WO2003033081A2

WO2003033081A2 - Cricket wicket monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2003033081A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2002/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johann-Louis EICHSTÄDT
Original assignee: Eichstaedt Johann-Louis
Priority date: 2001-10-18
Filing date: 2002-10-18
Publication date: 2003-04-24
Also published as: AU2002348214A1; WO2003033081A3

Abstract

This invention provides a cricket wicket monitoring system (10) which includes a sensor (24) configured for automatically sensing whether or not a cricket bail (20/22) has been dislodged from a stump (14/16/18). The system (10) also includes an alerting means (26) configured for activation in response to the sensor (24) sensing that a bail (20/22) has been dislodged from the stump (16) so that activation of the alerting means can be recorded for television coverage of a cricket match and used by a television umpire to adjudicate on 'run outs' and 'stumpings'.

Description

CRICKET WICKET MONITORING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to the sport of cricket and, in particular, to method of monitoring a cricket wicket and to a cricket wicket monitoring system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The Inventor has noticed that, in certain circumstances in the sport of cricket, it is difficult for a television umpire, or a so-called "third umpire", to determine the exact moment that the wicket has been broken. This finds particular relevance in the determination by the television umpire of whether or not a batsman has been "stumped" or "run out" in circumstances where the wickets, and more specifically the bails, are obscured from view at a critical moment during a television replay. According to the rules of cricket, the benefit of doubt must then be given to the batsman and a verdict of "not out" given. It is to be appreciated that, in reality, the batsman may well not have been safely within his crease at the time that the wicket was broken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of monitoring a cricket wicket which includes the following steps, in any order: automatically sensing when a cricket bail has been dislodged from a cricket stump; activating an alerting means in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump; and recording, on television coverage of a cricket match, the precise moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged from the stump, in response to the alerting means being activated. The method may include the further step of basing an umpiring decision on the television coverage having the precise moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged recorded thereon.

The step of sensing may be done by a sensor which includes a first electrical conductor configured for fitment to at least that part of the bail which, in use, makes contact with the stump; a second electrical conductor configured for fitment to at least that part of the stump which, in use, makes contact with the bail; and a detector for detecting, in use, when an electrical circuit formed by at least the first and second conductors is broken.

Otherwise, the step of sensing may be done by a sensor which includes a weight sensor configured for fitment to that part of the stump which, in use, makes contact with the bail so that dislodgement of the bail is sensed by the sensor. The weight sensor may include a strain gauge, a feather sensor, or the like.

Otherwise, the step of sensing may be done by a sensor which includes a proximity sensor configured for fitment to the stump so as to sense, in use, whether or not the bail has been dislodged from the stump.

The proximity sensor may include a beam sensor which projects a beam between the stump and the bail in order to sense, in use, whether or not the bail has been dislodged from the stump. The beam sensor is typically fitted to the stump so that the beam is projected to the bail. The beam sensor is typically configured to sense when the bail no longer breaks the path of the beam.

Otherwise, the proximity sensor may include a magnetic proximity sensor, an electromagnetic proximity sensor, or the like. The sensor is typically configured for fitment, in use, to a cricket wicket, which includes the stump and the bail, so as not to enlarge the target area of the wicket.

The step of activating an alerting means may include immediately activating an audible alarm connected to the sensor so that activation of the alarm can be recorded by a microphone located proximate the wicket, which microphone is used for television coverage of a cricket match.

Otherwise, or in addition, the step of immediately activating an alerting means may include transmitting a signal in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump; and receiving the signal at a remote receiver.

The method may include the step of inserting an indication means into the television coverage in response to receipt of the signal by the receiver.

The indication means may include an audible indicator inserted into the television coverage. The indication means may include a visual indicator inserted into the television coverage. It is to be appreciated that, in this manner, the television umpire can view a slow motion replay of a critical moment during a cricket match and be alerted by the indicator as to the exact moment when a bail was dislodged from a stump.

The step of inserting an indication means may be facilitated by freeze-framing a slow motion replay of the television coverage at the corresponding moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cricket wicket monitoring system which includes a sensor configured for automatically sensing, in use, whether or not a cricket bail has been dislodged from a cricket stump; and an alerting means configured for activation, in use, in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump so that activation of the alerting means can be recorded for television coverage of a cricket match.

The sensor may include a first electrical conductor configured for fitment to at least that part of the bail which, in use, makes contact with the stump; a second electrical conductor configured for fitment to at least that part of the stump which, in use, makes contact with the bail; and a detector for detecting, in use, when an electrical circuit formed by at least the first and second conductors is broken.

Otherwise, the sensor may include a weight sensor configured for fitment to that part of the stump which, in use, makes contact with the bail so that dislodgement of the bail is sensed by the sensor. The weight sensor may include a strain gauge, a feather sensor, or the like.

Otherwise, the sensor may include a proximity sensor configured for fitment to the stump so as to sense, in use, whether or not the bail has been dislodged from the stump.

The proximity sensor may include a beam sensor which projects a beam between the stump and the bail in order to sense, in use, whether or not the bail has been dislodged from the stump. The beam sensor is typically fitted to the stump so that the beam is projected to the bail. The beam sensor is typically configured to sense when the bail no longer reflects at least a part of the beam.

The alerting means may include an audible alarm connected to the sensor so that activation of the alarm can be recorded by a microphone located proximate the wicket, which microphone is used for television coverage of a cricket match. It is to be appreciated that, in this manner, activation of the audible alarm is recorded by way of the television coverage so that a television umpire can view a slow motion replay of a critical moment during a cricket match and be alerted as to the exact moment when a bail was dislodged from a stump.

Otherwise, or in addition, the alerting means may include a transmitter connected to the sensor, which transmitter is configured to transmit a signal in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump; a remote receiver for receiving the signal; and an integrator for communication, in use, with the receiver, which integrator inserts an indication means into the television coverage in response to receipt of the signal by the receiver.

The transmitter is typically configured for fitment, in use, to a cricket wicket, which includes the stump and the bail, so as not to enlarge the target area of the wicket.

The indication means may include an audible indicator. The indication means may include a visible indicator. The indication means may be provided by freeze-framing a slow motion replay of the television coverage at the corresponding moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged. It is to be appreciated that, in this manner, the television umpire can view a slow motion replay of a critical moment during a cricket match and be alerted by the indication means as to the exact moment when a bail was dislodged from a stump. The integrator may include a processor programmed to facilitate insertion of the indication means into the television coverage. The processor may be programmed with a pre-calculated delay time between the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged and the processor receiving the signal, which delay time is used to calculate the exact corresponding moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following drawings wherein

Figure 1 shows, schematically, a cricket wicket monitoring system according to the invention, which system includes a weight sensor fitted to a cricket wicket;

Figure 2 shows, in sectioned side view, a cricket stump fitted with a electrical circuit type sensor of the system, according to the invention; and

Figure 3 shows, in sectioned side view, a cricket stump fitted with a proximity sensor of the system, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

With particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a cricket wicket monitoring system, a part of which is fitted to a cricket wicket 12. The wicket 12 includes three stumps 14,

16, 18 and two bails 20, 22 resting on the stumps 14, 16, 18 in the usual manner.

The system 10 includes a sensor 24 configured for automatically sensing whether or not one or both of the bails 20, 22 has been dislodged from a stump 14, 16, 18. In the embodiment of the invention show in Figure 1 , the sensor 24 is fitted to the middle stump 16. However, it is to be appreciated that, in another embodiment of the invention, the system 10 may include two sensors 24 or even three sensors 24 for sensing whether or not one or both of the bails 20, 22 has been dislodged. In such an embodiment, each sensor 24 may be fitted to a different stump 14/16/18.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the sensor 24 is in the form of a weight sensor fitted to the top of the stump 16 so that a part of the weight of each of the bails 20, 22 rests on the sensor 24. The sensor 24 typically includes a strain gauge, a feather sensor, or the like, which is configured to sense when the weight measured by the sensor 24 falls below a predetermined weight measurement indicative of the presence of both bails 20, 22 on the stump 16. Accordingly, dislodgement of one or both of the bails 20, 22 is sensed by the sensor 24.

It is to be appreciated that the sensor 24 is typically configured for fitment to the wicket 12 so as not to enlarge the target area of the wicket 12.

As stated above, it is also to be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention, more than one weight sensor may be used. In one such embodiment, one weight sensor may be fitted to the top of stump 14 and another fitted to the top of stump 18. Each weight sensor would then sense that a bail 20/22 has been dislodged by measuring no weight. It is to be appreciated that other configurations of weight sensors fitted to the stumps 14, 16, 18 are possible and fall within the scope of this invention.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the sensor 24 includes a first electrical conductor (not shown) configured for fitment to at least that part of a bail 20/22 which, in use, makes contact with a stump 14/16/18 and a second electrical conductor 40 configured for fitment to at least that part of a stump 14/16/18 which, in use, makes contact with a bail 20/22. In this embodiment, two sensors 24 are typically employed, one fitted to each side stump 14, 16. However, it is once again to be understood that, in another embodiment, a single sensor 24 fitted to the middle stump 16 may be configured to detect whether either one, or both, of the bails 20, 22 has been dislodged. The first conductor is typically in the form of a thin electrically conductive sheath fitted around that part of the bail 20/22 which makes contact with the stump 14/16. The second conductor 40 is typically configured so that opposite ends thereof protrude from that part of the stump 14/16 on which the bail 20/22 rests. Accordingly, when the bail 20/22 rests on the stump 14/16, the first conductor serves to close the electrical circuit between the opposite ends of the second conductor 40.

The sensor 24 also includes a power source 42, typically a small electro-chemical cell, and a detector 44 for detecting when an electrical circuit formed by at least the first and second 40 conductors is broken. The detector 44 is typically in the form of a current sensor which senses that the circuit has been broken by detecting that no current is being drawn from the power source 42.

In yet another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 the sensor 24 is in the form of a proximity sensor configured for fitment to a stump 14/16/18 so as to sense, in use, whether or not a bail 20/22 has been dislodged from the stump 14/16/18.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the proximity sensor includes a beam sensor which projects a beam 46 between a stump 14/16/18 and a bail 20/22 in order to sense, in use, whether or not the bail 20/22 has been dislodged from the stump 14/16/18. The beam sensor 24 is typically fitted to the stump 14/16/18 so that the beam 46 is projected towards the bail 20/22. The beam sensor is typically configured to sense when the bail 20/22 no longer reflects at least a part of the beam 46. However, it is to be understood that other configurations are possible.

It is to be appreciated that two sensors would typically be used in such a configuration, one sensor for each bail 20, 22. It is also to be appreciated that the bails 20, 22 may need to be fitted with beam reflecting attachments. In other embodiments (not shown), the proximity sensor may include a magnetic proximity sensor, an electromagnetic proximity sensor, or the like. It is again to be appreciated that the bails 20, 22 would probably need to be fitted with corresponding magnetic or electromagnetic attachments to facilitate such sensing.

Referring once again to Figure 1 , the system 10 also includes an alerting means 26 configured for activation in response to the sensor 24 sensing that a bail 20/22 has been dislodged from the stump 16.

The alerting means 26 may comprise only an audible alarm (not shown) connected to the sensor 24 so that activation of the alarm may be recorded by a microphone 28 located proximate the wicket 12. The microphone 28 is used for television coverage of a cricket match and, accordingly it is to be appreciated that, in this manner, activation of the audible alarm is recorded by way of the television coverage so that the television umpire can view a slow motion replay of a critical moment during a cricket match and be alerted as to the exact moment when the bail 20/22 was dislodged from the stump 16. The audible alarm also provides a means of notifying the umpires that a bail 20/22 has not been correctly placed on the sensor 24.

Otherwise, or in addition, the alerting means 26 includes a transmitter 34 connected to the sensor 24. The transmitter 34 is configured to transmit a signal in response to the sensor 24 sensing that a bail 20/22 has been dislodged from the stump 16. The alerting means 26 then typically also includes a remote receiver 30 for receiving the signal and an integrator 32 connected to the receiver 30. The integrator 32 inserts an indication means into the television coverage in response to receipt of the signal by the receiver so that sensing that a bail 20/22 has been dislodged from a stump 14/16/18 can be recorded on the television coverage. The transmitter is typically configured for fitment, in use, to the wicket 12 so as not to enlarge the target area of the wicket 12.

The integrator 32 typically includes a processor programmed to facilitate insertion of the indication means into the television coverage. The processor may be programmed to facilitate such insertion by inserting an audible indicator, such as a beep, buzz, or the like, into the television coverage. Otherwise, or in addition, the processor is programmed to facilitate such insertion by inserting a visual indicator, such as a flashing circle, a cartoon picture of a cricket wicket being broken, or the like, into the television coverage. Otherwise, or in addition, the processor may be programmed to facilitate such insertion by freeze-framing a slow motion replay of the television coverage at the corresponding moment that the sensor 24 sensed that a bail 20/22 had been dislodged.

In one embodiment of the invention, the may have to be programmed with a pre-calculated typical delay time between the sensor 24 sensing that a bail 20/22 has been dislodged and the processor receiving the signal. This delay time is used by the processor to calculate the exact corresponding moment that the sensor 24 sensed that the bail 20/22 had been dislodged. However, it is to be appreciated that, in a preferred embodiment, the system 10 is configured so that the time delay is negligible and, accordingly, need not be compensated for.

Accordingly, in the system described above, the television umpire can view a slow motion replay of a critical moment during a cricket match and be alerted by the indicator as to the exact moment when a bail 20/22 was dislodged from the stump 16.

It is to be appreciated that the system 10 may include other components that may be necessary to make the system 10 operate, for example, power sources for the various components, and the like. The Inventor believes that the invention is advantageous in that it provides an accurate way of providing a television umpire with an indication on a television replay of the exact moment that a bail has been dislodged from a stump of a cricket wicket. This should provide a very useful aid to the television umpire when called upon to adjudicate on possible "run outs" and "stumpings".

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a cricket wicket which includes the following steps, in any order: automatically sensing when a cricket bail has been dislodged from a cricket stump; activating an alerting means in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump; and recording, on television coverage of a cricket match, the precise moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged from the stump, in response to the alerting means being activated.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , which includes the further step of basing an umpiring decision on the television coverage having the precise moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged recorded thereon.

3. A method as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the step of activating an alerting means includes activating an audible alarm connected to the sensor so that activation of the alarm can be recorded by a microphone located proximate the wicket, which microphone is used for television coverage of a cricket match.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of immediately activating an alerting means includes transmitting a signal in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump; and receiving the signal at a remote receiver.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, which includes the step of inserting an indication means into the television coverage in response to receipt of the signal by the receiver.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indication means includes an audible indicator inserted into the television coverage.

7. A method as claimed in either one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the indication means includes a visual indicator inserted into the television coverage.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the step of inserting an indication means is facilitated by freeze-framing a slow motion replay of the television coverage at the corresponding moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged.

9. A cricket wicket monitoring system which includes a sensor configured for automatically sensing, in use, whether or not a cricket bail has been dislodged from a cricket stump; and an alerting means configured for activation, in use, in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump so that activation of the alerting means can be recorded for television coverage of a cricket match.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor includes a first electrical conductor configured for fitment to at least that part of the bail which, in use, makes contact with the stump; a second electrical conductor configured for fitment to at least that part of the stump which, in use, makes contact with the bail; and a detector for detecting, in use, when an electrical circuit formed by at least the first and second conductors is broken.

11. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor includes a weight sensor configured for fitment to that part of the stump which, in use, makes contact with the bail so that dislodgement of the bail is sensed by the sensor.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the weight sensor includes a strain gauge.

13. A system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the weight sensor includes a feather sensor.

14. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor includes a proximity sensor configured for fitment to the stump so as to sense, in use, whether or not the bail has been dislodged from the stump.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the proximity sensor includes a beam sensor which projects a beam between the stump and the bail in order to sense, in use, whether or not the bail has been dislodged from the stump.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the beam sensor is fitted to the stump so that the beam is projected to the bail.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the beam sensor is configured to sense when the bail no longer reflects at least a part of the beam.

18. A system as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the alerting means includes an audible alarm connected to the sensor so that activation of the alarm can be recorded by a microphone located proximate the wicket, which microphone is used for television coverage of a cricket match.

19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 18, wherein the alerting means includes a transmitter connected to the sensor, which transmitter is configured to transmit a signal in response to the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged from the stump; a remote receiver for receiving the signal; and an integrator for communication, in use, with the receiver, which integrator inserts an indication means into the television coverage in response to receipt of the signal by the receiver.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the indication means includes an audible indicator.

21. A system as claimed in either one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the indication means includes a visible indicator.

22. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 , wherein the indication means is provided by freeze-framing a slow motion replay of the television coverage at the corresponding moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged.

23. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the integrator includes a processor programmed to facilitate insertion of the indication means into the television coverage.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the processor is programmed with a pre-calculated delay time between the sensor sensing that the bail has been dislodged and the processor receiving the signal, which delay time is used to calculate the exact corresponding moment that the sensor sensed that the bail had been dislodged.

25. A method or a system as hereinbefore generally described.

26. A method or a system as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.