JPH03228784A - Evaluating device for pitching performance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correctly detect the passing position of a ball by identifying whether a passing object is a ball or not. CONSTITUTION:One or multiple radiating means 1 radiating a radiation body alphasuch as the light, ultrasonic wave or laser ray toward a ball position detection zone A above a home base, multiple detecting means 2 detecting a reflected body beta of the radiation body alpha radiated from the radiating means 1 and reflected when hitting an object B passing the ball position detection zone A, and a distance calculating means 3 calculating the distance of the object B and calculating its position based on the detected values of the reflected body beta detected by multiple detecting means 2 are provided, and a control circuit 5 provided with a ball identifying means 4 identifying whether the passing object B is a ball or not based on the passing direction of the object B or the size of the object B and a display means 6 performing the display in response to the passing position of the ball when the passing of the ball is identified by the ball identifying means 4 are provided. The position of the ball passing the ball position detection zone A can be detected to judge whether the passing object B is a ball or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a pitching performance evaluation device used in baseball, softball, etc. games and practices.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a light transmission type pitching performance evaluation device has been devised that uses a plurality of light emitters and a plurality of light receivers to detect and display the position of a pitched ball.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional pitching performance evaluation devices were provided on the premise that they would be used for pitching practice. In other words, in the conventional pitching performance evaluation device, the only object that passes through the strike zone and its surroundings (ball zone) is the ball, so the pitch evaluation is performed based on the position of the passing object.

However, in a game or practice in which a batter is present in the batter's box, a bat other than the ball or a part of the batter's body (such as an arm) may pass or be present in the ball position detection zone.

In addition, conventional pitching performance evaluation devices cannot distinguish between a ball and a bat other than the ball. For this reason, conventional pitching performance evaluation devices incorrectly judge the ball as a strike when, for example, a bat or a part of the batter's body is present in the strike zone, even if the original pitch judge judges the ball to be a strike. In other words, conventional pitching performance evaluation devices have a problem in that they cannot accurately detect the position of a ball passing through the ball position detection zone during a game or practice in which a batter is present in the batter's box.

In addition, conventional pitching performance evaluation devices require a photoreceptor to be installed at a position facing the emitter, and also require a pair of sensors to detect in the horizontal direction and a pair of sensors to detect in the vertical direction. It had become. For this reason, the equipment becomes large-scale, and
In addition to being difficult to move, it also had the problems of increasing manufacturing costs.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to detect the passing position of the ball even in games and practices where there is a batter in the batter's box and a catcher (including the umpire behind the catcher) in the catcher's box. An object of the present invention is to provide a pitching performance evaluation device that can accurately detect pitching performance (and assist the referee in making judgments when the referee is present).

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the pitching performance evaluation device of the present invention employs the following technical means.

The pitching performance evaluation device, as shown in FIG. means 1; a plurality of detection means 2 for detecting a reflector β reflected by the radiator α emitted from the radiation means 1 upon hitting an object B passing through the sphere position detection zone A; and the plurality of detection means 2. It is equipped with a distance calculating means 3 that calculates the distance of the object B based on the detected value of the reflector β detected by the reflector β, and calculates the position of the object B. A control circuit 5 equipped with a ball identifying means 4 that identifies whether or not it is a ball;
When the passage of a ball is identified by the ball identification means 4,
A display means 6 is provided for displaying information according to the passing position of the ball.

Next, preferred features of the present invention! 'i! Here is an example.

The control circuit outputs an instruction signal for displaying a strike to the display means when the ball identified by the ball identification means passes through a strike zone.

The control circuit includes a strike zone changing means that changes the vertical strike zone by manual operation or automatically based on data set for each batter.

The control circuit of the pitching performance evaluation device includes a bat identification means for identifying whether or not a passing object is a bat based on the passing direction of the object in the ball position detection zone or the size of the object, and the bat identification means. and swing identification means for determining whether or not the bat has been swung based on the identification result obtained by.

When the swing identifying means determines that the bat has been swung, it outputs an instruction signal to display a strike to the display means. In a further preferred aspect of this embodiment, the control circuit determines the swing of the bat only when a pitch is made.

[Operation] When an object passes through the sphere position detection zone, the radiator emitted by the radiator hits the passing object and is reflected, and the reflector is detected by the plurality of detection means. The distance calculation means of the control circuit calculates the position of the object based on the detection values of the reflector detected by the plurality of detection means. Based on the results of the distance calculation means, the sphere identification means identifies whether the passing object is a sphere or not.

If the identified object is a sphere, the position of the sphere detected by the distance calculation means is displayed on the display means.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention determines whether a passing object is a ball or not, even if there is a batter in the batter's box or a catcher in the catcher's box. The position of the ball passing through the ball position detection zone can be detected. Therefore, even in games and practices, the position of a ball passing through the ball position detection zone can be detected more accurately than conventional pitching performance evaluation devices.

Further, since only a pair of the emitting means and the detecting means are required and they can be installed in the same direction, movement becomes easy and manufacturing costs can be kept low.

[Operations and effects corresponding to claim 2] A ball passing through at least the strike zone is detected by the ball position detection zone. The control circuit outputs an instruction signal to display a strike to the display means at least when the ball passes through the strike zone.

Therefore, the pitching performance evaluation device of this embodiment can at least judge a pitch that has passed through the strike zone.

[Operations and Effects Corresponding to Claim 3] The control circuit can manually or automatically change the strike zone using the strike zone changing means.

Therefore, the pitching performance evaluation device of this embodiment can perform accurate pitch evaluation even if the strike zone changes depending on height, body shape, batting form, etc.

[Operations and Effects Corresponding to Claim 4] When the passing object is identified as a bat by the bat identifying means, it is determined whether or not the identified bat was swung by the swing identifying means. When the swing identification means determines that the bat has been swung, the display means displays a strike.

According to this embodiment, when a batter swings a bat at a ball that is originally judged as a ball, a strike is displayed, so the pitching performance evaluation device makes a judgment in accordance with the rules of baseball and softball. be able to.

[Example] Next, a pitching performance evaluation device of the present invention will be described based on an example shown in the drawings.

(Example of sensor installation) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an example of sensor installation for the pitching performance evaluation device.

The pitching performance evaluation device includes a sensor group 11 that is embedded around the home base 10 and includes a radiation means and a plurality of detection means. The radiation means of this sensor group 11 emits a radiator. The radiation means of the sensor group 11 is
One radiator is provided and emits a radiator toward the sphere position detection zone above the home base 10. Further, a plurality of detection means of the sensor group 11 are provided, and detect reflectors that are reflected by hitting an object at different positions. The detection means of the sensor group 11 detects an object (ball, bat, etc.) passing through the ball position detection zone.
A reflector that hits a part of the batter's body and is reflected is detected.

In addition, as a specific example of the radiation means, in this example, ultrasonic waves (
An oscillation element that emits a radiator) is used.

Furthermore, as a specific example of the detection means, a receiving element that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from an object is employed.

Each detection means of the sensor group 11 is connected to the main body 12 of the pitching performance evaluation device (see FIG. 3).

(Description of Main Body) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the main body 12.

The main body 12 includes a control circuit 13 that calculates the pitch umpire, pitch type, ball speed, etc., and a display means 14 that displays the calculation results to the user.
and a controller 15 for operating display contents, etc., and will be explained below.

○First, the control circuit 13 will be explained. The control circuit 13 is composed of a microcomputer, a logic circuit, etc., and includes a distance calculation means 16 and a ball identification means 1.
7. It is equipped with a pitch judging means 18, a bat identification means 19, and a swing identification means 20.

○The distance calculation means 16 calculates the distance and passing speed between each detection means and the object from the detection value of the reflector (ultrasonic wave) detected by each detection means of the sensor group 11, and also calculates the distance and passing speed between each detection means and the object. Based on the obtained distance to the object,
It calculates the three-dimensional position of an object using trigonometric functions and the like.

The O-ball identifying means 17 determines whether or not an object passing and existing above the home base 10 is a ball based on the object's passing direction and passing speed calculated by the distance calculating means 16.

When the object identified by the ball identification means 17 is identified as a ball, the zero-ball umpire means 18 determines whether the identified object (ball) is a strike based on the passing position of the object obtained by the distance calculation means 16. This is to determine whether the ball that has passed through the zone is a strike J or a "ball."

Furthermore, a ball that bounces once can be clearly identified by the human eye, but in this embodiment, even if a ball that bounces once passes through the strike zone, it is identified as [Ball J]. For example, when the rate of rise of a ball exceeds a predetermined amount, it is identified as a "ball." Incidentally, since the identification of curve balls, foul chips, dead balls, etc. can also be analyzed by a similar calculation means, it may be provided to identify curve balls, foul chips, dead balls, etc.

When the ball umpire means 18 identifies that the passing ball has passed through the strike zone, it outputs an instruction signal to the display means 14 to display "Ball Strike". Conversely, when the pitch umpire means 18 identifies that the passing ball did not pass through the strike zone or was a one-bound ball, it outputs an instruction signal to display "1-ball" on the display means 14.

○The bat identification means 19 identifies the home base 1 based on the passing direction and passing speed of the object calculated by the distance calculating means 16.
Passing above 0, the existing object is the bat, the batter's arm,
This is to determine whether or not it is a part of the batter's body (hereinafter referred to as a bat), such as a uniform.

The swing identifying means 20 identifies whether or not the bat identified by the bat identifying means 19 has been swung. The identification method of this embodiment is based on the line connecting the pitcher and catcher.
For example, it is determined based on the output from the sensor group 11 whether or not the bat has turned 90 degrees or more (an angle that is considered to have been swung according to the rules). When the swing identifying means 20 identifies that the bat has turned 90 degrees or more, the display means 1
4, an instruction signal for displaying a "batting strike" is output.

Next, the display means 14 will be explained.

The display means 14 of this embodiment includes a display 21 that visually displays display contents to the user, and a sound generation means 22 that displays display contents aurally.

The display 21 uses a liquid crystal, a light emitting diode, a lamp, etc., and displays to the user a count display of strikes, balls, and outs, a ball speed display, a scoreboard display showing innings and scores, etc. do.

Further, the sound generating means 22 is for displaying the result of the pitch umpire's decision as "strike" or "ball 1" by sound.

On the other hand, the display means 14 displays and counts "strike" when it receives either the instruction signal for [ball strike J or 1-batting strike] from the control circuit 13.

Further, when the display means 14 receives no instruction signal for "batting strike" from the control circuit 13 and receives an instruction signal for "ball J", it displays and counts "ball".

Note that the display means 14 may be provided separately from the control circuit 13.

Next, the controller 15 will be explained.

The controller 15 includes a display operation means 23 for manually operating the display contents of the display means 14, and a strike zone changing means 24 for setting a strike zone with a different contraction direction for each batter.

The display operation means 23 is operated by the user to manipulate the display contents when the count changes due to malfunction, when a score is scored, when the out count or inning changes, etc.

For this reason, the display operation means 23 is provided with a plurality of switches for operating the display contents.

The strike zone changing means 24 changes the vertical strike zone for each batter by operating a switch. The structure of the one that changes the strike zone for each batter by switch operation is relatively simple, so
It has an effect that can be provided at low cost. However, it is troublesome to operate the switch for each batter. Therefore, the vertical strike zone data may be programmed in advance for each batter to automatically change the vertical strike zone.

Note that the controller 15 and each switch of the controller 15 may be provided separately from the control circuit 13. When the controller 15 or the controller 15 remotely controls the control circuit 13 or the display means 14, it may be provided as a remote controller using infrared rays or the like.

(Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be briefly explained.

When the pitcher makes a pitch and the pitched ball passes through the ball position detection zone, the pitch umpire means 18 determines whether or not the pitched ball has passed through the strike zone.

On the other hand, the swing identifying means 20 identifies whether or not the bat has been swung.

Then, when the swing identifying means 20 identifies a batting strike J, or when the identification result of the pitch umpire means 18 is a one-pitch strike, the display means 14 displays "E strike". Further, if the swing identification means 20 does not identify a "batting strike" and the identification result of the pitch umpire means 18 is r-ball J, the display means 14 displays "ball-1."

(Effects of the Embodiment) The pitching performance evaluation device shown in this embodiment can identify pitched balls and perform pitch umpires even if there is a batter in the batter's box or a catcher in the catcher's box.

In this embodiment, the strike zone changing means 24 allows the strike zone to be changed manually or automatically. Even if the strike zone changes depending on the batter's height, body shape, batting form, etc., accurate pitch judgment can be performed.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the bat has been swung.

Therefore, even if the batter swings his bat at a ball that is determined to be a ball, a strike is displayed. As a result, the pitching performance evaluation device of this embodiment can make a judgment in accordance with the rules of baseball and softball.

In addition, r strikes and ball J for batters, catchers, referees, etc.
It can also be used for purposes such as "Improve judgment ability."

Furthermore, only one pair of sensor groups consisting of a radiation means and a detection means is required, and installation of the sensors is completed by simply embedding the sensor group 11 around the home base 10.

Therefore, the pitching performance evaluation device can be easily moved and installed, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low compared to the conventional light transmission type pitching performance evaluation device. Of course, it is possible to provide a pitching performance evaluation device at a lower cost than a device that performs image analysis using a camera to judge pitching.

(Second example) A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pitching performance evaluation device of this embodiment includes a sensor group 11 located 18 m or more directly above the home base 10 for detecting objects passing over the home base 10. .

The sensor group 11 is supported by support means above the stadium, and includes a radiation means 25 and a detection means 26, as shown in FIG.

The plurality of radiating means 25 radiate a radiator toward the ball position detection zone above the home base 10, and the radiator in this embodiment is exemplified by infrared light, visible light, laser light, or the like. .

The radiation means 25 includes a light source unit 27 including a plurality of light emitters that generate light, and a plurality of projecting lights that radiate the light generated by the light source unit 27 toward the ground along the outer shape of the home base 10. It consists of a fiber cable 28. Note that the light emitted from the lower end of the optical fiber cable 28 for projection to the ground via the upper part of the home base 10 (ball position detection zone) is controlled by using a filter, lens, etc. is set up so that it is maintained.

The detection means 26 detects the reflection of the light emitted from each optical fiber cable 28 for projection, and in particular, the detection means 26 detects the reflection of the light emitted from each light projection optical fiber cable 28. In particular, the detection means 26 detects the reflection of the light emitted from each light projection optical fiber cable 28. Detects reflected objects. The detection means 26 of this embodiment is connected to a plurality of light receiving optical fiber cables 29 arranged between each of the light emitting optical fiber cables 28 and each of the light receiving optical fiber cables 29, and is connected to the light receiving optical fiber cables 29. The light receiving sensor unit 30 includes a plurality of light receiving sensors (for example, photodiodes, phototransistors, etc.) for detecting the luminous intensity and amount of light received by the light source 29. The output corresponding to the luminous intensity or amount of light detected by each light receiving sensor in the light receiving sensor unit 30 is connected to the main body 12 (see the first embodiment for details) shown in FIG. 6 of the pitching performance evaluation device. ing.

Note that the main body 12 is installed on the ground.

In this embodiment, since the passing position of the ball is detected using the reflection of the light hitting the ball, a detection error occurs in the position of the ball calculated by the distance calculating means 16 depending on the degree of dirt on the ball, weather, etc. Therefore, in the main body 12 of this embodiment, the ball umpire means 18 is provided with a correction means 31 for correcting detection errors due to dirt on the ball, weather, etc.

This correction means 31 corrects the determination result of the ball umpire means 18 in accordance with the content operated by the error setting means 32 provided in the controller 15. When the object is identified as a sphere, the passing position of the object (sphere) obtained by the distance calculating means 16 is corrected. Then, the ball umpire means 18 detects the corrected object (
It is determined whether the position of the ball (ball) is a "ball strike" or a "ball" that has passed through the strike zone.

As shown in FIG. 7, the correction means 31 is provided with data on the dirt on the ball corresponding to the number of pitches, and automatically corrects the dirt on the ball each time a pitch is made. Note that this dirt on the ball is removed from the error setting means 32 every time the ball is replaced.
It is reset by the operation.

In addition to resetting the correction due to dirt on the ball when replacing the ball, the error setting means 32 also performs soil quality settings for changing or correcting the ball dirt data shown in FIG. The switch and the weather in which it is used (
It is equipped with a correction switch such as a light correction switch that allows you to make correction settings for brightness (sunny weather, cloudy weather, rainy weather, etc.) and the degree of illumination. Note that this light correction may be automatically handled by, for example, providing one of the home bases 10 with a sensor that detects the amount or intensity of light on the home base 10.

(Modification of Second Embodiment) Although the radiation means has shown an example of emitting light, it may also emit ultrasonic waves as in the first example. In this case, the portion that emits ultrasonic waves is 1 Any place is fine.

The ground side surface of the optical fiber cable for projection may be finished in a lens shape so that the light emitted by the optical fiber cable for projection is focused at an average height position of the strike zone. In this case, the detection error due to the focus shift is corrected by adding a calculation means to the distance calculation means or the like.

Although the light source unit has shown an example including a plurality of light emitters, it is also possible to use a single light emitter and divide the light emitted by the light emitter into a plurality of light units using a projection optical fiber cable.

Although we have shown an example in which the light is emitted along the outer shape of home plate, it is also possible to emit light along the pitcher's side of home plate and a rectangular shape that includes both sides, or a U-shape that includes the pitcher's side of home plate and both sides. It is not limited to the examples.

Although a bundle of optical fiber cables for transmitting light and a bundle of fiber optic fiber cables for receiving light are provided separately, for example, the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable for transmitting light and the optical fibers of the optical fiber cable for receiving light may be mixed together. It may be a double structure, or it may be divided into halves and used as a bundle of common optical fiber cables.

A hollow pipe may be used instead of the light-emitting fiber optic cable and the light-receiving fiber optic cable.

(Common modification of the first embodiment and the second embodiment) Although a device that can also determine balls has been shown, it may be provided to only determine strikes. Further, it may be provided to display the passing position of the ball.

Although spheres are identified based on the direction in which the object passes, they may also be identified based on the size of the object. Of course, the sphere may be identified based on the object's passing direction, size, and shape.

Similarly, we identified bats by the direction of the object's passage, but
Bats may be identified based on the size and shape of the object.

Although an example in which ultrasonic waves and light are emitted as the emitting means has been shown, a radiator such as a sound wave may also be emitted.

In the above embodiment, the radiation means and the detection means are provided integrally, but they may be provided separately.

In the above embodiment, the passing of the ball was detected only above the home base, but as shown in FIG. Passage of the ball may be detected at a position other than the base.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the sub-sensor group 32 is provided parallel to the pitcher plate and covers both ends of the left and right batter boxes.

By arranging this sub-sensor group 32, it is possible to improve the accuracy of ball detection, and also to detect pitches in a wide range, detect that a batter has hit a ball, etc.
It becomes possible to identify many types of plays. In addition,
Such a sub-sensor group may be installed above the ground.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the present invention. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the installed state of the sensor group, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the main body. Figures 4 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the installation state of the sensor group, Figure 5 is an exploded view of the sensor group, and Figure 6 is a diagram of the main body. The block diagram, FIG. 7, is a graph of ball dirt data provided by the correction means. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the installation state of the sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) (a) one or more radiating means for radiating a radiator such as light, ultrasonic waves, laser light, etc. toward a ball position detection zone above the home base; (b) (c) (c-1) a plurality of detection means for detecting a reflector in which a radiator emitted from the radiation means hits an object passing through the sphere position detection zone and is reflected; and (c) (c-1) the plurality of detection means. The distance to the object is calculated based on the detected value of the reflector detected by the
In addition to comprising distance calculation means for calculating the position of the object,
(c-2) a control circuit equipped with a ball identification means for identifying whether a passing object is a ball or not based on the passing direction of the object or the size of the object; (d) the ball identification means A pitching performance evaluation device comprising: a display means for displaying a display according to the passing position of the ball when the passing of the ball is identified. 2) The pitching performance evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit outputs an instruction signal to display a strike to the display means when the ball identified by the ball identification means passes through a strike zone. 3) The pitching performance evaluation device according to claim 2, wherein the control circuit includes strike zone changing means for changing the strike zone in the vertical direction. 4) The control circuit includes a bat identification means for identifying whether or not a passing object is a bat based on the passing direction of the object or the size of the object, and a bat identified by the identification result by the bat identification means. swing identification means for determining whether or not the bat has been swung, and the swing identification means, when determining that the bat has been swung,
The pitching performance evaluation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which outputs an instruction signal for displaying a strike to the display means.