SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL STRIKE-INDICATING MAT

Abstract

A sensing system and method determines whether a slow pitch softball has been delivered in a strike zone. The system includes: a dual, mirror image slow-pitch software home plate; the home plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; the lower surface configured for attachment to ground; the upper surface comprising a pressure or impact sensing array covering at least edges of the upper surface of the home plate; the sensing array having a battery source for powering the system; the sensing array issuing an electrical signal when sensing pressure or impact; and the electrical signal connected to an audio or visual output device that indicates receiving of the electrical signal by a visual or audio emission.

Claims

1. A sensing system for determining whether a softball has been delivered in a strike zone during play of a game of slow pitch softball, the system comprising: a. a dual, mirror image slow-pitch software home plate area; b. the home plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; c. the lower surface configured for attachment to ground; d. the upper surface comprising a pressure or impact sensing array covering at least edges of the upper surface of the home plate; e. the sensing array having a battery source for powering the system; f. the sensing array issuing an electrical signal when sensing pressure or impact; and g. the electrical signal connected to an audio or visual output device that indicates receiving of the electrical signal by a visual or audio emission.

2. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein once the audio or visual output is triggered, it persists for at approximately one second or more.

3. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the battery source comprises a replaceable and rechargeable battery below the upper surface.

4. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the pressure or impact sensing system covers more than 30% of area over the upper surface.

5. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein LED light emitters are in the home plate, and light emitted from the LED light emitters are visible to human eyes for a distance of at least five feet in natural daylight.

6. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein there is a cover layer over the pressure or impact sensing array.

7. The sensing system of claim 6 wherein LED light emitters are in the home plate, and light emitted from the LED light emitters are visible to human eyes for a distance of at least five feet in natural daylight.

8. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising of the sensing system of claim 1 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

9. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the sensing system of claim 2 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

10. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the sensing system of claim 3 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

11. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the sensing system of claim 4 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

12. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the sensing system of claim 5 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

13. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the sensing system of claim 6 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

14. A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the sensing system of claim 7 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

15. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the home plate is a rectangle of about 18-20 inches wide and 40-50 inches long.

16. The sensing system of claim 7 wherein the home plate is a rectangle of about 18-20 inches wide and 40-50 inches long.

17. The method of claim 8 wherein the home plate is a rectangle of about 18-20 inches wide and 40-50 inches long.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the home plate is a rectangle of about 18-20 inches wide and 40-50 inches long.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a mirror-image slow-pitch softball home plate.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a home plate sensing device useful in practice of the present invention having a bottom surface connected to ground, a support layer, a pressure or contact sensing layer, a battery, LED lights and a surface cover layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] A sensing system determines whether a softball has been delivered in a strike zone during play of a game of slow pitch softball. The system may include: [0027] a. a rectangular or dual, mirror image slow-pitch software home plate; [0028] b. the home plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; [0029] c. the lower surface configured for attachment to ground; [0030] d. the upper surface comprising a pressure or impact sensing array covering at least edges of the upper surface of the home plate; [0031] e. the sensing array having a battery source for powering the system; [0032] f. the sensing array issuing an electrical signal when sensing pressure or impact; and [0033] g. the electrical signal connected to an audio or visual output device that indicates receiving of the electrical signal by a visual or audio emission.

[0034] The sensing system may act wherein, once the audio or visual output is triggered, the output persists for at a period of time so that the indicator can be heard and/or seen by the umpire and/or participants, approximately one second. The sensing system may act wherein, once the audio or video output is triggered, the output persists for at least one second. The output may automatically terminate, or if a long-term persistence is required, there may be a WiFi, infrared, wired or other remote signal from the umpire. A receptor on the home plate may even be controlled by an app in the umpire's smart phone. To prevent malicious interference plate receptors should be allowed connection with only one emitter (e.g., phone) at a time, using an encryption between the plate and the phone for security. The encryption may time out after a reasonable game interval, such as four hours. The battery source comprises a replaceable and rechargeable battery below the upper surface. The pressure or impact sensing system covers more than 5%, more than 10%, more than 30% and even more than 90% of area over the upper surface. The sensing system may have LED light emitters in the home plate, and light emitted from the LED light emitters are visible to human eyes for a distance of at least five feet in natural daylight. There may be a cover layer over the pressure or impact sensing array, the cover layer typically being white or colored as is typical with standard of special slow-pitch mats. Some of these mats have decorative markings or functional markings to assist umpires in determining strikes. The system may be used in practice as well as within a game.

[0035] A method of identifying a strike in a game of slow pitch software comprising providing the above-described sensing system 1 at home plate on a slow pitch softball field, detecting that a pitched softball causes pressure on or contact with the pressure or impact sensing array, initiating issuance of an electrical signal to the audio or visual output device indicating sensing of pressure or contact on the pressure or impact sensing array.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a specific size and shape of a softball plate mat. The dimensions may vary according to local custom and rules. For example, the width may be from 12-24 inches and the depth may be from 46 to 60 inches. Larger dimensions could be used with newer or youngers players, and dimensions would decrease with more proficient players. The thickness of the mat may also vary with one's desire for durability and the weight of players using the plate. The plate may be a thin (e.g., 1 mm electronic mat) or a more robust substantive element for heavy usage (e.g., 5 cm thick, not including spikes). The home plate may also be a rectangle of about 18-20 inches wide and 40-50 inches long.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a home plate sensing device 10 useful in practice of the present invention having a top surface 14, bottom surface 12 connected to ground through physical spikes 20, a support layer 16, a pressure or contact sensing layer 18, a battery 22, LED lights 24 and optional sound emitters 26. There is a modest, low level logic circuit (such as a Field programmable Gated Array of FPGA, ASIC or application specific integrated circuit, or chip board etc. in communication with the pressure or contact sensing layer 18, the battery 22, and ultimately to the visual displays (e.g., LED emitters 24) and audio display (e.g., buzzers or speakers 26).

[0038] A surface cover layer is optional, but would have to be at least translucent or have holes therein through which the LED emitters could be seen.

[0039] Upon impact of contact of a pitched softball with the pressure or contact sensing layer 18, a signal is sent to and received by the low logic element 28, which in turn directs or enables a visual display or audio display to occur. The duration of the relevant display is not critical, as long as it is of sufficient time to be sensed and identified as a signal display by players and the umpire/referee. If sufficiently bright, a millisecond spark emission might be sufficient, although a more durable signal of a half-second, second or more is desirable to assure that everyone has time to see the display. A sound, unless extremely loud (which is not necessarily desirable), should have a substantive duration of at least 0.25 second and preferable more. Shorter and longer periods may be used, as long as they are sufficient to alert players and umpires/officials, and are not so long as to delay the game.

[0040] The present invention also allows for the umpire to assume a location and position relative to the plate that does not interfere with the catcher, the batter, the pitcher, any other player or the trajectory of the pitch.