Camera-Based Sensing for Baseball Motion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screen baseball systems rely on multiple optical sensors, which increase costs and are prone to damage, limiting accurate analysis of ball motion and simulation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A camera-based sensing device captures and analyzes images to calculate three-dimensional coordinates of the ball, determining its motion model and necessary game information, allowing for accurate and rapid calculation of motion parameters without separate sensors for ball motion, swing detection, or strike determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors are used to sense ball motion, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple camera units that capture images from different positions. Each camera independently captures ball images, and the control unit integrates these images to calculate three-dimensional ball motion. This segmentation replaces complex optical sensor arrays with simpler, distributed camera units while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera-based sensing device performs multiple functions: capturing ball motion images, detecting swing actions, and determining strike zones, all through a single integrated system. The control unit processes various types of information (ball position, swing detection, strike determination) using the same camera images, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each function.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors are deployed along the ball path, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical cameras to capture images of the ball instead of physical optical sensors that directly interact with the ball path. The camera-based system creates visual copies of ball position and motion, which are then processed to determine ball trajectory and speed. This indirect copying method eliminates the risk of physical sensor damage while preserving measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a single camera-based sensing device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional camera images to three-dimensional ball motion analysis. The control unit calculates three-dimensional coordinates of the ball by integrating image data from multiple camera positions, adding the depth dimension to the original two-dimensional image data. This dimensional transformation enables accurate three-dimensional ball trajectory and speed calculation using a relatively simple camera-based system.
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 and rapid calculation of ball motion parameters, determining whether a user swung or hit the ball, and whether the pitch is a strike, using a single sensing device, thereby improving simulation accuracy and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting sensors and a plurality of light-receiving sensors, is installed in a path along which a pitched ball or a hit ball moves such that, when the ball passes by the optical sensor devices, the light-receiving sensors receives the light emitted by the light-emitting sensors and reflected by the ball
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an image-sensing-based sensing device and sensing method that are capable of acquiring an image of the motion of a pitched ball or a hit ball and analyzing the acquired image in order to calculate an accurate and rapid motion model of the ball, which shows how the ball moves, in a baseball practice apparatus that allows a user to perform a baseball practice or to play a baseball game, whereby it is possible to very accurately and rapidly calculate various kinds of information necessary for conducting the baseball practice or the baseball game, such as motion parameters of the pitched ball or the hit ball, a baseball practice apparatus using the sensing device and the sensing method, and a method of controlling the baseball practice apparatus.