Baseball sensor system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for improving baseball skills are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention comprises a frame (12) and a base (14) that include radiators (16) and sensors (18) for determining pitched balls and strikes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a sensor system that may be employed to improve the skills of baseball players. More particularly, one embodiment of the invention comprises a frame equipped with radiators and sensors that track balls and strikes thrown by a pitcher. Other embodiments may be used in other sporting events or games.

INTRODUCTION

The title of this Non-Provisional Patent Application is Baseball Sensor System. The Applicant is: Nicholas Herron Anglin of 1731 Monet Hill, Charlottesville, Va. 22911.

The Applicant is a Citizen of the United States of America.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PENDING PATENT APPLICATIONS, CLAIMS FOR PRIORITY & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

None.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball, which has become known as “America's Pass Time,” is a sport that was first developed in the United States in the 1840's. The text that follows in this section generally describes Major League Baseball, although the sport is played under slightly different rules in college, high school and in Little League.

Two teams, which may each deploy nine individuals on a “baseball diamond” or field at any given time. FIG. 1 depicts a baseball diamond and shows the typical position of each player on a defending team. The lowest point or corner of the diamond is the site of home plate HP. Two foul lines FL extend away from home plate to form two sides of the diamond. One foul line lies on the right side of the diamond, and runs across first base FB and then all the way to a foul pole FP at the rightmost corner of the outfield wall OW. The other foul line, which lies on the left side of the diamond, runs across third base TB, and then all the way to a foul pole FP at the leftmost corner of the outfield wall OW. The two foul lines intersect at a ninety degree angle. All the area that lies between the foul lines is “fair” territory. The 270 degree region that lies outside the foul lines is “foul” territory. A second base SB is situated between first and second base, and lies at the intersection of two lines that form a ninety degree angle with the lines that extend from first and second bases.

Home plate and all three bases are each ninety feet apart, when measured along the foul lines or along the straight line between first or third and second base.

A pitcher's mound PM is located sixty feet and six inches away from home plate, and is situated on a line that extends between home plate and second base. FIG. 2 shows a pitcher throwing a pitch from the pitcher's mound.

When a team is deployed in its defensive mode, nine players are positioned on the field. The area near the bases, called the “infield,” usually has four defenders, a first baseman FBM, a second baseman SBM, a shortstop SS, and a third baseman TBM. The larger area that extends beyond the bases all the way to the outfield wall is called the “outfield,” and is defended by a left fielder LF, a center fielder CF and a right fielder RF. A pitcher P stands atop the raised hill called the pitcher's mound. A catcher C crouches behind home plate.

Each player on the team that takes the field is equipped with a leather glove which is designed to help him catch the baseball BB.

In most games, four umpires U officiate the game. Playoff games and the World Series utilize six umpires.

A baseball game is generally defined by nine periods of play which are called “innings.” Each inning is divided into two portions or halves, one for each of the two teams, the visitors and the home team. The home team is the team which regularly plays at a field enclosed by the home stadium. Each inning is measured in “outs,” which refer events that cause a player to be retired from the field. When three outs are recorded, the team on the field returns to their “dugout,” and the opposing team takes then field for the other half of the inning.

During the first or “top” half of an inning, the home team takes the field. The visiting team, which is “batting” during the top half of each inning, sends one player at a time to home plate with a baseball “bat.” According to Major League Baseball (MLB) Rule 1.10(a), the bat must be “a smooth, round stick not more than 2 ¾ inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.”

According to MLB Rule 1.09, the ball B “shall be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a small core of cork, rubber or similar material, covered with two stripes of white horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. It shall weigh not less than five nor more than 5 ¼ ounces avoirdupois and measure not less than nine nor more than 9 ¼ inches in circumference.”

In other embodiments of the invention, some other ball, such as a softball, Wiffle® ball, rubber ball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, or golf ball may be used. Other projectiles, such as hockey pucks, frisbees, horseshoes or other items which are thrown, struck or somehow moved toward a target may also be employed in alternative implementations of the invention.

When play commences, the home team's pitcher throws a baseball B to the catcher C, who crouches behind home plate. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a player from the batting team stands in a “batter's box” BBOX on either side of home plate HP, and attempts to hit the ball or “pitch” thrown by the pitcher P.

The objective of the batting team is to score “runs” during their half of each inning before three outs are recorded. The team that scores the most runs during the course of the game wins the game. If the number of runs recorded by each team is the same after nine complete innings of play, the teams then play “extra” innings until the “tie score” is broken and one of the two teams wins the game.

A run is awarded to a batting team when a batter BTR safely advances in a counter-clockwise fashion to each of the three bases and then reaches home plate. A batter may safely advance to and choose to safely remain at each of the three bases and eventually to home plate by reaching one or more of these four places before he is called “out.” A batter BTR who remains in contact with first, second or third base is “safe,” and may not generally be called out.

A batter is out if he hits a pitched ball which is caught by a member of the opposing team without first touching the ground. A batter is also out if he hits a pitched ball that strikes the ground (called a “ground ball”), is caught by a member of the opposing team, and then that member of the opposing team throws the ball to a teammate touching first base who catches the ball before the batter reaches first base.

A batter records a “hit” if he strikes a pitched ball and reaches a base before he is called out. A batter who has recorded a hit then becomes a baserunner BR. A baserunner BR records a “run” when he touches home plate without being called out. A batter may earn a run by himself by hitting a “home run,” which is either a fly ball that passes over the outfield wall OFW or hits a foul pole FP without being caught, or by hitting a ball and running around all the bases to home plate before being called out.

A batter who has safely reached and has chosen to remain at one of the three bases may be called out if he is tagged with the ball by a member of the opposing team. A batter who has safely reached a base, and who is attempting to advance to another base, may be declared out if a batter who is seeking to reach a base behind him “forces him out.” A “forced out” occurs when a member of the opposing team throws a ground ball to a teammate who is touching the base where the “lead runner” is headed when a batter is attempting to reach a base behind him.

In general, a batter may be called out if the pitcher throws three strikes while a particular batter is “up,” meaning that he is taking his turn at home plate. A strike may be called by the home plate umpire when a batter does not swing at a pitch that crosses over home plate and which is above the batter's knees and below his belt. A strike may also be recorded if the batter swings and misses a pitched ball. A strike may also be recorded if the batter hits a pitched ball which lands in foul territory without being caught on a fly. The third strike, which results in a batter being called out on a “strike out” must be a swing and miss, or a pitch which is “fouled off” the batter's bat and then caught by the catcher.

A batter may earn a “base on balls,” “walk,” or a free trip to first base, if four pitches are called “balls” before a strike out is recorded. In this context, the umpire behind the plate calls a pitch a “ball” when it does not pass through the strike zone. FIG. 3 provides an illustration of the strike zone.

These methods of recording an out are the most common that occur during the course of a game. Several other less prevalent methods of recording outs, including successful “pick-offs” of base runners, tags of runners attempting to “steal” a base, runners being hit by a batted ball, or runners being called out due to the “infield fly rule” or for running outside a “basepath,” are described in the Official Rules of Major League Baseball.

The development of a system that enables baseball players to improve their skills, that is easy to use, and is easy to operate would constitute a major technological advance, and would satisfy long-felt needs in the sporting goods business.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for enhancing baseball skills, specifically the accuracy of pitching. In one embodiment of the invention, a generally rectangular frame is equipped with a number of emitters and sensors which record the entry of pitches through a predetermined strike zone. An alternative embodiment utilizes an adjustable frame, or a set of sensors which may be altered to adjust the strike zone. In another embodiment, a scoreboard for recording balls and strikes may be mounted on the frame. In yet another embodiment, the Invention may be utilized in combination with a smart phone and a downloaded App which is able to record and analyze pitching performance.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention, and a more complete and comprehensive understanding of this invention, may be obtained by studying the following description of a preferred embodiment, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a typical baseball diamond.

FIG. 2 shows a pitcher on a pitcher's mound.

FIGS. 3 and 4 supply views of a batter in a batter's box near home plate, together with a catcher and an umpire.

FIG. 5 is a view of the strike zone over home plate.

FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of the strike zone shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 provide additional details of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment that uses a scanning sensor.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C presents schematic diagrams of the electronic components that activate the ball and strike lamps.

FIG. 12 depicts a scoreboard that may be used in conjunction with the invention.

FIG. 13 reveals a schematic diagram of a reset transmitter and receiver.

FIG. 14 shows a smart phone that runs an App that may be used to track the performance of a pitcher.

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED & ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 present perspective views of one embodiment 10 of the present invention, which comprises a generally rectangular frame 12, a base 14, a number of radiators and/or emitters 16, and a number of sensors or receivers 18. The sensors and/or receivers 18 are connected by wire or by wireless connection to some suitable device for recording pitches.

In this Specification, and in the Claims that follow, the term “frame” 12 generally refers to any apparatus, material or structure which defines a two-dimensional boundary that may be utilized as a strike zone SZ. In one embodiment, the frame 12 may be composed of wooden members, such as vertical and horizontal members, diagonal support struts or other suitable pieces of lumber which may be joined with nails, screws, glue and/or any other suitable means of assembly or affixation. In another embodiment, the frame 12 may be assembled using metal, plastic, carbon-fiber or fiberglass rods. These rods may be nested or mated in pairs so that they slide apart or together. These rods may be manufactured with pairs of holes which register across the diameter of the rods. Pins may be placed transversely through a pair of aligned holes in the rods to secure the position of a pair of nested rods.

The generally horizontal base 14 may also be produced from pieces of wood, or may be fabricated from any other suitable material, including plastic, metal, carbon-fiber or fiberglass. The base 14 may also be manufactured with spikes which can be impressed into the soil beneath the frame 12.

This embodiment of the frame 12 may be generally adjusted to form the vertical and horizontal boundaries of a strike zone SZ. Since the Major League, college, high school and Little League strike zones may be different, the present invention provides an easy mechanism for providing the proper dimensions required by any particular user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a number of radiators and/or emitters 16, and a number of sensors or receivers 18 are affixed, coupled or otherwise associated with the frame 12.

In this Specification, and in the Claims that follow, the term “radiator” 16 is intended to encompass any means for or device which is capable of transmitting a signal, pulse, stream, wave or other form of electromagnetic, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, acoustic, sonic, sub-sonic, ultrasonic or other sensible emission. The radiators 16 are connected to a power supply, which may comprise one or more batteries 22 or a wired connection to an electrical outlet 24, e.g., 120 VAC. A first switch 26 connects the power supply 22 or 24 to the radiators 16.

The term “sensor” 18 is intended to include any device or means for detecting a sensible emission described in the preceding paragraph. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 18 may also include a camera or CCD array which is capable of detecting a ball as it passes through the frame 12.

In general, when a user throws a ball toward the frame 12, it will either pass within the confines of the frame 12, will hit the frame, or will pass outside of the frame 12.

In one embodiment, some sort of barrier, such as a net, a piece of fabric, a sheet of solid material or some other impeding device may be affixed to the rear side of the frame 12 to catch pitched balls.

In accordance with the various embodiments of the invention 10, when a baseball (or some other projectile, like a football or a tennis ball) is thrown or otherwise passes through the frame 12, the at least one of the radiators 16 and at least one of the sensors 18 detects this event. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, the radiators and sensors are arranged so that the horizontal and vertical beams of light which they produce are closely spaced and temporarily broken or blocked when a ball passes within the frame. When a ball is detected, a red light 20A on the frame is illuminated. When a strike is detected, a green light 20B on the frame is illuminated. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a pitcher P using one embodiment of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, a single scanning radiator 16A which frequently sweeps an arc of 180 degrees, together with a continuous sensor 18A which is affixed along the other three sides of the inside of the frame 12 may be used to implement the invention. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11A presents a schematic view of an Arduino™ microcontroller board 26 which is used in combination with a computer 28. In one embodiment of the invention, an Arduino™ microcontroller board, which is manufactured by SmartProjects in Italy, is used in combination with a computer running a suitable software package. This board 26 is a relatively inexpensive add-on for a computer 28 that enables external signals to be processed and acted upon by a computer.

According to Wikipedia:

“[T]his board features serial communications interfaces, including USB on some models, for loading programs from personal computers. For programming the microcontrollers, the Arduino™ platform provides an integrated development environment (IDE) based on the Processing project, which includes support for C, C++ and Java programming languages.”

FIG. 11A shows “one form of an early Arduino board with an RS-232 serial interface (upper left) and an Atmel ATmega8 microcontroller chip (black, lower right); the 14 digital I/O pins are located at the top and the six analog input pins at the lower right.” Wikipedia further reports that:

“[T]he Arduino™ integrated development environment (IDE) is a cross-platform application written in Java, and derives from the IDE for the Processing programming language and the Wiring projects. It is designed to introduce programming to artists and other newcomers unfamiliar with software development. It includes a code editor with features such as syntax highlighting, brace matching, and automatic indentation, and is also capable of compiling and uploading programs to the board with a single click. A program or code written for Arduino™ is called a “sketch”.

Arduino™ programs are written in C or C++. The Arduino™ IDE comes with a software library called “Wiring” from the original Wiring project, which makes many common input/output operations much easier.”

Persons ordinarily skilled in the art will understand how to use an Arduino™ 26 and its related software with one or more embodiments of the present Invention. The outputs of sensors 18 are connected to the Arduino™ so that suitable software running on the computer detects balls and strikes as pitches are thrown through the frame 12.

One implementation of the invention is shown in FIG. 11B. Output leads from the sensors 18 on the frame 12 are connected to an Arduino™ 26, which, turn, is powered by a battery 22 and is connected to a computer 28. Depending on the version of the board, the board may be connected to the computer internally by fitting in a slot in the computer's motherboard, or may be connected externally through a port, such as a USB or RS-232 connector.

Other hardware devices may be used to implement the invention, such as the rasberrypi™ single board computer.

FIG. 11 C depicts a generalized flowchart 30 which illustrates the function of the software that is used in conjunction with the microcontroller board. An output from the computer 28 is used to power the indicator lamps when a ball or a strike is detected, or if the invention is utilized with a scoreboard 32.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the invention may be connected to a scoreboard 32, which is able to display or indicate balls and strikes. In one embodiment, the scoreboard 32 may be a pair of arrays of electric lamps or LEDs which display numbers. One embodiment of a scoreboard sold by SKLZ, which is available from Amazon, is shown in FIG. 12.

In one embodiment of the invention, pairs of lasers 16 and sensors 18 are mounted on the inside of the frame 12. Each pair is pointed inward towards each other. When the invention is turned on, each laser 16 in a pair of lasers emits a continuous stream of light into its corresponding sensor 18. So, most of the time, the sensors 18 receive uninterrupted beams.

The pairs of lasers and sensors must be mounted so that the parallel beams of light are spaced at a distance that is narrower than the diameter of a baseball. This spacing insures that a baseball is sensed when it passes through the frame and breaks one or more beams of light.

In the normal condition, the laser is on, the sensor is illuminated, and the sensor emits a non-zero signal.

When a baseball B is thrown through the frame 12, one or more of the light beams is broken. The light on the sensor 18 is briefly interrupted, and the output of the sensor drops. The output of the sensor is connected to the Arduino 26, which activates an output when an input voltage or current drop is sensed. The Ardunio and/or computer are connected to bulbs 20A, 20B mounted on the top of the frame 12. When the pitched ball breaks the beam, the sensor output drops, the Arduino and/or computer senses the broken light beam, and illuminates the light (red for ball, green for strike) 20A, 20B.

In another embodiment, strip sensors may be placed on the frame, so the ball lamp is illuminated when a pitch strikes the frame. In yet another embodiment, one or more radar sensors may be used to illuminate the ball lamp when a pitch is thrown completely outside the frame.

In one embodiment, the lamps 20A, 20B are turned off within a short time period before the next pitch is thrown. In this embodiment, the Arduino can be programmed to turn off the light ten seconds after it is illuminated.

Balls and strikes are detected by using two sets of lasers and sensors: a horizontal set and a vertical set. To call a strike, a pitched ball would need to break two laser beams, one horizontal 17A and one vertical 17B, in a pre-defined strike zone. The size of the strike zone may be adjusted by configuring the connections to the Arduino.

Another embodiment of the scoreboard may indicate a strike out when three strikes are recorded before four balls are sensed. A base on balls may be indicated on the scoreboard when four balls are pitched before three strikes are recorded.

In an alternative embodiment, the pitcher may use a wireless transmitter 34 to reset the scoreboard, so that it indicates no balls and no strikes. This wireless transmitter 34 is shown in FIG. 13. When activated by the pitcher, he wireless transmitter 34 sends a signal which is received by the Arduino, which turns off the lamps 20A and 20B.

In a further implementation of the invention, a radar gun 38 may be attached to the frame 12 to measure the speed of a pitched ball. A radar gun manufactured by SKLZ may be used to implement this alternative embodiment.

Although one embodiment of the invention utilizes an adjustable frame, another embodiment could be employed which simply deactivates particular radiators and/or sensors to create a different strike zone SZ. A switchboard for sensor leads could be constructed and affixed to the frame for this purpose.

The invention 10 may also be used for other training purposes. The frame may be adjusted so that a pitcher may use it to practice pick-off throws to a base, or to practice throws from a catcher to catch runners who attempt to steal a base.

In yet another embodiment, the pitcher or some other individual may use a smart phone 40 which runs a specialized App 42 in combination with the frame 12. The home page of the App 42 is depicted on the screen of the smart phone in FIG. 14. The App 42 is downloaded over a wired or wireless connection to the smart phone 40 from the appropriate website. The App 42 is delivered from a server 44 over a network 46, as shown in FIG. 14. The App 42 may be used to record, track and/or analyze the performance of a pitcher over the course of a number of pitching sessions. Teammates or some other number of individuals may use the App 42 to compare their pitching performance, or to engage in remote competition.

SCOPE OF THE CLAIMS

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the Claims that follow. The various alternatives for providing a Baseball Sensor System that have been disclosed above are intended to educate the reader about preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to constrain the limits of the invention or the scope of Claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

• B Baseball
• BBOX Batter's Box
• BR Baserunner
• BTR Batter
• C Catcher
• CF Center Fielder
• FB First Base
• FBM First Baseman
• FL Foul Line
• FP Foul Pole
• HP Home Plate
• IF Infield
• LF Left Fielder
• OF Outfield
• OFW Outfield Wall
• P Pitcher
• PM Pitcher's Mound
• RF Right Fielder
• SB Second Base
• SBM Second Baseman
• SS Short Stop
• TB Third Base
• TBM Third Base Man
• U Umpire
• 10 Baseball Sensor System
• 12 Frame
• 14 Base of frame
• 16 Radiator
• 16A Scanning radiator
• 17A, 17B Beams
• 18 Sensor
• 18A Sensor for scanning radiator
• 18B Output leads from strike sensors
• 18C Output leads from ball sensors
• 20A Ball lamp
• 20B Strike lamp
• 22 Battery
• 24 Electrical outlet
• 26 Arduino™ microcontroller board
• 28 Computer
• 30 Flow chart
• 32 Scoreboard
• 34 Wireless reset device
• 35 Antenna
• 36 Radar gun
• 37 Wireless receiver
• 38 Smart phone
• 40 App
• 42 Network
• 44 Server
• 46 Network cell tower

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a generally fixed frame; said generally fixed frame being disposed to define the boundaries of a strike zone; said strike zone being configured to sense the passage of a projectile in flight;

an inward pointing radiator; said inward pointing radiator for emitting radiation which senses the passage of a pitched projectile through said frame;

said inward pointing radiator being generally affixed to said frame;

an inward pointing sensor; said inward pointing sensor for detecting a change in said radiation which records the passage of said pitched projectile through said frame.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said frame is mechanically adjustable so that it easily defines a plurality of different projectile strike zones.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said radiator is a laser.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, in which said sensor detects the radiation emitted by said laser.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of radiators; said plurality of radiators being affixed to said frame;

a plurality of sensors; said plurality of sensors being affixed to said frame;

said plurality of sensors being mounted so that they receive a beam of light when one of said plurality of radiators is illuminated;

said plurality of radiators and said plurality of sensors being configured so that a plurality of vertical beams of light and a plurality of horizontal beams of light are propagated within said frame so that any pair of parallel beams is separated by a distance which is smaller than the smallest dimension of said projectile.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of output leads extending from each of said plurality of sensors;

a computer; said computer including a microcontroller board; said computer also having an output;

each of said plurality of output leads being connected to said microcontroller board;

said output of said computer for operating a pair of electric lamps that indicates whether a ball or a strike has been pitched through said frame.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, in which:

said microcontroller board is programmed to automatically turning off said pair of electric lamps after a preset time interval.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a scoreboard for displaying balls and strikes.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a scoreboard for displaying outs and innings.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a radar gun affixed to said frame for measuring the speed of a projectile.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a barrier affixed to the rear side of said frame for catching balls that pass through said frame.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter;

said wireless transmitter having an antenna;

a wireless receiver;

said wireless receiver having an antenna;

said wireless receiver being connected to said relay;

said output from said wireless transmitter being used to reset the pitch count.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a smart phone;

said smart phone running an App;

said App for tracking balls and strikes detected by said sensor.