Wireless Pitch Selection System with Bone Conduction Receiver

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for communicating pitch selections in baseball are vulnerable to sign stealing, particularly through visual signals that can be decoded by opposing teams, leading to delays in gameplay as catchers run through multiple signals to prevent decoding.

Innovation Solution

A secure communication system comprising a pitch selection transmitter with a selector and wireless transmitter to send coded signals, and a receiver that decodes these signals and audibly indicates the selected pitch using bone conduction technology, eliminating visible signals and preventing sign stealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual finger signals are used to communicate pitch selection, then the pitcher can see the signal, but the opposing team can also see and decode the signal (sign stealing)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch selection secrecyVSAvoidsign stealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual signaling system (catcher's fingers) with an electronic communication system. The catcher wears a transmitter that wirelessly transmits pitch selection signals to the pitcher's receiver, eliminating visible finger signals that opponents could decode. This substitution of mechanical visual communication with electronic wireless communication resolves the sign stealing problem while maintaining secure pitch information transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If catchers run through multiple pitch signals in code to prevent decoding, then sign stealing is hindered, but game duration increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch selection secrecyVSAvoidgame duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical process of running through multiple finger signals with an instantaneous electronic wireless transmission system. The transmitter immediately sends the pitch selection signal to the pitcher without requiring the catcher to display multiple coded finger positions, thereby eliminating the time delay while maintaining security against sign stealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows the pitch selection to be transmitted directly and immediately through wireless electronic communication, eliminating the need for preliminary actions of displaying multiple coded signals. The pitch information is conveyed in a single direct transmission, saving significant time while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If traditional finger signaling is used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it is vulnerable to visual decoding by opponents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission simplicityVSAvoidsignal security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple but vulnerable mechanical finger signaling system with an electronic wireless transmission system. The catcher uses a transmitter device that electronically sends pitch selection signals to the pitcher's receiver, maintaining ease of operation through simple button presses or selections while dramatically improving security by eliminating visible signals that opponents could decode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

The system ensures secure communication of pitch types without visual signaling, reducing the risk of sign stealing and streamlining gameplay by eliminating the need for catchers to run through multiple signals, thereby reducing game duration.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits a pitch selection signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the audio signal being transduced by a bone conductor transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12267091B2Baseball pitch selection communication system

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 PITCHCOM FUTURES LLC

AI summary

A system for communicating pitch selections wirelessly from a wireless transmitter has a coded signal generator that generates coded signals in accordance with selected pitch types. A receiver decodes the received coded signals, selects an audio file based on the received coded signal and generates an audio signal announcing the selected pitch type based on the transmitted selected pitch type in accordance with the received coded signal. The audio signal is transduced by a bone conductor transducer so that the player can hear the announced selected pitch type through bone conduction.