Bat Swing Tracking via Inertial Sensing and Shot Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sports tracking systems, particularly for cricket, are expensive, require complex infrastructure, and consume high computational power, making them inefficient for accurately measuring bat swing parameters in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A low-power sensing unit attached to the cricket bat, equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, analyzes movement data to determine swing parameters such as angles, speed, and impact, using a multi-layer shot detector to filter out invalid swings and reduce computational requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing sports tracking systems are used, then measurement precision of bat swing parameters is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebat swing parametersVSAvoidsystem infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical/mechanical tracking systems with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to detect bat swing parameters. This substitution of mechanical/optical systems with inertial sensing technology directly resolves the contradiction by achieving precise measurement without complex infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex sports tracking systems by implementing a standalone sensing unit attached directly to the bat. This extraction isolates the core measurement capability (detecting acceleration, orientation, and angular velocity) from the cumbersome infrastructure requirements of existing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If existing sports tracking systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebat swing parametersVSAvoidcomputational power

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using a multi-layer shot detector that processes sensor data in stages, analyzing only the necessary portions of the signal to determine swing parameters. This selective processing approach reduces computational power consumption while maintaining measurement precision by avoiding unnecessary calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If existing sports tracking systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to calibration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebat swing parametersVSAvoidcalibration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automatic calibration procedures that the sensing unit performs autonomously. The system automatically determines calibration parameters using the magnetometer and accelerometer data without requiring manual intervention or complex setup procedures, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically simplifying operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The system provides accurate, low-cost, and power-efficient measurement of bat swing metrics, allowing for real-time analysis without the need for extensive calibration or infrastructure, enabling effective data-driven coaching and live broadcast applications.

Implementation Method 1

A low-power sensing unit attached to the cricket bat, equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, analyzes movement data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

A low-power sensing unit attached to the cricket bat, equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, analyzes movement data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

A low-power sensing unit attached to the cricket bat, equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, analyzes movement data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetometer: Magnetometer

Data Source

PatentUS10695632B2Apparatus and methods to track movement of sports implements

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to track movement of sports implements are disclosed herein. An example sensing unit disclosed herein is to be coupled to a sports implement. The sensing unit includes an inertial measurement unit to obtain movement data of said sports implement during a swing of said sports implement and a swing analyzer to determine whether the swing is a horizontal shot or a vertical shot based on the movement data.