Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing feedback to a subject in connection with a performance of a task, such as a movement task. The movement task may involve an operation or movement of an object by the subject, such as a body part or a sporting implement. During the movement task, the object has an expected motion path that is associated with one or more target areas. Behavior control feedback may be provided to the subject based on one or more of a position of the object, a motion of the object and an orientation of the object relative to one or more target areas as the subject performs the movement task. One example of an apparatus for providing behavior control feedback includes one or more radiation sources, one or more radiation detectors, and one or more indicators, any of which may be coupled to or otherwise integrated with the object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring orientation and distance. In one example, an orientation dependent radiation source emanates radiation having at least one detectable property that varies as a function of a rotation of the orientation dependent radiation source and/or an observation distance from the orientation dependent radiation source (e.g., a distance between the source and a radiation detection device). In one particular example, the rotation of the source is determined from a position or phase of the orientation dependent radiation on an observation surface of the source, and the observation distance between the source and the detection device is determined from a spatial frequency of the orientation dependent radiation. In another example, an image metrology reference target is provided that when placed in a scene of interest facilitates image analysis for various measurement purposes.

Abstract: An envelope pull opener includes a pair of pull tabs and a tearing filament. A single pull tab is attached to each end of the tearing filament. A peel-off adhesive surface is applied to one side of the pull tab. Preferably, the other side of the pull tab is structured to have a logo, picture, or other graphical representation applied thereto. The pull tab is preferably round, but could be any other shape such as square or triangular. In a second embodiment, the pull tab opener has a single pull tab on each end and an anchor tab attached in substantially the middle of the tearing filament. A third embodiment includes, a rigid envelope pull opener includes a first arm, a second arm, a pivotal connector, and a pair of pull tabs. A single pull tab is attached to an end of each arm. The other end of each arm is pivotal constrained by the pivotal connector.

Abstract: A high precision ball launch system includes a major link, minor link, drive device, ball release mechanism, and support base. The major link is pivotally attached to the support base and rotated about a major axis by the drive device. A minor axis of the minor link is pivotally attached to one end of the major link. The ball release mechanism is attached to one end of the minor link. The ball release mechanism is preferably positioned on the minor link such that a center of the ball passes through the major axis. The major link is rotated in one direction and the minor link is rotated in the opposite direction. A second embodiment of the high precision ball launch system includes a pair of linear translating drive surfaces, at least one drive device, and a carriage. Each linear translating drive surface includes a linear drive surface, a drive wheel, and an idler wheel.

Abstract: An envelope pull opener includes a pair of pull tabs and a tearing filament. A single pull tab is attached to each end of the tearing filament. A peel-off adhesive surface is applied to one side of the pull tab. Preferably, the other side of the pull tab is structured to have a logo, picture, or other graphical representation applied thereto. The pull tab is preferably round, but could be any other shape such as square or triangular. In a second embodiment, the pull tab opener has a single pull tab on each end and an anchor tab attached in substantially the middle of the tearing filament. A third embodiment includes, a rigid envelope pull opener includes a first arm, a second arm, a pivotal connector, and a pair of pull tabs. A single pull tab is attached to an end of each arm. The other end of each arm is pivotal constrained by the pivotal connector.

Abstract: An improved method of swinging a putter includes an improved putter and a swinging stance of specific features. The elements of the swinging method include gripping the putter in the traditional fashion, securing at least one hand or a butt end of the hand grip against some part of the lower body, moving the putter head back through an arcuate path, and retracing the arcuate path to strike the golf ball. The improved putter includes a putter head attached to one end of the shaft, and hand grip attached to the other end of the shaft. In a second embodiment, the shaft extends from the putter head at an angle of between 35 to 85 degrees from the vertical axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing orientation dependent radiation, and orientation detection systems are disclosed. An orientation dependent radiation source directs radiation to an observation area and facilitates a determination of the orientation of the orientation dependent source from the observation area. In particular, the orientation dependent source produces a radiation pattern having one or more detectable centroids that vary in position across an observation surface of the orientation dependent source as observed from the observation area, based on a rotation of the orientation dependent source about one or more axes of rotation. According to various embodiments, the orientation dependent radiation source may include one or more primary radiation sources or secondary sources, such as reflectors.

Abstract: An orientation dependent reflector for reflecting light from a light source to facilitate the determination of the angular orientation of an object, the reflector comprising a transparent substrate having front and back surfaces, a plurality of retro reflecting patches coupled to the back surface, and an opaque film layer coupled to the front surface having a plurality of openings therein to facilitate passing light through the transparent substrate to reflect off of the retro reflecting patches in correspondence to angular orientation such that the angular orientation of the object is determined from the centroid of reflection.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for determining the angular orientation of an object comprised of a light source directing an optically detectable beam of light at an orientation dependent reflector coupled to an object whereupon a light sensor positioned adjacent the light source detects the reflected optically detectable beam of light from the orientation dependent reflector and determines the centroid of reflection thereon from which the angular orientation of an object throughout a range of rotation about at least one axis of rotation is obtained.

Abstract: A portable weight measuring device including a plurality of flat, flexible generally nonelastic fluid-containing bladders arranged edge to edge and interconnected by flexible tubes for fluid flow between the bladders. Flat, rigid upper and lower support plates, generally similar in size to each bladder, are positioned against each bladder upper and lower surface so that the upper support plates collectively define a flat weight bearing surface and the lower support plates collectively define a flat ground engaging surface which is parallel and spaced from, but on close proximity to, the weight bearing surface by the relatively small thickness of the bladders.