1. Midterm Presentation October 8, 2009

2. Overview Introduction Problem Solution Constraints Technical Practical Design Approach Tradeoff Analysis Progress Timeline References Questions

3. About Us Evan Suggs EE -Circuit Design -Power -Scoreboard -Documentation Nathaniel Taylor CPE -Firmware -Pitch-Pad Design -Website -Documentation Joseph Cunningham CPE -Circuit Design -Scoreboard -Documentation Greysen Blumkin EE -Switch Design -Firmware -Documentation

4. Problem Design a product exclusively for baseball pitcher training that records and analyzes an array of pitches while being portable and easy to setup.

5. Solution A tactile pad composed of a collection of switches and a digital scoreboard that displays the desired pitch location, number of hits and misses, total pitches, and percentage accuracy.

6. Technical Constraints Detectable Speeds Maximum: 115 mph Minimum: 40 mph Variable Pitch Sequences Display Visibility Ideally up to 60’6”

7. Technical Constraints Detection Area Up to 33” x 30” Precision Detect a pitch within a 4” x 6” area Greater precision within each area not required

8. Practical Constraints Durability Withstand repeated force of ball impact Maintenance Inexpensive parts Easily replaceable

9. Approach Overview

10. Tradeoff Analysis Image Processing Photoelectric sensors Tactile pad with switches

11. Image Processing The pitcher throws at a strike zone depicted on a tactile pad Camera directed at strike zone takes a picture at ball impact Location of pitch is determined by software

12. Photoelectric Sensors The pitcher throws at a strike zone depicted on a tactile pad An array of light beam sensors are positioned horizontally and vertically so that the ball must cross at least one horizontal and one vertical sensor before it strikes the target The location of the ball is determined by which sensor beams are broken.

13. Tactile Pad with Switches The pitcher throws at a strike zone depicted on a tactile pad Upon impact, switches located behind the durable pad sends the location signal to the microcontroller The data is analyzed and displayed on the scoreboard composed of twelve 7-segment displays.

14. Tradeoff Analysis Image Processing Photoelectric Sensors Tactile Pad with Switches Price of pitch detecting component CMU3cam - $269- 1 camera needed $8 per sensor- approximately 30 sensors needed $2 per switch – 24 switches needed SustainabilityIf the camera breaks, the system will not function If the sensors lose alignment, all data will be inaccurate One bad switch is easily replaceable and the system remains functional Software Complexity No team experience in image processing Minimal software complexity. No team experience using photoelectric sensors Full team experience in software for switches

15. Progress Determining correct switch for tactile pad Durability is main concern Easy to incorporate into design Determining correct microcontroller Many I/O pins needed

16. Progress Creating software to update data Determines hit or miss Updates correct category totals Developing the display Developing power supply Interfacing with BCDs

17. Progress This LED signifies a hit This LED signifies a miss

18. Timeline AugustSeptemberOctoberNovember Comparing Methods Research of Parts Prototyping the System Testing and Troubleshooting

19. References [1]Wood, Tate. E-mail. Olive Branch, Mississippi, September 14, 2009. [2]eFastball. “How to Grip a Knuckleball.” Internet: http://www.efastball.com/baseball/pitching/grips/knuckle-ball-grip/, [Sep. 15, 2009]. [3]eFastball. “Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in MLB.” Internet: http://www.efastball.com/baseball/stats/fastest-pitch-speed-in-major- leagues/, [Sep. 15, 2009].

20. Questions