Miniature sports radar speed measuring device
First Claim
1. A self-contained self-powered ball speed measuring device that is capable of being mounted, when in use, on the forearm of the catching arm of a person catching the ball, the device comprising:
- a self-contained speed determining unit including;
an RF microwave homodyne circuit that includes a single transmit/receive-oscillator/detector/antenna configured to transmit an RF signal generally toward a forward side of the unit and to receive the signal when reflected from and Doppler-shifted by a ball moving toward the unit on the forward side thereof,a filter circuit connected to the homodyne circuit and effective to limit the received signal to frequencies within a limited band,a signal processor configured to measure a Doppler frequency of the limited received Doppler shifted-signal and including a digital processor programmed to calculate the speed of the moving ball from the measured Doppler frequency,a display connected to the signal processor and operable to display the calculated speed in a direction viewable by the person catching the ball, anda self contained source of electrical energy sufficient to power the circuits, the processor and the display; and
a securement connected to the unit and configured to support the unit on the forearm of the person catching the ball such that the RF circuit is directed toward the moving object and such that the display is perceivable by such person.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example a ball such as a baseball or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person'"'"'s wrist. The sensor measures the speed of a ball about to be caught, for example, and displays the speed of the ball to the catching player. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided.
45 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A self-contained self-powered ball speed measuring device that is capable of being mounted, when in use, on the forearm of the catching arm of a person catching the ball, the device comprising:
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a self-contained speed determining unit including; an RF microwave homodyne circuit that includes a single transmit/receive-oscillator/detector/antenna configured to transmit an RF signal generally toward a forward side of the unit and to receive the signal when reflected from and Doppler-shifted by a ball moving toward the unit on the forward side thereof, a filter circuit connected to the homodyne circuit and effective to limit the received signal to frequencies within a limited band, a signal processor configured to measure a Doppler frequency of the limited received Doppler shifted-signal and including a digital processor programmed to calculate the speed of the moving ball from the measured Doppler frequency, a display connected to the signal processor and operable to display the calculated speed in a direction viewable by the person catching the ball, and a self contained source of electrical energy sufficient to power the circuits, the processor and the display; and a securement connected to the unit and configured to support the unit on the forearm of the person catching the ball such that the RF circuit is directed toward the moving object and such that the display is perceivable by such person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A self-contained self-powered ball speed measuring device that is capable of being mounted, when in use, on the forearm of the catching arm of a person catching the ball, the device comprising:
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a self-contained speed determining unit having a range of effectiveness of not more than approximately ten feet and including; an RF microwave homodyne circuit that includes a single transistor single transmit/receive-oscillator/detector/antenna configured to transmit an RF signal generally toward a forward side of the unit and to receive the signal when reflected from and Doppler-shifted by a ball moving toward the unit on the forward side thereof, a filter circuit connected to the homodyne circuit and effective to limit the received signal to frequencies within a limited band, a signal processor configured to measure a Doppler frequency of the limited received Doppler shifted-signal and including a digital processor programmed to calculate the speed of the moving ball from the measured Doppler frequency, a display connected to the signal processor and operable to display the calculated speed in a direction viewable by the person catching the ball, and a self contained source of electrical energy sufficient to power the circuits, the processor and the display, at least one switching element connected between the energy source and the homodyne circuit and operable to energize the transmit/receive-oscillator/detector/antenna of the homodyne circuit to transmit the signal and then to automatically disable the transmit/receive-oscillator/detector/antenna of the homodyne circuit from transmitting the signal after being energized for a predetermined interval of time while the energy source continues to power the display to hold a display of the calculated speed thereon; and a securement connected to the unit and configured to support the unit on the forearm of the person catching the ball such that the RF circuit is directed toward the moving object and such that the display is perceivable by such person. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification