Abstract: An apparatus for determining flight parameters of a ball in flight along a flight path, includes a pair of light conditioning elements on the ball, a first set of sensors having mutually orthogonal fields of view intersecting along a first plane through which the ball initially passes during flight and a second set of sensors having mutually orthogonal fields of view intersecting along a second plane through which the ball subsequently passes during flight. Each sensor includes a linear array of photodiodes for obtaining a linear image of a linear section of the ball. A controller successively pulses the sensors at microsecond intervals to obtain multiple, successive linear images of successive linear sections of the ball to obtain first and second reconstructed images of the entire ball and the locations of the elements thereon at the first and second planes, respectively, and processes changes in the locations of the elements at the first and second planes to derive the flight parameters.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in training players of a game during a simulated game session in the correct use of a game implement that has to be moved properly during an actual game to encounter a ball and impart to the latter a desired trajectory of movement after impacting the same includes light-emitting devices that emit at least one initial and two subsequent detection light beams from locations arranged at the corners of a triangle into substantially vertically oriented upwardly conically diverging spatial sectors. A reflective surface associated with the implement reflects the light of the respective detection light beam back to the respective location as the implement passes through the respective spatial sector with an intensity that is in a predetermined functional relationship when reaching the respective location to the distance of the reflecting means from the same location and to the degree of penetration of the reflecting means into the respective spatial sector.

Abstract: Environmental variations in ambient light and temperature are eliminated in arrangements for and methods of detecting objects in areas exposed to such variations by generating a differential measurement value indicative of the difference between two signals derived from two light sources, both signals being affected in the same way and extent by the environmental variations.

Abstract: Movement of a musical instrument in space is employed to modulate its sound output. An electro-optical controller is used to detect the elevation of the instrument relative to the floor and, in turn, a control signal for modulating the sound output is generated.

Abstract: Ambient light and temperature fluctuations are suppressed in an optical receiver system by feeding the output of a photodiode directly to one input of a differential amplifier and, via a low pass filter, to another input of the amplifier. Reductions in amplitude in an optical information signal are automatically compensated.

Abstract: An action apparatus generates lights and sounds in response to hand positions above a trio of housings. The apparatus has different operational modes, any one of which is remotely selectable at a distance from, and in a non-contact relationship with, the housing.

Abstract: An optical controller is capable of surrounding a player with a radiation screen from a plurality of panels, and enables the player to produce control signals for interface with a controlled instrument such as a musical instrument, a video game processor, etc. The insertion of the appendage of the player can produce a functional control signal. The relative position of the insertion of the appendage can be determined, for example, as a result of the intensity of reflected radiation in the dispersing radiation screen. The video game processing unit can play either a conventional video game that usually accepts eight functional control signals, or it can utilize the full capacities of the control signals available from the optical controller. The player can simulate the movements of the video character to experience a more realistic game play action.

Abstract: An optical controller is capable of surrounding a player with a radiation screen from a plurality of panels, and enables the player to produce control signals for interface with a controlled instrument such as a musical instrument, a video game processor, etc. The insertion of the appendage of the player can produce a functional control signal. The relative position of the insertion of the appendage can be determined, for example, as a result of the intensity of the reflected radiation in the dispersing radiation screen and adjusted in elevation. The video game processing unit can play either a conventional video game that usually accepts eight functional control signals, or it can utilize the full capacities of the control signals available from the optical controller for enhanced play action.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing signals by means of radiation, for controlling musical instruments, image producing devices, video games, computer games and the like, comprises sensors sensitive to radiation directed towards them from points of sensing spaces, selectively to produce the aforesaid signals, and emitters for conveying radiation to elongated emission spaces.