Description:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments herein are related to a bowling 5 machine and, more
particularly, to a system and method for automatically calibrating a bowling machine to
adjust the configuration of a bowled ball.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] In existing cricket bowling machines, users manually configure ball
10 speed by adjusting the RPM of the wheels and angles (pan, tilt, and yaw) to obtain the
desired trajectory.This process often involves multiple test throws and adjustments
through trial and error. Hence, the existing cricket bowling machine is time-consuming
and imprecise.
[0003] Some existing systems incorporate motorized angle adjustments and user
15 interfaces for selecting the configurations in the cricket bowling machines. However,
the existing system fails to confirm whether the ball is following the intended path.
Furthermore, the cricket bowling machine's performance degrades over time due to
wheel wear and tear, necessitating frequent recalibration. The manual adjustment
process is labor-intensive and inherently inaccurate, which leads to inconsistencies in
20 ball delivery. Additionally, there is no integrated mechanism to measure the actual ball
speed after release, which prevents users from verifying whether the machine is
operating as configured.
[0004] Some existing system uses a control method that automatically
compensates for machine inclination and displacement without additional sensors to
3
analyze ball data to self-correct positioning errors caused by environmental factors,
external impacts, or inaccurate manual adjustments. However, this system does not
calibrate and causes cumulative errors over time as minor inaccuracies in a selfcorrection
compound, which results in deviations from the intended ball trajectory.
[0005] Hence, there is a need for a system and method 5 for automatically
calibrating a cricket bowling machine to adjust the configuration of a ball to be bowled.
SUMMARY
[0006] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a system for
automatically determining whether a ball bowled by an automated cricket bowling
10 machine conforms to a user-defined ball configuration and dynamically reconfiguring
the automated cricket bowling machine to correct deviations. The system includes a
user device that is configured to receive the user-defined ball configuration comprising
(a) a speed, (b) a line, (c) a length, and (d) a swing type or a turn type of a ball to be
bowled. The system includes an edge device that is communicatively coupled to the
15 automated cricket bowling machine and the user device and configured to adjust
machine settings based on the received user-defined ball configuration. The system
includes an image-capturing unit that comprises at least one of a camera, a video
camera, a LiDAR, a radar, or an optical tracking system. The image-capturing unit may
be positioned at a position that provides a field of view of a cricket lane to track a speed,
20 a line, a length, and a swing or a turn of a bowled ball in real-time. The edge device is
communicatively linked to the image-capturing unit. The edge device is configured to
(a) determine a ball trajectory when the ball is bowled by the automated cricket bowling
machine to determine whether the bowled ball conforms to the user-defined ball
configuration by comparing measured parameters of the bowled ball comprising speed,
25 line, length, and swing or turn characteristics with corresponding parameters of the user4
defined ball configuration in real-time, (b) detect a first deviation when the ball
trajectory of the bowled ball differs from the user-defined ball configuration, and (c)
compute corrective adjustments required to recalibrate settings of the automated cricket
bowling machine upon receiving the first deviation. The edge device controls a wheel
rotation speed of one or more wheels of the automated cricket 5 bowling machine to
control the ball speed to the user-defined ball speed, a pan angle of the automated
cricket bowling machine to control the line of the ball to the user-defined ball line, a tilt
adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine to control the length of the ball to
the user-defined ball length, or a differential wheel speed setting of the automated
10 cricket bowling machine to control the speed, turn or swing of the speed, ball to the
user-defined ball turn or swing, wherein the tilt adjustment is performed on each wheel
to control the length, turn or swing of the ball and iteratively perform automatic
reconfiguration of the automated cricket bowling machine by adjusting the settings of
the automated cricket bowling machine to the user-defined ball configuration.
15 [0007] In some embodiments, the edge device stores optimized automated
cricket bowling machine configurations in a non-volatile memory to maintain accurate
and consistent ball delivery across a plurality of sessions.
[0008] In some embodiments, the image-capturing unit performs frame-byframe
motion tracking to determine ball velocity vectors, angular deviation, and rotation
20 rate to determine ball swing or turn characteristics.
[0009] In some embodiments, the edge device implements a predictive control
technique to predict machine wear and adapt calibration settings over time.
[0010] In some embodiments, the automated cricket bowling machine includes
an actuator system that dynamically adjusts the pan and the tilt angles based on control
25 signals received from the edge device.
5
[0011] In some embodiments, the system stores calibration profiles for a
plurality of ball types and enables selection from predefined ball trajectory templates.
[0012] In some embodiments, the edge device implements machine learningbased
optimization to refine bowling parameters based on historical performance data.
[0013] In some embodiments, the system dynamically adjusts the 5 settings of the
automated cricket bowling machine to compensate for environmental factors including
wind speed and humidity.
[0014] In some embodiments, the system generates a real-time trajectory
visualization for user feedback on a connected display device.
10 [0015] In some embodiments, the edge device transmits performance metrics
and calibration data to a cloud-based analytics platform for remote monitoring and
diagnostics.
[0016] In some embodiments, the edge device implements a fuzzy logic-based
error correction to refine ball delivery accuracy.
15 [0017] In some embodiments, the edge device determines a predetermined
tolerance value for each parameter and validates calibration when the measured
parameters fall within the predetermined tolerance value.
[0018] In some embodiments, the automatic reconfiguration is iteratively
performed for a plurality of cycles. Each cycle includes a ball delivery, a parameter
20 measurement, a deviation analysis, and a corrective adjustment until convergence is
achieved.
[0019] In another aspect, a method for automatically determining whether a ball
bowled by an automated cricket bowling machine conforms to a user-defined ball
configuration and dynamically reconfiguring the automated cricket bowling machine to
6
correct deviations. The method includes (a) receiving the user-defined ball
configuration comprising (i) a speed, (ii) a line, (iii) a length, and (iv) a swing type or a
turn type of a ball to be bowled that is configured by a user device; (b) communicatively
coupling an edge device to the automated cricket bowling machine and the user device
and configured to adjust machine settings based on the received 5 user-defined ball
configuration; (c) positioning an image-capturing unit at a position that provides a field
of view of a cricket laneto track a speed, a line, a length, and a swing, or a turn of a
bowled ball in real-time, the image-capturing unit that comprises at least one of a
camera, a video camera, a LiDAR, radar, or optical tracking system, the edge device is
10 communicatively linked to the image-capturing unit. The edge device is configured to
(i) determine a ball trajectory when the ball is bowled by the automated cricket bowling
machine to determine whether the bowled ball conforms to the user-defined ball
configuration by comparing measured parameters of the bowled ball comprising speed,
line, length, and swing or turn characteristics with corresponding parameters of the user15
defined ball configuration in real-time, (ii) detect a first deviation when the ball
trajectory of the bowled ball differs from the user-defined ball configuration, and (iii)
compute corrective adjustments required to recalibrate settings of the automated cricket
bowling machine upon receiving the first deviation. The edge device controls a wheel
rotation speed of one or more wheels of the automated cricket bowling machine to
20 control the ball speed to the user-defined ball speed, a pan angle of the automated
cricket bowling machine to control the line of the ball to the user-defined ball line, a tilt
adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine to control the length of the ball to
the user-defined ball length, or a differential wheel speed setting of the automated
cricket bowling machine to control the speed, turn or swing of the ball to the user25
defined ball speed, turn, or swing. The tilt adjustment is performed on each wheel to
7
control thelength, turn,or swing of the ball. The method further performs automatic
reconfiguration of the automated cricket bowling machine iteratively by adjusting the
settings of the automated cricket bowling machine to the user-defined ball
configuration.
[0020] The system and method measure the actual ball speed 5 after release,
thereby addressing the prior inability to verify performance post-release. It also detects
and compensates for performance variations caused by gradual wheel degradation. By
eliminating the need for multiple test throws and manual adjustments, the system
reduces setup time and user effort. Further, by storing calibrated values, it ensures
10 consistent and accurate ball delivery across multiple sessions without requiring repeated
reconfiguration. A continuous feedback loop and comparing intended configurations
with actual performance enables ongoing refinement and enhances accuracy. Once a
specific ball configuration is calibrated and stored, it can be precisely and reliably
replicated to ensure repeatable results for both training and competitive use.
15 [0021] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better
appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the
following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific
details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and
20 modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without
departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such
modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following
25 detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
8
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for automatically calibrating a bowling
machine to adjust the configuration of a ball to be bowled according to some
embodiments herein;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an edge device for automatically
calibrating a bowling machine to adjust the configuration of a 5 ball to be bowled
according to some embodiments herein;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture of the edge device configured to control
the automated cricket bowling machine through bi-directional communication, as shown
in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein;
10 [0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an object detection unit of the system of
FIG. 1 that is implemented in a cricket practice environment according to some
embodiments herein;
[0027] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
automatically calibrating a bowling machine to adjust the configuration of a bowled ball
15 according to some embodiments herein; and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a representative hardware environment for practicing the
embodiments herein with respect to FIG. 1 through 5B in accordance with the
embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
20 [0029] The embodiments herein and the various feature values and
advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting
embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the
following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing
techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The
9
examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in
which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in
the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0030] As mentioned, there remains a need for a system 5 and method for
automatically calibrating a bowling machine to adjust the configuration of a ball to be
bowled. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6,
where similar reference characters denote corresponding feature values consistently
throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
10 [0031] The cricket pitch is a flat, rectangular strip located at the center of the
cricket field. It measures 22 yards (20.12 meters) in length and 10 feet (3.05 meters) in
width. The surface of the pitch is made of hard-packed clay and is often covered with a
thin layer of short grass. At each end of the pitch, there are sets of stumps, also known
as wickets. This area is the focal point of the game, where the bowler delivers the ball
15 and the batter attempts to score runs while defending their wicket. Most of the crucial
action in a cricket match takes place on the pitch.
[0032] Bowlers uses different delivery lengths to challenge the batsman and
influence their response. A full-length delivery or Yorker lands close to the batman’s
feet, targeting the base of the stumps, and is difficult to play due to limited reaction
20 time. A good length delivery lands about 6 to 8 meters in front of the batsman and
creates maximum uncertainty by forcing the batsman to decide between a front-foot or
back-foot shot. Short-length deliveries land near the middle of the pitch and produce a
higher bounce to prompt batsmen to play off the back foot. A bouncer, pitched even
shorter, rises to chest or head height and is often used as an intimidation tactic. A half25
volley lands just in front of the batsman, making it easier to drive forward and play an
10
attacking shot.
[0033] There are several fundamental differences between cricket bowling and
baseball pitching. In cricket, bowlers keep their arms straight during delivery with no
bends at the elbow, whereas baseball pitchers bend their elbows. In cricket, the ball is
intentionally bounced on the pitch before reaching the batsman. 5 Cricket bowlers
generate speed using a run-up that can extend beyond 30 meters, compared to the
stationary position of a baseball pitcher. Additionally, in cricket, the bowlers manipulate
the ball’s movement through seam orientation, the shine on one side of the ball (to
induce swing), and the interaction with the pitch surface. Cricket includes a wide variety
10 of bowling styles such as fast bowling, medium-pace, off-spin, and leg-spin. A single
cricket ball is used for many overs, sometimes up to 80 overs, and its condition mainly
impacts play. Moreover, cricket bowlers have a broader legal delivery area to allow
them to vary their angle of attack. Overall, cricket bowling emphasizes strategic
variation in length, line, speed, and use of surface conditions to outsmart the batsman.
15 [0034] The condition and characteristics of the cricket pitch surface have an
impact on bowling effectiveness and match dynamics. A green pitch, which has more
grass coverage, favors fast bowlers. On such surfaces, the ball tends to move more
quickly off the pitch to generate extra bounce and can deviate more after hitting the
pitch surface on the first day of a Test match.
20 [0035] A dry or dusty pitch, commonly found in arid regions or as a match
progresses, offers considerable assistance to spin bowlers. On such surfaces, the ball
grips and allows it to turn sharply after pitching. As the game continues, these pitches
often develop cracks that lead to unpredictable bounces and add further challenges for
the batter. The pitch conditions are typical in the subcontinent, particularly in countries
25 like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where the climate and soil composition naturally
11
favors such surfaces.
[0036] As matches progress, the pitch deterioration becomes more pronounced.
Day one usually supports seamers, days two and three tend to favors batsmen, and days
four and five become a spinner’s paradise due to increasing wear and tear. Some teams
even "doctor" the pitch to suit their strengths by watering for swing, 5 under-rolling for
variable bounce, or over-rolling for flat batting tracks. The dynamic nature of pitch
conditions requires teams to adjust bowling strategies and player selection accordingly.
Thus, reading the pitch is an important skill for captains and bowlers alike.
[0037] Indoor cricket surfaces, typically synthetic, introduce unique factors that
10 affect bowling performance. For fast bowlers, bouncers gain consistency and may
bounce higher due to uniform surfaces, making their timing more predictable. Yorkers
also benefit from a skiddy surface that remains effective throughout the match and is
challenging for batsmen to read. Cutters and seamers may find the seam movement
more predictable but occasionally sharp, depending on how the seam grips the synthetic
15 material. Side-cutters perform well due to consistent traction.
[0038] Spin bowlers face distinct challenges indoors. Off-spinners or finger
spinners experience less natural grip, which requires them to impart more revolutions
and focus on pace variations. Wrist spinners, such as leg-spinners, may find their
googlies and flippers particularly potent, although they may get less grip overall.
20 Flighted deliveries gain an edge due to the absence of wind, thereby allowing for more
control and deception. However, drift tends to be reduced and may be compensated for
with enhanced spin and subtle variation.
[0039] Indoor conditions also influence ball deterioration. Unlike outdoor
surfaces, synthetic pitches are generally less abrasive, which results in slower wear and
25 affects swing potential. Back-of-the-hand slower balls become more deceptive due to
12
surface predictability. Pace variations are more important than surface exploitation,
which makes short-pitched deliveries with subtle speed changes especially valuable.
Climate-controlled environments introduce consistent temperature and humidity,
sometimes enhancing conventional swing and enabling bowlers to refine muscle
memory for particular variations. The predictability of indoor surfaces 5 emphasizes a
bowler’s technical skill, which requires precise manipulation of grip, wrist position, and
release to outwit batsmen.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for automatically calibrating a bowling
machine to adjust the configuration of a ball to be bowled according to some
10 embodiments herein. The system 100 includes a user device 102 and an edge device
104. The user device 102 is communicatively connected to the edge device 104. The
system 100 is communicatively connected to an image-capturing unit 106 and a network
110. The edge device 104 is communicatively connected to an automated cricket
bowling machine 108 and the user device 102. The automated cricket bowling machine
15 108 may include an actuator system that dynamically adjusts the pan and tilt angles
based on control signals received from the edge device 104.
[0041] The user device 102 receives the user-defined ball configuration that
includes (i) a speed, (ii) a line, (iii) a length, and (iv) a swing type or a turn type of a ball
to be bowled. The user device 102 may be a mobile app, tablet, or remote controller.
20 The edge device 104 is configured to adjust machine settings based on the received
user-defined ball configuration.
[0042] The image-capturing unit 106 may be positioned at a position that
provides a field of view of a cricket laneto track a speed, a line, a length, and a swing or
a turn of a bowled ball in real-time. The image-capturing unit 106 may include at least
25 one of a camera, a video camera, a LiDAR, a radar, or an optical tracking system. The
13
edge device 104 is communicatively linked to the image-capturing unit 106.In some
embodiments, the image-capturing unit 106 is positioned anywhere in the cricket lane,
such that it provides the field of view of the cricket lane.
[0043] In some embodiments, the image-capturing unit 106 performs frame-byframe
motion tracking to determine ball velocity vectors, angular deviation, 5 and rotation
rate to determine ball swing or turn characteristics. The system 100 may determine a
ball trajectory when the ball is bowled by the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to
determine whether the bowled ball conforms to the user-defined ball configuration by
comparing measured parameters of the bowled ball comprising speed, line, length, and
10 swing or turn characteristics with corresponding parameters of the user-defined ball
configuration in real-time.
[0044] The system 100 detects a first deviation when the ball trajectory of the
ball bowled differs from the user-defined ball configuration. The first deviation
comprises a deviation in the speed, line, length, swing, and turn of the bowled ball
15 compared with the user-defined ball parameters. The system 100 computes corrective
adjustments required to recalibrate the settings of the automated cricket bowling
machine 108. Upon receiving the first deviation,the edge device 104 controls (a) a
wheel rotation speed of one or more wheels of the automated cricket bowling machine
108 to control the ball speed to the user-defined ball speed, (b) a pan angle of the
20 automated cricket bowling machine 108 to control the line of the ball to the user-defined
ball line, (c) a tilt adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to control
the length of the ball to the user-defined ball length,or (d) a differential wheel speed
setting of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to control the speed, turn or
swing of the ball to the user-defined ball speed, turnor swing. The tilt adjustment is
25 performed on each wheel to control the length, turn, and swing of the ball.
14
[0045] In some embodiments, the edge device 104 implements a predictive
control technique to predict machine wear and adapt calibration settings over time. For
example, the repeated friction from cricket balls gradually abrades the rubber surface,
causing material loss and creating flat spots or grooves that affect ball grip and delivery
consistency. Further, continuous compression-release cycles from 5 ball contact cause
fatigue in the silicon rubber, leading to permanent deformation, cracking, and eventual
chunk tearing that compromises wheel performance. Further, over time, vibrations and
mechanical stress cause wheel mounting bolts to loosen and bearings to develop play,
resulting in improper wheel alignment that creates uneven ball contact and accelerated
10 wear patterns. These worn or damaged bearings produce wobble and irregular rotation,
causing the wheel to run out of true and creating inconsistent pressure points that lead to
premature rubber deterioration and poor ball delivery accuracy. The edge device 104 is
configured to automatically adapt calibration settings to compensate the worn or
damaged bearings as described above.
15 [0046] In some embodiments, the edge device 104 implements machine
learning-based optimization to refine bowling parameters based on historical
performance. The edge device 104 transmits performance metrics and calibration data to
a cloud-based analytics platform for remote monitoring and diagnostics. The edge
device 104 implements a fuzzy logic-based error correction to refine ball delivery
20 accuracy. In some embodiments, the edge device 104 determines a predetermined
tolerance value for each parameter and validates calibration when the measured
parameters fall within the predetermined tolerance value.The predetermined tolerance
value may be defined as acceptable deviation ranges for each bowling parameter, for
example: ±2 km/hour for speed, ±10 cm for line accuracy, ±15 cm for length accuracy,
25 and ±5% for swing characteristics. In some embodiments, during calibration, the system
15
100 identifies any deviations between the user-defined ball configuration and the
bowled ball behavior and configures the settings of the automated cricket bowling
machine 108 accordingly. Once all pre-defined test configurations have been
successfully validated, these optimized calibration values are stored in the automated
cricket bowling machine 108 5 for future use.
[0047] In some embodiments, the user selects the user-defined ball
configuration through an interface of the system 100. For example, the user device 102
selects the user-defined ball configuration as a ball speed of 120 km/hour,in line with
the stump, a length of 2-3 meters from the stump. The edge device 104 automatically
10 configures the automated cricket bowling 108 parameters to obtain the specified
delivery characteristics by adjusting(i) the pan angle of the automated cricket bowling
machine 108 to 3000 units to control the line of the ball to the user-defined ball line, (ii)
a tilt adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to 2900 units to control
the length of the ball to the user-defined ball length, and (iii) a Left wheel speed ofthe
15 automated cricket bowling machine 108 as 450 rpm and a right wheel ofthe automated
cricket bowling machine 108 as 450 rpm to control the speed, turn or swing of the ball
to the user-defined ball speed, turn or swing. The tilt adjustment may be performed on
each wheel to control thelength, turn, or swing of the ball.
[0048] The automated cricket bowling machine 108 delivers the ball after
20 receiving the release command from the edge device 104. The image-capturing unit 106
simultaneously tracks the ball trajectory and measures actual delivery parameters such
as the line, length, and speed of the ball from the automated cricket bowling machine
108.The edge device 104 compares the measured delivery parameters against the userdefined
ball configuration. For example, if the edge device 104 determines that the ball
25 line was delivered outside the off-stump rather than in line with the stumps as specified,
16
then the edge device 104 reduces the pan angle to correct the line deviation based on the
trajectory analysis.
[0049] The edge device 104 automatically adjusts and controlsthe automated
cricket bowling machine 108 and initiates a subsequent delivery for verification. This
closed-loop correction process continues iteratively until the 5 measured delivery
parameters match the user-specified configuration within acceptable tolerances. The
system 100 is capable of simultaneously correcting multiple parameters (e.g., the line,
length, speed) when deviations are detected across all delivery characteristics.
[0050] In some embodiments, the edge device 104 stores optimized automated
10 cricket bowling machine 108 configurations in non-volatile memory to maintain
accurate and consistent ball delivery across a plurality of sessions. The system 100
stores calibration profiles for a plurality of ball types and enables selection from
predefined ball trajectory templates. The ball type may be a leather ball, a tennis ball, or
a synthetic ball.
15 [0051] The system 100 iteratively performs automatic reconfiguration of the
automated cricket bowling machine 108 by adjusting the settings of the automated
cricket bowling machine 108 to the user-defined ball configuration. The system 100
dynamically adjusts the settings of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to
compensate for environmental factors such as wind speed and humidity. In some
20 embodiments, the automatic reconfiguration is iteratively performed for one or more
cycles. Each cycle includes a ball delivery, a parameter measurement, a deviation
analysis, and a corrective adjustment until convergence is achieved.
[0052] For example, the environmental factors counteract the external factors
affecting the ball trajectory. When the system 100 detects natural swing deviation not
25 attributed to machine-generated spin, such as that caused by wind conditions, it
17
automatically applies compensatory reverse swing by adjusting wheel differential
speeds and tilt angles.The system 100 continuously monitors multiple consecutive
deliveries to identify consistent environmental deviations from the intended trajectory.
Based on this multi-ball analysis, the system 100computes and implements precise
wheel tilt angle adjustments to neutralize external influences and maintain 5 the specified
delivery characteristics. This adaptive compensation ensures consistent ball placement
regardless of varying environmental factors. The system 100 generates a real-time
trajectory visualization for user feedback on a connected display device.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an edge device 104 for
10 automatically calibrating a bowling machine to adjust the configuration of a ball to be
bowled according to some embodiments herein. The edge device 104 includes a
database 202, a user-defined ball configuration receiving module 204, a user-defined
ball configuration adjusting module 206, a tracking module 208, a comparison module
210, a deviation detection module 212, and an automatic reconfiguration module 214.
15 The user-defined ball configuration receiving module 204 receives the user-defined ball
configuration may include various parameters such as the speed of the ball, the line
along which the ball is to be delivered, the length at which the ball is to pitch, and the
type of movement applied to the ball such as a swing type or a turn type to be bowled
from the user device 102. The swing type may be inswing or outswing, and the turn type
20 may be off-spin or leg-spin. The user-defined ball configuration adjusting module 206 is
configured to adjust machine settings based on the received user-defined ball
configuration from the user device 102.
[0054] The tracking module 208 is positioned at a position that provides a field
of view of a cricket lane to track a speed, a line, a length, and the swing or a turn of a
25 bowled ball in real-time using the image-capturing unit 106. The tracking module 208
18
tracks the speed at which the ball is delivered, the line or directional path of the ball
from the bowler to the batter, and the length which refers to the distance from the
bowler to the point where the ball pitches, and the swing or turn exhibited by the ball
during its trajectory.
[0055] The comparison module 210 determines the trajectory 5 of a ball when the
ball is bowled by the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to verify whether the
bowled ball conforms to a user-defined ball configuration by comparing measured
parameters of the bowled ball comprising speed, line, length, and swing or turn
characteristics with corresponding parameters of the user-defined ball configuration in
10 real time. Based on this comparison, the comparison module 210 determines whether
the bowled ball matches the desired characteristics as defined by the user.
[0056] The deviation detection module 212 detects a first deviation when the
ball trajectory of the bowled ball differs from the user-defined ball configuration. The
first deviation comprises a deviation in the speed, line, length, swing, and turn of the
15 bowled ball compared with the user-defined ball parameters.
[0057] The automatic reconfiguration module 214 computes corrective
adjustments required to recalibrate settings of the automated cricket bowling machine
108 upon receiving the first deviation. The edge device 104 controls a wheel rotation
speed of one or more wheels of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to control
20 the ball speed to the user-defined ball speed, a pan angle of the automated cricket
bowling machine 108 to control the line of the ball to the user-defined ball line, a tilt
adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to control the length of the
ball to the user-defined ball length, or a differential wheel speed setting of the
automated cricket bowling machine 108 to control the speed, turn or swing of the ball to
19
the user-defined ball speed, turn or swing.The tilt adjustment is performed on each
wheel to control the length, turn, or swing of the ball.
[0058] The automatic reconfiguration module 214 performs automatic
reconfiguration of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 by adjusting the settings
of the automated cricket bowling machine 108 to the user-defined ball 5 configuration.
[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture 300 of the edge device 104 configured
to control the automated cricket bowling machine 108 through bi-directional
communication, as shown in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments herein. The edge
device 104 includes a control system, a monitoring system, a delivery sequence control
10 module, and a communication logs module. The control system is communicatively
coupled to the automated cricket bowling machine 108. The mechanical components of
the automated cricket bowling machine 108 include a horizontal rotation mechanism
(pan), a vertical angle adjustment mechanism (tilt), a pair of spinner motors for
imparting rotational motion to the ball, and a ball release mechanism. These
15 components are coordinated to regulate the ball's trajectory, spin, and release position
with high precision.
[0060] The monitoring system of the edge device 104 is configured to track the
operational status of the automated cricket bowling machine 108, including its
connectivity, power supply status, and overall readiness, thereby ensuring real-time
20 operational awareness. The delivery sequence control module manages advanced ball
delivery routines, including the timing of ball release, control of spinner motor speeds,
and execution of complex delivery patterns to simulate various bowling scenarios. Prior
to execution, the control system verifies the readiness of the bowling machine through
safety checks, ensuring proper connection and operational status.
20
[0061] The communication logs module within the edge device 104 records all
control signals transmitted to and received from the automated cricket bowling machine
108. This facilitates real-time feedback loops and enables precise monitoring,
diagnostics, and adaptive control of machine parameters. The bi-directional
communication architecture ensures that the edge device 104 not only 5 transmits control
signals and sequence commands to the bowling machine 108 but also receives status
feedback and operation confirmations, thereby enabling reliable and accurate execution
of ball delivery operations.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an object detection unit 412 of the
10 system 100 of FIG. 1 that is implemented in an indoor cricket practice environment
according to some embodiments herein. The system 100 includes the automated cricket
bowling machine 108, a camera 402, and the object detection unit 412 that is
implemented in a cricket practice area 404 with a defined danger zone 406. The camera
402 may be mounted on the automated cricket bowling machine 108. The object
15 detection unit 412 includes an object detection module, a classification module, and a
safety protocol module.
[0063] The object detection unit 412 is trained using a training dataset
representing safety-critical elements within cricket training environments to identify and
track multiple object types such as cricket balls, players, and other obstructions. The
20 camera 402 captures a live video feed of the cricket practice area 404. The camera 402
is processed in real-time to dynamically map virtual safety zones and monitor
unauthorized activity within the danger zone 406.
[0064] The object detection unit 412 performs classification and threat
assessment, based on the detection of any object, such as a cricket ball 408 or
25 unauthorized presence 410, within the danger zone 406. If a safety risk is identified, the
21
safety protocol module is triggered to immediately halt the operation of the automated
cricket bowling machine 108. In some embodiments, the object detection unit 412 is
optimized using hardware acceleration to enable real-time, low-latency processing,
ensuring responsive safety actions without the need for additional external sensors.
[0065] For example, if a player enters the danger zone 406 during 5 a delivery, the
object detection unit 412 prevents ball release by controlling the automated cricket
bowling machine 108. Similarly, the next ball release is delayed when a cricket ball 408
remains in a danger zone 406 after delivery. The process flow involves continuous
monitoring through the camera 402, real-time object classification, and automatic
10 activation of safety protocols. As shown, when a cricket ball 408 or an unauthorized
presence 410 within the danger zone 406 are detected, the system to halt ball delivery
from the automated cricket bowling machine 108, thereby averting potential hazards.
[0066] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a flow diagram that illustrates a method for
automatically calibrating a bowling machine to adjust the configuration of a ball to be
15 bowled according to some embodiments herein. At step 502, the method includes
receiving the user-defined ball configuration that includes (i) a speed, (ii) a line, (iii) a
length, and (iv) a swing type or a turn type of a ball to be bowled that is configured by a
user device.
[0067] At step 504, the method includes communicatively coupling an edge
20 device to the automated cricket bowling machine and the user device and configuring it
to adjust machine settings based on the received user-defined ball configuration.
[0068] At step 506, the method includes positioning an image-capturing unit at a
position that provides a field of view of a cricket laneto track the speed, line, a length, a
swing, or turn of a bowled ball in real time. The image-capturing unit includes at least
25 one of camera, a video camera, a LiDAR, radar, or optical tracking system. The edge
22
device is communicatively linked to the image-capturing unit. The edge device is
configured to (i) determine a ball trajectory when the ball is bowled by the automated
cricket bowling machine to determine whether the bowled ball conforms to the userdefined
ball configuration by comparing measured parameters of the bowled ball
comprising speed, line, length, and swing or turn characteristics 5 with corresponding
parameters of the user-defined ball configuration in real-time, (ii) detect a first deviation
when the ball trajectory of the bowled ball differs from the user-defined ball
configuration, (iii) compute corrective adjustments required to recalibrate settings of the
automated cricket bowling machine upon receiving the first deviation. The edge device
10 controls at least one of a wheel rotation speed of one or more wheels of the automated
cricket bowling machine to control the ball speed to the user-defined ball speed, a pan
angle of the automated cricket bowling machine to control the line of the ball to the
user-defined ball line, a tilt adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine to
control the length of the ball to the user-defined ball length, or a differential wheel
15 speed setting of the automated cricket bowling machine to control the speed, turn or
swing of the ball to the user-defined ball speed, turnor swing.
[0069] At step 508, the method includes performing automatic reconfiguration
of the automated cricket bowling machine iteratively by adjusting the settings of the
automated cricket bowling machine to the user-defined ball configuration.
20 [0070] The system and method enable real-time verification of cricket ball speed
by leveraging video-based tracking to monitor post-release velocity. The system and
method adjust performance shifts caused by mechanical wear, such as wheel
degradation, ensuring sustained precision using an auto-calibration mechanism. The
system and method eliminate the need for repeated manual adjustments and multiple
25 trial throws.
23
[0071] The system and method minimize setup time and operational complexity.
Calibrated parameters are persistently stored, allowing repeatable accuracy across
distinct sessions without requiring reconfiguration. A continuous feedback mechanism
compares input commands with detected outcomes, promoting adaptive correction and
enhanced consistency. Once configured, the apparatus facilitates reliable 5 replication of
specific delivery profiles. The system and method compensate for structural
inconsistencies, including minor deviations in assembly or alignment, thereby
maintaining uniform performance under variable conditions.
[0072] A representative hardware environment for practicing the embodiments
10 herein is depicted in FIG. 6, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5B. This schematic
drawing illustrates a hardware configuration of a server/computer system/ computing
device in accordance with the embodiments herein. The system includes at least one
processing device CPU 10 that may be interconnected via system bus 14 to various
devices such as a random-access memory (RAM) 12, read-only memory (ROM) 16, and
15 an input/output (I/O) adapter 18. The I/O adapter 18 can connect to peripheral devices,
such as disk unit 38 and program storage device 40 that are readable by the system. The
system can read the inventive instructions on the program storage devices 40 and follow
these instructions to execute the methodology of the embodiments herein. The system
further includes a user interface adapter 22 that connects a keyboard 28, mouse 30,
20 speaker 32, microphone 34, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen
device (not shown) to the bus 14 to gather user input. Additionally, a communication
adapter 20 connects the bus 14 to a data processing network 42, and a display adapter
24 connects the bus 14 to a display device 26, which provides a graphical user interface
(GUI) 36 of the output data in accordance with the embodiments herein, or which may
25 be embodied as an output device such as a monitor, printer, or transmitter, for example.
24
[0073] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully
reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such
adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended 5 within the
meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood
that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description
and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in
terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
10 embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope. , Claims:I/We Claim
1. A system (100) for automatically determining whether a ball bowled by an automated
cricket bowling machine (108) conforms to a user-defined ball configuration and
dynamically reconfiguring the automated cricket bowling machine 5 (108) to correct
deviations, wherein the system (100) comprises:
a user device (102) configured to receive the user-defined ball configuration
comprising (i) a speed, (ii) a line, (iii) a length, and (iv) a swing type or a turn type of a
ball to be bowled;
10 an edge device (104) communicatively coupled to the automated cricket bowling
machine (108) and the user device (102), and configured to adjust machine settings
based on the received user-defined ball configuration; and
an image-capturing unit (106) that comprises at least one of a camera, a video
camera, a LiDAR, a radar, or an optical tracking system, wherein the image-capturing
15 unit (106) is positioned at a position that provides a field of view of a cricket laneto
track a speed, a line, a length, and a swing or a turn of a bowled ball in real-time,
wherein the edge device (104) is communicatively linked to the image-capturing unit
(106), wherein the edge device (104) is configured to:
determine a ball trajectory when the ball is bowled by the automated
20 cricket bowling machine (108) to determine whether the bowled ball conforms
to the user-defined ball configuration by comparing measured parameters of the
bowled ball comprising speed, line, length, and swing or turn characteristics
with corresponding parameters of the user-defined ball configuration in realtime;
26
detect a first deviation when the ball trajectory of the bowled ball differs
from the user-defined ball configuration;
compute corrective adjustments required to recalibrate settings of the
automated cricket bowling machine (108) upon receiving the first deviation, the
edge device (104) controls 5 at least one of:
a wheel rotation speed of one or more wheels of the automated
cricket bowling machine (108) to control the ball speed to the userdefined
ball speed,
a pan angle of the automated cricket bowling machine (108) to
10 control the line of the ball to the user-defined ball line,
a tilt adjustment of the automated cricket bowling machine (108)
to control the length of the ball to the user-defined ball length, or
a differential wheel speed setting of the automated cricket
bowling machine (108) to control the speed, turn or swing of the ball to
15 the user-defined ball speed, turn or swing, wherein the tilt adjustment is
performed on each wheel to control the length, turn or swing of the ball;
and
iteratively perform automatic reconfiguration of the automated cricket bowling
machine (108) by adjusting the settings of the automated cricket bowling machine (108)
20 to the user-defined ball configuration.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge device (104) stores
optimized automated cricket bowling machine (108) configurations in a non-volatile
memory to maintain accurate and consistent ball delivery across a plurality of sessions.
27
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image-capturing unit (106)
performs frame-by-frame motion tracking to determine ball velocity vectors, angular
deviation, and rotation rate to determine ball swing or turn characteristics.
5
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge device (104) implements a
predictive control technique to predict machine wear and adapt calibration settings over
time.
10 5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automated cricket bowling
machine (108) includes an actuator system that dynamically adjusts the pan and the tilt
angles based on control signals received from the edge device (104).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) stores calibration
15 profiles for a plurality of ball types and enables selection from predefined ball trajectory
templates.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge device (104) implements
machine learning-based optimization to refine bowling parameters based on historical
20 performance data.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) dynamically
adjusts the settings of the automated cricket bowling machine (108) to compensate for
environmental factors comprising a wind speed and humidity.
28
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) generates a realtime
trajectory visualization for user feedback on a connected display device.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge device 5 (104) transmits
performance metrics and calibration data to a cloud-based analytics platform for remote
monitoring and diagnostics.
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge device (104) implements
10 a fuzzy logic-based error correction to refine ball delivery accuracy.
12. The system (100)as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge device (104) determines a
predetermined tolerance value for each parameter and validates calibration when the
measured parameters fall within thepredetermined tolerance value.
15
13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic reconfiguration is
iteratively performed fora plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle comprises a ball
delivery, a parameter measurement, a deviation analysis, and a corrective adjustment
until convergence is achieved.
20
14. A method for automatically determining whether a ball bowled by an automated
cricket bowling machine (108) conforms to a user-defined ball configuration and
dynamically reconfiguring the automated cricket bowling machine (108) to correct
deviations, wherein the method comprises:
29
receiving the user-defined ball configuration comprising (i) a speed, (ii) a line,
(iii) a length, and (iv) a swing type or a turn type of a ball to be bowled that is
configured by a user device (102);
communicatively coupling an edge device (104) to the automated cricket
bowling machine (108) and the user device (102), and configured 5 to adjust machine
settings based on the received user-defined ball configuration;
positioning an image-capturing unit (106) at a position that provides a field of
view of a cricket laneto track a speed, a line, a length, and a swing, or a turn of a bowled
ball in real-time, wherein the image-capturing unit (106) that comprises at least one of a
10 camera, a video camera, a LiDAR, radar, or optical tracking system, wherein the edge
device (104) is communicatively linked to the image-capturing unit (106), wherein the
edge device (104) is configured to
determine a ball trajectory when the ball is bowled by the automated
cricket bowling machine (108) to determine whether the bowled ball conforms
15 to the user-defined ball configuration by comparing measured parameters of the
bowled ball comprising speed, line, length, and swing or turn characteristics
with corresponding parameters of the user-defined ball configuration in realtime;
detect a first deviation when the ball trajectory of the bowled ball differs
20 from the user-defined ball configuration;
compute corrective adjustments required to recalibrate settings of the
automated cricket bowling machine (108) upon receiving the first deviation, the
edge device (104) controls at least one of:
a wheel rotation speed of one or more wheels of the automated
30
cricket bowling machine (108) to control the ball speed to the userdefined
ball speed,
a pan angle of the automated cricket bowling machine (108) to
control the line of the ball to the user-defined ball line,
a tilt adjustment of the automated cricket bowling 5 machine (108)
to control the length of the ball to the user-defined ball length, or
a differential wheel speed setting of the automated cricket
bowling machine (108) to control the speed, turn or swing of the ball to
the user-defined ball speed, turn or swing wherein the tilt adjustment is
10 performed on each wheel to control the length, turn or swing of the ball;
and
performing automatic reconfiguration of the automated cricket bowling machine
(108) iteratively by adjusting the settings of the automated cricket bowling machine
(108) to the user-defined ball configuration.
Dated this June 26th, 15 2025
Signature:
Name: Arjun Karthik Bala
IN/PA No.1021