Catcher Mitt Sensor System for Accurate Pop Time Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring a baseball catcher's pop time are prone to human error due to manual timing with stopwatches, leading to inconsistencies and inaccuracies that significantly impact the assessment of a catcher's abilities, potentially affecting scholarship and draft opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing sensors embedded in a catcher's mitt and baseman's glove, in wireless communication with logic and control circuitry, to accurately calculate the time between catching and throwing, with optional integration into wristbands, gloves, or foot sensors, and a central system for data storage and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual stopwatch timing is used to measure pop time, then the measurement method is simple and easy to implement, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to human reaction time errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stopwatch system with an electronic sensor-based timing system. Sensors embedded in the catcher's mitt and baseman's glove detect ball impact automatically, eliminating the need for manual stopwatch operation and human reaction time, thereby achieving precise and consistent pop time measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices between the ball impact event and the timing measurement. These sensors detect the moment of ball impact on the catcher's mitt and baseman's glove, serving as an objective mediator that accurately captures timing data without human intervention or subjective judgment.
2Device complexity
If manual stopwatch timing is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of measurements deteriorates due to operator variance and external factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical stopwatch with an electronic sensor system that automatically detects ball impact events. This substitution eliminates operator variance, weather conditions, and alertness factors that affect manual timing, providing reliable and repeatable measurements across different operators and environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing system performs self-service by automatically detecting and recording pop time events without requiring external human operation. The sensors embedded in the equipment self-activate upon ball impact, eliminating the need for human judgment or intervention in the measurement process.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are embedded in catcher's mitt and baseman's glove, then the measurement precision improves significantly, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the sensor system: the sensors not only detect ball impact timing but also identify the specific glove or mitt being struck. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by providing comprehensive measurement capabilities from a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds sensors within the existing structure of the catcher's mitt and baseman's glove, nesting the sensing technology inside the equipment already in use. This approach minimizes the visible complexity and allows the sensors to become part of the natural equipment workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for measuring a baseball or softball catcher's response, or “pop” time. The system includes a first sensor operable to detect a catcher catching a pitched ball, a second sensor operable to detect a baseman catching a ball thrown by the catcher, and a device with circuitry operable to calculate a pop time based on signals from the first and second sensors. Alternative embodiments allow measurement of time for a pitcher to deliver a pitch to the catcher, and other throwing and catching sequence metrics. Also disclosed are accompanying methods.