Rechargeable/Bluetooth Ping Pong Paddles with Docking Station
*This idea came about when me and my friends would always lose track of what the score was and how many volleys were completed while playing.
Early Research/Design
Learning about game play and different sizes/styles of paddles
What type of battery to use and its size. Thickness of rubber material on paddles per game rules
Deeper research into paddle design: material/weight/shape etc...
Ping pong table dimensions and game rules/regulations and how to display score on paddle itself with power and Bluetooth button
FINAL DESIGN
Docking Station per two paddles. Cord and plug located on the back side. (see above and below)
Rechargeable connection located on back side of wooden handle to be placed and rested in the docking station. (Similar to how the rechargeable Wii remotes work)
Ping Pong Ball Holder - holds up to 6 ping pong balls (40mm in diameter)
Electronic/Bluetooth Paddle
The left circular button is for power and the right circular button is for Bluetooth. The rectangular screen with two squares inside is to digitally display the current score of the game. The left is your score and the right is your opponents score. It will change as the game goes on.
Two AAA batteries are located just below at the bottom of the wooden handle. *Cover not shown
Rubber Sponge Layer: 2mm
Top Sheet Rubber: 1mm
(*must not exceed total thickness 4mm according to rules)
The Bluetooth would be connected through a Smart Phone or any Smart Device. Once connected, the user would then open an App to choose game play and begin to log scores, keep track of games played, volleys, scores, etc.
Background Information
Table Tennis aka "Ping Pong" has been around since the 1880's. The general/main rules are as follows: players must allow a ball played toward them to bounce one time on their side of the table, and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side at least once. A point is scored when a player fails to return the ball within the rules.
This automated ping pong racket will automatically keep track of the score through a sensitive cover on the paddle's rubber coating and through a wireless connection through sensors located on the table that will display the current score. The first to 11 wins.
