Ball including one or more sensors to improve pitching performance
First Claim
1. A ball, comprising:
- an inner spherical portion comprising;
at least one inertial measurement unit;
at least one processor; and
communications circuitry;
an outer spherical portion that surrounds the inner spherical portion;
a first cover portion and a second cover portion;
at least one pressure sensor located beneath at least one of;
the first cover portion and the second cover portion; and
a plurality of stitches that join the first cover portion and the second cover portion together such that the first cover portion and the second cover portion surround the outer spherical portion, wherein;
the at least one processor is operable to capture an output from the at least one inertial measurement unit in response to an absence of pressure being detected by the at least one pressure sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ball, and in particular a baseball or softball, including one or more sensors such as accelerometers and/or inertial measurement units, and systems and methods using the same to improve a pitcher'"'"'s pitching performance are described herein. In some embodiments, the ball may include one or more inertial measurement units and/or accelerometers capable of monitoring motion of the ball while it is thrown. Various types of pitches may be selected, and in response to the inertial measurement unit(s) and/or accelerometer(s) detecting certain parameters corresponding to a selected pitch, one or more indicators may be caused to perform an action. For example, one or more illuminating elements located on the ball may turn a first color in response to detecting parameters corresponding to the selected pitch.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A ball, comprising:
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an inner spherical portion comprising; at least one inertial measurement unit; at least one processor; and communications circuitry; an outer spherical portion that surrounds the inner spherical portion; a first cover portion and a second cover portion; at least one pressure sensor located beneath at least one of;
the first cover portion and the second cover portion; anda plurality of stitches that join the first cover portion and the second cover portion together such that the first cover portion and the second cover portion surround the outer spherical portion, wherein; the at least one processor is operable to capture an output from the at least one inertial measurement unit in response to an absence of pressure being detected by the at least one pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A ball comprising:
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an inner spherical portion comprising at least one inertial measurement unit and at least one processor; a first cover portion and a second cover portion each shaped in a substantially figure-eight pattern to cover the inner spherical portion; a plurality of stitches that holds the first cover portion and the second cover portion together, wherein the plurality of stitches is formed from a stitching material that, at least in part, comprises an illuminating material, such that the plurality of stitches are operable to; turn a first color in response to detection of a predefined value by the at least one inertial measurement unit; and turn a second color in response to the predefined value not being detected by the at least one inertial measurement unit; and at least one pressure sensor located beneath at least one of;
the first cover portion and the second cover portion, wherein the at least one processor is operable to;capture an output from the at least one inertial measurement unit in response to an absence of pressure being detected by the at least one pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A ball, comprising:
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an inner spherical portion comprising;
at least one inertial measurement unit;
at least one processor; and
communications circuitry;an outer spherical portion that surrounds the inner spherical portion; a first cover portion comprising a first illuminating element, the first illuminating element being shaped in a first figure-eight pattern; a second cover portion comprising a second illuminating element, the second illuminating element being shaped in a second figure-eight pattern; and a plurality of stitches that join the first cover portion and the second cover portions portion together such that the first cover portion and the second cover portion surround the outer spherical portion; and
further comprising;at least one pressure sensor located beneath at least one of;
the first cover portion and the second cover portion, wherein the at least one processor is operable to capture an output from the at least one inertial measurement unit in response to an absence of pressure being detected by the at least one pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification