Abstract:
This invention is a device that enables a baseball pitcher to accurately measure both the location and speed of a baseball. The device consists of a frame with embedded laser diodes and corresponding photo detectors in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Certain photo detectors correspond to a typical strike zone which may be varied. When a baseball is thrown through the frame, the baseball breaks the path of at least one of the light beams from the laser diodes in the vertical and sometimes the horizontal direction. The resulting interruption of the path of light generates a signal that indicates not only whether a ball or a strike has been thrown, but the speed of the pitch is calculated as well.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of provision application serial No. 60/387,205. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of baseball, and more specifically, to electronic pitch detection machines that are capable of determining whether ball thrown by a pitcher lands within a batter&#39;s given strike zone, and the speed at which the pitch has been thrown.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Hurling pitch after pitch at an unseen target, pitchers in baseball have long faced a problem during practices and warming-up in preparation for a ballgame. Pitchers have no way of determining if a given pitch would be called a “strike” or a “ball”. The strike zone is a subjectively defined area, roughly from the knees to the mid-chest of a batter. The strike zone varies from player to player. Currently, the only pitching tools used to assist a pitcher in determining a called strike or ball that are available are devices that outline the area of a single strike zone as a target. Such a system offers little or no feedback to the pitcher.  
           [0004]    What is needed is an interactive training tool that will allow pitchers to simulate the calls that umpire will make during an actual game and give feedback on the speed of a pitch. Using the present, invention, a pitcher can experience facing a variety of different sized batters with variable strike zones. The present invention replaces the subjective, invisible strike zone with an objective, tangible target. In addition, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may monitor the count and allow a pitcher to concentrate on areas that need improvement as well as determine the speed at which the pitcher throws the ball. It is also understood that the device may be used to detect other objects such as a football or tennis ball to assist in developing the throwing accuracy of an athlete.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an accurate detector of the location of baseballs thrown by a person.  
           [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable range of boundaries that comprise the zone for a strike or a ball.  
           [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electronic means of detection of the zone for a strike or a ball.  
           [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive means to measure the speed of a thrown pitch.  
           [0009]    It is also a further object of the present invention to provide a tracking means for counting the number of successful strikes and balls.  
           [0010]    The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph  6  to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph  6 , are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph  6 . Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph  6 , are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment showing the outer boundaries of the device where laser diodes and laser detection devices are stored that create an invisible vertical plane where the location of a projectile may be detected.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the logic circuitry where the inputs are connected directly to the laser detection devices at one end, and the outputs are connected to the logic circuitry in FIG. 3.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the logic circuitry where the inputs are connected to the outputs from the logic circuitry shown in FIG. 2, and the outputs are connected to the pitch count display devices as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a baseball passing through the device and how it breaks the light beams generated by the laser diodes.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram that is used to measure the speed of a thrown ball that passes through the device. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    As described in FIG. 1, the strike zone detector  1  is shown as a generally rectangular shaped frame  17 . Embedded within the frame  17  are a plurality of laser diodes  18  and photo detectors  19 . The frame  17  may be comprised of a plurality of panels such that each panel may be of any shape. The laser diodes are divided into two groups: the horizontal group  8 , and the vertical group  2 . The photo detectors are also divided into two groups: the horizontal group  11 , and the vertical group  5 .  
         [0017]    The vertical group  2  comprises the laser diodes  18  that, when used in conjunction with photo detectors  19  from group  5 , are capable of detecting a projectile that passes through the frame  17  at various points. The laser diodes  18  are embedded along either vertical side of the frame  17 . Each laser diode  18  within group  2  is spaced equidistant from the next successive laser diode  18 . In the preferred embodiment, the laser diodes  18  in group  2  are shown on the right side of the frame  17 . Usually, the spacing between each laser diode  18  is no greater than the diameter of a standard baseball. For each corresponding laser diode  18 , there is a corresponding photo detector  19  that is located directly across from the laser diode  18 .  
         [0018]    Typically, the vertical portion of a strike zone of a batter is from the batter&#39;s chest to his knees. Therefore, depending upon the height of a batter, a strike zone in baseball may vary. The individual laser diodes  18  at the opposite sides of group  2  may be turned on or off depending on the actual or imaginary height of a batter in order to accurately detect the batter&#39;s strike zone. The number of laser diodes  18  required to be turned on should be no less than H/X+1 wherein “H” is the largest height in inches of the strike zone and “X” is the diameter of the baseball being used. Each of the laser diodes  18  in group  2  may be connected to a common power source or they may be individually powered.  
         [0019]    As for the laser diodes  18  in vertical group  8 , the same principals are used for the vertical group  2 . The vertical group  2  represents the horizontal portion of the strike zone that encompasses the width of home plate in baseball. The number of laser diodes  18  required in group  8  should be no less then P/X+1, wherein “P” is the largest width in inches of a standard home plate, and “X” is the diameter of the baseball being used. However, in order to accurately detect a ball or a strike within the entire frame  17 , the number of laser diodes  18  should cover the entire width of the upper and lower portions of the frame  17 . In the preferred embodiment, the laser diodes  18  in group  8  are on the bottom of the frame  17 . For each corresponding laser diode  18 , there is a corresponding photo detector  19  that is located directly across from the laser diode  18  on the top portion of the frame. Each of the laser diodes  18  in group  8  may be connected to a common power source or they may be powered by individual power sources.  
         [0020]    Each individual laser diode  18 , when powered on, focuses a beam of light on to its corresponding photo detector  19 . When all of the laser diodes  18  are turned on, the end result is a rectangular planar field  22  of laser light. All of the photo detectors  19  in groups  5  and  11  are connected to a logic circuit  40  as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the individual photo detectors  19  in group  5  are connected to the inputs  20 , while the individual photo detectors  19  in group  11  are connected to the inputs  30 . Each of the inputs  20  are connected to one of a plurality of digital “or” gates  25 , while each of the inputs  30  are connected to one of a plurality of digital “or” gates  35 . It is understood that a single or gate with inputs totaling the number of photo detectors  19  may be substituted for each of the “or” gates in  25  and  35 . In the preferred embodiment, the inputs  30  are divided into three sections: those photo detectors  19  that represent the area to the left of home plate, those photo detectors  19  that represent the area covering the width of home plate, and those photo detectors  19  that represent the area to the right of home plate. This embodiment is used should the user wish to detect projectiles thrown in particular locations within the horizontal portion of the strike zone.  
         [0021]    In the preferred embodiment, each of the outputs  45 ,  46 ,  47  and  48  of the circuit  40  are connected to the inputs  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  of circuit  50  respectively. However, it is understood that only outputs  45  and  47  need to be connected to inputs  55  and  57  respectively in order to make the minimum determination of whether a strike has been thrown by the pitcher.  
         [0022]    When a pitcher throws a baseball through the frame  17 , the baseball will pass through the plane of the frame  17  in one of nine regions of the frame. Each region is defined by a rectangular plane with horizontal and vertical coordinates. The upper left coordinate, is marked by elements  5   a  and  11   a . The lower right coordinate is marked by elements  5   c  and  1   c . When all of the lasers diodes  18  are active each of the photo detectors  19  will detect the light emitted from the diodes  18  and turn on. When a baseball passes through region  5   a  or  5   c , the baseball is entirely outside of the vertical portion of the strike zone as defined in region  5   b  thereby resulting in a pitched “ball”. A baseball passing through region  5   b/   11   a  or  5   b/   11   c  is within the vertical portion of the strike zone, but is outside of the horizontal region of the strike zone thereby also resulting in a pitched “ball”. The only time a pitched “strike” occurs is when the baseball simultaneously passes through the horizontal and vertical portions of the strike zone as defined in regions  5   b  and  11   b.    
         [0023]    When the baseball passes through the frame  17 , it will break the plane of laser diodes  18  in at least one location in region  11   a ,  11   b  or  11   c  for a short period of time thereby turning off the corresponding photo detector  18  in  11  for a short period of time.  
         [0024]    Only when the baseball passes through frame  17  in region  5   b  will it break the plane of laser diodes  18  in region  5   b  thereby turning off the corresponding photo detector  18  in  5  for a short period of time.  
         [0025]    As mentioned, a strike occurs when the baseball passes through region  5   b  and  11   b  simultaneously. When the baseball breaks the plane and interrupts the light from one of the laser diodes  18  in regions  5   b  and  11   b , the corresponding photo detectors in regions  5   b  and  11   b  are turned off for a brief moment. At that instant, the inputs  55  and  57  are turned off thereby causing the strike counter  60  to increment by one. When the strike counter increments by one, the display driver  80  increments by one and flashes the number of strikes on the strike indicator  15 . The strike display  15  also receives a signal that flashes the word “strike” on it to indicate that the pitcher has successfully thrown a strike at  15   a.    
         [0026]    When the baseball is thrown in any region other than those defined by  5   b , the corresponding photo detectors  18  in the region where the ball was thrown are turned off for a brief moment. At that instant, one of the inputs  56 ,  57  or  58  will turn off thereby causing the ball counter  65  to increment by one. When the ball counter increments by one, the display driver  85  increments by one and flashes the number of balls on the ball indicator  14 . The ball indicator  14  also receives a signal that flashes the word “ball” on it to indicate that the pitchers has successfully thrown a ball at  14   a.    
         [0027]    When the pitcher throws three strikes before he throws four balls, the “strike out” indicator  90  is turned on and is flashed on the strike display  15   b . When the pitcher throws four balls before he throws three strikes, the “walk” indicator  95  is turned on and is flashed on the walk display  14   b . When the next successive pitch is thrown, the next pitch counters  70  or  75  will reset all counters and indicators to their default position of off.  
         [0028]    The speed of the pitch is also measured by determining the time it takes the baseball to pass through the plane of light emitted by the laser diodes. As shown in FIG. 4, as the baseball travels normal to the plane of laser diodes  110  through  113 . In the preferred embodiment, at least two laser diodes  18  should be capable of emitting light that strikes the baseball  120  as it passes through the frame  17 . When the light beams  111  and  112  are broken, the length of time that the light beams  111  and  112  will not reach the corresponding photo detectors  101  and  102  is a function of the position of the baseball  120 . When a beam of light passes directly over the center of the baseball  120 , the length of time that the beam of light would not reach the corresponding photo detector would be at its maximum because the entire diameter  127  of the ball will pass over the beam of light. If a beam of light ever passes directly over the diameter  127  of the baseball  120 , each of the light beams to the left and right of the diameter  127  will not strike the ball. On all other occasions, at least two beams of light will strike the baseball  120  as in FIG. 4 where beams  111  and  112  strike the baseball  120  over points left and right of the diameter  127 . The distance that the ball must travel through the light beams is shown at  125  and  126 .  
         [0029]    The speed at which the ball travels can then be determined by the circuit shown in FIG. 5. As shown, each of the individual photo detectors  19  are fed into a microprocessor  220 . In the preferred embodiment, only the photo detectors  19  on the upper portion of the frame  17  are used as they would cover the entire area of the frame  17 . The microprocessor  220  simultaneously samples the individual photo detectors  19  to determine if a signal exists on any given photo detector  19 . The sampling rate of the microprocessor  220  is sufficiently high such that the time it would take to sample all of the photo detectors  19  would be significantly faster than the time it would take for a baseball to pass through a beam of light. For example, with photo detector  101 , when a logical 1 is detected for photo detector  101 , it is presumed that no baseball has impeded the light beam emitting from the corresponding laser diode  110 . If a logical 1 is received, the microprocessor  220  does nothing and awaits the next sampling from photo detector  101 . This sequence of events continues until a logical 0 is detected from at least one photo detector  19 .  
         [0030]    If for example a logical 0 is detected from photo detector  101 , it is presumed that a baseball has passed through the frame and has impeded a light beam from the laser diode  111 . The microprocessor  220  immediately checks to see if either photo detector  100  or photo detector  102  has a logical 0 on its path. If neither photo detector  100  or  102  has a logical zero, then it is presumed that the center portion of the baseball is passing through photo detector  101 . The microprocessor  220  will then determine the time it takes until a logical 1 is detected once again by photo detector  101 . That time is then processed through a formula that measures the speed of the pitch as a function of the diameter of the baseball and length of time that a logical 0 was detected on photo detector  101 .  
         [0031]    If however, in addition to a logical 0 being detected on photo detector  101 , a logical 0 is detected on either photo detector  100  or  102 , it is presumed that a baseball is passing through the frame as illustrated in FIG. 4 such that the light beams are being impeded at two separate locations on the baseball  120 . The microprocessor will determine the time it takes for logical 1s to reappear at photo detector  101  and either detector  100  or  102 . The microprocessor  220  will then sum the times and mathematically determine the speed of the ball as a function of the diameter of the baseball  220 . The results are then displayed on the display  260 . It is understood that the higher the density of laser diodes  18  and photo detectors  19  that are used, the more accurate the reading of the speed of the pitched baseball will be.  
         [0032]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.