System for pitching of baseball

• US 8,333,670 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shoich Ono
• Original Assignee: Shoich Ono
• Inventors: Ono, Shoich
• Primary Examiner(s): Bumgarner, Melba
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENRY, THOMAS HAYNES
• Application Number:
  US12/316,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20090170642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 473/422
• US Class Current: 473/422
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0697 Reservation devices

Abstract

The present invention is a system for pitching of baseball or softball to enjoy virtual game, the system includes a pitching room having a mound from which a player will throw a ball and a home plate by which the thrown ball will be determined depending upon its trajectory; a video camera for photographing the pitching room along the longitudinal direction thereof from the back of the mound by using a two-dimensional image sensor included therein; a stripe pattern arranged at a predetermined area including the home plate on the floor, wherein the stripe pattern indicates different positions in the longitudinal direction of the area; a mirror obliquely mounted on the ceiling right above the home plate for reflecting the optical image of the home plate and stripe pattern toward the video camera; and a computer for detecting three-dimensional position of the thrown ball based on the image signal output from the video camera photographing both of the thrown ball and the optical image of the stripe pattern above which the thrown ball passes reflected by the mirror, and for outputting the detecting signal.

Claims

1. A system for pitching of baseball or softball comprising:

a pitching room having a space which is enclosed with right and left walls, front and back walls, a ceiling, and a floor having a pitcher'"'"'s mound from which a player will throw a ball and a home plate by which the thrown ball will be determined depending upon its trajectory, wherein a distance between the pitcher'"'"'s mound and home plate is adaptable for a baseball or softball rule;

one video camera for electronically photographing the pitching room along a longitudinal direction thereof from behind the mound by using a two-dimensional image sensor included therein;

a specific-colored stripe pattern including a plurality of bars arranged at a predetermined area on and around the home plate on the floor, wherein each of the bars indicates different positions in the longitudinal direction of the area;

a mirror obliquely mounted on the ceiling right above the home plate for reflecting an optical image of the home plate and stripe pattern toward the video camera,

wherein a first image area of the sensor generates a first image signal which indicates a horizontal position and a vertical position of the thrown ball by directly photographing the ball, and a second image area of the sensor generates a second image signal which indicates a longitudinal position of the thrown ball by photographing the reflected optical image of the stripe pattern above which the thrown ball passes and shields the bars thereof in turn; and

a computer for detecting three-dimensional position of the thrown ball based on the first and second image signals output from the video camera, and for outputting a detected signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the computer includes means for determining the pitching, when the thrown ball passes through or around a three-dimensional space with reference to the home plate.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising means for directing the virtual game, wherein the means for directing stores the pitching result of the virtual game into a memory.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stripe pattern consists of a specific colored member or means for emitting specific light.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a fiber net member placed in the back of the home plate and held a tension by the ceiling, floor, and right and left walls, for flexibly catching the thrown ball and for dropping it on the floor;

and an image display device placed the back of the fiber member, for displaying images concerning to the virtual game.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the image display device displays a catcher'"'"'s image which performs catching motion corresponding to the three-dimensional position detected by the computer.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the catcher'"'"'s image directs the next ball to be thrown.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the image display device displays a matrix image indicating a plurality of judgment letters.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the video camera has a two-dimensional solid imaging sensor with X-Y addressing type, which is capable of scanning a predetermined part of the sensor area.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a slope formed on the floor where the fiber net member drops the ball thereon; and

a device for setting the ball which is routed by gravity on the slope and for returning the ball toward the mound.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a robot comprising:

a pivotable base which is jointed to the floor and through which the power and signal are supplied;

a body including a receiver for receiving the detecting signal output from the computer and a controller for processing the detecting signal received by the receiver;

a left arm which is jointed to the body through an actuator and which has an elbow actuator, a wrist actuator, and a hand with a mitt device including a shock absorber; and

a right arm which is jointed to the body through an actuator and which has an elbow actuator, a wrist actuator, and a hand with finger actuators for indicating to request a type of the next ball;

wherein the controller controls all actuators so as to catch the thrown ball with the mitt device based on processing the detecting signal, then to return it with the right hand toward the mound.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication device for receiving a reservation to play game from a customer'"'"'s mobile phone, and for transmitting information on timing for playing to the mobile phone.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is installed in a store providing merchandise and/or service, and further comprising:

a management device for giving a discount on merchandise and/or service fee in the store to a person who has achieved an excellent play in the virtual game.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is installed in a store providing merchandise and/or service, and further comprising:

a management device for giving a discount on a playing fee to a person who has paid a predetermined amount fee for merchandise and/or service in the store.