Magnetic Ball Tracking System for Baseball Strike Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for tracking and determining game data in sports involving moving objects, such as baseball, are costly and cumbersome, making them inaccessible to non-professional teams, and rely heavily on human discretion for accurate calls on balls and strikes.
Innovation Solution
A computerized system using multiple cameras and AI/ML algorithms to track and predict the position of a baseball in relation to the strike zone, eliminating the need for high frame-refresh rates and human umpires by integrating Human Pose Estimation and Strike Prediction Engines to automatically classify pitches as strikes, balls, or hits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional camera-software systems are used for tracking and determining game data, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical camera-based tracking systems with a magnetic field-based detection system. Magnetic tags attached to the ball and players interact with magnetic sensors to provide precise position and velocity data without requiring complex camera arrays and image processing software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic tags as intermediary objects that facilitate detection. These tags contain magnetic fields that can be detected by sensors, serving as a mediator between the physical objects (ball, players) and the detection system, simplifying the overall measurement apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If traditional camera-software systems are used for tracking and determining game data, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases making it inaccessible to non-professional teams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive camera-based optical tracking systems with a more affordable magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic tags and sensors provide comparable or superior measurement precision at a fraction of the cost, making the technology accessible to amateur and youth teams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive magnetic tags that can be easily attached to and removed from the ball and player equipment. These tags are low-cost components that can be replaced or reused across different teams and applications, significantly reducing the overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If human umpires are used to determine balls and strikes, then adaptability to various game situations is maintained, but measurement precision and objectivity deteriorate due to human error and discretion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a real-time feedback system where magnetic sensors continuously track the ball's position and velocity, and the system automatically determines whether each pitch is a ball or strike based on predefined criteria. This objective feedback eliminates human error while maintaining adaptability to different pitch types and game situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to automatically determine ball-strike calls without human intervention. The magnetic tracking system and embedded algorithms self-service the umpiring function, providing consistent, objective decisions based on precise measurement of ball position relative to the strike zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting, capturing, analyzing and displaying data for a game using a moving ball and players, whereby the system defines, stores and displays various characteristics of the ball in real time.