Baseball Pitch Tagging with Wireless Ball Flight Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pitch tagging systems in baseball are manual and prone to errors, leading to inaccurate association of pitch types with measured ball flight parameters, which can have significant financial and competitive consequences.
Innovation Solution
A pitch tagging system that wirelessly transmits intended pitch types to a pitcher's receiver, correlates this data with measured ball flight parameters, and records the association for accurate tagging, eliminating the need for human interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pitch tagging is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a transmitter, receiver, and correlator that automatically bridges the gap between pitch intent and measured parameters. The transmitter receives pitch type information, the receiver captures it wirelessly, and the correlator matches it with ball flight data, eliminating manual tagging while maintaining system manageability through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of pitch tagging with an electronic/wireless system. Instead of human observers manually recording pitch types, the system uses wireless transmission of pitch intent data and electronic correlation with ball flight parameters, substituting human cognition and manual operation with automated electronic processes
2Productivity
If automated wireless transmission is implemented, then productivity is improved through real-time tagging, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pitch tagging system into distinct functional segments: a transmitter for receiving and sending pitch type information, a receiver for capturing wireless signals, a measuring device for ball flight parameters, and a correlator for matching data. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall productivity while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The correlator serves multiple functions: it receives both the wireless transmitted pitch type data and the ball flight measurement data, performs the correlation matching, and generates the tagged output. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated component, improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
3Loss of information
If manual pitch tagging is used, then device complexity is lower, but loss of information increases due to tagging errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through the correlator, which continuously matches the transmitted pitch type information with the actual ball flight measurement parameters. This closed-loop approach ensures that the tagged pitch data accurately reflects both the intended pitch type and the measured performance, preventing information loss through manual errors while using manageable system complexity
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
Ensures precise and accurate tagging of pitches in real-time, reducing errors and providing reliable data for player evaluation and development.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a selectable intended pitch type
Implementation Method 2
a pitcher receiver configured to wirelessly receive the intended pitch type
Data Source
AI summary
A ball flight management system includes a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal comprising an indication of an intended pitch type selected from among a plurality of intended pitch types, one or more sensors configured to measure one or more ball flight parameters of a pitched ball and output one or more measured ball flight parameters, and a recording unit in communication with the one or more sensors and the receiver, the recording unit receiving and storing the one or more measured ball flight parameters output by the one or more sensors and the indication of the intended pitch type received by the receiver, the recording unit associating the intended pitch type with the at least one measured ball flight parameter to generate a record for the pitched ball that includes the at least one measured ball flight parameter and the intended pitch type, and storing the record.