System for pitching of baseball

Abstract

The present invention is a system for pitching of baseball to enjoy virtual game, throwing a ball from a mound plate in a pitching room. The system includes a fiber net member placed in the back of the home plate and held a tension by the ceiling, floor, and right and left walls, for flexibly catching the thrown ball and for dropping it on the floor; a plurality of narrow light sources arranged on the ceiling, floor, right wall, or left wall at different positions between the mound and home plate, wherein each light source emits slit light to the opposite side; a video camera arranged on the front wall, for photographing optical images reflected by the thrown ball which in turn passes through the positions corresponding to each light source and for outputting image signal; and a computer for detecting three-dimensional positions of the thrown ball based on the image signal output from the video camera and for outputting detecting signal.

1 . A system for pitching of baseball comprising: 
 a pitching room having a space which is enclosed with right and left walls, front and back walls, a ceiling, and a floor having a mound from which a player will throw a ball and a home plate by which the thrown ball will be judged depending upon its trajectory, wherein the distance between the mound and home plate is adaptable for the baseball or softball rule for adults and kids;    a fiber net member placed in the back of the home plate and held a tension by the ceiling, floor, and right and left walls, for flexibly catching the thrown ball and for dropping it on the floor;    a plurality of narrow light sources arranged on at least one side of the ceiling, floor, right wall, and left wall at different positions between the mound and home plate, wherein each light source emits slit light to the opposite side;    a video camera for photographing optical images reflected by the thrown ball which in turn passes through the positions corresponding to each light source and for outputting image signal; and    a computer for detecting three-dimensional positions of the thrown ball based on the image signal output from the video camera and for outputting the detecting signal.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each light source emits a specific color light by which the video camera can clearly recognize the optical images reflected by the thrown ball and can output the image signal with high speed.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the video camera has a CMOS image sensor which outputs the color image signal having the color spectrum substantially corresponding to that of the specific color light emitted by each light source.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources emit different color lights depending upon each longitudinal position.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the video camera has a CMOS image sensor which outputs the color image signal having the color spectrum substantially corresponding to that of the specific color light emitted by each light source.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein each light source has an optical filter only passing the specific color light.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein each light source has an optical filter only passing the specific color light.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a video display device placed at the back of the fiber net member for displaying a catcher's picture moving in response to the detecting signal output from the computer, as if to catch the thrown ball.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer judges the ball passed through three dimensions above the home plate based on the detecting signal, and provides the progress of the virtual baseball game based on the judgment.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a slope formed on the floor where the fiber net member drops the ball thereon; and a device for setting the ball which is routed by gravity on the slope and for throwing back the ball toward the pitcher.  
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a robot instead of the fiber net member, the robot comprising: 
 a pivotable base which is jointed to the floor and through which the power and signal are supplied;    a body including a receiver for receiving the detecting signal output from the computer and a controller for processing the detecting signal received by the receiver;    a left arm which is jointed to the body through an actuator and which has an elbow actuator, a wrist actuator, and a hand with a mitt device including a shock absorber; and    a right arm which is jointed to the body through an actuator and which has an elbow actuator, a wrist actuator, and a hand with finger actuators for indicating to request a type of the next ball;    wherein the controller controls all actuators so as to catch the thrown ball with the mitt device based on processing the detecting signal, then to throw it back with the right hand toward the player.    
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising: a head which is jointed to the body and which has a display for indicating to request the same type of the next ball as indicated by the finger actuators.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a wireless communication device for receiving a reservation to play game from a customer's mobile phone, and for transmitting information on timing for playing to the mobile phone.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is installed in a store providing merchandise and/or service, and further comprising: 
 a management device for discounting a playing fee to a person based on purchase price to the person, and discount selling price to a person based on excellent pitching game by the person.    
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the fee for the provided merchandise and/or service is paid through the electronic cash via the mobile phone using for pitching game.