Umpire Headgear Strike Zone Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Umpires in baseball face challenges in accurately calling strikes due to the dependence on determining the strike zone boundaries for each batter, which can be inconsistent and require significant attention during a game.
Innovation Solution
The development of protective headgear equipped with sensors and a processor that generates a virtual strike zone as a heads-up display, using visual, millimeter wave, or infrared imaging to analyze the batter's stance and position, and project the strike zone boundaries directly onto the umpire's field of view, reducing the need for manual determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If umpires manually determine strike zone boundaries for each batter, then they can adapt to different batters' stances, but the process is time-consuming and reduces call-making accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining the strike zone boundaries based on the batter's stance and position before the pitch is thrown. The processor analyzes imaging data of the batter's stance and automatically determines the strike zone boundaries in advance, so that when the pitch comes in, the umpire can immediately refer to the pre-calculated boundaries without spending time on manual determination during the critical moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual visual determination by the umpire with an automated electronic system. Sensors capture imaging data of the batter, the processor analyzes the data to calculate strike zone boundaries, and the system displays the results. This substitution eliminates the need for the umpire to manually determine boundaries while improving consistency and speed.
2Measurement precision
If umpires focus on determining strike zone boundaries, then they can ensure accurate calls, but they cannot focus adequately on the pitch itself
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary - the automated strike zone determination system - that handles the complex task of boundary determination. The processor acts as an intermediary between the umpire and the strike zone boundaries, automatically calculating and displaying the zones based on batter positioning and stance. This intermediary relieves the umpire of the cognitive load and visual attention required for manual boundary determination, allowing the umpire to focus entirely on the pitch while still achieving accurate strike calls.
3Measurement precision
If the strike zone display is updated in real-time, then call-making precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by having the processor automatically analyze imaging data and determine strike zone boundaries without requiring external input or manual adjustment. The sensors continuously capture the batter's position and stance, the processor self-calculates the boundaries based on pre-programmed criteria, and the display updates automatically. This self-service mechanism enables real-time accuracy while keeping the operational complexity manageable, as the system handles its own updates without requiring complex external control.
Data Source
AI summary
Protective headgear includes, for example, a headgear body that is wearable on a head of a baseball umpire. At least one sensor is configured to generate imaging data that includes a batter in proximity to home plate. A processor analyzes the imaging data to determine a strike zone of the batter and to generate augmented reality data in response thereto. A display device generates a heads up display of the strike zone that is viewable to the baseball umpire during a pitch to the batter, based on the augmented reality data. Other embodiments are disclosed.