Speed measurement device with statistic gathering capability

Abstract

A radar speed measurement device (10) comprising a display (12) for displaying a target speed, a radar emitter (14) for emitting radar waves toward a target, a radar receiver (16) for receiving radar waves reflected from the target, an analog to digital converter (18) for producing digital signals associated with the radar waves, and a signal processor (20) for determining the target speed by analyzing the digital signals. The device (10) can also calculate statistics associated with the target and further comprises a statistical processor (22) for calculating the statistics. The device (10) can operate in either of two modes. A speed mode is preferably used to determine the target speed, when the target is a race car or any other object. A baseball statistics mode is preferably used to determine the target speed, when the target is a baseball thrown by a pitcher.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to speed measurement devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a radar speed measurement device that can calculate and store statistical information.[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art[0004] Most radar speed measurement devices are designed to be used by law enforcement officers to determine vehicle speeds in an effort to monitor traffic flow and enforce traffic laws. Sports enthusiasts often wish to use these devices at sporting events to track the speed of thrown or hit balls, but devices designed for use by law enforcement officers are typically not well suited for use at sporting events, for a number of reasons. First, speed measuring devices designed for use by law enforcement purposes are typically bulky and may require external power sources. Second, these devices are specifically designed to detect the speed of large vehicles and may not be able to efficiently detect the speed of small obj...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The radar emitter and the radar receiver are preferably mounted behind a front panel of the housing. This configuration allows the user to direct the emitted radar waves toward and receive the received radar waves reflected from the target by pointing the device at the target. The radar emitter and the radar receiver are preferably electrically coupled allowing the radar receiver to detect the Doppler Shift and generate analog signals representative of the Doppler Shift.

Problems solved by technology

Sports enthusiasts often wish to use these devices at sporting events to track the speed of thrown or hit balls, but devices designed for use by law enforcement officers are typically not well suited for use at sporting events, for a number of reasons.

First, speed measuring devices designed for use by law enforcement purposes are typically bulky and may require external power sources.

Second, these devices are specifically designed to detect the speed of large vehicles and may not be able to efficiently detect the speed of small objects, such as baseballs.

In recent years, speed measurement devices have been modified to be more useful at sporting events allowing them to detect the speed of baseballs; however, they are not capable of collecting statistics.

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