Mixed reality batting system

Abstract

A method of processing a swing in a batting simulator, including providing batting simulator system having a bat, a ball, a batter's box, two or more sensors configured to detect a trajectory and an exit velocity of the ball traveling past a predetermined position, and a controller which is arranged in signal communication with the two or more sensors. The method further including receiving, by the controller, an execution metric, a batter difficulty setting, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling past the predetermined position for one or more consecutive ball hits, and outputting, by the controller, an aggregate swing success metric.

Description

MIXED REALITY BATTING SYSTEMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to mixed reality sports entertainment, and more particularly to a mixed reality batting simulator system.BACKGROUND

[0002] The sport of baseball generally involves two teams that rotate between offensive and defensive gameplay each inning for a total of nine innings. Offensive gameplay includes batting and baserunning, with the objective of hitting a pitched ball into the playing field to allow one or more offensive players to advance around a series of bases to score points or “runs."’ Defensive gameplay includes pitching the ball to a batter while attempting to prevent batters from advancing around the series of bases. The two teams rotate between offensive and defensive gameplay when the defensive team obtains three outs (e.g., by striking out batters, catching a hit ball, and tagging an offensive player advancing between bases).

[0003] While baseball is often referred to as “America’s national pastime,” many potential players are disincentivized from play by the time required to complete a game and the limited opportunities at-bat. Conventional batting practice may similarly not attract these potential players because of its monotonous and routine nature. There is thus a need for a mixed reality batting system providing gamification of batting practice.SUMMARY

[0004] The aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0005] In a first exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of processing a swing in a batting simulator, including providing batting simulator system having a bat, a ball, a batter’s box, two or more sensors configured to detect a trajectory and an exit velocity of the ball traveling past a predetermined position, and a controller including a non-transitory computer- readable memory arranged to store a set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions, wherein the controller is arranged in signal communication with the two or more sensors. The method further including receiving, by the controller, an execution metric; receiving, by the controller, a batter difficulty setting and / or handicap score; receiving, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling past the predetermined position for one or more consecutive ballhits; comparing, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling past the predetermined position for one or more consecutive ball hits with the execution metric and the batter difficulty' setting and / or handicap score; and outputting, by the controller, an aggregate swing success metric.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein as part of the specification. The drawings described herein illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter and are illustrative of selected principles and teachings of the present disclosure. However, the drawings do not illustrate all possible implementations of the presently disclosed subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a mixed reality7batting sy stem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a mixed reality batting system environment according to an exemplary7embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIGS. 3-5 show a display output of an example batting round of a mixed reality batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIGS. 6-8 show a display output of an example batting round of a mixed reality batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIGS. 9-12 show a display output of an example batting round of a mixed reality7batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIGS. 13-15 show a display output of an example batting round of a mixed reality batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 16-18 show a display output of an example batting round of a mixed reality batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIGS. 19-22 show a display output of an example batting round of a mixed reality batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIGS. 23 and 24 are flow charts of a method of processing a swing in a batting simulator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 25 shows a simplified schematic diagram of input devices of a mixed reality batting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 26 is a flow chart of a method of processing a swing in a batting simulator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific assemblies and systems illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions, or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Also, although they may not be, like elements in various embodiments described herein may be commonly referred to with like reference numerals within this section of the application.

[0019] One skilled in the relevant arts will recognize that the elements and techniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects of the present disclosure. Reference throughout the specification to “an embodiment,” “an exemplary' embodiment,” or “an example embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in an embodiment” or “in an exemplary / example embodiment” throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. However, the particular features, structures, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0020] Where they are used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and so on, do not necessarily denote any ordinal, sequential, or priority' relation, but are simply used to more clearly distinguish one step / element or set of steps / elements from another, unless specified otherwise.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, presented is an exemplary embodiment of a mixed reality batting system 100. In an example embodiment, the mixed reality' batting system 100 includes a home plate 102 and at least one batter’s box 104 A, 104B. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the batter’s boxes 104 A, 104B are arranged on opposite sides of the home plate 102 in the x-axis direction. It should be appreciated that the home plate 102 may include shapes and sizes different from a conventionalbaseball home plate. For example, the home plate 102 may be, without limitation, a circle, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, a star. A pitcher 106 is arranged in front of the home plate 102 in the y-axis direction. In an example embodiment, the home plate 102 is digital, and has no physical features. For example, the home plate 102 may a digitally identified two-dimensional or three-dimensional area stored within a controller 120. In an example embodiment, the digital home plate 102 is a seventeen-inch by seventeen-inch square located a predetermined distance from the pitcher 106. The distance between the pitcher 106 and the home plate 102 is variable, but generally arranged at distance from the home plate 102 greater than a batter’s swing radius. However, where the pitcher 106 comprises a tee 106A configured to support a ball 108 at or about the home plate 102, the pitcher 106A is necessarily located within the batter’s swing radius. In an exemplar^' embodiment, the pitcher 106 may be, without limitation, a hand-fed or automatically fed pitching machine, a human pitcher, or the tee 106 A.

[0022] The mixed reality batting system 100 also includes a bat 110 for hitting the ball 108. In an exemplar}' embodiment, the ball 108 is a standard and / or regulation baseball and the bat 110 is a standard and / or regulation baseball bat. In another exemplary embodiment, the ball 108 is a standard and / or regulation softball and the bat 110 is a standard and / or regulation softball bat. In yet another example embodiment, the bat 110 may be configured to improve the travel distance and / or exit velocity of a hit ball. In an example embodiment, the bat 110 may include one or more sensors 110A operable to detect and / or transmit swing velocity and / or a force associated with an impact with the ball 108, and / or the ball 108 may include one or more sensors 108A operable to detect and / or transmit swing velocity and / or a force associated with an impact with the bat 110. For example, the one or more sensors 108A, 110A may include accelerometers, capacitive accelerometers, piezoelectric sensors, piezoresistive sensors, strain gage sensors, or any combination thereof. By way of example, a piezoelectric sensor measures an electrical charge caused by mechanical stress to generate a signal corresponding to an impact. The piezoelectric sensor comprises a sensing material, such as quartz crystal. The voltage signal generated in the sensing material is proportional to the thickness of the sensing material in the direction of measurement. Piezoelectric sensors may be designed to detect forces applied in a transverse direction and in a longitudinal direction, as well as to detect shear forces.

[0023] Further still, in an example embodiment, the bat 110 may include illumination means such as, without limitation, light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light. For example, the bat 110 may include illumination means which emit one or more wavelengths of light upon detection of an impact with the ball 108.

[0024] The mixed reality batting system 100 also includes a plurality of sensors 1 12 configured to detect a traj ectory and an exit velocity of a ball 108 traveling past a predetermined position 114. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensors 112 include active-pixel sensors such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors, infrared cameras, field sensors., and / or cameras. The plurality of sensors 112 are arranged in signal communication with the controller 120. The mixed reality' batting system 100 may also include one or more cameras configured to capture photographs and video of each at-bat. In some examples, the one or more cameras are included in the sensors 112 configured to collect ball trajectory and exit velocity data. In an example embodiment, the one or more cameras are operable to collect batter swing mechanics data. For example, the swing mechanics data may be transmitted to one or more of the controller 120, a server 132, and an electronic device 134 as described in additional detail below.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some examples, the controller 120 includes a processor 122 and non-transitory computer-readable memory 124 configured to execute and store, respectively, a plurality of non-transitory computer-readable instructions 126 to perform the various functions of the controller 120 as will be described herein. Additionally, and as shown, in some example embodiments, the controller 120 further comprises a communications module 128 and a power storage device 130.

[0026] The controller 120 may be in electrical communication with the sensors 112 via a wired or wireless connection and receive signals therefrom. The controller 120 may also be in electrical communication with the sensors 108 A, 110A via a wireless connection and receive signals therefrom. As a non-limiting example, the wireless connection may be a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, and / or an electromagnetic wave connection. Additionally, the controller 120 may be in electrical communication with one or more servers 132. For example, without limitation, the controller 120 may continuously, or at pre-determined intervals, transmit signals to a cloud-based server 132 and / or a peripheral electronic device 134, a remote input device 135, and a display 136. In an exemplar}' embodiment, the controller 120 transmits signals to the cloudbased server 132, and the cloud-based server 132 transmits signals to the peripheral electronic device 134. Similarly, in an exemplary embodiment, the peripheral electronic device 134 may transmit signals to the cloud-based server 132, and the cloud-based server 132 transmits signals to the controller 120. The communications module 128 may include one or more antennae, radio, or automated gain control (AGC), a modulator, demodulator and / or potentially a discrete processor for bit-processing. The communications module 128 is configured to send and / or receive wired or wireless communications with the server 132, the remote input device 135, and / orthe display 136. Power storage device 130 may be, for example, a battery, capacitor, or supercapacitor, and may be arranged to store and provide electronic power to the controller 120. In an example embodiment, the remote input device 135 is a touch screen computer or a computer with a display and keyboard (as shown in FIG. 25).

[0027] The mixed reality batting system 100 may also include netting 138 arranged at a predetermined distance from the home plate 102 to stop the travel of a hit ball 108. In an example embodiment, the controller 120 stores and executes the non-transitory computer-readable instructions 126 that, when executed by the processor 122, causes the controller 120 to detect the trajectory and exit velocity’ of a hit ball 108, via the sensors 1 12 and / or sensors 108A, 110A, and output an aggregate swing success metric.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3-22, in an example embodiment, the non-transitory computer- readable instructions 126 comprise one or more batting rounds 140, or innings, which each have an execution metric 142. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable instructions 126 may include six distinct batting rounds 140 each having an execution metric 142. In another example, the non-transitory computer-readable instructions 126 may include one to four distinct batting rounds 140 each having an execution metric 142. In another example, the non-transitory computer-readable instructions 126 may include two to 3 distinct batting rounds 140 each having an execution metric 142. In still another example, the non-transitory’ computer-readable instructions 126 may include seven or more distinct batting rounds 140 each having an execution metric 142. Each batting round 140 may include a predetermined number of at-bat attempts (e.g., pitches and / or hits) for each batter competing, such as one attempt, three attempts, six attempts, or seven attempts. In certain batting rounds 140, the number of at-bat attempts may be determined by a time limit. FIGS. 3-22 show an example output to the display 136 during each batting round 140.

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, a first batting round 140A may have an execution metric 142A which comprises a ball 108 launch angle range (i.e., an angle with respect to the ground level at or about the home plate 102) to test whether a batter has hit the ball 108 in a line drive to a center of a virtual field (e.g., baseball field). In an example embodiment, the launch angle range may be increased or decreased as afunction of a batting round 140 difficulty setting (e.g., beginner (arcade), easy, medium, and hard) and / or a batter’s handicap score, as described in further detail below. For example, each batter may select and / or be assigned a difficulty setting before competing. In an example embodiment, a batter who selects the "‘beginner (arcade)” difficulty’ setting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball with a larger launch angle range than abater who selects the ‘'easy, medium, or hard” difficulty setings. Similarly, a bater who selects the “easy” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball with a larger launch angle range than a bater who selects the “medium or hard” difficulty settings, and so on.

[0030] Refernng now to FIGS. 6-8, a second bating round 140B may have an execution metric 142B which comprises one or more horizontal, or yaw, angle ranges to test whether a bater has hit the ball to a predetermined zone of a virtual field (e.g., baseball field). In an example embodiment, the horizontal angle range may be increased or decreased as a function of a batting round 140 difficulty seting (e.g., beginner (arcade), easy, medium, and hard) and / or a bater’s handicap score, and the horizontal angle range may change after one or more detected hits of the ball 108. In an example embodiment, a bater who selects the “beginner (arcade)” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball with a larger horizontal angle range than a bater who selects the “easy, medium, or hard” difficulty setings. Similarly, a bater who selects the “easy” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball with a larger horizontal angle range than a bater who selects the “medium or hard” difficulty settings, and so on.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, a third batting round 140C may have an execution metric 142C which comprises one or more horizontal, or yaw. angle ranges and / or launch angle ranges and / or exit velocities to test whether a bater has hit the ball to a predetermined zone of a virtual field (e.g., baseball field) that enables a virtual runner to reach the next base or a virtual home plate. For example, if the batting round 140C indicates that a virtual runner is located at third base, a hit ball 108 having the trajectory and exit velocity of an infield fly will not enable the runner to advance to the virtual home plate, while a hit ball 108 having the trajectory and exit velocity of a line drive to the outfield or an infield in will enable the runner to advance to the virtual home plate. In an example embodiment, a bater who selects the “beginner (arcade)” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball within a larger zone than a batter who selects the “easy, medium, or hard” difficulty settings. Similarly, a bater who selects the “easy” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball within a larger zone than a batter who selects the “medium or hard” difficulty setings, and so on.

[0032] Refernng now to FIGS. 13-15. a fourth batting round 140D may have an execution metnc 142D which comprises the exit velocity of a hit ball 108. For example, the execution metric 142D may include only the velocity of a hit ball 108. In an example embodiment, the exit velocity7of the execution metric 142D may be calculated as 90% of the bater’s maximum exit velocity of hit balls 108 in the previous bating rounds 140 A, MOB. 140C. The threshold exit velocity to score points may be increased or decreased as a function of a bating round 140 difficulty seting (e.g..beginner (arcade), easy, medium, and hard) and / or a bater’s handicap score. In an example embodiment, a bater who selects the “beginner (arcade)” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball with a slower exit velocity than a bater who selects the “easy, medium, or hard” difficulty setings. Similarly, a bater who selects the “easy” difficulty seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball with a slower exit velocity than a bater who selects the “medium or hard” difficulty setings, and so on.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, a fifth bating round 140E may have an execution metric 142E which comprises a number of times a virtual runner reaches a virtual home plate within a limited period of time or before the batter receive three outs. For example, one or more horizontal, or yaw, angle ranges and / or launch angle ranges and / or exit velocities of a hit ball 108 may be utilized to determine how many bases a virtual runner advances, and / or whether the ball was caught by a virtual fielder, after each hit. In an example embodiment, a bater who selects the “beginner (arcade)” difficulty setting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball within a larger horizontal angle and / or launch angle range and / or slower exit velocity than a bater who selects the “easy, medium, or hard” difficulty7settings. Similarly, a bater who selects the “easy” difficulty setting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball within a larger horizontal angle and / or launch angle range and / or slower exit velocity than a bater who selects the “medium or hard” difficulty7settings, and so on.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, a sixth bating round 140F may have an execution metric 142F which comprises one or more horizontal, or yaw. angle ranges and / or launch angle ranges and / or exit velocities of a hit ball 108 to test whether a bater can obtain a virtual run bated in (RBI) with the virtual bases loaded. In an example embodiment, a bater who selects the “beginner (arcade)” difficulty7seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball within a larger horizontal angle and / or launch angle range and / or slower exit velocity than a bater who selects the “easy, medium, or hard” difficulty settings. Similarly, a bater who selects the “easy” difficulty7seting will score during their at-bat if they hit the ball within a larger horizontal angle and / or launch angle range and / or slower exit velocity7than a bater who selects the “medium or hard” difficulty settings, and so on.

[0035] In any one of the bating rounds 140, the horizontal angle range, the launch angle range, and the threshold exit velocity may be increased or decreased as a function of a bating round 140 difficulty seting (e.g.. beginner (arcade), easy, medium, and hard) and / or a bater’s handicap score. In an example embodiment, a batter’s handicap score assigns advantage to bater’s having a lower batting average to equalize the chances of winning between baters of differentskill / experience levels. For example, one or more baters with a high bating average may be assigned a points deficit to make up in a six bating round 140 match. Whether a batting average is “high” may be determined relative to the other baters in the six bating round 140 match. For example, if a high batting average is a predetermined percentage greater than an average of the other baters’ bating average, the high bating average bater may be assigned a points deficit. In another example, the batter with a high bating average may have the difficulty of each round increased by narrowing the horizontal and launch angle ranges necessary to score points, and / or have the threshold exit velocity of the ball increased. Similarly, the batter with a relatively low bating average may have the difficulty of each round decreased by increasing the horizontal and launch angle ranges necessary to score points, and / or have the threshold exit velocity of the ball decreased.

[0036] At the conclusion of each bating round 140, the controller 120 outputs an aggregate swing success metric. The aggregate swing success metric may be a mathematical average of a bater’s success in achieving the threshold execution metric(s) 142. For example, if a bater scores points by meeting the threshold execution metric(s) 142 in two out of four swings in a bating round 140, the batter has achieved a .500 aggregate swing success metric. In an example embodiment, a bater’s aggregate swing success metric is averaged after each batting round 140 and output to the display 136, the electronic device 134, and / or the server 132. Each bater is assigned a bater identifier with which the bater’s aggregate swing success metric and difficulty seting / handicap is associated. The bater identifier’s may. for example, be stored on the controller 120, the electronic device 134, and / or the server 132. The bater’s overall aggregate swing success metric may also be stored on the controller 120, the electronic device 134, the remote input device 135, and / or the server 132. At the completion of each bating round 140, the batter’s overall aggregate swing success metric may be updated and output to at least one of the display 136, the electronic device 134, and / or the server 132. Similarly, at the completion of each bating round 140, the bater’s swing / hit data may be output to at least one of the display 136, the electronic device 134, and / or the server 132.

[0037] In an example embodiment, each batting round 140 further includes a bonus metric 144. For example, in the first bating round 140 A the bonus metric 144 may comprise an exit velocity threshold. If the ball 108 exceeds en exit velocity threshold for a predetermined number of hits, the sixth bating round 140F includes an additional pitch / hit opportunity. In the second bating round 140B, the bonus metric 144 may comprise hiting the ball within the predetermined horizontal angle range for each hit. If the bonus metric 144 threshold is met, the sixth bating round 140F will include an additional pitch / hit opportunity.

[0038] In an example embodiment, a batter can earn digital tokens by meeting certain execution metrics 142 during a batting round 140. For example, a digital token may be earned by barreling a ball. In other words, meeting a threshold execution metric 142 including ball launch angle and exit velocity. Conventionally, a barreled ball is defined as having an exit velocity of at least 98 mph and a launch angle between 26-30 degrees. However, in some example embodiments, the barrel launch angle range may be increased, and the threshold exit velocity may be decreased, as a function of a batter’s handicap. In an example embodiment, an earned digital token is determined by the controller 120 and transmitted to the server 132 and / or the electronic device 134 in association with a batter identifier. A batter may then redeem one or more digital tokens for digital and / or physical prizes.

[0039] In an example embodiment, the mixed reality batting system 100 includes non-transitory computer-readable instructions stored on an electronic device 134 which operate to store and display a batter’s player card. For example, the player card may include an image of the batter and their aggregate swing success metric. The non-transitory computer-readable instructions stored on the electronic device 134 may automatically update the batter’s aggregate swing success metric when this data is received from the controller 120 and / or the server 132.

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, in an example embodiment, a method of processing a swing in a batting simulator includes a step 150 of receiving by the controller 120 a batter identifier and batter handicap data, a step 152 of receiving or identifying by the controller 120 a first execution metric 142, and a step 154 of receiving by the controller 120 a trajectory and an exit velocity of a ball 108 traveling past a predetermined position 114 via the one or more sensors 108A, 110A, 112. As illustrated in FIG. 24, in an example embodiment, before the step 154, the method optionally includes a step 153 of pitching the ball 108 to the home plate 102. The method further includes a step 156 comparing, by the controller 120, the trajectory and exit velocity of a ball 108 traveling past the predetermined position 114 with the first execution metric 142 and the batter handicap. The method also includes a step 158 outputting, by the controller 120, an aggregate swing success metric. FIG. 26 shows a method of applying a batter’s handicap to an execution metric 142.

[0041] In an example embodiment, batters compete in one or more batting rounds 140 virtually / remotely. For example, a first batter utilizing a first mixed reality7batting system 100 may compete with a second batter utilizing a second mixed reality batting system 100. Advantageously, data, such as the aggregate swing success metric of the first batter, may be output to the server 132 and transmitted to the controller 120 of the second mixed reality batting system100 and / or an electronic device 134 of the second batter, and vice versa. In an example embodiment, the server 132 hosts the remote batting rounds 140 and receives / transmits data to the first and second mixed reality batting system controllers 120 to maintain a substantially real-time match between the first batter and the second batter.

[0042] In an example embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having game program instructions stored therein, a game processing apparatus (e.g., a mixed reality batting system 100). and a game processing method stored as instructions executable by a computing device such as the controller 120. The controller 120 executes the instructions (e.g., information processing program stored in the storage medium, thereby performing the various types of information processing. In the processing of the instructions, the controller 120 receives an execution metric 142 (e.g., a ball 108 launch angle range, exit velocity, and / or traj ectory) and a batter difficulty setting associated with a batting round 140 from, for example, a remote input device 135 or the storage medium. The controller 120 then receives a trajectory and an exit velocity of a ball traveling out of a batter’s box for one or more consecutive ball 108 hits as determined by, for example, the sensor(s) 112. The controller 120 then compares the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball 108 traveling out of the batter’s box for one or more consecutive ball hits with the execution metric 142 and the batter difficulty setting and determines and outputs an aggregate swing success metric. In an example embodiment, the mixed reality batting system 100 includes one or more speakers operable to output audio signaling a successful or unsuccessful hit.

[0043] One or more features of the embodiments described herein may be combined to create additional embodiments which are not depicted. While various embodiments have been described in detail above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms, variations, and modifications without departing from the scope, spirit, or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments described above are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of processing a swing in a batting simulator, comprising: providing batting simulator system, comprising: a bat; a ball; a batter’s box; two or more sensors configured to detect a trajectory and an exit velocity of the ball traveling past a predetermined position; and a controller comprising a non-transitory computer-readable memory arranged to store a set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions, wherein the controller is arranged in signal communication with the two or more sensors; receiving, by the controller, an execution metric; receiving, by the controller, a batter difficulty7setting; receiving, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling past the predetermined position for one or more consecutive ball hits; comparing, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity7of the ball traveling past the predetermined position for one or more consecutive ball hits with the execution metric and the batter difficulty setting; and outputting, by the controller, an aggregate swing success metric.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the execution metric is a first execution metric, and the one or more consecutive ball hits are a first set of one or more consecutive ball hits, the method further comprising: receiving, by the controller, a second execution metric; receiving, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling out of the batter’s box for a second set of one or more consecutive ball hits; comparing, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling out of the batter’s box for the second set of one or more consecutive ball hits with the second execution metric and the batter difficulty setting; and outputting, by the controller, the aggregate swing success metric.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first execution metric comprises a launch angle of the ball and the second execution metric comprises the exit velocity of the ball.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting a digital success token as a function of at least one of the exit velocity of the ball and an accuracy of the trajectory of the ball.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the controller, a batter handicap score; and comparing, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling past the predetermined position for one or more consecutive ball hits with the batter handicap score.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the batter handicap score decreases an exit velocity' required to score one or more points comprising the aggregate swing success metric.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aggregate swing success metric is transmitted to a server, and transmitted from the server to a remote electronic device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the aggregate swing success metric of a batter is stored, and wherein each output of the aggregate swing success metric is concatenated and dynamically updated in the electronic device.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the batting simulator system further comprises a pitcher, w herein the pitcher is selected from one of a ball delivery apparatus, a tee, and a human pitcher.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising visually presenting the aggregate swing success metric via an electronic display.

11. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therew ith, the program instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform an operation, comprising: receiving, by the controller, an execution metric; receiving, by the controller, a batter difficulty setting; receiving, by the controller, a trajectory' and an exit velocity' of a ball traveling out of a batter’s box for one or more consecutive ball hits; comparing, by the controller, the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling out of the batter’s box for one or more consecutive ball hits with the execution metric and the batter difficulty' setting; and outputting, by the controller, an aggregate swing success metric.

12. The computer program product according to claim 1 1, wherein the execution metric is modified by the batter difficulty setting, and accordingly the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball traveling out of the batter’s box for one or more consecutive ball hits is compared with the modified execution metric.

13. A mixed reality7batting system, comprising: a controller comprising a non-transitory computer-readable memory7arranged to store a set of non-transitory7computer-readable instructions, wherein one or more execution metrics and one more batter difficulty settings are stored in the non- transitory computer-readable memory; two or more sensors configured to detect a trajectory and an exit velocity7of a ball, wherein the two or more sensors are arranged in signal communication with the controller; and a remote server arranged in signal communication with the controller; wherein the controller is configured to compare at least one of the trajectory and the exit velocity of the ball with the execution metric and the batter difficulty setting, and wherein the controller is configured to output an aggregate swing success metric to the server.

14. The mixed reality7batting system according to claim 13, wherein the aggregate swing success metric comprises an average of ball hits achieving, and not achieving, the one or more execution metrics.

15. The mixed reality batting system according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to output the aggregate swing success metric to a remote input device.

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