Sensor backstop system

Abstract

A training device for baseball and other sports includes layers for detecting different zones of contact. The device can detect position of impact and the velocity of impact of an object such as a baseball, lacrosse ball or hockey puck by a change in voltage due to the compression or pressuring of an interlayer positioned between two conductors. The device is used for individual training as well as for competition over a network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backstop comprising:
 a first flexible conductive layer comprising a plurality of zones;   a second flexible conductive layer;   a separating layer separating the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in each of the plurality of zones; and   a voltage filter for measuring a voltage across the first flexible conductive layer and the second flexible conductive layer in each of the plurality of zones, wherein in a first unbiased position, one of the plurality of zones exhibits a first voltage and in a second biased position after being struck by an object the one of the plurality of zones exhibits a second voltage that is different from the first voltage.   
     
     
         2 . The backstop of  claim 1  comprising a microprocessor for detecting a change in voltage in one or more zones and indicating to a user the change in voltage. 
     
     
         3 . The backstop of  claim 2  wherein the microprocessor determines the velocity of the object by comparing the second voltage to the first voltage. 
     
     
         4 . The backstop of  claim 2  wherein the microprocessor indicates to a user which zone or zones of the plurality of zones was struck by the object. 
     
     
         5 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein only a single zone registers a voltage change when struck by the object. 
     
     
         6 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein two or more zones can simultaneously register a voltage change when struck by an object. 
     
     
         7 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of zones includes an indicator light in the region of the one or more of the plurality of zones. 
     
     
         8 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the first voltage and the second voltage are both non-zero. 
     
     
         9 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the separating layer is adhered to one or both of the first flexible conductive layer and the second flexible conductive layer. 
     
     
         10 . The backstop of  claim 1  having at least 10 zones. 
     
     
         11 . The backstop of  claim 1  having at least 4 zones. 
     
     
         12 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the second flexible conductive layer is not divided into zones. 
     
     
         13 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the backstop returns to the first unbiased position after the object leaves the backstop. 
     
     
         14 . The backstop of  claim 1  comprising a support frame for suspending the backstop. 
     
     
         15 . The backstop of  claim 2  comprising a control box containing the microprocessor and a power source. 
     
     
         16 . The backstop of  claim 1  comprising memory storage. 
     
     
         17 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the momentum of an object hitting the backstop is proportional to the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. 
     
     
         18 . The backstop of  claim 2  comprising indicator lights controlled by the microprocessor. 
     
     
         19 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the separating layer comprises a piezoresistive material. 
     
     
         20 . The backstop of  claim 1  wherein the separating layer comprises a compressible material.