초록 ▼

Apparatus for detecting and computing the location of a baseball as it is pitched over a plate is disclosed. Infrared receivers are disposed at corner locations on opposite sides of a target zone which is aligned with the plate. First and second arrays of infrared emitters are mounted on opposite si

Apparatus for detecting and computing the location of a baseball as it is pitched over a plate is disclosed. Infrared receivers are disposed at corner locations on opposite sides of a target zone which is aligned with the plate. First and second arrays of infrared emitters are mounted on opposite sides of the target zone for transmitting infrared light pulses to the opposite corner receivers. The infrared emitters are sequentially energized and transmit infrared pulse signals having relatively short durations in a scan cycle. Digital data words representative of the reception and nonreception by the receivers of the optical pulse signals are generated during each pulse interval of the scan cycle. Computer circuitry calculates the coordinates of the baseball within the target zone as a function of predetermined angular data retrieved computer memory. The computer memory is preprogrammed with a table of angular data corresponding to each receiver data word and the particular emitter pulse interval in which it occurs.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a projectile in a target zone comprising, in combination: an optical receiver disposed adjacent to a target zone; an array of optical emitters disposed in spaced relation adjacent the target zone, each optical emitter of said array being aimed for optical comm

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a projectile in a target zone comprising, in combination: an optical receiver disposed adjacent to a target zone; an array of optical emitters disposed in spaced relation adjacent the target zone, each optical emitter of said array being aimed for optical communication with said receiver; and, a pulse circuit coupled to said emitters for sequentially energizing said emitters and emitting optical beam pulse signals to said receiver during a timed scan cycle. A method for detecting the presence of a projectile in a target zone comprising the steps: sequentially emitting optical beams during a scan cycle of timed pulse intervals across a target zone by an array of optical emitters which are focused on a common receiver; and, generating of a sequence of digital data words representing the reception and non-reception by said common receiver of the optical beams emitted during each pulse interval in the scan cycle.