Patent ID: 7270616
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A batter monitoring system comprising: a flat plate shaped like a conventional home plate for baseball and having an interior surface and an exterior surface with a top layer having an upper rectangular section and a lower triangular section wherein said upper section has a right edge, a left edge parallel to said right edge, a top edge perpendicular to said right edge and joining said right edge to said left edge and forming an upper right corner and an upper left corner of said upper rectangular section, and a bottom edge which joins with said lower section forming a lower right corner and a lower left corner of said upper rectangular section and said lower section has a base that joins with said bottom edge of said upper section, a right angled outer edge that extends rearward and inward from said right edge of said upper section, and a left angled outer edge that extends rearward and inward from said left edge of said upper section and joins said right angled outer edge to define a rear center point of said plate and a bottom layer with a similar shape to said top layer wherein said top layer joins said bottom layer along said right edge, said left edge, said top edge, said right angled outer edge, and said left angled outer edge; a sensor unit connected to said interior surface of said plate, wherein said sensor unit is located in the center of said upper rectangular section of said plate; a transmitter wirelessly connected to said sensor unit; control logic connected to said sensor unit and said interior surface of said plate; a buzzer connected to said control logic and said interior surface of said plate; a plurality of speakers connected to said buzzer; a plurality of lights having a top and a bottom and connected to said plate wherein said bottoms of said lights are recessed within said plate, wherein each said light further comprises a protective cover connected to said plate wherein said cover is placed over said top of said light and is flush with said plate, and wherein some of said plurality of lights are red and are connected to said plate along said right edge, said left edge, said right angled outer edge, and said left angled outer edge; wherein said sensor unit is capable of detecting and differentiating between when a ball, a bat, or said transmitter crosses said plate, and said control logic illuminates said red lights when said sensor detects a ball crossing said plate but does not detect a bat crossing said plate after or at the same time as said ball.