Abstract: A device for for detecting net faults in tennis including a sensor mounted near or on the net or its anchoring components. The sensor is an accelerometer or a piezoelectric transducer that generates an electrical signal. The signal is processed and drives an audio output device or an optical output device.

Abstract: An automated scorekeeping device for volleyball or other games that includes an audible announcing system so that players are audibly informed of any changes in the score or serving team. The device may further include a visual display. Remote control actuators can be provided to one or more people to operate the scorekeeping device. The scorekeeper can be adjusted manually to correct mistakes, and can be used in multiple modes.

Abstract: A tactile sensation generator capable of producing tactile sensations to a video game player corresponding to activity portrayed in a video game. Specifically, an interface circuit is responsive to control commands generated by a computer executing the video game program. The interface circuit interprets the control commands and activates the tactile sensation generator. The tactile sensation generator contains a vest or harness for maintaining a flexible pad proximate a player's body. The pad contains one or more actuators, e.g., a solenoid or vibratory motor embedded in the pad. Each actuator interacts with the wearer and is individually activated to produce a localized tactile sensation, e.g., an impact or vibration, corresponding to the action simultaneously portrayed by the video game on a computer screen or television.

Abstract: An electronic scoring apparatus for use in a plurality of dart games, which apparatus minimizes a user's mathematical calculations, thus keeping scoring errors to a minimum and avoiding tedious mental calculations. The apparatus includes input switches to input data, lighted displays which inform the user, and selection input switches by which the user selects and customizes a plurality of games and enters scoring information. The apparatus is provided with displays which inform users and spectators of game circumstances. The apparatus suggests targets at which to throw, in response to game situations. Games can be played versus the apparatus at various selected skill levels. A plurality of games can be played with more than two teams. Lighted displays portray characters historically used in the dart game of Cricket.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for confirming an official's call in a field sport, including a flag for waving to visually indicate to others that the event has occurred, a shaft upon which the flag is loosely attached, a handle to support the shaft integral therewith, a power source, an electronic signal generator and transmitter, and a receiver worn by another offical for receiving the signal in confirmation of the official's call.

Abstract: A darts scoreboard having a plurality of tracks on a panel. Each track supports a horizontally reciprocal slide bar. The slide bar reciprocates back and forth across an opening to reveal one or more of three indicators. A column of indicia is provided on the panel adjacent to the openings so that each opening corresponds to one of the indicia. A keyboard and display may be mounted on the scoreboard to provide numerical computation capability.

Abstract: An electronic golf scorecard has a casing which can be opened to expose a keypad and a display. The keypad can be used to enter players' initials, handicap data and each player's score on individual holes during a game of golf. Circuitry within the scorecard, processes and stores the entered data and displays appropriate information so that each player's score can be visually determined. The scorecard keeps a cumulative total of the players' scores after each score entry. When the game of golf has been completed, the net scores for all players are automatically calculated and are displayed by selecting the appropriate key on the keypad. Unused memory locations can be used to keep track of other golfing data such as for example, the number of putts per hole, the holes won or lost during the match or the stroke holes in the match, to name but a few. This other golfing data can be displayed by selecting appropriate keys on the keypad.

Abstract: A variable distance marker system includes a display mounted in a housing and attached to electronics circuits having a light detector for receiving externally generated light signals. A rechargeable battery and a solar cell array are interconnected for supplying power to the display and circuits. An antenna is mounted in the housing for receiving RF signals and a remote RF transmitter is controllable to transmit an actuating signal to the antenna for altering the display. A remote hand-held light generator is controllable to generate a beam of light onto the light detector for controlling the digits displayed.

Abstract: A game machine is provided with an automatic gift ejecting function of selecting gifts, even if in different forms, through game-like operations and automatically ejecting the gifts without using special capsules or the like by using devised gift display, gift selection and selection indication methods. The game machine has a gift display portion including a plurality of vertically arranged tiers each having a plurality of gifts placed horizontally, a selection indicating device for indicating gift display positions respectively corresponding to the gifts, a tier selection device for selecting one of the plural tiers, a horizontal position selection device for selecting one of the gift display positions of the horizontally arranged gifts, and an automatic gift ejecting device for automatically ejecting one of the gifts selected by the tier selection device and the horizontal position selection device into a gift outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a party of people around a facility having a plurality of consecutively designated events to be visited by the party, each event having a front area port and an exit area port associated therewith, includes a system control center for transmitting information to and receiving information from the front area ports and exit area ports, a system for designating an event to be visited by the party and for subsequently designating a next event to be visited by the party, the next event bearing a designation other than the next consecutive designation compared with the designation of the event visited. The front area ports and the exit area ports are able to transmit information to and receive information from the system control center. The order in which the events are visited is determined by the system control center in response to information identifying the party and at least one of the events may be visited out of the consecutively designated order of the events.

Abstract: An interactive exercise monitor which computes and displays time, distance, pace, and energy expended by a user performing a repetitive workout around a predetermined course employs a stationary transmitter located along the workout course and a receiver carried by the user. The stationary transmitter emits a limited range signal that is detected by the receiver each time the user passes the transmitter during the workout. The receiver includes a central processing unit into which the precise distance of the course may be preprogrammed and that is then capable of computing distance accumulated by the user, elapsed time, and other desired parameters. In addition, the user may enter information such as his or her weight and a desired time, distance, and pace of the workout into the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to automatically measure the total moving time, split times, time lag, and the like of each of a plurality of moving objects, and determine the arriving order of each moving object. Every time a plurality of moving objects, e.g., runners or vehicles, pass through each predetermined point, pieces of information such as total running/moving times, split times, time lags, and arriving orders are transmitted, in units of moving objects, to the respective moving objects or a transmission/reception unit arranged at each predetermined point. When moving objects pass through a predetermined point, and their moving times exceed passage times set in units of moving objects, an excess time is informed to each moving object.

Abstract: A communication system (100) for identifying messages concerning particular sports teams includes a terminal (105) for transmitting a message about a sports event as a radio frequency signal. A radio receiver (110) receives and decodes the radio frequency signal to recover therefrom the message. The radio receiver (110) also determines whether an identification code associated with the radio receiver (110) is included within a first location (205) of the message or a second location (210) of the message. When the identification code is included within the first location (205), a sports team associated with the radio receiver (110) is determined to be a home team in the sports event. When the identification code is included within the second location (210), the sports team associated with the radio receiver (110) is determined to be a visitor team in the sports event.

Abstract: A product, in particular a shoe, apparel, a ball or a fishing lure, incorporating an impact sensing element made from polymeric piezoelectric material. In response to impact, the piezoelectric material generates an electrical signal to a battery-powered light- or sound-emitting unit or to an information display device which is at least partially molded into or contained in the product, thus causing circuitry to energize the light- or sound-emitting device from the battery or to display information on the information display device. In some embodiments involving light-emitting devices such as LEDs, the light is conducted to an outside surface of the product directly through the LED or via one or more optical fibers. A shoe can be provided with numerous light-emitting devices, one or more impact sensing elements, a temperature sensor and appropriate circuitry to process the impact and temperature information.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining when a moving vehicle passes a fixed point characterized by a magnetic field. The apparatus includes first and second magnetic-field sensors spaced apart on the vehicle for producing first and second outputs when the sensors move in the magnetic field past the point. The outputs are validated based on the time span between the outputs and the spacing between the sensors. According to certain more specific features, the fixed point is a magnetic buoy, the vehicle is a boat expected to move past the buoy at a speed within an acceptable range, the first and second magnetic-field sensors are electrical coils spaced apart a known distance in the direction of movement, and the validating means uses the sensor spacing and the acceptable range for validating the outputs. According to other features, the elapsed time for the vehicle to travel between two fixed points is determined using only validated outputs.

Abstract: An automatic line officiating system including a video camera and associated optics and electronics disposed adjacent to a line to be officiated and arranged with the longitudinal axis of its field of view concentric with the line and adapted to provide image data representing the vicinity of the line and a central processing system coupled to the video camera and arranged to receive the image data from the camera, to process the data to determine the path of the ball before, during and after a bounce, and to provide an indication whether the ball has bounced on or within the line, or outside the line.

Abstract: A counter switch is depressed every stroke so that such stroke number is added up and displayed on a display. After completion of a first hole, a hole switch is depressed to be switched to a counter for a second hole, so that the count value for the first hole is fixed and a stroke number of the second hole is counted by the counter for the second hole and displayed on a respective display. The total stroke number of the out course is added up in a counter therefor and displayed on a respective display, and the total stroke number from the first is added up in a respective counter to be displayed on a respective display. When nine holes are completed and a next hole switch is depressed, the counter is switched to that for adding up the total stroke number of the in course, so that the stroke numbers of the respective holes are added up by respective counters and displayed on respective displays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course having at least one visual marker located thereon to be used in conjunction with a prerecorded narrative message indicating when the athlete should be adjacent the visual marker and for providing motivational support to the athlete along the length of the course. The device includes a means worn by the athlete for playing back any one of a plurality of prerecorded messages, each corresponding to a specific distance and performance goal. The plurality of messages may be stored on an archival medium such as a magnetic tape or electronic chip which, when played back, produces an audio narrative message heard by the athlete. Each narrative message continuously provides the athlete an update of the time into the event, the remaining in the event, the time between successive visual markers, and motivational support.

Abstract: A circuit race type game system is played by a plurality of players while running game racing cars on a circuit course. The circuit course includes a plurality of position indicating markers located thereon. The game racing cars run on the circuit while detecting the position indicating markers. A play field includes a host computer which receives a marker detection signal from each of the game racing cars to grasp the state of that game racing car running on the circuit course. Lap time for each lap and final lap time required by each of the game racing cars from the start to the goal are computed by the host computer as running time, these computed values being then displayed on a display panel with the ranking of that game racing car.

Abstract: A race recording and display system includes a detection station for detecting each participant in a race. The detection station has an array of detection signal transmitting devices and identifying signal receiving devices arranged over a race course in sufficient numbers to irradiate a portion of the course ensuring detection and identification of each participant traversing the station. Detection results from the reflection of a portion of a detection signal transmitted by each transmitting device sufficient to provide an identifying signal unique to each participant to each receiving device. Identifying means carried by each participant provides the identifying signal upon irradiation by a detection signal. Determining means responsive to each identifying signal relates the identifying signal to each participant, fixes a time of receipt of the identifying signal and generates an information signal for transmission to a display means.

Abstract: A portable electronic scoreboard apparatus attachable to a basketball goal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic analysis and report mechanism capable of receiving input information, analyzing the information according to a mode of operation, and reporting output information which includes an indication of the number of successful shots and an indication of the shooting percentage. The apparatus also comprises an attempt detection means for detecting contact of a basketball with the basketball goal and sending a contact signal to the electronic analysis and report mechanism, and for detecting the successful passage of a basketball through the hoop and sending a passage signal to the electronic analysis and report mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the contact signal arises in response to vibration of a piezoelectric vibration sensor, and the passage signal arises in response to movement of a paddle beneath the hoop by the basketball.

Abstract: A dart game and a method of controlling a dart game wherein numbers corresponding to targets to be aimed at by a player are randomly generated throughout the play of the game until a predetermined number of target values have become fixed by being marked by a dart hit on the dart board. Prior to the start of a game, a predetermined number of target values are randomly generated and displayed. After each player's turn, the target values that have been marked by a dart hit on a corresponding section of the dart board are fixed for the remainder of the game. However, any unmarked target value is changed to a new, randomly generated value prior to the next player's turn. The random generation of target numbers continues until the predetermined number of target values have been marked.

Abstract: A method for conducting racing events begins with the determination of the number of lanes to be utilized in all of the individual races of the overall competition. Each racing competition includes a plurality of individual sprint races preferably equal in number to the predetermined number of lanes being utilized. Each competitor for the entire racing competition is assigned a predetermined speed ranking, and then the competitors are aligned for the individual sprint races. The competitor with the highest speed ranking is aligned in the first lane of the first sprint, and subsequent competitors in order of descending speed ranking are aligned in the first lane of subsequent sprints until the first lane of each individual sprint is filled. The remaining competitors are then aligned in the second lane of each sprint, again in descending speed ranking order. Any subsequent lanes are aligned in the same fashion.

Abstract: A portable electronic scoreboard for use with a game of darts is designed to be used with a real dart board without the need of connecting electronics. The scoreboard is totally self contained and provides the appeal of a high tech electronic scoreboard without the accompanying expense and complexity. The scoreboard can also be utilized to play the game of cricket.

Abstract: An alarm system, for warning of the occurrence of an event at a certain island in an amusement arcade where plural islands of game machines are installed, comprises: plural indicators for each island, each for indicating the occurrence of an event, which needs to be notified to the arcade attendant; plural event detectors for each island, each for detecting the occurrence of an event, which needs to be notified to the arcade attendant and for activating the corresponding indicator upon detection of such an event; and the indicators being disposed at both upper ends and an upper central portion of every row of game machines in each island.

Abstract: The display system includes a device for memorizing the time when each competitor (C.sub.i) in a sequential start race passes a detector (D.sub.k); a device (12) for classifying competitors (C.sub.j) as they pass each detector (D.sub.k) to establish for each detector (D.sub.k) a list of competitors according to their time; and a processing device (20) which operates when a competitor (C.sub.i) passes a detector (D.sub.k): to determine the instantaneous ranking of competitor (C.sub.i) reaching the detector (D.sub.k) by comparing his time of passage with the times of passage of a plurality of previously classified competitors (C.sub.j), to calculate the time differences R and A between the time of passage of competitor (C.sub.i) and the times of passage of competitors (C.sub.j) of immediately adjacent rankings, to convert each time difference R and A into a distance using a conversion function f, and to display, in a predetermined display area (28), a symbol (30) representing competitor (C.sub.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the pre-existing free throw ability of the player, evaluating the players shot path, then defining the optimal path of the thrown ball from the point of release of the player to the rim of the target goal, and providing a target area suspended along the optimal path to assist the player in developing his or her ability to emulate the optimal path in adjusting their free throw method. The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present invention teaches a two dimensional target path or three dimensional target conduit suspended along the defined optimal path of the calculated "perfect" free throw for the evaluated player, the target provided by a laser or series of lasers. The resulting target provides a visual indicator of the optimal path of the ball in free throw, which the user can attempt to emulate during practice, in order to improve and redefine his or her free throw ball path.

Abstract: A method and system for determing the approximate distance from a golf ball to the golf cup on the golf-green is described. The system stores the location of the golf cup in computer memory and determines the location of a global positioning satellite receiver positioned near the golf ball. The system calculates the distance between the golf cup location and the receiver location. Preferably, the receiver includes a display of the golf hole being played, with the location of the receiver on the hole, the golf cup on the green, and the distance to the golf cup being displayed. In a preferred form the player can designate a mark on the display and find out the distance from the receiver to the mark or the distance from the mark to the golf pin. The position of the receiver is error corrected, with the error correction preferably calculated using a reference global positioning satellite receiver positioned at a known location.

Abstract: An object locating system, especially for use in locating a gaming ball in the game of football, utilizes a series of three sensors positioned on one side of a football playing field and a calibration source positioned on the other side. The calibration source emits an ultrasonic signal which is received by the sensors in order to provide a calibration signal. A ball marking unit is positionable on the field at a location of the ball and emits an ultrasonic signal which is received by the sensors and an RF signal which is received by the calibration source in order to turn the calibration source off. The sensors provide signals in which a processing unit calculates time delays by a time acquisition process in order to determine the position of the ball. In an alternate embodiment, the ball marking unit emits only an RF signal which is received by the sensors. The sensors again provide signals which are analyzed by the processing unit to determine delay between receipt of the signals at the sensors.

Abstract: A separate differential score display unit is provided at each end of a basketball court, atop or beside of the shot time clock indicators presently used, and in position to be as visible to the players and coaches as is the shot time clock indicators. The differential score display units are color coded, e.g. home team lead shown by green light, or L.E.D.; visitor lead shown in red. The differential score display units may be (1) hard wired to the scoring table and main scoreboard with computerized controls automatically changing the differential display when the score changes; (2) hard wired directly to a separate scoring control; or (3) the differential score display units adapted to receive differential scoring input from suitable signal transmitting units controlled by the scoring table panel.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronics device applicable to the well-known and understood "01" dartboard games which provides a display of the highest percentage target scores a darts player may use to gain an "out" in the shortest manner and win the game. A microprocessor within the device interrogates a memory store containing a lookup table of scores within a particular range and provides a selection of target score "outs" which the player may use to "out" from the score points that he happens to have at the time.

Abstract: A golf information system which automatically provides golfers with reference position and distance information from a number of points on a particular golf course hole. In one embodiment, radio frequency identification tags would be positioned along a golf cart path, for example, buried underneath the path, and a reading system carried by the golf cart would output an interrogation signal which would activate the tags causing the tags to output a coded signal which would be received by the reading unit, which would retrieve information about that location from memory and output it to the golfer. The system can further be used to display advertising messages and to provide golf course management features such as monitoring cart usage and speed of play.

Abstract: A computer based system for guiding golfers around a golf course enables the holes to be played in an order designated by the system according to the situation on the golf course when the players are ready to start playing a now hole. The holes are not necessarily played in the traditional numerical sequence. A player inserts a card into a port on a golf course and is instructed, for example, by instructions received on a video monitor, as to the hole which is most convenient for play to begin for his party. At the end of that hole, the card is inserted into a terminal adjacent to the green on which play has been completed, and instructions are provided as to the next hole to be played. The players in the party proceed to the designated tee, as instructed, and play the hole. The process is repeated to find the next hole to play, etc. The computer system keeps a record of holes played, so that each hole is played only once by the party.

Abstract: A means and arrangement to assist in determining the location of a ball relative to a line of a game surface is disclosed. The arrangement utilizes transmit and receive coils buried beneath lines on a game surface. Overlapping transmit coils operate at different frequencies and include filtering means to make each transmit coil substantially independent of the other transmit coil.

Abstract: A system for monitoring play of a golfer (24, 26) comprises Location Information Transmitters (LIT) (54, 56) at predetermined locations within a golf course and a Mobile Electronic Transmitter/Receiver (METAR) (48, 50) carried in association with a golfer (24, 26) on a golf cart (28) or golf bag (32). A METAR (48) periodically transmits a METAR code over a restricted transmission range (300). In response to the METAR (48) being proximate to a LIT (54), LIT (54) receives the METAR code. After receiving the METAR code, LIT (54) transmits a play monitoring signal including its LIT code and the received METAR code to a Tracking Center (227) located in a clubhouse (22). Golf course personnel in the clubhouse (22) can monitor a display terminal (242) of the Tracking Center (227) and determine play of golfers (24, 26), use of golf carts (28, 34) and use of golf holes (10, 14).

Abstract: A basketball game includes a generally planar backboard supporting a circular hoop having a basketball net extending downwardly therefrom. A center housing is supported beneath the hoop and secured to the backboard. A pair of score indicators having digital score indicating displays are supported on either side of the backboard. A pair of slap actuated depressible slap-pads are secured to and supported by the indicator housings. A flexible score sensor is secured to the center housing and extends into the net passage. The score sensor includes a flexible joint having a flex gauge or strain gauge operative therewith to provide an electrical signal each time the ball is successfully shot by a player and passes through the hoop and basketball net. In the preferred play pattern, the player having successfully scored a basket is able to increment the player's indicated score by slapping the appropriate one of the slap-pads following the successful shot.

Abstract: A portable electronic scoreboard comprising a housing with a display face, an electronic mechanism disposed within the housing, and a score registering assembly. The housing back configuration is amenable to releasable attachment to a pole or a flat surface such as a wall. The housing back face configuration comprises a longitudinal channel capable of disposition adjacent to a pole and a strap fastener extendable about the pole. The housing back configuration also comprises a pair of flat surfaced wings having slots capable of receiving bolts of the like to secure the housing to a wall. The score registering assembly may be positioned to detect the successful passage of a basketball through a basketball goal. The score registering assembly comprises a paddle and a switch. The paddle actuates the switch if a basketball passing through the goal causes the paddle to change from a ready to a reactive position.

Abstract: A long or triple jump foul detector system is disclosed which very accurately detects a foul by an athlete when a portion of an athlete's shoe crosses over a foul line when beginning the jump. A laser beam is emitted parallel to and directly above the foul line. A laser beam detector detects interruption of the laser beam by the athlete's shoe and a foul detector provides a foul indication. An audible foul indication is delayed so as not to interfere with the athlete's jump. Also, the system may provide additional detection of an athlete's foot crossing a training line positioned in front of the foul line. Furthermore, the system distinguishes between a relatively quick interruption of the beam caused by the athlete's shoe when jumping, and a relatively slow interruption of the beam which may result such as by a judge placing his or her hand in the beam when measuring a jump.

Abstract: A computer network extends around all the holes of a golf course including a series of interconnected display terminals that can display the real time scores of all players on the course at any time. They may also be equipped with printers for generating hard copies of scores. The terminals are provided with transceivers for two-way radio communication with transceivers in portable player's units carried by each of the players. Each player's unit is provided with a unique transmittable code signal that identifies the unit to the system. Before starting play, a player's identity and the code of the player's unit carried are registered in the system, as well as the team or foursome he is playing with. Before each stroke, a player actuates his unit, which sends a coded radio signal to the nearby terminal. The terminal identifies the player by the code, adds one stroke to his score, and transmits to all players on his team, through their player's units, an audible signal so that honest score keeping is insured.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, one or more timing stations disposed around a racecar track. At each station, a timing signal in the form of a repeating or oscillating beam of laser light causes a photodetector mounted on a racecar to turn on and off, the photodetector outputting a stream of electrical pulses. A microprocessor associated with the photodetector receives the stream of pulses, determines the real time when the signal is received, and stores that real time. When the microprocessor receives an RF polling signal, unique to that racecar, from a base station, the microprocessor transmits the real time data to the base station. When a second timing signal is received from the same or a second timing station, a second real time is determined, stored, and transmitted to the base station. The base station then computes the difference between the two real times. The base station processes data from all racecars in a race by sequentially polling the racecars.

Abstract: An automatic timing and scoring system equips vehicles with transmitters and places the receiving antenna on the track used by the vehicles. Each vehicle transmitter has a unique frequency. The receiving antenna is located so that the transmitters pass adjacent thereto. The receiving antenna is coupled to a receiver. The receiver has an amplifier and bandpass filters. The bandpass filters pass all of the transmitter frequencies, while rejecting much of the noise. The signal that is received by the receiving antennas is amplified and then limited to a predetermined amplitude. Then, the received signal is shifted in frequency to an intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency signal is passed through a narrow bandpass filter that rejects all transmitter frequencies but the transmitter frequency of interest. Then, the intermediate frequency signal goes to a tone decoder, which detects signals having predetermined minimum durations.

Abstract: A system for on-board timing for a vehicle traversing a predetermined course having at least one marker or indicator such as a start/finish line placed on or adjacent the track. A sensor carried on the vehicle senses when the vehicle passes the marker and provides an electrical signal for actuating an on-board timer and display device. A timing circuit is activated as the vehicle passes a predetermined point (marker) the first and subsequent times. The display device displays the time it took to traverse the prior lap while the timing system times and records the time it is taking to traverse the lap being traversed so that this recorded time can be displayed during the following lap. This sequence of operation continues for each of the laps the vehicle traverses.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for determining the presence and optionally the identity of playing pieces. Each playing piece (10) is provided with a resonator circuit (12,14,16), which may be tuned so that each playing piece or type or piece has a unique resonant frequency. A board (2) defining a number of particular playing positions is provided with transmit and receive coils (4,6) underneath it to stimulate the resonator circuit of a piece and to sense the resonant signal respectively. An amplifier is provided between the two sets of coils to amplify the signal generated by the resonant circuit. A resonant signal results if a playing piece is placed on a particular position on the board (2). The frequency of this signal is detected and may then be determined and the piece thereby identified.

Abstract: A timing and scorekeeping ring (10) designed to be worn on the finger (12) of an official's hand (14) for displaying information related to sporting events and games. The indicator ring (10) includes bands (24) for mounting the indicator ring (10) to the finger (12). An electronic display device (38) includes a rectangular window (40) for displaying downs and an adjacent seconds window (42) for displaying seconds. Actuation of a push button switch (52) controls the display of downs and a 25-second timer and a 60-timer displayed in the seconds window (42). Other timing and scorekeeping rings (60) and (62) are disclosed herein for use with basketball and baseball.

Abstract: A pedometer for exercise such as walking and jogging, comprising the fact that an appropriate intensity of exercise is set by setting reference signals, which the user of the pedometer is permitted to hear with a sound producer or an earphone, thereby making it possible to render the user conscious of the exercise at the appropriate intensity and to count or measure and then display the number of steps of the exercise, the period of time thereof, and the continuation period of time thereof as associated with the set reference signals.

Abstract: A stepping exercise apparatus with a motivational display is disclosed. The apparatus has a computer linked with the display and programmed to generate a pair of icons. One icon (the pace icon) represents a fictitious competitor exercising at a target pace, and the other icon (the user icon) represents the user. When the user exercises more slowly or more quickly than the target pace, the user icon moves behind or ahead of the pace icon, respectively. The computer is programmed to accept a user-selected target pace. Thus the user is motivated to improve his performance by competing against the pace icon. The display also contains a progress display indicating to the user his progress toward a target distance.

Abstract: This arrangement enables the identification of a plurality of vehicles (4) and determination of the instant of their passing over a reference line (30). It includes a moving station (1) mounted on the vehicle and a fixed station (2) arranged alongside a racetrack (3). The fixed station broadcasts a low-frequency synchronization signal of period T which is received by the moving station, the latter in turn broadcasting a series of signals of duration Tn located in a predetermined rank relative to the time t.sub.o marking each start of period T. Conjointly the moving station allocates an identification code peculiar to a given moving object to each signal Tn. The signals received by the fixed station are stored in a memory which for each signal memorizes its absolute time, its association with a given vehicle and its amplitude. The arrangement is used for motor vehicle races which include a large number of competitors.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the gait of a horse comprises a device (4) for measuring displacement parameters of the horse (2) along at least one axis (Z), processing device (5, 8) for processing the signals coming from the measuring device (4), microprocessor for comparing the amplitude of the output signals from the processing device means with at least one given value characterizing a gait error of the horse (2), and a device (10) for indicating a gait error.

Abstract: A device and a method for displaying to a person moving on a course the elapsed time between two points on the course. Generally, the person would be on or in a mode of transportation, such as a race car. A retroreflective switch is attached to the car and includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits an infrared light beam such that the light beam strikes a reflector adjacent the course when the car is on the course adjacent the reflector. The receiver includes a light detector that outputs a detection signal in response to detecting the reflected light beam from the reflector. A processor connected to the receiver receives a first detection signal as the car is adjacent a first reflector and receives a second detection signal when the car is adjacent a second reflector and determines the elapsed time between said first and said second detected signals. A display connected to the processor receives the elapsed time and displays it to the person driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for controlling tennis competitions with a scoring display for the public or in miniaturized form on a device carried by the tennis player. There are push-buttons for each opponent to enter the winning points into a computer and the scoring display shows the results in the usual way for tennis. An input before the match states the right of service for the following games including tie breaks, which will also be shown on the scoring display. With the inputs stop watch timer(s) start to run and control the time rules of the tennis competitions, which may be shown by analog signs around the circumference of the scoring display in one embodiment. With a functional push-button one can switch to the scoring display the real time and other important dates for tennis competitions.