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| OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a play apparatus for climbing and ... |
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| Programmable sound and music making device |
| The present invention is directed to a programmable electronic sound and music making device that ... |
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| Training aid for shooting a basketball |
| The present invention overcomes the problems of the known basketball training aids and presents a ... |
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| Athletic reflex machine |
| In brief summary, the invention includes a scanning sensing system on a gimbal mechanism directing ... |
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| Sports impact measuring apparatus |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, an impact indicating athletic training ... |
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| Shock sensor with a magnetically operated reed switch |
| The shock sensor of this invention employs a housing defining an axially extending bore, the bore ... |
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| Shock sensor switch having a liquid conductor |
| OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A shock sensor 40 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a ... |
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Method and apparatus for radar measurement of ball in play
| Details |
Inventors: Nuttall, Jerry A.;
Assignee: Matrix Engineering, Inc. (Midvale, UT)
Primary Examiner: Barron, Jr.; Gilberto
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cahill, Sutton & Thomas
A system for continuously and precisely measuring the positions of a generally symmetrical object, e.g., a tennis ball, in motion in a predefined three-dimensional region, e.g., a tennis court, which transmits multiple radar signals from first, second, and third, spaced antenna devices, respectively, into the three-dimensional region. Multiple return signals are sensed and are compared with the transmitted signals to determine the phases of the return signals, to thereby obtain ambiguous ranges of the object. Ambiguities are removed by using the Chinese Remainder Theorem to obtain less-ambiguous ranges. Time-of-arrival range information is used in conjuction with the less-ambiguous ranges to provide unambiguous ranges over the range of interest. The unambiguous ranges are used to compute three-dimensional coordinates of the object that are accurate to within approximately 0.1 inches. A mathematical model defining boundaries of the three-dimensional region is completed by placing signal reflector devices on various boundary points of the three-dimensional region, and transmitting the radar signals when the object is not in the three-dimensional region. Coordinates of a projected trajectory are computed and compared with the actual coordinatres of the object, and certain characteristics are computed therefrom. Calibration of the system is maintained by placing signal reflector devices at various fixed locations within the region of interest and the return signals are processed to obtain an initial survey of the region and then to periodically resurvey the region. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of the invention to provide a radar tracking device for precise measurement of the position of an object with an accuracy of less than a tenth of an inch.
Another object of the invention is to combine sets of range measurements so as to measure the three-dimensional position of an object with an accuracy of less than a tenth of an inch.
Another object of the invention is to provide a technique for precisely measuring the distance from a radar sensor to a symmetrical object with a precision to within a small fraction of a wavelength of the radiated energy and to avoid inaccuracy caused by competing clutter.
Another object of the invention is to provide a technique for reducing controversy and altercations during sporting events by eliminating human error in making calls.
Another object of the invention is to provide an accurate, almost instant, automatic technique for calling points in a tennis match, strikes in baseball, etc.
Briefly described, and in accordance with one embodiment thereof, the invention provides a system for continuously (tens of thousands of measurements per second) and precisely measuring the position of a generally symmetrical object in motion (the "object") in a predefined three-dimensional region in which multiple radar signals are transmitted from each of first, second, and third spaced antenna devices, respectively, into the three-dimensional region.
The first, second, and third spaced antenna devices must not be collinear, or nearly collinear, in order to obtain accurate position measurements by trilateration.
Furthermore, if the object approaches the plane defined by the positions of the first, second, and third, spaced antenna devices, then the measured position accuracy is reduced.
The addition of a fourth antenna device not located in the same plane as the other three can alleviate such a reduction of accuracy.
The object reflects multiple return signals corresponding to the multiple radar signals.
The multiple return signals are sensed by means of receivers connected to the first, second, and third antenna devices, respectively
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Exercise Devices2 
