Launched Ball Detection Using Infrared Zones and Lateral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball detection systems face issues where the ball may collide with the detection apparatus if it is placed ahead of the ball, leading to damage, and there is a risk of error in measuring flight parameters due to incorrect calculation of launch speed and angles.
Innovation Solution
A launched ball detecting apparatus and method using infrared zones to determine the presence, disappearance, and launch of the ball, employing a ball existence determining part, object appearance determining parts, and a ball launch detecting part to accurately detect the launch without requiring the apparatus to be placed in front of the ball.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detection apparatus is placed ahead of the ball to form a detection zone, then the ball can pass through the detection zone for measurement, but the ball may collide with the detection apparatus causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The detection apparatus transitions from a forward-facing detection zone to a side-view detection configuration. The image capture unit is positioned laterally to photograph the ball's launch moment from the side, eliminating the need for the ball to pass through a detection zone directly in front of the apparatus. This dimensional repositioning resolves the collision risk while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions the image capture unit to capture the ball at the exact moment of launch from a lateral position. By capturing the image before the ball travels far and using image processing to calculate flight parameters from this preliminary capture, the system avoids the need for continuous forward detection zones that expose the apparatus to collision risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the detection apparatus is placed far from the ball to avoid collision, then apparatus safety is improved, but measurement accuracy of launch speed and angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves close-proximity measurement by positioning the image capture unit laterally adjacent to the ball's launch position rather than forward of it. This side-view configuration allows the apparatus to be physically close to the action for high-resolution imaging while avoiding the ball's forward trajectory, thus maintaining both safety and accuracy.
3Productivity
If flight parameters are calculated using launch speed after the ball is launched, then measurement can be performed, but error is easy to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture unit captures the ball at the precise moment of launch before the ball begins its flight trajectory. By freezing the image at this critical instant and using image processing to directly measure launch parameters from the captured image, the system obtains accurate data at the source rather than calculating it from subsequent flight data, thereby reducing error accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical or post-flight calculation methods with optical image capture and digital image processing. By using photogrammetry techniques to directly measure launch speed and angles from a high-speed image taken at the moment of launch, the system substitutes complex mechanical measurement systems with more accurate optical-digital hybrid measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate detection of the ball launch, reducing the risk of apparatus damage and improving measurement accuracy by directly detecting the launch moment and transmitting a trigger signal.
Implementation Method 1
determines a specific infrared zone where the stopped ball exists as a ball existing zone in plural infrared zones, the infrared zone irradiated with the infrared light, based on the intensity of the reflected light in the respective plural infrared zones
Data Source
AI summary
The ball existence determining part 301 determines a specific infrared zone where the stopped ball exists as a ball existing zone in plural infrared zones. The first object appearance determining part 302 determines the front and end infrared zones being adjacent the ball existing zone as front and end object appearance schedule zones, and determines whether or not the object for launching the ball appeared in either one of the front and end object appearance schedule zones. The second object appearance determining part 303 determines whether or not the object appeared in the remaining object appearance schedule zone when the object appeared in either one of the front and end object appearance schedule zones. The ball disappearance determining part 304 determines whether or not the ball in the ball existing zone disappeared when the object appeared in the remaining object appearance schedule zone. The ball launch detecting part 305 detects that the ball was launched by the object when the ball in the ball existing zone disappeared, and transmits a trigger signal.