Counting Pen with Digital Display and Rotary Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual record-keeping of pitch statistics in baseball is cumbersome and inefficient, requiring frequent tallying and resetting in specialized journals.

Innovation Solution

A counting pen with a digital display, rotary control element, and writing instrument that allows for incremental and cumulative counting, with features like reset functionality, battery retention, and user-oriented design for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual record-keeping in specialized journals is used, then record-keeping capability is provided, but convenience and efficiency deteriorate due to cumbersome operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of pitch statistics record-keepingVSAvoidcomplexity of manual tallying system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a digital counter with a writing instrument into a single integrated device. The counter body houses both the tallying mechanism and the writing tip, allowing users to perform counting and record-keeping operations with one tool rather than separate journals and tallying devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tallying operations with an electronic digital counter. The counter automatically tracks and displays pitch statistics through electronic circuitry and a digital display, eliminating the need for manual writing and tallying in journals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If cumulative tallying is performed manually, then complete pitch statistics are recorded, but time consumption increases due to frequent adding and resetting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of pitch statistics trackingVSAvoidtime spent on tallying operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic cumulative tallying where the counter continuously tracks pitch statistics without requiring manual intervention to add or reset values. The counter maintains running totals automatically, eliminating interruptions and time losses associated with manual tallying operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The counter is pre-configured with increment and reset functions that automatically perform tallying operations. When the writing instrument makes contact with paper, the counter automatically increments or resets as needed, performing the tallying action in advance of any manual recording required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple active counts are stored, then comprehensive statistics are captured, but device complexity increases due to multiple storage locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to track multiple pitch countsVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple count storage system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the counter to handle multiple active counts and statistical tracking functions within a single device. The counter can simultaneously track various pitch statistics (e.g., strikes, balls, pitches per inning) and switch between different counting modes, providing universal functionality for comprehensive baseball scorekeeping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9527335B2Counter pen

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 PULLARO JR RAYMOND

AI summary

Electronics devices are disclosed herein operatively configured to provide a tally or count of various phenomena within an electronic record while also being capable of marking a sheet of paper with ink. These include for instance the frequency of pitches thrown among a visiting and home team in a baseball game.