SMART CRICKET BAT AND PROCESS OF FABRICATION OF THE SAME

Info

Publication number: 20220314086
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 3, 2020
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2022
Inventors: Ishwinderpal Singh Thind (Bangalore), Arminderpal Singh Thind (Bangalore)
Application Number: 17/639,622

Abstract

A smart cricket bat and a process of fabrication of the same is disclosed. The cricket bat includes an electronic system includes a plurality of sensors with sensor fusion to remove bias in sensed data. The plurality of sensors measure accurate data representative of rate of change of velocity, angular speed, orientation of the smart cricket bat, pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball, a pressure exerted on the handle unit by a hand grip of the batsman during swing of the smart cricket bat and one or more audio signals. The electronic system also includes a processing unit configured to process sensed data to calculate one or more metrics associated with batting. The electronic system also includes a transceiver unit configured to transmit one or more calculated metrics to a user's computing device.

Description

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This National Phase application claims priority from a Provisional patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 201941017797, filed on Sep. 3, 2019, and titled “SMART CRICKET BAT”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sport accessories, and more particularly to, a smart cricket bat and a process of fabrication of the same.

BACKGROUND

Cricket is a game played with a bat and a ball between two teams. Each team includes eleven players. Cricket is viewed by millions of people around the world. Due to the worldwide popularity the game has gained over the years, many individuals aspire to represent their country and train in that direction. Training involves for instance, attending a cricket camp organized by veteran bowlers and batsmen, often referred to as coaches, having played the game of cricket in different forums and levels. The coaches train individuals to become bowlers or batsmen subsequent to testing the individual's potential. If the coach ascertains that the individual would be a good fit as a batsman, then appropriate training would be provided in this regard.

The individual would be trained with respect to playing different types of shots, swing movement of the cricket bat, etc and relevant feedback would be provided to the individual regarding the performance. The feedback provided is mainly based on observations by the coach. Now a days, due to many individuals attending cricket camps, the coaches may have to train multiple individuals simultaneously. Therefore, there have been instances of the coach, failing to observe certain parameters which are critical for the batsman, thereby not providing proper feedback to the individual, thereby hampering the individual's growth as a batsman. The other option would be to attend camps which provide personalized training, which of course would be expensive and not affordable by many. Moreover, even then there are possibilities of human error by the coach.

Further, to overcome the aforesaid issues, various solutions have been implemented in the past by coupling sensing mechanisms to the cricket bat, which would provide performance related data with respect to batting. However, such sensing mechanisms being detached from the bat and falling on the stumps due to impact of the ball. Also, such sensing mechanism causes an increase in dimension of the bat which is not allowed as per the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) rules. Moreover, such sensing mechanism causes discomfort to the batsman while playing shots.

Hence, there is a need for an improved smart cricket bat and a process of fabrication of the same in order to address the aforementioned issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a smart cricket bat is disclosed. The cricket bat includes a blade unit. The cricket bat also includes a handle unit configured to be affixed to a top end of the blade unit, wherein the handle unit comprises a plurality of cane strips and a plurality of rubber strips alternatively stacked along axis of the handle unit thereby imparting material strength to the handle unit, shock and vibration bearing capacity and stability to a batsman holding the handle unit. The smart cricket bat also includes an electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat on one or more positions, wherein the one or more positions includes a predesigned position in the handle unit and the blade unit, a spine of the blade unit using one or more fastening means, a centre position of the spine of the blade unit, either sides of the spine of the blade unit and embedded inside the blade unit or combination thereof. The electronic system includes at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a matrix pressure sensor fabricated from textile material and a microphone.

The accelerometer sensor being configured to measure rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat while making a shot in an instance. The gyroscope sensor being configured to measure angular speed of the smart cricket bat while making the shot. The magnetometer sensor being configured to measure orientation of the smart cricket bat while making the shot. The matrix pressure sensor being configured to measure pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball while making the shot and measure a pressure exerted on the handle unit by a hand grip of the batsman during swing of the smart cricket bat. The microphone being configured to capture one or more audio signals while making the shot.

The electronic system also includes a processing unit configured to process measured rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat, measured angular speed of the smart cricket bat, measured orientation of the smart cricket bat, measured pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball, measured pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman and captured one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with batting. The one or more metrics includes speed of the smart cricket bat, swing of the smart cricket bat, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the smart cricket bat with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the smart cricket bat, and detecting whether the ball made contact with the smart cricket bat. The electronic system also includes a memory module to locally store the sensed data and a transceiver unit configured to transmit one or more calculated metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman.

In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a system for analysing training of players is disclosed. The system includes one or more processors. The system also includes an information receiving subsystem operable by the one or more processors, and communicatively coupled to one or more smart cricket bats. The information receiving subsystem is configured to receive data representative of rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball and pressure exerted on a handle unit by a hand grip of a batsman, and one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats while making a shot. The information receiving subsystem is also configured to receive at least one of one or more videos, one or more images or a combination thereof of the batsman from an image capturing unit.

The system also includes an information analysing subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The information analysing subsystem is configured to identify at least one of one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots being played by the batsman from the one or more videos, the one or more images or the combination thereof. The information analysing subsystem is also configured to analyse identified one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots with respect to the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball, the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, and the one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with the batting, wherein the one or more metrics comprise speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the one or more smart cricket bats with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the one or more smart cricket bats and detecting whether the ball made contact with the one or more smart cricket bats.

The system also includes a feedback transmission subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The feedback transmission subsystem is configured to compare the one or more metrics with a set of benchmarked one or more metrics in order to identify deviation in value associated with the one or more metrics of a specific batsman. The feedback transmission subsystem is also configured to transmit one or more identified deviation in the one or more metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman via one or more communication means.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a process of fabrication of a smart cricket bat is disclosed. The process includes attaching a first end of a handle to a top portion of a blade unit, wherein the blade unit comprises a ball hitting surface and a non-ball hitting surface. The process also includes forming a cavity with a set of pre-defined dimensions at a first end of the handle unit, one or more portions of the handle unit, a front side of the blade unit and at a back side of the blade unit. The process also includes disposing a casing within the cavity, wherein the casing includes a removably attached lid to removably place battery or at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, and a microphone inside the casing. The process also includes placing an electronic system including at least one of a gyroscope sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a magnetometer sensor, and a microphone within the casing. The process also includes disposing a lid on the casing, wherein the lid adapted to lock or unlock the removably attached lid of the casing. The process also includes mounting one or more biomechanical energy harvesters at one or more positions onto the smart cricket bat.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 represents a front view of a smart cricket bat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates mounting of the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 using the rubber band 115 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates mounting of the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 using the casing 100 at top left side of the spine 60 of the blade unit 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates mounting of the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 using the casing 100 at a centre position of the spine 60 of the blade unit 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 represents a cross sectional view along an x-x′ axis of a handle unit of the smart cricket bat of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 represents a sectional view of a cavity of a handle unit of the smart cricket bat of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing steps involved in a system for analysing training of players in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a training analysing computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a process of fabrication of a smart cricket bat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a smart cricket bat and a process of fabricating the same. The cricket bat includes a blade unit. The cricket bat also includes a handle unit configured to be affixed to a top end of the blade unit, wherein the handle unit comprises a plurality of cane strips and a plurality of rubber strips alternatively stacked along axis of the handle unit thereby imparting material strength to the handle unit, shock and vibration bearing capacity and stability to a batsman holding the handle unit. The cricket bat also includes an electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat on one or more positions, wherein one or more positions includes a predesigned position in the handle unit and the blade unit, a spine of the blade unit using one or more fastening means, a centre position of the spine of the blade unit, either sides of the spine of the blade unit and embedded inside the blade unit or combination thereof. The electronic system includes at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a matrix pressure sensor fabricated from textile material and a microphone with sensor fusion to remove bias in sense data.

The sensor fusion is combination of multiple physical sensors to produce accurate output, even though each of the accelerometer sensor, gyroscope sensor, magnetometer sensor might be unreliable on its own. The said sensors are used in conjunction with each so as to zero out error of the other sensors, thereby enhancing accuracy of sensed data.

In an embodiment, the sensor fusion helps in calibrating the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor by way of offset cancellation. This removes bias in sensed data by the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor.

In such an embodiment, the offset cancellation being achieved by using one of a software algorithms. In an alternative embodiment, the offset cancellation being achieved by built-in hardware offset registers.

In an embodiment, the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, or the magnetometer sensor are micro-electro-mechanical systems (MSME). It is a chip-based technology and the MEMS are made up of components between 1 and 100 micrometers in size (i.e., 0.001 to 0.1 mm), and MEMS devices generally range in size from 20 micrometres to a millimetre (i.e., 0.02 to 1.0 mm), the components may be arranged in arrays. Owing to minuscule size, the said sensors may be mounted easily on the various parts of bat using various fastening means, without compromising shape and weight of the bat.

The accelerometer sensor being configured to measure rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat while making a shot in an instance. The gyroscope sensor being configured to measure angular speed of the smart cricket bat while making the shot. The magnetometer sensor being configured to measure orientation of the smart cricket bat while making the shot. The matrix pressure sensor being configured to measure pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball while making the shot and measure a pressure exerted on the handle unit by a hand grip of the batsman during swing of the smart cricket bat. The microphone being configured to capture one or more audio signals while making the shot.

The electronic system also includes a processing unit configured to process measured rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat, measured angular speed of the smart cricket bat, measured orientation of the smart cricket bat, measured pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball, measured pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman and captured one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with batting. The one or more metrics includes speed of the smart cricket bat, swing of the smart cricket bat, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the smart cricket bat with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the smart cricket bat, and detecting whether the ball made contact with the smart cricket bat. The electronic system also includes a transceiver unit configured to transmit one or more calculated metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a smart cricket bat 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The smart cricket bat 10 includes a blade unit 20. The smart cricket bat 10 also includes a handle unit 30 configured to be affixed to a top end 40 of the blade unit 20. The smart cricket bat 10 also includes an electronic system mounted on one or more positions. The one or more positions includes a predesigned position in the handle unit. In one embodiment, the predesigned position of the handle unit may include a cavity formed at a first end 50 of the handle unit, a cavity formed at one or more portions of the handle unit and a cavity inside a rubber sleeve of the handle unit. In one specific embodiment, a formed cavity having a predefined dimension which includes depth of the cavity and dimensions of the cavity.

Further, the one or more positions may also include a predesigned position of the blade unit 20. In one embodiment, the predesigned position of the blade unit 20 may include a cavity formed at a front side of the blade unit 20 and a cavity formed at a back side 60 of the blade unit 20. Furthermore, the one or more positions also include a spine 60 of the blade unit 20 using one or more fastening means, a centre position of the spine 60 of the blade unit 20, either sides of the spine 60 of the blade unit 20 and embedded inside the blade unit 20 by forming a cavity at a front side of the blade unit 20 or at a back side 60 of the blade unit 20. In one embodiment, the spine 60 of the blade unit 20 includes one or more grooves of predefined dimension to position the electronic system. In one embodiment, the one or more fastening means may include, but not limited to, rubber band, sticker and the like.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of mounting of the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 using the rubber band 115. The position of the rubber may be shifted in order to position the electronic system over back side of the bat.

FIG. 2B illustrates another exemplary embodiment of mounting of the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 using the casing 100 at top left side of the spine 60 of the blade unit 20. The casing 100 being disposed within the cavity. The battery and the electronic system are removably disposed inside the casing 100, where opening of the casing is covered by a lid.

FIG. 2C illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of mounting of the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 using the casing 100 at a centre position of the spine 60 of the blade unit 20. The casing 100 being disposed within the cavity.

Further, the electronic system includes at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a matrix pressure sensor fabricated from textile material and a microphone with sensor fusion to remove bias in sense data. In one embodiment, the textile material may include EeonTex conductive textile to make the matrix pressure sensor fully fabric. In one embodiment, the accelerometer sensor, the gyroscope sensor and magnetometer sensor may include a triaxial accelerometer, a triaxial gyroscope and triaxial magnetometer respectively. As used herein, the term “triaxial accelerometer” provides simultaneous measurements in three orthogonal directions, for analysis of all of the vibrations being experienced by a structure. Each unit incorporates three separate sensing elements that are oriented at right angles with respect to each other.

In one specific embodiment, the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor are placed at one or more positions with respect to each other and works in synchronization with each other, wherein the one or more positions includes a pre-defined position on the handle unit 30 or a pre-defined position on the blade unit 20. The at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor are configured to obtain measurements, wherein the measurements are representative of movement data associated with the smart cricket bat 10.

Further, the accelerometer sensor being configured to measure rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat 10 while making a shot in an instance. Furthermore, the gyroscope sensor being configured to measure angular speed of the smart cricket bat 10 while making the shot. The magnetometer sensor being configured to measure orientation of the smart cricket bat 10 while making the shot.

The matrix pressure sensor being configured to pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat 10 by a ball while making the shot and measure a pressure exerted on the handle unit by a hand grip of the batsman during swing of the smart cricket bat 10. The microphone is configured to capture one or more audio signals while making the shot.

In one embodiment, the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor being covered by a lid, thereby enabling easy removal and replacement of one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor. The electronic system also includes a processing unit configured to process measured rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat 10, measured angular speed of the smart cricket bat 10, measured orientation of the smart cricket bat 10, measured pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat 10 by a ball, measured pressure exerted on the handle unit 30 by the hand grip of the batsman and captured one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with batting, wherein the one or more metrics includes speed of the smart cricket bat 10, swing of the smart cricket bat 10, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the smart cricket bat 10 with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the smart cricket bat 10, and detecting whether the ball made contact with the smart cricket bat 10.

In one specific embodiment, the electronic system may include a battery configured to supply power to at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor. Further, in one embodiment, the electronic system may include a charging port configured to charge the battery when the battery power is low as indicated by a battery indicator. In one specific embodiment, the one or more metrics calculated from the processing unit is stored in a storage unit, wherein the storage unit may be present inside the cavity. In another embodiment, the storage unit may be located at a remote server from the smart cricket bat 10. Further, the storage unit may be in wireless communication with a remote server capable of storing the data of the electronic system.

Further, the electronic system also includes a transceiver unit configured to transmit one or more calculated metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman. In one embodiment, the user computing device may include, but not limited to, a mobile, laptop, desktop and the like. In one specific embodiment, the smart cricket bat 10 may include one or more biomechanical energy harvesters mounted on at least one of the blade unit 20 and the handle unit 30 and configured to generate electricity by harvesting piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electromagnetic energy generated while making the shot, wherein the one or more biomechanical energy harvesters includes piezoelectric materials and sensors, Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), inertial-induction-type energy harvesters, and gear and generator-type energy harvesters. In such embodiment, the piezoelectric materials and sensors may include, but not limited to, crystals, ceramics, polymers, and proteins, and the Triboelectric nanogenerators comprise poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) as the triboelectric contact surfaces.

FIG. 3 represents a cross sectional view along an x-x′ axis of a handle unit 30 of the smart cricket bat 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The handle unit includes a plurality of cane strips 70 and a plurality of rubber strips 80 alternatively stacked along axis of the handle unit 30 thereby imparting material strength to the handle unit 30, shock and vibration bearing capacity and stability to a batsman holding the handle unit 30.

FIG. 4 represents a sectional view of a cavity 90 of a handle unit 30 of the smart cricket bat 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one particular embodiment, shape of the cavity 90 may be one of, but not limited to, a rectangular, cylindrical, square and the like. In one specific embodiment, the cavity 90 being configured to receive a casing 100 covered with a lid 110 at a second end 130 of the casing 100, and in turn the casing 100 being configured to house at least one of the electronic system, a battery, a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The cavity 90 and a first end 120 of the casing 100, both are provided with means to engage with each other to form a connection, which is one of, a lock and an unlock position. In one exemplary embodiment, an internal surface of the cavity 90 is provided with one or more means such as, but not limited to, internal threads. Also, an external surface of the first end 120 of the casing is provided with one or more means such as, but not limited to, external threads. The internal threads of the cavity 90 and the external threads of the casing 100 engage with each other to form the connection, which is one of a lock and an unlock position. In an alternate embodiment, the casing 100 is affixed to the cavity 90 of the handle unit 30 by means such as, but not limited to, adhesives, fasteners.

In one embodiment, a knob 140 is disposed on the casing 100 of the smart cricket bat 10. Each of the knob 140 and the casing 100 is provided with means, so that the knob 140 engages with the casing 100 to form a connection. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the knob 140 and the casing 100 is provided with the means such as, but not limited to, threads, a push button and fasteners. For example, if threads are provided to each of the knob 140 and the casing 100, then the connection is formed by rotating the knob 140 in one of a clockwise and an anticlockwise direction about the casing 100. Further, the connection between the knob 140 and the casing 100, may be disengaged, by rotating the knob 140 in either a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction about the casing 100. In particular, if the knob 140 is configured to be rotated in the clockwise direction about the casing 100 to form the connection, then the knob 140 has to be rotated in an opposite direction, i.e. in the anticlockwise direction about the casing 100 to disengage the knob 140 with the casing 100.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representation of a system 150 for analysing training of players in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 150 includes one or more processors 160. In one embodiment, the one or more processors 160 may be hosted on a local server. In another embodiment, the one or more processors 160 may be hosted on a remote server. The system 150 includes an information receiving subsystem 170 operable by the one or more processors 160, and communicatively coupled to one or more smart cricket bats. The information receiving subsystem 170 is configured to receive data representative of rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball and pressure exerted on a handle unit by a hand grip of a batsman, and one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats while making a shot. In one embodiment, the information receiving subsystem may be configured to receive the data from at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a matrix pressure sensor and a microphone fabricated within the one or more smart cricket bats. In such an embodiment, the sensor fusion is implemented to remove bias in data sensed by the accelerometer sensor, gyroscope sensor, and magnetometer sensor.

In one embodiment, the data may be stored on a remote server. In such embodiment, the information receiving subsystem may be in wireless communication with the remote server and receive the data from the remote server.

Further, the information receiving subsystem 170 is also configured to receive at least one of one or more videos, one or more images or a combination thereof of the batsman from an image capturing unit. In one embodiment, the image capturing unit may include, but not limited to, a camera and the like. In such embodiment, the image capturing unit may continuously capture the one or more images or the one or more videos of the batsman while making the shot and upload on the remote server for further processing. In one embodiment, the system may include a storage subsystem configured to store received data representative of the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball and the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, the one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats, one or more videos and one or more images in a database.

The system 150 also includes an information analysing subsystem 180 operable by the one or more processors 160. The information analysing subsystem 180 is configured to identify at least one of one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots being played by the batsman from the one or more videos, the one or more images or the combination thereof. Further, the one or more images may be pre-processed by using one or more pre-processing techniques such as Gaussian filter to remove one or more noises from the one or more images. Furthermore, one or more features may be extracted from one or more pre-processed images to use the one or more features as an input to an artificial neural network model to firstly divide the upper portion of body and the lower portion of the body. Further, one or more features of the upper portion of the body and lower portion of the body may be detected to determine the body posture of the batsman.

In one specific embodiment, the one or more cricketing shots may be identified based on the body posture of the batsman. In such embodiment, position of the head, position of the feet, position of the hand, and weight distribution plays an important role in identifying the one or more cricketing shots. In one exemplary embodiment, if a head position is inside line of the ball, a top hand takes the cricket bat up and compliments bottom hand, a bottom hand initiates the shot, front foot forwards to pitch of the ball, a back foot moves back and across the line of the ball and body weight is on ball of the back foot, then the cricketing shot is square cut.

Further, the information analyzing subsystem 180 is also configured to analyse identified one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots with respect to the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball, the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, and the one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with the batting. The one or more metrics include speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the one or more smart cricket bats with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the one or more smart cricket bats and detecting whether the ball made contact with the one or more smart cricket bats.

In one specific embodiment, the type of cricketing shot may include a cut shot, pull shot or a straight shot. The accelerometer and gyroscope data obtained from the accelerometer sensor and the gyroscope sensor may be collected continuously by wirelessly connecting the accelerometer sensor and the gyroscope sensor to one or more computing devices. Further, an angular orientation of the smart cricket bat in the three-dimensional space is also collected from the magnetometer sensor. Then, a classifier may be trained by using collected data from the accelerometer sensor, the gyroscope sensor and the magnetometer sensor. Further, a shot played with the smart cricket bat is tested to check sound to further verify whether the ball hits the bat or not. If the ball hits the bat, then only the type of cricketing shot is identified based on a variation of at least one component (x-axis, y-axis or z-axis) of at least one of the accelerometer sensor, the gyroscope sensor and the magnetometer sensor from predefined components of the at least one of the accelerometer sensor, the gyroscope sensor and the magnetometer sensor.

In one embodiment, the information analysing subsystem 180 detects whether the ball made contact with the smart cricket bat or glove or body parts or ground or wicket by analysing the one or more audio signals captured by the microphone. In such embodiment, the processing unit records the one or more audio signals while making the shot at the instance, wherein the microphone transmits recorded one or more audio signals to a remote server. Further, a wavelet transform may be used to analyse the one or more audio signals. As used herein, the term “wavelet transform” is defined as a representation of a signal in time and frequency. Further, one or more features may be extracted from an average pseudo frequency from the selected wavelet transform time range along with the standard deviation (a), kurtosis (k) and skewness of the said frequencies. Further, the one or more features may be used as an input to a neural network model to detect whether the ball made in contact with the smart cricket bat or cricket pad or glove or body parts or ground or wicket, wherein the neural network was trained with one or more pre-stored audio signals, wherein a first set of the one or more pre-stored audio signals includes one or more pre-stored audio signals of ball made contact with the smart cricket bat.

The system 150 also includes a feedback transmission subsystem 190 operable by the one or more processors 160, wherein the feedback transmission subsystem 190 is configured to compare the one or more metrics with a set of benchmarked one or more metrics in order to identify deviation in value associated with the one or more metrics of a specific batsman. The feedback transmission subsystem 190 is also configured to transmit one or more identified deviation in the one or more metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman via one or more communication means. In one embodiment, the player will be receiving the feedback on one or more devices/tools which may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone (through mobile app), a laptop/desktop (through web app), an email account or any future form of a portable communication device. As used herein, the term “portable communication device” defined as a hand-held or a wearable device. Further, in one embodiment, the system 150 may also include a report generation subsystem configured to generate a report for providing feedback to the batsman, wherein format of the report is either in a video format or a sheet format. In some embodiment, a coach communicates with the player for providing feedback based on an analysed result. In one specific embodiment, the real time feedback after each ball may be provided to the players via speakers.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a training analysing computer system 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer system 200 includes processor(s) 160, and memory 210 coupled to the processor(s) 160 via a bus 220. The processor(s) 160, as used herein, means a type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or other type of processing circuit, or a combination thereof.

Also, the memory 210, as used herein, is stored locally on a user device. The memory 210 includes multiple subsystems stored in the form of executable program which instructs the processor 160 to perform the configuration of the device illustrated in FIG. 2. The memory 210 has following subsystems: an information receiving subsystem 170, an information analysing subsystem 180, and a feedback transmission subsystem 190 of FIG. 2.

Computer memory elements may include a suitable memory device(s) for storing data and executable program, such as read-only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling memory cards and the like. Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with program subsystems, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The executable program stored on one of the above-mentioned storage media may be executable by the processor(s) 160.

The information receiving subsystem 170 instructs the processor(s) 160 to receive data representative of rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball and pressure exerted on a handle unit by a hand grip of a batsman, and one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats while making a shot. The information receiving subsystem 170 instructs the processor(s) 160 to receive at least one of one or more videos, one or more images or a combination thereof of the batsman from an image capturing unit. The information analysing subsystem 180 instructs the processor(s) 160 to identify at least one of one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots being played by the batsman from the one or more videos, the one or more images or the combination thereof. The information analysing subsystem 180 instructs the processor(s) 160 to analyse identified one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots with respect to the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball, the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, and the one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with the batting, wherein the one or more metrics comprise speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the one or more smart cricket bats with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the one or more smart cricket bats and detecting whether the ball made contact with the one or more smart cricket bats. The feedback transmission subsystem 190 instructs the processor(s) 160 to compare the one or more metrics with a set of benchmarked one or more metrics in order to identify deviation in value associated with the one or more metrics of a specific batsman. The feedback transmission subsystem 190 instructs the processor(s) 160 to transmit one or more identified deviation in the one or more metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman via one or more communication means.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a process 230 of fabrication of a smart cricket bat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process 230 includes attaching a first end of a handle to a top portion of a blade unit, wherein the blade unit comprises a ball hitting surface and a non-ball hitting surface in step 240. The process 230 also includes forming a cavity with a set of pre-defined dimensions at a proximal end of the handle unit, one or more portions of the handle unit, a front side of the blade unit and at a back side of the blade unit in step 250. The process 230 also includes disposing a casing within the cavity, wherein the casing includes a removably attached lid to removably place a battery inside the casing in step 260.

The process 230 also includes placing an electronic system including at least one of a gyroscope sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a microphone, a matrix pressure sensor, a processing unit and a transceiver unit within the casing in step 270. In one embodiment, the process 230 may include placing the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor at one or more positions with respect to each other and works in synchronization with each other, wherein the one or more positions comprises a pre-defined position on the handle unit or a pre-defined position on the blade unit.

The process 230 also includes disposing a lid on the casing, wherein the lid adapted to lock or unlock the removably attached lid of the casing in step 280. The process 230 also includes mounting one or more biomechanical energy harvesters at one or more positions onto the smart cricket bat in step 290. In one embodiment, mounting the one or more biomechanical energy harvesters at one or more positions onto the smart cricket bat may include mounting the one or more biomechanical energy harvesters at one or more positions onto the smart cricket bat to generate electricity by harvesting piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electromagnetic energy generated while making the shot, wherein the one or more biomechanical energy harvesters includes piezoelectric materials and sensors, Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), inertial-induction-type energy harvesters, and gear and generator-type energy harvesters.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a technical solution to the problem of designing a smart cricket bat which can capture accurate data. The present disclosure provides for integration of sensor fusion to remove bias in sense data and improve accuracy of sensed data. Further, sensors used herein are based on the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). Due to micro dimensions, the sensors may be mounted anywhere onto the smart bat with ease without compromising weight or shape or dimension of the bat. The present disclosure provides a real time accurate data associated with the batting without affecting a batsman performance. The present disclosure also protects the electronic system from being damaged from external and/or internal impacts caused during situations such as batting and/or mishandling the smart cricket bat. Further, the present disclosure formed of alternate arrangement of cane and rubber strips provides material strength, thereby preventing damage of the electronic unit, thereby increasing the accuracy of real time data of various parameters of batting. Moreover, the present disclosure tracks the performance of the player over time by saving each shot and generates a feedback report for the players to improve their game. Furthermore, the present system discloses a provision to power up the multiple sensors wirelessly.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

1. A smart cricket bat comprising: characterised in that

a blade unit;

a handle unit configured to be affixed to a top end of the blade unit;

an electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat on one or more positions, wherein one or more positions comprises a predesigned position in the handle unit and the blade unit, a spine of the blade unit using one or more fastening means, a centre position of the spine of the blade unit, either sides of the spine of the blade unit and embedded inside the blade unit or combination thereof, wherein the electronic system comprises: at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a matrix pressure sensor fabricated from textile material and a microphone with sensor fusion to remove bias in sense data, wherein the accelerometer sensor being configured to sense data representative of rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat 10 while making a shot in an instance, wherein the gyroscope sensor being configured to sense data representative of angular speed of the smart cricket bat while making the shot, wherein the magnetometer sensor being configured sense data representative of orientation of the smart cricket bat while making the shot, wherein the matrix pressure sensor being configured to measure pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball while making the shot and measure a pressure exerted on the handle unit by a hand grip of the batsman during swing of the smart cricket bat, and wherein the microphone being configured to capture one or more audio signals while making the shot; a processing unit configured to process measured rate of change of velocity of the smart cricket bat, measured angular speed of the smart cricket bat, measured orientation of the smart cricket bat, measured pressure exerted on the smart cricket bat by a ball, measured pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman and captured one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with batting, wherein the one or more metrics comprises speed of the smart cricket bat, swing of the smart cricket bat, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the smart cricket bat with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the smart cricket bat, and detecting whether the ball made contact with the smart cricket bat; and a transceiver unit configured to transmit one or more calculated metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman.

2. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predesigned position of the handle unit comprises a cavity formed at a proximal end of the handle unit, a cavity formed at one or more portions of the handle unit, and a space inside a rubber sleeve enveloping the handle unit.

3. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predesigned position of the blade unit comprises a cavity formed at a front side of the blade unit 20 and a cavity formed at a back side of the blade unit.

4. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claims 2 and 3, wherein the cavity being configured to receive a casing covered with a lid, and in turn the casing being configured to house at least one of the electronic system, a battery, the processing unit and the transceiver unit.

5. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening means comprises a sticker and a rubber band.

6. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor are micro-electro-mechanical systems.

7. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor fusion calibrates the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor by way of offset cancellation thereby removes bias in sensed data, where the offset cancellation being achieved by using one of a software algorithms and built-in hardware offset registers.

8. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor are placed at one or more positions with respect to each other and works in synchronization with each other, wherein the one or more positions comprises a pre-defined position on the handle unit 30 or a pre-defined position on the blade unit.

9. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic system comprises a battery configured to supply power to at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone, the matrix pressure sensor, the processing unit, and the transceiver unit.

10. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic system comprises a charging port configured to charge the battery when the battery power is low as indicated by a battery indicator.

11. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone and the matrix pressure sensor being covered by a lid, thereby enabling easy removal and replacement of one of the gyroscope sensor, the accelerometer sensor, the magnetometer sensor, the microphone, the matrix pressure sensor, and a battery.

12. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predesigned position in the handle unit and the blade unit comprises a cavity of predefined dimension configured to house the electronic system mounted on the smart cricket bat 10 on one or more positions

13. The smart cricket bat as claimed in claim 1, comprises one or more biomechanical energy harvesters mounted on at least one of the blade unit and the handle unit and configured to generate electricity by harvesting piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electromagnetic energy generated while making the shot, wherein the one or more biomechanical energy harvesters comprises piezoelectric materials and sensors, Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), inertial-induction-type energy harvesters, and gear-and-generator-type energy harvesters.

14. The cricket bat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric materials and sensors comprise crystals, ceramics, polymers, and proteins, and the Triboelectric nanogenerators comprise poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) as the triboelectric contact surfaces.

15. A system for analysing training of players, the system 150 comprising:

one or more processors;

an information receiving subsystem operable by the one or more processors, and communicatively coupled to one or more smart cricket bats, wherein the information receiving subsystem is configured to: receive data representative of rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball and pressure exerted on a handle unit by a hand grip of a batsman, and one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats while making a shot; receive at least one of one or more videos, one or more images or a combination thereof of the batsman from an image capturing unit;

an information analysing subsystem operable by the one or more processors, wherein the information analysing subsystem is configured to: identify at least one of one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots being played by the batsman from the one or more videos, the one or more images or the combination thereof, and analyse identified one or more body postures and one or more cricketing shots with respect to the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball, the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, and the one or more audios to calculate one or more metrics associated with the batting, wherein the one or more metrics comprise speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, power index, shot efficiency, three-dimensional cricket shot simulation, type of cricketing shot, bat lifting angle and direction, time of impact of the one or more smart cricket bats with the ball, detection of sweet spot of the one or more smart cricket bats and detecting whether the ball made contact with the one or more smart cricket bats or a cricket pad; and a feedback transmission subsystem operable by the one or more processors, wherein the feedback transmission subsystem is configured to: compare the one or more metrics with a set of benchmarked one or more metrics in order to identify deviation in value associated with the one or more metrics of a specific batsman, and transmit one or more identified deviation in the one or more metrics to a user computing device for providing real time feedback to the batsman via one or more communication means.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the one or more smart cricket bats comprises at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a matrix pressure sensor fabricated from textile material and a microphone to capture data representative of the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball, the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, and the one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats while making the shot.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, comprising a storage subsystem configured to store received data representative of the rate of change of velocity of the one or more smart cricket bats, the angular speed of the one or more smart cricket bats, the orientation of the one or more smart cricket bats, the pressure exerted on the one or more smart cricket bats by a ball and the pressure exerted on the handle unit by the hand grip of the batsman, the one or more audios associated with the one or more smart cricket bats, one or more videos and one or more images in a database.

18. The system as claimed in claim 15, comprising a report generation subsystem configured to generate a report for providing feedback to the batsman, wherein format of the report is either in a video format or a sheet format.

19. A process of fabrication of a smart cricket bat, the process comprising:

attaching a first end of a handle to a top portion of a blade unit, wherein the blade unit comprises a ball hitting surface and a non-ball hitting surface;

forming a cavity with a set of pre-defined dimensions at a first end of the handle unit, one or more portions of the handle unit, a front side of the blade unit and at a back side of the blade unit;

disposing a casing within the cavity, wherein the casing includes a removably attached lid to removably place battery inside the casing;

placing an electronic system including at least one of a gyroscope sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a microphone, and a matrix pressure sensor within the casing;

disposing a lid on the casing, wherein the lid adapted to lock or unlock the removably attached lid of the casing; and

mounting one or more biomechanical energy harvesters at one or more positions onto the smart cricket bat.

20. The process as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cavity comprises a wireless charging unit configured to power up the at least one of a gyroscope sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a magnetometer sensor, a microphone and a matrix pressure sensor.