WO2009094728A1

WO2009094728A1 - A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator

Info

Publication number: WO2009094728A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000118
Authority: WO
Inventors: William M. Molyneux; Susan G. Forrester
Original assignee: Molyneux William M; Forrester Susan G
Priority date: 2008-01-31
Filing date: 2009-02-02
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: AU2009208401A1

Abstract

A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in a game of cricket, the system including a cricket bat, at least one contact detection means mounted on or within the bat, the detection means including a transducer, detector and transmitter, a portable telecommunication means for holding by an umpire including a receiver and a video display and/or audio emitter, wherein when contact occurs between the ball and bat, an audible signal or visual display is exhibited, in real time, which signifies to the umpire if contact is made between bat and ball thereby allowing the umpire to make an informed decision as to whether contact has occurred during play.

Description

A CRICKET BAT AND BALL CONTACT DETECTION SYSTEM AND INDICATOR

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator for aiding umpiring officials in determining whether contact has been made between a cricket bat and cricket ball in a competitive match-play. More particularly the present invention relates to a cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator for use in match-play conditions by a cricket umpire to assist the umpire in improving determination of whether contact has been made between a cricket ball and bat in real time.

BACKGROUND

Cricket is a bat and ball team sport that originated in southern England. There are several forms of cricket, at its highest level is test cricket followed by 'one-day' international cricket. The most recent World Cup of international cricket was televised in over 200 countries to a viewing audience estimated at more than two billion viewers.

A cricket match is contested by two teams, usually of eleven players each and is played on a grass field in the centre of which is a flat strip of ground 22 yards long called a cricket pitch. A wicket, usually made of wood, is placed at each end of the pitch and used as a target.

In professional matches, there are 15 people on the field while a match is in play. Two of these are umpires who regulate all on-field activity. Two are members from the batting team referred to as batsmen, one of whom is the "striker" as he is facing the bowling; the other is called the "non-striker". The roles of the batsmen are interchangeable as runs are scored and Overs' are completed. The fielding side has all of its 11 players on the field together. One of them is the 'bowler', another is the 'wicket-keeper' and the other nine are called "fielders". The wicketkeeper (or keeper) is nearly always a specialist but any of the fielders can be called upon to bowl.

5045051 006 DOC A collective performance of the batting side is termed an innings. In theory, all eleven members of the batting side take a turn to bat but, for various reasons, an "innings" can end before they all do so. Depending on the type of match being played, each team has one or two innings apiece.

The main aim of the bowler, supported by his fielders, is to dismiss the batsman. A batsman when dismissed is said to be "out" and that means he must leave the field of play and be replaced by the next batsman on his team. When ten batsmen have been dismissed (i.e., are out), then the whole team is dismissed and the innings is over. The last batsman, the one who has not been dismissed, is not allowed to continue alone as there must always be two batsmen

"in".

A bowler, a player from the fielding team, bowls a hard leather, fist-sized, cricket ball weighing about 6.0 ounces from the vicinity of one wicket towards the other, which is guarded by a batsman, a player from the opposing team. The ball usually bounces once before reaching the batsman. In defense of his wicket, the batsman plays the ball with a cricket bat.

A conventional cricket bat includes a handle, which is generally circular in cross-section along its entire length and sized to be held by the hands of a user, and a body such that the body of the cricket bat extends coaxially to the handle.

The body is made from a hard and substantially non-deformable material such as 'willow', and comprises a front flat ball striking surface and a back shaped surface, the front and back surfaces being separated by an edge.

The shaped surface is defined to add weight or to position weight to aid the bounce of a solid leather covered 6-ounce cricket ball off the front flat surface. Often this shaped surface has a central elongated peak running along the centre of the back of the bat so that the majority of the weight is centrally located. However different bat configurations differently weight the bat to improve or to enlarge the contact "sweet spot" on the front surface of the bat.

5045051 006 DOC The handle is connected to the body of the cricket bat by a V-shaped splice extending out from the base of the handle into the top of the front of the body of the bat. The splice extends into the body of the bat and is joined to the body to provide solid connection and a partial spring action.

The outside perimeter of the body of the bat is a substantially elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the front flat striking face of the bat.

At the highest level of cricket it is not uncommon for a bowler to bowl the cricket ball at speeds of up to 150km/h or flight the ball towards or way from the batsman, or even spin the ball or 'seam' the ball so that the ball may deviate from its otherwise expected pathway following contact with the pitch. For protection a batsman usually dons a pair of batting gloves, a helmet, a pair of pads to protect his/her legs from direct impact by the cricket ball and a box.

The objective of each team is to score more runs than the other team and to completely dismiss the other team. In one form of cricket, winning the game is achieved by scoring the most runs, even if the opposition has not been completely dismissed.

Importantly, the game of cricket on the field is regulated by two umpires, one of whom stands behind the wicket at the bowler's end, the other in a position called "square leg" which is some distance away from and substantially aligned with the batsman on strike. When the bowler delivers the ball, the umpire at the wicket is between the bowler and a non-striker.

Throughout the history of international cricket, determination of whether a batsman is 'out' or 'not out' has been the sole realm of the umpires. As international cricket has evolved there has been increasing world wide commercial and media interest. Players at the international level (a) receive very substantial match payments when selected to play in international cricket matches, and (b) attract substantial sponsorship dollars in return for product endorsement. As the game of international cricket has become more commercial, greater emphasis and pressure

5045051 006. DOC has been placed on the umpires making a correct determination of whether a batsman is 'out' or 'not out'.

In a game of international/competitive cricket it is necessary for the umpires to adjudicate if a player/batsman is "out". A batsman can be adjudged out by an umpire in numerous ways according to the laws of cricket. Two such ways of being adjudged out will be discussed as follows, both of which have caused considerable concern and media attention within the highest levels of cricket.

"Batsman Caught Out"

Being 'caught out' requires the umpires to assess whether the cricket ball has made contact with the cricket bat and been caught by a member of the fielding team without the ball first hitting the ground.

An assessment of 'caught out' is relatively simple when there is solid contact of the cricket ball on the flat front striking surface of the bat and the ball travels to a fielder or the wicketkeeper to be caught. Not only is it visually obvious, the impact of leather on the willow wood of the bat makes a distinctive sound.

However the assessment is not as simple when the ball only "snicks" the edge of the body of the cricket bat, or the back surface of the bat or the toe of the bat at the bottom of the bat body. Such contact can be a glancing contact or a "snick". Often the sound is used to make the assessment. Further, any deviation in expected path is used in determining if a "snick" occurred. These umpiring tools have their inherent faults.

With the assessment by sound, the glancing contact is no longer a distinctive sound of leather on willow because solid contact is not made. The type of sound therefore might not readily distinguish the cause of the sound that is heard. Other sounds that can occur are the ball glancing off the pads protecting the legs of the player. Although it is possible to go "out" if the pads are hit by the ball in front of the wicket under the "leg before wicket" rule (refer below), it is part of the rules of cricket that a batsman is 'not out' by having the ball caught off the pads.

5045051 006.DOC Λ Further sounds are the bat hitting the ground or the bat hitting the pads while the player is making an attempt at hitting the ball. If such attempts fail, the sound could be mistaken by the umpires for a glancing blow off the bat and the batsmen can be incorrectly given "out".

With the assessment of deviations, the glancing contact might not produce a substantial deviation. Also the deviation could be caused by contact with the pads on the legs of the player or by contact with the body of the player. However two further complications occur with the deviation method of assessment.

The first complication is that the bat is usually played in front of the body and therefore the ball after passing the bat proceeds past the body of the player leaning over the bat. The proximity of the batsman's bat, gloves, pads and torso make it very difficult for an umpire to assess, if it appears some contact has been made with the ball, whether contact is with none, one or more of these elements. Even further, shadows, which may be created by the various batting equipment and batsman, generally makes it difficult for an umpire to clearly see the path of the ball and whether a deviation has occurred.

Secondly the ball is subject to undertaking deviations regardless of whether it has come into contact with the bat. The cricket ball has a raised circular circumferential seam and stitching along that seam keeping the two or four leather pieces together to form the sperical covering. By bouncing the ball off the seam the bowler can "seam" the ball to cause deviations when striking the pitch upon which the bowling is undertaken. Also the "sides" of the ball on either side of the raised seam can wear at different rates and be misshapen at different rates. By maintaining a shinier side and making use of the variations of either side of the ball it is possibly to cause aerodynamic flight deviations and cause the ball to "swing" in the air. Such "swing" can be caused to occur when the ball is arriving at the batsmen holding the bat by varying the speed of the ball in line with the atmospheric conditions. However the swing might occur after the batsmen has attempted to hit the ball. Also "reverse swing" can occur when the ball has aged during the game due to its variations of shape and surface on either side of the seam. This also will cause deviations. Therefore an assessment of whether the ball hit the bat

5045051 006. DOC C by its deviation near the batsmen is a fallible test and the batsmen could be incorrectly given "out" by an umpire.

"Leg Before Wicket" (LBW) A similar assessment is required to determine leg before wicket (lbw). If the cricket ball hits the batsman's pads directly in front of the wicket and the ball would hit the wicket otherwise, a batsman is "out" in accordance with the laws of cricket. A batsman is however "not out" in the case where the cricket ball hits the bat prior to hitting the pads. Although it is possible to go "out" if the pads are hit by the ball in front of the wicket under the "leg before wicket" rule, a batsman is "not out" under the laws of cricket if the ball is caught by a member of the fielding team off the pads.

As it is necessary to accept the decision of the umpire, sometimes the result might be incorrectly in favour of the batsmen but other times it is incorrectly not in favour of the batsmen. Over the years administrators of the game of cricket have that overall this averages out. However the times that it is in favour or out of favour of a batsman might be a critical final. Further an incorrect call by an umpire might be incorrectly considered to be favouritism to a particular team. The implications of an incorrect decision by an umpire has dire consequences for a player, a team and commercial sponsorship deals between players and sponsors and between media such as television and sponsorship advertising.

It is clearly beneficial to try to improve the likelihood of correct decisions being made while still maintaining a sporting game.

All of the foregoing leads to the need for an improved method and or apparatus for assessing whether a person's sporting bat has come in contact with a ball.

A number of techniques have been designed to determine the location of a ball in relation to a boundary line, and also to determine whether a ball was in or out of bounds on a playing surface. Most of these systems have been proposed for tennis courts for calling balls in or out of the court.

5045051 006 DOC Some approaches have not given the human official any credit whatsoever, by determining as "in" detected balls that are over half a metre in or out, this becomes an insult to the human line judge. The disadvantage of eliminating the human element goes against the intent grain of the same thing they are trying to make obsolete, the human official. There is not a system that will fully extinguish the personal method of officiating in sports. Initially, clay court tennis already has a method of determining the location of the ball. It is the only surface in which the rules state that the chair umpire or the official in charge of the match has the right at the players request to get out of his chair and closely examine the "ball print" that was left by the shot in question. This is a 99.9% fail-safe method, so why fix something that is not broken. This system does not work in a game of cricket because the ball hitting the bat often leaves marks on the bat. Where there is a plurality of marks on the bat it is not possible to determine which if any mark was the latest possible hit that is in question.

Video refereeing methods are too distracting during match play. Presently in cricket there is use of video to determine if the player has been run out or if the ball has hit the boundary or someone or something touching the boundary such that it counts for four runs. Even for such simple actions of determining the relative position of the bat to the running crease or the ball to the boundary it often takes a number of camera angles and a long time to determine a result by the third video umpire. This however does not assist determining whether the ball has made contact with the bat.

Since about the mid 1990's, television broadcasts of international cricket matches have tried to determine if the umpire's "on the spot" decision of caught is correct by determining if the ball actually hit the bat. One such method referred to as "the snickometer" involves the use of a sensitive microphone located in the wicket, connected to an oscilloscope that measures sound waves. When the ball glances/nicks the edge of a bat the oscilloscope trace picks up the sounds. At the same time a high speed camera records the ball passing the bat. The oscilloscope trace is then shown alongside slow motion video of the ball passing the bat, and by the shape of the sound wave it is possible to make an informed judgement of whether or not the noise picked up by the microphone coincides with the ball passing the bat, and whether the sound seems to

5045051 006.DOC 7 come from the bat hitting the ball or from bat hitting some other object or ball hitting some other object.

A disadvantage of the snickometer is that it relies on the timing of sound with contact to eliminate the other contacts which usually occur prior to hitting the ball. The bat often hits the pads on the way through making a sound at the same time the ball passes the bat. Hence other noises can be confused with the ball on bat noises. While the snickometer is indicative of some contact between the ball and an object, it is not conclusive of contact between bat and ball.

At present the snickometer is used only by television broadcast media as a visual technique to help increase interest of cricket coverage to the viewing public and is not available as a tool for assisting umpires. The television broadcast however can, and does unfortunately, focus media attention on the correctness of an umpiring decision. Undue pressure on an umpire by media scrutiny and trial by media is a consequence of such television broadcast. In practice this type of media scrutiny can lead to the broadcast media controlling the game of cricket as opposed to the umpire. The traditions of the game of cricket dictate that the umpires must be in control of the decision making process, and unnecessary pressures from media broadcasts have tended to undermine this tradition. Hence a means for helping the umpire to make a decision during match play is required.

A further disadvantage of the snickometer is that it requires a comparative analysis of the sound waves generated with slow motion video replay of the flight of the cricket ball to enable a determination of whether bat hit ball. This type of analysis is subjective because it relies on a visual assessment by an individual. This test is therefore prone to human error. Even further, because a comparative analysis is required, the use of 'snickometer' would substantially interrupt play if it was to be used. Such an interruption to continuous play of a game of cricket may be detrimental to the players' concentration and a viewers' enjoyment of the game. This is clearly not good for the tradition or promotion of good match play. Even further, this method is technically complex and expensive to provide.

A recent system developed for use in television broadcast coverage of international cricket

5045051 006. DOC O matches has been an infra-red imaging system referred to as 'hot spot'. This system uses two infra-red cameras which are positioned at either end of the pitch. The cameras identify the heat generated from friction caused by the ball colliding with any part of the batsman. A negative image is then produced using computer technology showing the exact point of contact between the ball and the batsman. Notwithstanding that this technology is very complex and expensive, it is only available to television broadcasters hence is only seen by television viewers. There is no current means for aiding the decision making process of cricket umpires without causing undue interruption to otherwise substantially continuous play.

Optical systems, such as one known as "Cyclops" is marketed in the United States and rely upon the breaking of an infrared, visible light, or other beam spaced above the tennis court to predict whether a ball will land beyond the boundary line of a tennis court or other playing surface and therefore touch down out of bounds. Because it can be triggered by a player and a racket as well as a ball, the Cyclops system can be used only during the serve, and may only be used during singles matches to detect faults.

The system has been at Wimbledon since 1996, and from a television perspective it is calling good serves out, and out serves in. The players are not satisfied with the system, and the officials just turn their heads knowing there is a great injustice occurring. The officials realize if a human over-rule is implemented, the entire system will become useless. Devices employing light beams are also difficult to maintain in alignment and notoriously inaccurate, particularly in the cases of high trajectory serves and of balls touching down at high speed and at a low angle. A ball of the just-mentioned character landing as much as two inches behind the outer edge of a boundary line may go undetected, and thus be determined good. Variations in the contour of the court surface can also adversely affect the accuracy of the Cyclops system, or other line calling systems with a detector employing an energy beam. The possibilities for misalignment also occur, causing postponement, to correct alignment. Clearly such optical system is not practical for cricket.

5045051 006 DOC OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the invention aims to achieve or at least address several objectives and advantages of an improved sporting bat with indicator and at least ameliorate some problems of the prior art by any one or more of the following:

(a) providing a system which allows ready use by umpires and real time detection and indication of contact between a cricket bat and ball;

(b) providing a system which substantially minimises interference, i.e., identifies substantially only contact between a cricket ball and bat; (c) providing a system which can differentiate between situations which are "out" under the rules of cricket and other not "out" situations;

(d) providing a system which allows modifications or additional detection means to assist the official;

(e) providing a system whose accuracy cannot be challenged; (f) providing a system which is dependable, will last the life of the sporting bat with little or no maintenance required;

(g) providing a system which in cricket applications can be programmed to provide indications to both the officials and the television or viewing public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in a game of cricket, the system including: a cricket bat having a handle and a blade, the blade being joined to the handle in coaxial alignment and having a front flat ball striking surface and a back shaped surface, the front and back surfaces being separated by an edge substantially transverse to the hitting surface;

at least one contact detection means mounted on or within the bat, the detection means including: a transducer for converting impact energy into electrical energy a detector for detecting the electrical signal; a transmitter coupled to the detector;

5045051 006.DOC 10 a portable telecommunication means for holding by an umpire during a game of cricket, the portable telecommunication means including: a receiver which receives a radio or video signal from the transmitter; and a video display and/or audio emitter calibrated to provide definable audio and or video emissions, which receives the transmitted signal and displays a visual signal or emits an audible sound to indicate contact between a ball and a hitting zone of the bat;

wherein when contact occurs between the ball and bat, an audible signal is emitted or visual display exhibited on the video display which signifies to the umpire, in real time, if contact is made between the ball and the bat, thereby allowing the umpire to make an informed decision as to whether the ball has made contact with the bat during a play.

The present invention represents an advance over the prior art systems for determining whether or not a batsman has made contact with the ball during a game of cricket. In particular, where prior art systems cannot be used by umpires unless match-play is interrupted by television/video screening, the present invention can be readily used by umpires to adjudge contact between bat and ball in real time thereby substantially maintaining continuous play while enhancing the decision making process. The present system allows a cricket umpire to make a more informed decision as to whether the cricket ball has made contact with the batsman's bat during a play. This has the effect of significantly reducing the chance of an incorrect umpiring decision, which could have undesirable flow-on consequences.

The present invention substantially decreases umpiring pressure otherwise associated with television and video scrutiny by media to thus maintain control of a game of cricket in the hands of the umpires ensuring that the umpire is able to make an informed objective decision during match play.

The detection means can include a processing means for receiving instructions from a source, the instructions including representations of defined audio and or video emissions wherein the processing means instructs the calibrated audio emitter and or video display to emit audio and

5045051 006.DOC 1 1 or video emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of defined audio and or video emissions. In this way the detection system can be programmed to substantially exclude transmission of video and or audio signals associated with identifiable pre-determined frequencies such as crowd noise or signal frequencies derived from cricket ball hitting an object other than a cricket bat, which may otherwise interfere with detection of ball hitting the bat.

The detection means can include a filtering means wherein the detected contact is determined after filtering out effects. This further assists in isolating and identifying frequencies associated with cricket ball hitting bat only hence a signal is preferably initiated only when frequencies are detected which are associated with ball hitting bat. A further advantage of filtering effects is that it helps minimise interfere from frequencies otherwise associated with ball hitting objects other than the cricket bat.

The detection system can further include an amplifier coupled to the receiver wherein the amplified response is limited to filter unwanted signals and extraneous noise substantially without excluding desired frequencies. The amplifier can also include an electronic filter means for limiting signal detection within a frequency range of between about 500Hz to 5KHz.

The filtering can occur due to sound frequency filtering where a specific range such as low frequency range is determined to correspond to bat hitting other than ball and/or a selection range where a particular higher frequency range corresponds to contact that is bat hitting the ball.

The detection means can include elements located around the perimeter of the sporting bat including edges and faces, which react when contact is made by the ball, the detection means producing a signal indicative of contact; and wherein the transmission means receives said contact signal and transmits said contact signal to an external display or communication means.

5045051 006 DOC 12 The detection means can be related to the sporting bat only and reacts upon physical contact to the bat. In particular the detection means can be a pressure sensor such that the pressure of contact by the ball on the bat will create a signal.

However in another form the detection means could include elements in the ball as well as the sporting bat such that the contact of those elements or proximity of those elements produces a contact signal. Such means can use magnetic flux or circuit means.

In another form the detection means could include a plurality of inputs including the input from the elements located around the perimeter of the sporting bat and the detection means further includes a processing means to assess whether one or more inputs confirm there has been contact between the ball and the sporting bat.

In a still further form the elements around the perimeter of the sporting bat can be localised to produce different contact signals dependent on the position of contact and said localised contact position is transmitted.

In this way the official could receive indication that there was contact on an "inside edge" of a cricket bat but because the official saw the ball pass along the outside edge can override the signal. The noise and deviation would be ignored by the detection system as clearly there must have been contact with the batter's pads or the ground.

The invention also provides a cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid officials, players or spectators in match-play, the system including: a ball to be used in the normal play of the game; a cricket bat to be used by a batsman in the normal play of the game; and a detection means including: at least one sensor element located on or in the sporting bat which detects when contact is made by the ball, the sensor including: a transducer for converting impact energy into electrical energy; a detector for detecting the electrical signal and producing a signal

5045051 006.DOC 13 indicative of contact; and

a transmission means coupled to the detector which receives the contact signal and transmits said contact signal to a remote portable communication means; and

a portable communication means remote from the sensor element for holding by an umpire during a game of cricket, the portable communication means including: a receiver which receives a radio or video signal from the transmitter indicative of contact; and a video display and/or audio emitter calibrated to provide definable audio and or video emissions, which receives the transmitted signal and displays a visual signal or emits an audible sound to indicate contact between a ball and a hitting zone of the bat.

The system can include protective gloves, pads and helmut to be used by a batsman in the normal play of the game; a detection means including sensors associated with the cricket bat, protective gloves, pads and helmet; and a transmission means able to receive sensed contact signal from the detection means; wherein the detection means includes sensor elements located around the perimeter of the cricket bat and sensor elements in the protective gloves, pads or helmet which react when contact is made by the ball, the detection means producing a sensed contact signal; and wherein the transmission means receives said contact signal and transmits said contact signal to an external display or communication means.

The detection means can be related to the cricket bat, protective gloves and pads only and reacts upon physical contact to the bat. In particular the detection means can be a pressure

5045051 006 DOC 14 sensor such that the pressure of contact by the ball on the bat will create a signal. The detection means can be an open current system where the sensors are connected in series and contact of the ball on the bat, gloves or forearm means breaks the circuit, which is recognised by the detection means as indication of contact and sends sensed contact signal to be received by transmission means for further display or communications. Alternatively the detection means can be a closed current system where the sensors are connected in series and contact of the ball on the bat, gloves or pads completes the circuit, which is recognised by the detection means as indication of contact and sends sensed contact signal to be received by transmission means for further display or communications.

The detection means can include circuit means built into the cricket bat, the gloves and pads. In another form, the batsman wears a thin glove means that extends over the hands and includes sensor means. The batsman's usual protective gloves and a forearm protection pads can be fitted over the thin glove means. A contact means can extend to a cricket bat handle sensor such that the forearm and glove sensors only operate or provide a sensed contact signal when the batsman's hand is on the handle.

However in another form the detection means could include elements in the ball as well as the sporting bat such that the contact of those elements or proximity of those elements produces a contact signal.

5045051_006 DOC 15 SOME MODES OF OPERATION

In one form the detection means can use a plurality of parallel, spaced apart, exposed electrical leads extending along the perimeter of the sporting bat. A ball touching a plurality of lines immediately adjacent causes bridging of two leads or conductors and provides an indication that the ball contacted the perimeter of the sporting bat.

A conductive leather covered game ball is used to be detected if has contacted the edges or faces of a bat. The system incorporates permanently installed circuits which stay in an active open state while awaiting touch down of conductive game ball. The conductive game ball can be by wires around the ball or metallic paint or other means. Completion or closure of active open circuit determines the ball in-bounds and thus still in-play. A ball touching the edges or faces can bridge two leads or conductors of the network located in that area. This provides an indication that the ball touched the bat. The control box will transmit a filtered signal to an audible tone or a visual aid designed for official use or for television use.

The system can comprise wires or magnetic or conductive coating extending the full length of the sporting bat.

The system can include electronic connector means thereby transmitting an external signal to a remote location for officials, television broadcasts or viewing public at the sporting venue.

The system can further include an indicator to an official such as an audible signal or visual signal.

The system can include a programmable logic controller for manual operation of different sporting bat area detection zones.

The invention also provides an electronic detection system for a sport using a sporting bat and ball including: (a) a permanently installed body of material including no less than one exposed edge of no less than one said body of material including no less than one conductive buss bar, and

5045051 006. DOC 16 (b) said bar borders an insulator means forming said body of material installed in a cut groove in said bat surface.

Another solution to the problem of bat contact involves the use of pressure sensitive switches cricket bat edges or faces to detect the touch of balls on those areas.

In another form of this system, a specially designed ball has a secondary antenna system buried beneath the playing surface which affects a detector in the bat. A change in the antenna signal is detected and utilised to provide an indication that the ball touched the bat. This can be achieved by determining required contact distance and resultant change in signal strength.

Another form of this system with similar results uses the detection of a magnetic flux change to ascertain whether a ball contacts the bat.

Further objects and advantages are to provide a system, which can be used easily and conveniently to operate detection on different parts of playing bats, without averting attention of the umpire and is easy to install with no maintenance required. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

In order that the invention might be more readily understood, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 show technical and visual representations of sensors used in testing;

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an amplifier in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show waveforms of test results obtained from measurement of contact between a cricket bat and a cricket ball at differing impact force;

Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 show waveforms of test results obtained from measurement of contact between a cricket bat and a range of objects/surfaces; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of a cricket bat able to be used in accordance with the invention;

5045051 006.DOC 17 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Test 1: Measuring Contact between a cricket bat and cricket ball at various impact force The purpose of this test is to record sensor output signals, directly via an amplifier, from a select cricket bat under 'real life' conditions involving a range of contact between a conventional cricket ball and the cricket bat.

1.1 Equipment

(a) Yogogawa DL 1540L digital storge Oscilloscope (b) Following sensors fitted to bat separately:

(i) piezo ceramic shock sensor. Murata Type PKS1-4A10 (see figure 1). (ii) piezo ceramic birnorph element. Type EB-T-320 (see figure 2) (iii) electric microphone insert, (c) Custom built three-channel buffer/amplifier (see figure 3). The amplifier was configured to enable direct measurement of sensor output signals, and amplified signals for measurements of low level signals. Channels 1 and 2 were used for sensors (i) and (ii) and provided a load for the sensors of 1 OOkohms and a gain of about 50. Channel 3 was used with sensor (iii). The impedence of the amplifier was lOKohms with a gain of about 20. The amplifier was battery powered to reduce possible hum pick-up from mains wiring.

1.2 Definitions of Test Conditions a. Feathered contact:- sensor output signals were measured directly and via the amplifier using a 'feathered ball contact to simulate ball glancing an edge portion of the bat. b. Medium contact:- sensor output signals were measured using a 'medium' contact force between the bat and ball to simulate more forceful contact. c. Hard Contact:- sensor output signals were measured using a 'hard' contact force between the bat and ball to simulate even more forceful contact being a full direct hit on the front striking surface of the bat.

5045051 006 DOC 18 1.3 Results

Referring to figures 4 to 7 there is shown recorded waveforms corresponding to contact between a cricket ball and bat. The tests found that frequency signals varied between 500 Hz and 5 KHz with the highest frequency occurring with glancing contact between a ball and edge portion of a cricket bat.

Typical frequency signals for each of the test conditions are set out as follows:

(a) Light 'feathered' contact - frequency range between 5KHz and 3KHz;

(b) Medium contact - frequency about 500Hz;

(c) Heavy contact - frequency about 1250Hz; and

(d) Bench Tests - frequency about 500Hz.

Test 2: Measuring Contact between a cricket bat and various surfaces

The purpose of this test is to obtain frequency test data obtained from a conventional cricket bat making contact with a range of objects other than a conventional cricket ball.

2.1 Equipment

(a) Yogogawa DL 1540L digital storage Oscilloscope

(b) Following sensors fitted to bat separately: (i) piezo ceramic shock sensor (see figure 1.

(ii) piezo ceramic bimorph element (see figure 2). (iii) electric microphone insert.

(c) Custom built three-channel buffer/amplifier (see figure 3)

5045051 006. DOC 19 2.2 Definitions of Test Conditions

(1) Vertical Tap:- intended to simulate a batsman patting down an obstruction such as a tuft of grass on the pitch with bottom end of bat.

(2) Angle Tap (light):- light tap with the bat held at an angle of about 45 degrees, intended to simulate a batsman tapping the ground lightly while waiting for the bowler to deliver a ball.

(3) Angle Tap (moderate):- moderate tap with the bat at an angle of about 45 degrees, intended t simulate a batsman tapping the ground harder while waiting a bowler to deliver a ball or by accident.

2.3 Surfaces Used

(1) Grass.

(2) Carpeted wood floor.

(3) Concrete path. (4) Simulated cricket pad made from two layers of heavy cardboard strapped to a leg.

2.4 Results

Referring to figures 8 to 11 there is shown oscilloscope waveform representations of the three different sensors selected for each type of contact and surface.

The waveforms generally indicate that contact between the bat and various surface objects produces relatively low frequency signal outputs between about 71.4Hz (vertical tap on grass) to 166.6 Hz (moderate angle on grass).

Of particular note is that because waveforms show contact between a cricket bat and large resilient surfaces produces low frequency signals, while contact between the cricket bat and smaller and harder objects produce higher frequency signals, unwanted frequencies associated with 'patting down grass' or 'contact between bat and pad' and the like, may be selectively filtered so that the detection of signal frequencies can be modified to identify only high frequency sound signals.

5045051 006.DOC 20 From the test results it is further assessed that a cricket bat, which has a number of potential hitting zones, produces different frequency output signals depending on the hitting zone contacted by a cricket ball. It has also been found that placement of the sensor on the bat did not effect the ability of the detection system to identify contact with any of the potential hitting zones including an edge portion of the bat.

The detection system in accordance with the present invention includes a cricket bat (best seen in figure 12) to be used by a batsman in the normal play of the game of cricket. The detection system further includes at least one sensor (figure 2 or 3) mounted on a rear surface portion of the bat, i.e., opposite the front flat striking surface of the bat, and a remote hand held communication device (not shown). The sensor includes: a transducer which converts impact energy into electrical energy; a detector for detecting the electrical signal and producing a signal indicative of contact; and a transmitter coupled to the detector which receives the contact signal and transmits the contact signal to a remote hand held communication device (not shown).

The portable hand held communication device is designed to wirelessly receive signals from the sensor and convert the incoming signal to an easily recognisable video or audio signal. In this way an umpire during a game of cricket can make a more informed decision of whether bat hits ball substantially in real time. The portable communication device includes:

a receiver which receives a radio or video signal from the sensor transmitter indicative of contact; and

a video display and/or audio emitter calibrated to provide definable audio and or video emissions, which receives the transmitted signal and displays a visual signal or emits an audible sound to indicate contact between a ball and a hitting zone of the bat.

In this way an umpire can not only assess whether contact is made between a bat and ball

5045051 006 DOC 21 during a game of cricket, but the umpire can even determine what part of the bat the ball has made contact with.

The detection system can further include an amplifier with an electronic filter. The amplifier is preferably coupled to the receiver wherein the amplified response is limited by the electronic filter to filter unwanted signals and extraneous noise substantially without excluding desired frequencies. The amplifier can be configured to only receive or emit signals within a predetermined selected frequency range corresponding to the ball hitting a cricket bat. As a general guide the test results above show that high frequencies in the range between about 500Hz to 5KHz is indicative of bat hitting ball and not other objects which could confuse the umpire.

Turning to figure 12 there is shown a cricket bat forming part of a cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in determining whether a cricket player being a batsman in a game of cricket is "out" or "not out". The system of the invention includes a cricket bat 1 and a ball (not shown), which are used in the normal play of a game of the cricket. The system further includes an automatic detection means (not shown). The detection means includes at least one sensor element (not shown) mounted on or in the cricket bat, and a remote receiver and visual or audio display unit (not shown).

The sensor includes a transducer, which converts impact energy into an electrical signal, and a detector, which detects the emitted electrical signal from the transducer. The sensor further includes a transmitter coupled to the detector, which transmits the signal to a receiver. In one embodiment (not shown) the receiver is a portable hand held communication device which converts the signal into an audible indicator via an internal speaker to indicate contact between bat and ball.

The cricket bat includes a handle 12 joined to a blade at a shoulder. The blade has a flat front surface that includes a base area 15 and side areas 13 and 14. Conventionally the handle 12 includes a wedge end which locates in a suitably shaped recess in the blade and is glued in place. Springs extend through the full length of the handle to enable it to flex to reduce impact

5045051 006 DOC 22 forces, which would otherwise be transferred directly to the hands of the batsman. The handle is usually sheathed in one or more elasticised removable grips. Typically the grips are of a rubber-type material.

A cricket bat with edge and face contact detection system is incorporated into the separate areas 12, 13. 14 and 15 as well as other distinct areas including back of bat, gloves and pads so as to distinguish different bat or contact portions. The bat areas are electronically divided to specify different contact parts during match play. The cricket bat is divided into various distinct and separate electronic circuits, thus enabling manual control over specified portions.

The description hereupon assumes a boundary detection system configured on a cricket bat, but the cricket bat should be understood as only one possible embodiment of the sporting bat with indicator system.

The sporting bat with indicator system includes an open electronic circuit which extends around the edges and faces of the cricket bat. The electronic circuits or inserts function in one pair or unit. A circuit comprises an insulator to separate circuit, thus rendering an open circuit as its normal state. The circuit is a contact device which includes a means for transmitting and receiving radio waves, and a means for transmitting electronic impulses. One example of a means for transmitting and receiving radio waves is an antenna. One example for transmitting electronic impulses is at least one audible speaker connected to electronic circuit.

During play, contact circuits associated with cricket bat edges and faces are in an open circuit state. Normally the contact circuits are placed such that they are parallel and adjacent to the outside edge of the respective cricket bat boundaries. Only on the outside edge of the bat areas is one distinct and separate circuit, thus having the entire edge an active open circuit. When a cricket ball touches or closes circuit it will cause detection of contact. A visual signal shows the detection or an audible sound.

The umpire can also have a means of assessing which bat area or contact area to review. This can be achieved by signals being sent from all contact points to a display held by the umpire or

5045051 006 DOC 23 available to the television viewer and third umpire. By seeing that inside edge is contacted umpire could ignore this signal as equates with contact with pad. Also could ignore bottom contact as this was seen to be contact with the ground. Of concern was only the outside edge as this is the only possible contact point in this instant as viewed by the umpire and the contact signal of this area confirms there was contact. However if this area was not contacted but apparatus shows bottom edge and inside edge contacted umpire can make decision that ball did not contact bat and batsman is not out.

In another example the batsman could have made a cross bat shot and it is not clear which surface or if the gloves or forearm were hit. Wherefore the umpire has further input into making decision but still has the overriding power to give the batsman the benefit of the doubt in accordance with the rules of cricket.

The embodiment of the entire cricket bat with indicator system starting with where the detection system will be installed on the bat, parallel with the outside edge of each and every edge and face that makes up a cricket bat. The active open circuit which will be the normal state of the circuit on the bat in use will be closed or cause detection in the form of contact, and transmit signal through a connection cable.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the court detection system can have other shapes, such as thinner or thicker or narrower or wider circuits exposed to the surface, or more than one circuit in parallel detecting the balls. Also the court detection means may consist of other types of conductive and insulating materials, not to be construed as limiting the original intent of the invention.

It will also be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of sporting bats in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

5045051_006 DOC 24

Claims

Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in a game of cricket, the system including: a cricket bat having a handle and a blade, the blade being joined to the handle in coaxial alignment and having a front flat ball striking surface and a back shaped surface, the front and back surfaces being separated by an edge substantially transverse to the hitting surface;

a portable telecommunication means for holding by an umpire during a game of cricket, the portable telecommunication means including: a receiver which receives a radio or video signal from the transmitter; and a video display and/or audio emitter calibrated to provide definable audio and or video emissions, which receives the transmitted signal and displays a visual signal or emits an audible sound to indicate contact between a ball and a hitting zone of the bat;

2. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the detection means can include a processing means for receiving instructions from a source, the instructions including representations of defined audio and or video emissions wherein the processing means instructs the calibrated audio emitter and or video display to emit

5045051_006.DOC 25 audio and or video emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of defined audio and or video emissions

3. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the detection system can further include an amplifier coupled to the receiver wherein the amplified response is limited to filter unwanted signals and extraneous noise substantially without excluding desired frequencies.

4. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 3 wherein the amplifier includes an electronic filter means for limiting signal detection within a frequency range of between about 500Hz to 5KHz.

5. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in a game of cricket, the system including: a cricket bat having a handle and a blade, the blade being joined to the handle in coaxial alignment and having a front flat ball striking surface and a back shaped surface, the front and back surfaces being separated by an edge substantially transverse to the hitting surface; at least one contact detection means mounted on or within the bat, the detection means including: a transducer for converting impact energy into electrical energy a detector for detecting said electrical signal; a transmitter coupled to the detector; a receiver which receives a signal from the transmitter; a visual display and/or audio processor which displays or emits an audible sound to indicate contact between a ball and a hitting zone of the bat wherein when contact occurs between the ball and bat, an audible signal is emitted or visual display exhibited on a remote screen which signifies to an umpire in real time contact made between the ball and the bat, thereby allowing the umpire to .

5045051 006.DOC 26

6. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 5 wherein the detection means include a filtering means wherein the detected contact is determined after filtering out effects so as to isolate frequency of ball hitting bat.

7. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with any one of claims 5 or 6 wherein the detection means includes elements located around the perimeter of the cricket bat including edges and faces which react when contact is made by the ball, the detection means producing a signal indicative of contact, and wherein the transmitter receives said contact signal and transmits said contact signal to an external display or communication means.

8. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 5 wherein the detection means can be a pressure sensor such that the pressure of contact by the ball on the bat will create a signal.

9. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 7 wherein the detection means could include magnetic flux or circuit means in the ball as well as the sporting bat such that the contact of those elements or proximity of those elements produces a contact signal.

10. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 7 wherein the detection means could include a plurality of inputs including the input from the elements located around the perimeter of the sporting bat and the detection means further includes a processing means to assess whether one or more inputs confirm there has been contact between the ball and the sporting bat.

1 1. A cricket bat and ball contact detection system and indicator in accordance with claim 7 wherein the elements around the perimeter of the sporting bat can be localised to produce different contact signals dependent on the position of contact and said localised contact position is transmitted.

5045051_006 DOC 27

12. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid officials, players or spectators in match-play, the system including: a ball to be used in the normal play of the game; a cricket bat to be used by a batsman in the normal play of the game; and a detection means including: at least one sensor element located on or in the sporting bat which detects when contact is made by the ball, the sensor including: a transducer for converting impact energy into electrical energy; a detector for detecting the electrical signal and producing a signal indicative of contact; and

wherein the transmission means receives said contact signal and transmits said contact signal to portable communication means for video display or audio emission indicative of contact wherein a cricket umpire can make a real time decision whether a batsman is 'out' or 'not out' without substantially interrupting continuous play.

5045051 006.DOC 28

13. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in game of cricket in accordance with claim 12 wherein the system can include: a cricket bat, protective gloves to be used by a batsman in the normal play of the game; a detection means including sensors associated with the cricket bat and protective gloves; and a transmission means able to receive sensed contact signal from the detection means; wherein the detection means includes sensor elements located around the perimeter of the cricket bat and sensor elements in the protective gloves which react when contact is made by the ball, the detection means producing a sensed contact signal; and wherein the transmission means receives said contact signal and transmits said contact signal to an external display or communication means.

14. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in game of cricket in accordance with claim 13 wherein the detection means can be related to the cricket bat, protective gloves only and reacts upon physical contact to the bat, and wherein the detection means can be an open current system where the sensors are connected in series and contact of the ball on the bat or gloves breaks the circuit which is recognised by the detection means as indication of contact and sends sensed contact signal to be received by transmission means for further display or communications.

15. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in game of cricket in accordance with claim 13 wherein the detection means can be a closed current system where the sensors are connected in series and contact of the ball on the bat or gloves completes the circuit whiclfis recognised by the detection means as indication of contact and sends sensed contact signal to be received by transmission means for further display or communications.

16. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in game of cricket in accordance with claim 13 wherein the detection means can include circuit means built into the cricket bat and/or the gloves.

5045051 006. DOC 29

17. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in game of cricket in accordance with claim 13 wherein the batsman wears a thin inner glove means that extends over the hands and includes sensor means wherein the batsman's usual protective gloves can be fitted over the thin glove means; and wherein a contact means can extend to a cricket bat handle sensor such that the forearm and glove sensors only operate or provide a sensed contact signal when the batsman's hand is on the handle.

18. A cricket ball contact detection system and indicator to aid umpires in game of cricket hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying examples and drawings.

5045051 006.DOC 30