic routine, providing a second visual indicia positioned about said one or both the first and second ends.