US 2017/0304705 A1 · NOVEL SYSTEM AND METHOD ADAPTED TO ENABLE SIMULTANEOUS PLAY OF ONE OR MORE SPORTS GAMES IN THE SAME FACILITY WITH AUTOMATED BALL DELIVERY, TRACKING AND COLLECTION

Abstract

The present invention comprises a unique system and method for providing adaptable ball delivery and tracking, including appropriate sensor hardware, interactive gameplay user interfaces and point of sales systems. The system and method of the present invention are especially relevant to baseball and softball as, among other components, the system comprises a vertical, ground-up soft toss ball delivery mechanism, automated player and ball-tracking devices, and ball-collection and transport systems. The ball collection and return components eliminate the need for “fielders” and enable the creation of the first “batting range”. The vertical, ground-up soft-toss pitch machine further enables the first multi-story batting facility with player batting bays that open onto a sports field. Further, certain embodiments of the present invention integrate hitting screens, augmented reality display and simultaneous coordination of gameplay and communication between players, regardless of the players' physical location.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A mobile sports facility, configured to allow one or more players to play or practice at least one sports game or skill, enabled by and comprising:

one or more player bays, configured to enable one or more players to one or more of hit, kick, throw and toss various types of sports equipment, including without limitation one or more of balls and pucks;
sports equipment collection, transport and delivery systems, respectively configured to collect sports equipment, transport sports equipment to the player bay delivery system and deliver sports equipment to the players;
at least one tracking mechanism, configured to detect one or more of location, speed, angle, trajectory, force, momentum and spin of a piece of sports equipment;
and
a central computer configured to record data provided by the at least one tracking mechanism.

2 more elements

An integrated sports facility, configured to allow a plurality of players to simultaneously and safely play or practice one or more different sports games or skills, enabled by and comprising:

one or more player bays, wherein the player bays are configured to enable one or more players to one or more of hit, kick, throw and toss various types of sports equipment, including without limitation one or more of balls, pucks and Frisbees;
sports equipment collection, transport and delivery systems, respectively configured to collect sports equipment, transport sports equipment to the player bay delivery system and deliver sports equipment to the players;
at least one tracking mechanism, configured to detect one or more of location, speed, angle, trajectory, force, momentum and spin of a piece of sports equipment;
and
a central computer configured to record data provided by the at least one tracking mechanism.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Novel system and method adapted to enable simultaneous play of one or more sports games in the same facility with automated ball delivery, tracking and collection

Life of this patent

Novel system and method adapted to enable simultaneous play of one or more sports games in the same facility with automated ball delivery, tracking and collection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30