Patents Assigned to Sports Sensors, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11536839
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer program products for measuring the speed of an object. A speed measuring device includes a rangefinder module configured to measure distances from the device to a target object. Activating the device causes the device to measure a first distance from the device to the object along a first line-of-sight, and a second distance from the device to the object along a second line-of-sight. The device determines an angular displacement between the first line-of-sight and the second line-of-sight, and one or more of an elapsed time between measuring the first distance and measuring the second distance and a radial velocity of the object. The device then determines the absolute speed of the object based on the first distance, the second distance, the angular displacement, and one or more of the elapsed time and radial velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10478695
    Abstract: An instrumented batting system measures a bat speed and an exit velocity as a batter swings a bat and initiates contact between the bat and a ball positioned on a batting tee assembly. The batting tee assembly includes a bat speed radar device and an exit velocity radar device each in communication with a computing device. The bat speed radar device emits a radar beam that intersects a swing plane of the batter in a direction generally toward an expected position of the batter. The exit velocity radar device emits another radar beam that intersects a flight path of the ball in another direction generally away from the expected position of the batter. The system determines the bat speed and exit velocity using the radar beams, calculates a batting metric based on the bat speed and exit velocity, and displays the swing metric using a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10071296
    Abstract: An instrumented, swing path adjustable, angle-adjustable batting tee is disclosed that measures both a bat speed and a ball exit velocity as a hitter swings a bat and initiates contact with a ball positioned on the tee. A bat speed radar detector is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of the ball set on the tee so that the bat speed radar detector measures the bat speed upon the bat initiating contact with the ball. A ball exit velocity radar is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of a ball flight of the ball as it leaves the bat so that the ball exit velocity radar measures the ball exit velocity of the ball in-flight after contact between the bat and the ball. The ball flight is a path that the ball travels after contact between the bat and a baseball or softball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9700777
    Abstract: An instrumented, swing path adjustable, angle-adjustable batting tee is disclosed that measures both a bat speed and a ball exit velocity as a hitter swings a bat and initiates contact with a ball positioned on the tee. A bat speed radar detector is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of the ball set on the tee so that the bat speed radar detector measures the bat speed upon the bat initiating contact with the ball. A ball exit velocity radar is coupled to the tee and positioned within proximity of a ball flight of the ball as it leaves the bat so that the ball exit velocity radar measures the ball exit velocity of the ball in-flight after contact between the bat and the ball. The ball flight is a path that the ball travels after contact between the bat and a baseball or softball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sports Sensor, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8007367
    Abstract: A golf club head swing timing device that uses radar to measure the duration of a golf swing. Club head speed measurement is also provided. The details of the disclosed embodiments include the ability of detecting the start and end of a golf swing, and to do so from information from the radar signal. Preferably, RF Doppler radar is used. Various modes of use and display are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc
    Inventors: Albert E. Dilz, Jr., Louis Born
  • Patent number: 6898971
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sport object, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball or arrow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object preferably utilizes CW Doppler radar of a microwave radio frequency. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line. The remote display/annunciator can also or in the alternative be separated and located remote from the transmitter/receiver and connected by a cable or a wireless link. The sensor is useful for other speed measurements in sports applications, such as for measurement of bat speed, golf club head speed or the speed of another racket, club or bat type implement, or to measure punch or kick speed in martial arts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040159153
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, particularly an object being shot or launched, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball being shot from a gun or an arrow being shot from a bow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz
  • Patent number: 6666089
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, particularly an object being shot or launched, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball being shot from a gun or an arrow being shot from a bow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020162391
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, particularly an object being shot or launched, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball being shot from a gun or an arrow being shot from a bow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz
  • Patent number: 6378367
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example, a ball such as a baseball or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person's wrist. The sensor measures the speed, for example, of a ball about to be caught and displays the speed of the ball to the catching player. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6079269
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example a ball such as a baseball or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person's wrist. The sensor measures the speed of a ball about to be caught, for example, and displays the speed of the ball to the catching player. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator. A simple, low cost unit having a low radiation and low energy consumption transmitter, receiver and signal processor, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: D425435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Ward, David Overman, Albert E. Dilz, Jr., David L. Hunt, David K. Memke, David L. Slayton