U.S. patent application number 10/214492 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for speed measurement device with statistic gathering capability.
Invention is credited to Vermillion, Jordan.
Application Number | 20040027275 10/214492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30115265 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040027275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vermillion, Jordan |
February 12, 2004 |
SPEED MEASUREMENT DEVICE WITH STATISTIC GATHERING CAPABILITY
Abstract
A radar speed measurement device (10) comprising a display (12)
for displaying a target speed, a radar emitter (14) for emitting
radar waves toward a target, a radar receiver (16) for receiving
radar waves reflected from the target, an analog to digital
converter (18) for producing digital signals associated with the
radar waves, and a signal processor (20) for determining the target
speed by analyzing the digital signals. The device (10) can also
calculate statistics associated with the target and further
comprises a statistical processor (22) for calculating the
statistics. The device (10) can operate in either of two modes. A
speed mode is preferably used to determine the target speed, when
the target is a race car or any other object. A baseball statistics
mode is preferably used to determine the target speed, when the
target is a baseball thrown by a pitcher.
Inventors: |
Vermillion, Jordan;
(Overland Park, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS B. LUEBBERING
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 Grand, Suite 400
Kansas City
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
30115265 |
Appl. No.: |
10/214492 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
342/104 ;
342/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2102/18 20151001;
A63B 2243/0025 20130101; A63B 2243/007 20130101; A63B 2102/182
20151001; G01S 13/585 20130101; A63B 71/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
342/104 ;
342/115 |
International
Class: |
G01S 013/58 |
Claims
Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what
is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent
includes the following:
1. A radar speed measurement device that can calculate and store
statistical information, the device comprising: a radar emitter
operable to emit emitted radar waves toward a target; a radar
receiver operable to receive received radar waves that have been
reflected from the target; a signal processor operable to perform
calculations based upon changes in the radar waves thereby
determining a target speed; and a statistical processor operable to
calculate statistics associated with the target.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the statistics are
selected from the group consisting of: a last speed and an average
speed of the target.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1, further including a button
operable to cause the statistical processor to calculate the
statistics using the target speed.
4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal processor
and the statistical processor are part of a single master
processor.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1, further including a trigger
operable to cause the emitter to emit the emitted radar waves when
the trigger is activated.
6. The device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the trigger is
further operable to cause the emitter to stop emitting the emitted
radar waves when the trigger is deactivated.
7. The device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the trigger is
further operable to cause the device to lock onto the target speed
when the trigger is deactivated.
8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the statistics are
selected from the group consisting of: a pitch count, a number of
balls, and a number of strikes.
9. The device as set forth in claim 8, further including a button
operable to cause the statistical processor to increment the number
of balls.
10. The device as set forth in claim 8, further including a button
operable to cause the statistical processor to increment the number
of strikes.
11. The device as set forth in claim 8, further including a button
operable to cause the statistical processor to increment the pitch
count.
12. The device as set forth in claim 8, further including a memory
operable to store the statistics for more than one player.
13. A speed measuring device using radar that can calculate and
store statistical information, the device comprising: a trigger
operable to cause a radar emitter to emit emitted radar waves and a
radar receiver to receive received radar waves that have been
reflected from a target when the trigger is activated, wherein the
trigger is further operable to cause the emitter to stop emitting
the emitted radar waves and cause the device to lock onto a target
speed when the trigger is deactivated; a signal processor operable
to perform calculations based upon changes in the radar waves
thereby determining the target speed; a statistical processor
operable to calculate statistics associated with the target,
wherein the statistics include a last speed and an average speed;
and an enter button operable to cause the statistical processor to
calculate the statistics using the target speed.
14. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the signal
processor and the statistical processor are part of a single master
processor.
15. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the statistics
further include a pitch count, a number of balls, and a number of
strikes.
16. The device as set forth in claim 15, further including another
button operable to cause the statistical processor to increment the
number of balls.
17. The device as set forth in claim 15, further including another
button operable to cause the statistical processor to increment the
number of strikes.
18. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the enter button
is further operable to increment the pitch count.
19. The device as set forth in claim 15, further including a memory
operable to store at least some of the statistics for more than one
player.
20. A radar speed measurement device that can calculate and store
statistical information, the device comprising: a display operable
to display a target speed; a trigger operable to cause a radar
emitter to emit emitted radar waves, cause a radar receiver to
receive received radar waves that have been reflected from a
target, and cause the display to display the target speed when the
trigger is activated, wherein the trigger is further operable to
cause the emitter to stop emitting the emitted radar waves and
cause the device to lock onto the target speed when the trigger is
deactivated; a processor operable to perform calculations based
upon changes in the radar waves thereby determining the target
speed and calculate statistics associated with the target, wherein
the statistics include a last speed, an average speed a pitch
count, a number of balls, and a number of strikes; a memory
operable to store at least some of the statistics for more than one
player; a first button operable to cause the processor to calculate
the statistics using the target speed and increment the pitch
count; a second button operable to cause the processor to increment
the number of balls; and a third button operable to cause the
processor to increment the number of strikes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to speed measurement devices.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a radar speed
measurement device that can calculate and store statistical
information.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Most radar speed measurement devices are designed to be used
by law enforcement officers to determine vehicle speeds in an
effort to monitor traffic flow and enforce traffic laws. Sports
enthusiasts often wish to use these devices at sporting events to
track the speed of thrown or hit balls, but devices designed for
use by law enforcement officers are typically not well suited for
use at sporting events, for a number of reasons. First, speed
measuring devices designed for use by law enforcement purposes are
typically bulky and may require external power sources. Second,
these devices are specifically designed to detect the speed of
large vehicles and may not be able to efficiently detect the speed
of small objects, such as baseballs.
[0005] In recent years, speed measurement devices have been
modified to be more useful at sporting events allowing them to
detect the speed of baseballs; however, they are not capable of
collecting statistics. Statistics, such as average speeds, pitch
counts, as well as ball and strike totals are often collected by
talent scouts, sports fans, and others. Therefore, people wishing
to both detect the speed of balls and collect statistics are
currently forced to use both a speed measurement device and some
other means to collect statistics.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved speed
measurement device that overcomes the limitations of the prior
art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the above-identified
problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of speed
measurement devices. More particularly, the present invention
provides a radar speed measurement device that can detect the speed
of a thrown or hit object such as a baseball and calculate and
store statistical information. The device uses radar to measure
speed by emitting radar waves at a target. As the radar waves are
reflected by the target, they undergo a frequency shift. This
phenomenon is commonly known as a Doppler Shift. The magnitude of
the Doppler Shift can be used to calculate a target speed, which is
the speed of the target, relative to the device.
[0008] The device broadly comprises a radar emitter for emitting
emitted radar waves toward the target, a radar receiver for
receiving received radar waves reflected from the target, an analog
to digital converter for producing digital signals associated with
the radar waves, a signal processor for determining the target
speed by analyzing the digital signals, and a display for
displaying the target speed. In accordance with an important aspect
of the present invention, the device can also calculate and store
statistics associated with the target and further comprises a
statistical processor for calculating the statistics, a memory for
storing the statistics, several buttons for controlling the
functionality of the device, and a housing for containing and
protecting the device.
[0009] The device can preferably be configured to operate in either
of two modes. A speed mode is preferably used to determine the
target speed, when the target is a race car or any other object. In
the speed mode, the statistical processor preferably calculates
generic statistics, such as a last speed and an average speed.
[0010] A baseball statistics mode is preferably used to determine
the target speed, when the target is a baseball or other object
thrown by a pitcher or other person. In the baseball statistics
mode, the statistical processor preferably calculates a number of
pitches, a number of balls, and a number of strikes, in addition to
the last speed and the average speed. Furthermore, the device can
track statistics separately for more than one pitcher. For example,
the device can independently track the number of pitches, the
number of balls, and the number of strikes for up to eight
different pitchers.
[0011] The display is preferably mounted to a rear panel of the
housing and displays the target speed and the statistics.
Additionally, the display may be used to display mode information
in order to assist a user in selecting one of the modes described
above. The display is preferably a liquid crystal display
approximately one and five eighths inches wide and approximately
seven eights of an inch tall.
[0012] The radar emitter and the radar receiver are preferably
mounted behind a front panel of the housing. This configuration
allows the user to direct the emitted radar waves toward and
receive the received radar waves reflected from the target by
pointing the device at the target. The radar emitter and the radar
receiver are preferably electrically coupled allowing the radar
receiver to detect the Doppler Shift and generate analog signals
representative of the Doppler Shift.
[0013] The analog to digital converter receives the analog signals
from the radar receiver and transforms them into digital signals
which are transferred to the signal processor. The signal processor
receives and analyzes the digital signals to determine the target
speed. For example, the signal processor performs Fast Fourier
Transform calculations on the digital signals and thereby
determines the target speed.
[0014] The statistical processor receives the target speed from the
signal processor and uses the target speed to calculate the average
speed. The statistical processor also stores a proceeding target
speed as the last speed. Additionally, the statistical processor
increments the number of pitches each time a new target speed is
received from the signal processor. Furthermore, the statistical
processor increments the number of balls and the number of strikes
according to input received from the user through the buttons, as
described below. Finally, the statistical processor stores the
statistics in the memory.
[0015] The buttons comprise a power button for turning the device
on and off, a trigger for initiating measurement of the target
speed, a page button for allowing the user to select one of the
modes, an enter button for allowing the target speed to be used in
calculating the statistics and incrementing the pitch count, a down
button for incrementing the number of balls, and an up button for
incrementing the number of strikes. When the trigger is depressed,
the radar emitter begins emitting the emitted radar waves and the
signal processor continually updates the target speed, which is
continually displayed on the display. When the trigger is released,
the radar emitter stops emitting the emitted radar waves and the
signal processor locks onto a most recent target speed, which is
displayed on the display.
[0016] In use, the user may measure the target speed in the speed
mode by first depressing and releasing the power button in order to
turn on the device. The user points the device at the target. The
user causes the signal processor to calculate the target speed by
depressing the trigger. The user may see the target speed displayed
on the display. The user causes the device to lock onto the target
speed by releasing the trigger. If the user would like the device
to calculate the statistics using the target speed, then the user
depresses and releases the enter button. As soon as the enter
button is depressed, the statistical processor updates both the
last speed and the average speed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radar speed measurement
device that can calculate and store statistical information
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the device;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method of measuring a
target speed with the device in a speed mode;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of configuring the
device by selecting one of two modes of operation; and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method of measuring the
target speed with the device in a baseball statistics mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a radar speed measurement device 10
is shown constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The device 10 uses radar to measure speed by
emitting radar waves at a target, such as a baseball, a softball, a
football, or other object. As the radar waves are reflected by the
target, they undergo a frequency shift. This phenomenon is commonly
known as a Doppler Shift. The magnitude of the Doppler Shift can be
used to calculate a target speed, which is the speed of the target,
relative to the device 10.
[0025] The device 10 emits emitted radar waves at a specific
emission frequency and receives received radar waves at a slightly
different reception frequency, depending upon the target speed. The
emission frequency is preferably between 20 Giga-Hertz and 40
Giga-Hertz, commonly known as a K-band. For example, the emission
frequency may be 24.125 Giga-hertz or 24.150 Giga-Hertz.
[0026] The device 10 broadly comprises a radar emitter 14 for
emitting the emitted radar waves toward the target, a radar
receiver 16 for receiving the received radar waves reflected from
the target, an analog to digital converter 18 for producing digital
signals associated with the radar waves, a signal processor 20 for
determining the target speed by analyzing the digital signals, and
a display 12 for displaying the target speed. The device 10 can
also calculate and store statistics associated with the target and
further comprises a statistical processor 22 for calculating the
statistics, a memory 24 for storing the statistics, several buttons
for controlling the functionality of the device 10, and a housing
26 for containing and protecting the device 10.
[0027] The device 10 may preferably calculate and display the
target speed in either miles per hour (MPH) or kilometers per hour
(KPH). MPH is a unit of speed used throughout the Unites States,
while KPH is another unit of speed used throughout the rest of the
World.
[0028] The device 10 can preferably be configured to operate in
either of two modes. A speed mode is preferably used to determine
the target speed, when the target is a race car or any other
object. In the speed mode, the statistical processor 22 preferably
calculates generic statistics, such as a last speed and an average
speed.
[0029] A baseball statistics mode is preferably used to determine
the target speed, when the target is a baseball thrown by a
pitcher. In the baseball statistics mode, the statistical processor
22 preferably calculates a number of pitches, a number of balls,
and a number of strikes, in addition to the last speed and the
average speed. Furthermore, the device 10 can track statistics
separately for more than one pitcher. For example, the device 10
can independently track the number of pitches, the number of balls,
and the number of strikes for up to eight different pitchers.
[0030] The display 12 is preferably mounted to a rear panel 28 of
the housing 26 and may be used to display the target speed and the
statistics. Additionally, the display 12 may be used to display
mode information in order to assist a user in selecting one of the
modes described above. The display 12 is preferably a liquid
crystal display approximately one and five eighths inches wide and
approximately seven eights of an inch tall.
[0031] The radar emitter 14 and the radar receiver 16 are
preferably mounted behind a front panel 30 of the housing 26. This
configuration allows the user to direct the emitted radar waves
toward and receive the received radar waves reflected from the
target by pointing the device 10 at the target. The radar emitter
14 and the radar receiver 16 are preferably electrically coupled
allowing the radar receiver 16 to detect the Doppler Shift and
generate analog signals representative of the Doppler Shift.
[0032] Additionally, a radar concentrator is preferably mounted in
front of the radar emitter 14 and the radar receiver 16 and behind
the front panel 30. The radar concentrator acts to concentrate the
emitted radar waves into a beam and direct them toward the target.
The radar concentrator also acts to concentrate the received radar
waves reflected from the target and direct them toward the radar
receiver 16. Thus, the radar concentrator improves the efficiency
of the device 10 by concentrating both the emitted radar waves and
the received radar waves such that the device 10 may produce better
results using less power.
[0033] The analog to digital converter 18 receives the analog
signals from the radar receiver 16 and transforms them into digital
signals which are transferred to the signal processor 20. The
signal processor 20 receives and analyzes the digital signals to
determine the target speed. For example, the signal processor 20
performs Fast Fourier Transform calculations on the digital signals
and thereby determines the target speed.
[0034] The statistical processor 22 receives the target speed from
the signal processor 20 and uses the target speed to calculate the
average speed. The statistical processor 22 also stores a
proceeding target speed as the last speed. Additionally, the
statistical processor 22 increments the number of pitches each time
a new target speed is received from the signal processor 20.
Furthermore, the statistical processor 22 increments the number of
balls and the number of strikes according to input received from
the user through the buttons, as described below. Finally, the
statistical processor 22 stores the statistics in the memory
24.
[0035] The buttons comprise a power button 32 for turning the
device on and off, a trigger 34 for initiating measurement of the
target speed, a page button 36 for allowing the user to select one
of the modes, an enter button 38 for allowing the target speed to
be used in calculating the statistics and incrementing the pitch
count, a down button 40 for incrementing the number of balls, and
an up button 42 for incrementing the number of strikes. When the
trigger 34 is depressed, the radar emitter 14 begins emitting the
emitted radar waves and the signal processor 20 continually updates
the target speed, which is continually displayed on the display 12.
When the trigger 34 is released, the radar emitter 14 stops
emitting the emitted radar waves and the signal processor 20 locks
onto a most recent target speed, which is displayed on the display
12.
[0036] Each time the page button 36 is depressed, the display 12
cycles through a plurality of screens, depending upon which mode is
selected. If the speed mode is selected, then the display 12 cycles
between a setup screen and a basic speed screen. If the baseball
statistics mode is selected, then the display 12 cycles between the
setup screen, an advanced speed screen, and a player edit
screen.
[0037] The setup screen allows the user to clear the memory, select
one of the two modes, and select whether the target speed should be
calculated and displayed in MPH or KPH. The basic speed screen is
preferably used with the speed mode and displays the target speed,
the last speed, and the average speed. The advanced speed screen is
preferably used with the baseball statistics mode and displays a
selected pitcher, the target speed, the last speed, the average
speed, the number of pitches, the number of balls, and the number
of strikes for the selected pitcher. The player edit screen allows
the user to select the pitcher for which to calculate and display
statistics. The player edit screen also allows the user to edit the
number of balls and the number of strikes.
[0038] The enter button 38 may also be used to accept settings as
currently displayed on the display 12 and select one of a plurality
of settings to modify. The down button 40 and the up button 42 may
also be used to navigate between the settings and modify the
settings.
[0039] While the signal processor 20 and the statistical processor
22 have been described as separate elements, they both may be
embodied in one processor. For example, a single master processor
may be used to accomplish the functionality of both the signal
processor 20 and the statistical processor 22.
[0040] While the present invention has been described above, it is
understood that the baseball statistics mode, as described above,
could also be used for softball. Additionally, the statistical
processor 22 may be modified to calculate and store statistics
associated with other sports. Furthermore, the device 10 may be
modified to use another common radar speed measurement technique.
These and other minor modifications are within the scope of the
present invention.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, the user may measure the target speed
in the speed mode by first depressing and releasing the power
button 32 in order to turn on the device 10, as depicted in step
4a. The user points the device 10 at the target, as depicted in
step 4b. The user causes the signal processor 20 to calculate the
target speed by depressing the trigger 34, as depicted in step 4c.
The user may see the target speed displayed on the display 12, as
depicted in step 4d. The user causes the device 10 to lock onto the
target speed by releasing the trigger 34, as depicted in step 4e.
If the user would like the device 10 to calculate the statistics
using the target speed, then the user depresses and releases the
enter button 38, as depicted in step 4f. As soon as the enter
button 38 is depressed, the statistical processor 22 updates both
the last speed and the average speed.
[0042] Referring the FIG. 5, the user may select one of the modes
by first depressing and releasing the power button 32 in order to
turn on the device 10, as depicted in step 5a. The user selects the
setup screen by depressing and releasing the page button 36, as
depicted in step 5b. The user depresses and releases the down
button 40 until "mode" is highlighted, as depicted in step 5c. The
user instructs the device 10 that he or she would like to select
one of the modes by depressing and releasing the enter button 38,
as depicted in step 5d. The user may depress and release either the
down button 40 or the up button 42 until the mode he or she desires
is shown, as depicted in step 5e. Once the mode the user desires is
displayed, he or she depresses and releases the enter button 38, as
depicted in step 5f. The user may resume measuring the target speed
by depressing and releasing the page button 36, as depicted in step
5g.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, the user may measure the target speed
in the baseball statistics mode by first depressing and releasing
the power button 32 in order to turn on the device 10, as depicted
in step 6a. The user points the device 10 at the pitcher, as
depicted in step 6b. The user causes the signal processor 20 to
calculate the target speed by depressing the trigger 34 as the
pitcher releases the baseball, as depicted in step 6c. The user may
see the target speed displayed on the display 12, as depicted in
step 6d. The user causes the device 10 to lock onto the target
speed by releasing the trigger 34, as depicted in step 6e.
[0044] If the user would like the device 10 to calculate the
statistics using the target speed, the user depresses and releases
the enter button 38, as depicted in step 6f. As soon as the enter
button 38 is depressed, the statistical processor 22 updates the
last speed, the average speed, and the pitch count. The user must
then decide whether the pitcher has thrown a ball or a strike, as
depicted in step 6g. If the pitcher has thrown a ball, then the
user causes the statistical processor 22 to increment the number of
balls by depressing and releasing the down button 40, as depicted
in step 6h. If the pitcher has thrown a strike, then the user
causes the statistical processor 22 to increment the number of
strikes by depressing and releasing the up button 42, as depicted
in step 6i.
* * * * *