JP4783589B2 - Batting center system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a batting center system capable of checking a batter's batting form during batting practice in a batting center having a pitching machine and a virtual pitching device having a screen for displaying a pitching scene.

  The conventional batting center is configured such that a pitching machine that automatically throws a ball throws at a preset ball type / ball speed, and a batter (user) holding the thrown ball in a batting zone hits.

  Also, the ball type and ball speed to be thrown by the pitching machine can be set freely, and input means for each batter to set the ball type and ball speed suitable for each is provided in each batting zone.

  Furthermore, recently, a virtual pitching device having a screen for projecting a pitcher's pitching motion image is provided at the location where the pitching machine is installed, and batting for operating the pitching machine to match the pitcher's pitching scene projected on the screen. There is also a center.

  As an example of the batting center, there is already a pitching machine in which a plurality of shading blades that block direct sunlight from the sun are arranged to project a clear image even when the screen and the pitching machine are arranged outdoors. An application has been filed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, a hitting form image providing system in which a hitting form is shot with a video camera at a golf driving range or a batting driving range and the user can check the shot image data has already been filed (for example, see Patent Document 2). .
Japanese Patent No. 2905165 (page 1-4, FIG. 1) JP 2002-263230 A (page 1-6, FIG. 7)

  In the batting center equipped with a virtual pitching device that displays the pitcher's pitching motion video, it is possible to practice batting practice full of realism according to the pitcher's pitching motion.

  However, only the virtual pitching device cannot grasp the shortcomings and problems of the user's own hitting form.

  In addition, in the batting form image providing system that simply installs a video camera and shoots the batting form, the shot batting form can be checked later, but the batting form corresponding to the pitcher's throwing action is immediately checked on the spot. I can't do it.

  Therefore, there is a demand for a batting center that can immediately check defects and problems of a user's hitting form according to a preset throwing pattern and eliminate the defects and create a new hitting form with improved technology.

Furthermore, it is desirable to check the hitting form with a batting gauge immediately after the batting practice, or to check the hitting form carefully on a personal computer at home later. Therefore, it is desired to provide a batting center system in which the user's own hitting form is transmitted to a mobile terminal owned by the user and the user can manage the data.

  The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to check his / her batting form for any ball type and speed at the batting center, check it on the screen or monitor while he / she is at the batting gauge or after the practice, and further The object is to provide a batting center system that enables a batting form image to be stored in its own mobile terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the pitching zone, a screen for displaying a predetermined image including a pitching scene is disposed together with a pitching machine, and the pitching machine is pitched under predetermined conditions. In a batting center system in which a batter in a batting zone hits a ball, a camera that captures the hitting form of the batter, a function for setting the predetermined image to be displayed on the screen, a pitching operation of the pitching machine, and a screen A function for interlocking with the pitching scene, a function for setting the timing of shooting by the camera with the pitching start timing of the pitching machine as a trigger when shooting the hitting form of the batter by the camera, and the shot shot by the camera fractionated record before recording a form It is characterized by a control device having a function of reproducing batting on the screen.

  According to the invention according to claim 1 having the above-described configuration, batting practice for hitting a ball thrown from a pitching machine under a predetermined condition is performed, the hitting form at that time is photographed, and the own hitting form on the spot Can be played back on the screen for confirmation.

In particular, by making the pitching scene and the pitching machine interlock with each other, it is possible to perform batting practice full of realism, and the hitting form at that time can be confirmed immediately.

The invention according to claim 2 is provided with an input unit for arbitrarily setting a ball type and a ball speed in the batting zone, and the control device previously set in the control unit according to the ball type and the ball speed set in the input unit A predetermined pitch scene is selected from the pitch scenes, a predetermined ball type and a ball speed are selected from the preset ball types and ball speeds of the pitching machine, and a predetermined timing is selected from the predetermined shooting timings. It is characterized by that.

According to the invention according to claim 2 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to change to any ball type or ball speed even during batting practice, and to immediately confirm the hitting form for the pitch on the spot. Can do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the timing of shooting refers to the time for starting shooting and the time for recording, and from the start of the pitching operation by the pitching machine to the start of shooting by the camera. The feature is that the time can be changed freely.

According to the third aspect of the invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to start shooting the hitting form at an optimal time according to the pitching operation and perform recording for a predetermined time until the batting is completely completed.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the pitching number of the pitching machine is set in advance, and the shooting of the batting form is started after the set final pitching is started.

According to the invention of claim 4 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to photograph the best hitting form after setting for a predetermined ball type and speed, practicing and preparing for a while.

The invention according to claim 5 is provided with a plurality of the pitching machines, the batting zone, and the control device, and includes a management server that collectively manages the plurality of control devices and a monitor connected to the management server. And the management server has a memory function of recording a hitting form photographed by the camera and displaying the hitting form on the monitor, and recording image data obtained by performing image processing on the recorded hitting form on a memory card. It is characterized by being.

According to the invention according to claim 5 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to collectively manage a plurality of batting practice bases each including a virtual pitching device and a plurality of recorded batter hitting forms, and the batter Each can also keep a record of their hitting form.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the management server further includes a transmission / reception function for transmitting the image data in response to a request from a user terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer via the Internet. .

According to the invention according to claim 6 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to check his / her batting form whenever necessary and wherever he is.

  According to the present invention, in the batting center, the batting center system can be confirmed by displaying the hitting form for any ball type and speed on the screen while in the batting gauge and on the indoor monitor after the practice. It can be. Furthermore, it is possible to save the hitting form image of the user on the portable terminal of the user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a batting center system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a batting center system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a batting center system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the timing of shooting the striking form.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the batting center system according to the present invention includes a pitching zone 1, a batting zone 2, and a management control unit 3, and a batting (user) hits a ball of any ball type / ball speed. It is a system that allows you to practice and check your batting form.

  In the pitching zone 1, a pitching machine 10, a screen 11, and a projector 12 are disposed. The image projected from the projector 12 may be displayed directly on the screen 11. However, as shown in the figure, a reflector 13 is provided behind the projector 12 and projected onto the screen 11 which is a rear transmission type projection screen. Then, the projector 12 and the screen 11 can be disposed close to each other, and a compact configuration is preferable.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a frame that supports the screen 11. The screen 11 is connected to the side of the pitching machine 10 and is configured to project a predetermined video set in advance. It is also possible to project a pitching scene that matches the pitching of the pitching machine 10 that automatically pitches the ball B under a predetermined condition set by the control device 10b. In addition, a net 15 is provided in front of the throwing machine 10 to prevent the hit ball B from jumping in. The ball B is thrown toward the batting zone 2 by rotationally driving a pitching arm 10 a included in the pitching machine 10. At this time, an opening 15a is provided in advance in the vicinity of the position where the net 15 contacts the screen 11 so that the ball 4 can pass therethrough. For this purpose, the ball B thrown from the pitching machine 10 is thrown out through the opening 15 a provided in contact with the screen 11.

  The pitching machine 10 is a type of pitching machine that includes a pitching arm 10a that is driven to rotate. Instead of a pitching arm, a type that includes a rotating disk or a type of pitching machine that includes other ball launching means is used. You can also.

  In the present embodiment, a camera 16 for photographing the hitting form of the batter 23 is disposed in the pitching zone 1. Further, the entire pitching zone 1 including the camera 16 may be covered with a net or the like to prevent damage caused by a hit ball.

  In the batting zone 2, a home base 21 and a batter box 22 are provided, and an input means 20 capable of arbitrarily changing a ball type and a ball speed desired by the batter 23 is provided. For this purpose, the input means 20 is connected to the control device 10b.

  Further, the control device 10b is connected to the control device 30, and the conditions of the pitching machine 10 set in advance via the control device 30 can be changed. The control device 30 can set a pitching scene to be projected on the screen 11 via the projector 12 and can set the timing of shooting the batting form by the camera 16. Furthermore, it has a function of recording a hitting form photographed by the camera 16.

  For this purpose, when the input means 20 is set to a predetermined ball type or ball speed, the setting information is detected by the control device 30 via the control device 10b, and the pitching scene preset in the control device 30 is detected. A predetermined pitch scene is selected from the above, a predetermined ball type and a ball speed are selected from the preset ball type and ball speed of the pitching machine 10, and a predetermined timing is selected from the predetermined shooting timing. The driving conditions of each device are output.

  For example, the control device 30 can set the ball speed in three stages of low speed, medium speed, and high speed, and stores video data of a plurality of virtual pitchers, for example, four types of pitching scenes. For this purpose, predetermined video data is selected and output from these pre-stored video data according to the selected pitching command, and a predetermined pitching scene is projected on the screen 11. In addition, it is important to link the pitching scene and the pitching by the pitching machine 10, and the pitching machine 10 is driven in conjunction with the pitching scene to perform pitching at the selected ball type / ball speed. Alternatively, the pitching scene linked to the pitching machine 10 may be displayed.

  In other words, the pitching scene desired by the batter 23 is projected on the screen 11, and the ball B with a predetermined ball speed corresponding to the pitching operation is thrown from the pitching machine 10.

A batter 23 located in the batter box 22 hits the ball B thrown by the pitching machine 10. The hitting form at this time can be taken by the camera 16 and immediately displayed on the screen 11. Further, the control device 30 is also configured to temporarily store.

  The control device 30 is connected to a management server 31 (business-use personal computer) provided in the management control unit 3 provided in the office and waiting area. The management server 31 includes storage means for storing video data of a plurality of virtual pitchers and shot hit forms, and control means for controlling the pitching machine 10, the projector 12, and the control device 30, and is connected thereto. A function of projecting a hitting form or the like on the monitor 32 and a transmission / reception function of distributing hitting form image data in response to a request from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone 34 via the Internet 33 are provided.

  For this purpose, the shot form shot by the camera 16 is not only displayed on the screen 11 and immediately confirmed, but also recorded once and reproduced on the monitor 32 installed in a waiting place or the like. It is also possible to save the hitting form as image data.

  Next, the configuration of the batting center system will be further described with reference to FIG.

  A plurality of control devices 30 (30A, 30B...) Can be connected to the management server 31, and a plurality of batting practice tables are managed collectively. In other words, a pitching command is sent to each control device 30 (30A, 30B,...) Provided on a plurality of batting practice bases, video data of each designated virtual pitcher is transmitted, and each batting form is sent. Can be commanded. For example, a pitching machine 10A, a projector 12A, and a camera 16A are connected to the control device 30A, and a pitching machine 10B, a projector 12B, and a camera 16B are connected to the control device 30B.

  In addition, as described above, it is possible to project the recorded hitting form on each screen after the batting practice, or to display the recorded hitting form on the monitor 32 separately. For this purpose, checking the hitting form immediately after the batting practice in the batter box 22 is also possible by operating the management server 31 after the batting practice and displaying the hitting form on the monitor 32 of the office / waiting place. You can also check.

  Furthermore, with the transmission / reception function described above, predetermined image data can be transmitted / received via the Internet network 33, or predetermined image data can be recorded on the memory card 35.

  The image data once recorded on the memory card 35 can be confirmed on a portable terminal such as a cellular phone 34 or on a personal computer 36 at home. It is easy to check and check, and is very convenient and suitable for the user.

  Next, the shooting timing of the batting form will be described with reference to FIG.

  The shooting of the batting form by the camera 16 is triggered by the timing at which the pitching machine 10 starts pitching. In addition, since the pitching start of the pitching machine 10 is linked with the transmission timing of the video data of the virtual pitcher, the pitching machine 10 is linked with the start of the pitching form displayed on the screen 11.

  That is, shooting is started and recording 6 is executed after T0 seconds from the start of the reproduction of the pitcher image 5A. The recording time T1 is set in advance to a predetermined length (for example, 4 seconds) in order to capture a predetermined batting scene without fail.

  If the recording time T1 is too long, the data capacity becomes large and the memory capacity of the device becomes insufficient. Also, if the recording time T1 is too short, it will be necessary to shorten either the time from the pitching to the start of batting or the time from the start of batting to the end of batting. It is not appropriate to carefully check your batting form until the end of the batting.

  If the recording time T1 is about 4 seconds set in the present embodiment, the time until the pitched ball B reaches the batter books, the moment of hitting, and the time to confirm the whereabouts of the ball B after hitting are both It is possible to record and record sufficiently, and it is possible to check the hitting form from the start of the pitching to the end of the hitting. The recording time T1 can also be set to a time desired by the batter.

  A time T0 from the pitcher image reproduction to the start of recording is a time set in advance in the control device 30 via the management server 31. The time T0 can be adjusted in units of 0.1 seconds by the management server 31 or the control device 30, and the batter can freely change the start of recording, and the batter's own desired range can be recorded. It is also.

  A predetermined image such as a standby image or a CM image can be displayed on the screen 11, and a predetermined pitching scene can also be displayed. When projecting a pitching scene, the standby image 5B is set to be projected before the reproduction of the recorded batting form 5C after the reproduction of the pitcher image 5A is completed. It is also possible to project a CM image instead of the image 5B.

  In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the camera 16 that captures the batting form is installed in the vicinity of the pitching zone 1, but the installation location may be in the vicinity of the batting zone 2 or may be installed in other locations. It is possible, and it is possible to install a camera at a position where the hitting form of the batter can be confirmed. However, shooting from the pitching machine 10 side is preferable because shooting is performed from the front of the batter 23, and the ball B and the hitting form to be pitched can be clearly shot. Further, if it is installed in the pitching zone 1 provided with a cage or the like for protecting the pitching machine 10 or the like, it is not necessary to provide a new protective cage, and it is possible to prevent damage due to the hit ball.

  As the camera 16, an NTSC camera with a built-in CCD is used in this embodiment. The shooting speed in this case is 30 frames / second, which is a shooting speed sufficient for shooting a normal batter's hitting form. However, when shooting a more detailed hitting form, it is also possible to use a high-speed camera capable of high-speed shooting at 100 frames / second or more.

  Also, the batting form to shoot is configured to shoot the last batting of the set number of hits, but this is set to a predetermined ball type and speed, after practicing for a while and preparing, This is to shoot the form. By doing so, the storage capacity of the recording device can be saved. However, depending on the performance and memory capacity of the device, it is possible to record the batting form for all the batting positions, or it is possible to specify the batting position that the batter individual wants to shoot and record only that batting position. is there.

  Further, the once-recorded batter may be displayed on the screen 11 during the batting practice each time, or may be appropriately displayed according to the instruction of the batter.

The screen 11 displays a preset number of pitches, a ball type and a ball speed set by the batter, and can also indicate that the next batter is a batter for shooting a batting form. Serious batting practice is performed, and the batting form can be reliably shot and recorded.

  As described above, the batting center system according to the present invention is a batting center that includes a plurality of pitching machines, batting zones, and control devices, and further connects a management server that collectively manages a plurality of control devices to the management server. System with a monitor. The management server records a hitting form photographed by the camera and displays the hitting form on the monitor and records image data obtained by performing image processing on the recorded hitting form on a memory card; and an Internet Since it is configured to have a transmission / reception function that transmits the image data in response to a request from a user terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer via the network, the batting gauge has its own batting form for any ball type and ball speed It can be a batting center system that can be displayed on the screen in between and on the indoor monitor after practice. Furthermore, the user can save his / her hitting form image on his / her mobile terminal or personal computer via a memory card.

  That is, the batting center system according to the present invention can be confirmed and checked when it is desired to confirm the hitting form under the desired condition, so that the level of the batting technique can be improved.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the batting center system which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a batting center system according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the timing of imaging | photography of a hit | damage form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pitching zone 2 Batting zone 3 Management control part 10 Throwing machine 11 Screen 12 Projector 16 Camera 20 Input device 30 Control apparatus 31 Management server 32 Monitor 33 Internet network 34 Mobile phone (user terminal)

Claims (6)

In the batting center system in which a screen that displays a predetermined image including a pitching scene is disposed in the pitching zone together with a pitching machine, and a ball that is pitched from the pitching machine under a predetermined condition is hit by a batter in the batting zone,
A camera for photographing the hitting form of the batter;
A function for setting the predetermined image to be projected on the screen, a function for linking the pitching operation of the pitching machine and the pitching scene to be projected on the screen, and the shooting machine when shooting the batter's hitting form by the camera; the ability to set the timing of imaging by the camera the pitching start timing as a trigger, further comprising a controller having a function of reproducing the batting was pre recorded images recorded a batting taken by the camera on the screen A characteristic batting center system. Input means for selecting and setting a ball type and a ball speed in the batting zone is provided, and a predetermined pitch scene is stored from the pitch scene stored in advance in the control device according to the ball type and the ball speed set in the input means. The predetermined ball type and ball speed are selected from the preset ball type and ball speed of the throwing machine, and the predetermined timing is selected from the preset shooting timing. batting center system as set forth in 1. The timing of shooting is the time to start shooting and the time to record, and the time from the start of the pitching operation by the pitching machine to the start of shooting by the camera can be changed freely. The batting center system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. The pitching pitching count is preset in the machine, according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that to start the photographing of the batting from the start the last pitch that has been set Batting center system. A plurality of the pitching machine, the batting zone, and the control device;
A management server that collectively manages the plurality of control devices and a monitor connected to the management server;
The management server has a memory function of recording a hitting form photographed by the camera and displaying it on the monitor, and recording image data obtained by performing image processing on the recorded hitting form on a memory card. The batting center system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . 6. The batting center according to claim 5 , wherein the management server further includes a transmission / reception function for transmitting the image data in response to a request from a user terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer via an Internet network. system.

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