Analyzing effectiveness of game ball delivery

Abstract

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for analyzing delivery of a game ball. In an exemplary embodiment, a delivery analyzer apparatus generally includes a light curtain structure configured to provide a first plurality of parallel light beams in a first direction to form a first light curtain and a second plurality of parallel light beams in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a second light curtain. The first and second light curtains provide a detection area in which a location of a user-propelled game ball is detectable as the game ball passes through the first and second light curtains toward a target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A delivery analyzer apparatus comprising:
 a light curtain structure configured to provide a first plurality of parallel light beams in a first direction to form a first light curtain and a second plurality of parallel light beams in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a second light curtain;   the first and second light curtains configured to provide a detection area in which a location of a user-propelled game ball is detectable as the game ball passes through the first and second light curtains toward a target.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light curtain structure is further configured to provide a third plurality of parallel light beams in the first direction to form a third light curtain separated from the first light curtain by a space through which to detect the speed of the game ball as the game ball passes through the light curtains. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light curtain structure comprises:
 a plurality of vertically aligned light sources for providing the first plurality of parallel light beams, and a plurality of corresponding vertically aligned light sensors for sensing the first plurality of parallel light beams; and   a plurality of horizontally aligned light sources for providing the second plurality of parallel light beams, and a plurality of corresponding horizontally aligned light sensors for sensing the second plurality of parallel light beams.   
     
     
         4 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to determine the location of the user-propelled game ball in the detection area. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a speed of the game ball through a space separating the detection area and a third light curtain. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising the target, the target positioned so as to intercept the user-propelled game ball upon passage of the game ball through the light curtains. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the target comprises one or more sensors configured to determine a location of impact of the game ball striking the target. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the target includes one or more of the following: a mat, a net, a strike zone, and a goal area. 
     
     
         9 . A delivery analyzer apparatus comprising:
 a light curtain structure supported by a frame and configured to provide a first light curtain and a second light curtain that provides light beams orthogonal to light beams provided by the first light curtain; and   a target mounted to the frame behind the light curtains so as to receive a game ball user-propelled through the light curtains;   the first and second light curtains configured to provide a detection area in which a location of a user-propelled game ball is detectable as the game ball passes through the first and second light curtains.   
     
     
         10 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a third light curtain providing light beams in the same direction as the beams provided by the first light curtain, the third light curtain being spaced apart from the first light curtain. 
     
     
         11 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and third light curtains provide detection data for determining a speed of the game ball. 
     
     
         12 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a controller configured to provide a scatter graph depicting a plurality of target locations to which the game ball was user-propelled. 
     
     
         13 . The delivery analyzer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first light curtain is produced by one of two parallel columns or rows of aligned light sources emitting light to one of two parallel columns or rows of corresponding aligned light sensors. 
     
     
         14 . A method of analyzing delivery of a game ball, the method comprising:
 providing a first light curtain and a second and third light curtain that provide light beams orthogonal to light beams provided by the first light curtain;   receiving a user-propelled game ball in a detection area formed by the light curtains; and   using data detected in the detection area to determine a position and speed of the game ball as the game ball passes through the light curtains;   the method performed by a delivery analyzer apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 receiving the user-propelled game ball in the detection area a plurality of times; and   providing a scatter graph depicting a plurality of positions and speeds of the game ball.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the game ball includes a baseball. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising determining a location at which the user-propelled baseball struck a target behind the light curtains. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising displaying whether the user-propelled baseball passed through the light curtains as a ball or as a strike.