Abstract: Some embodiments include club heads having reinforced club head faces. In one example, the club head comprises a variable face thickness with thickened and thinned regions. The face includes a thinned perimeter region positioned near a perimeter of the face, and a thickened central region positioned over a geometric center of the face. The club head further comprises a 360 undercut that extends along the entire perimeter of the face. The combination of the thinned perimeter region, thickened central region, and 360 undercut reinforces the club head while permitting the face to bend. Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a golf club are described that has a removable face weight to dramatically alter the weight of the head of the golf club and change the dynamics of the golf club by simply changing the face weight. The golf club is also configured to receive one or more weights to allow the weight of the head to be varied and permit a change in the weight distribution of the head.

Abstract: An amusement system features an interactive floor with an array of panels laid out in one or more grids to collectively define an interactive floor surface, an illumination system operable to individually illuminate each panel, and a sensing system operable to detect presence of any participant atop any panel. A base frame of the interactive floor is composed of a plurality of base modules seated on a subfloor, and supporting a respective panel for one or more cells of the interactive floor. The base modules are not directly fastened together, and instead are only intercoupled by perimeter seals applied over peripheral regions of the panels of neighbouring modules. Separation of the modules is constrained by surrounding walls of a room fully occupied by the interactive floor. In gameplay, some panels are distinctively illuminated as hazards to be avoided by participants, subject to penalty.

Abstract: A method for determining golf shot characteristics includes detecting, in imaging data captured by an imager, a signature of a golf shot launched from a first launch area, a field of view of the imager including one of the first launch area and an area adjacent to the first launch area, and determining, from the imaging data, first golf shot characteristics, the first shot characteristics including a first launch location and a first launch time in combination with determining whether the first launch location and the first launch time correspond to a second launch location and a second launch time for second golf shot characteristics determined from sensor data captured by a further sensor arrangement and when no correspondence is found between the first and second launch locations and the first and second launch times, transmitting the first shot characteristics to a display at the first launch location.

Abstract: A sand trap simulation pad is provided having a fluffy structure on its top surface made up of soft loose-ended hair-like fibers and having a high-friction material on its bottom surface. The pad is configured for use as a golf swing training device to practice hitting a golf ball out of a sand trap. Repetitive use of the pad teaches a user the optimal golf swing for properly hitting a golf ball out of a sand trap.

Abstract: A training system includes a tool connected to a control module. The tool includes a tip and a grip having two or more force sensing transducers configured to enable determination of sensor force measurement data. The control module receives the sensor force measurement data. The control module includes a storage device configured to store zeroed force data, and a data processing unit including a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to obtain the sensor force measurement data and the zeroed force data; determine, based upon the sensor force measurement data and the zeroed force data, a load force magnitude that is independent of grasp forces; determine whether the load force is within a set range; and, provide a corresponding indication where the load force is within the set range and/or where the load force is outside of the set range.

Abstract: According to one example, a training device includes a first set of time of flight sensors (ToF) positioned to face in a first direction, a plurality of addressable red, green, blue light emitting diodes (RGB LEDs) positioned to face in the first direction, and a second set of ToF sensors positioned to face in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The training device includes and/or is in communication with one or more processors that can determine a training program for a user that includes visual signals that represent a plurality of actions for performance by the user. Also, for each of the plurality of actions, the training device can cause a first set of the plurality of addressable RGB LEDs to provide a visual indication of the corresponding action for performance by the user, and detect whether the user performed the corresponding action.

Abstract: Provided is a sensory substitution apparatus and method that combines two or more pieces of multi-sense sensory information to be converted into different multi-sense sensory information, in which received pieces of multiple information are combined to suit sensory characteristics of the user's body and efficiently transmitted to a different sensory organ. According to the present invention includes: receiving input sensory information; classifying the input sensory information; calculating an importance of each of individual sensory information; determining a target sense for which part or all of the individual sensory information, of which an importance is calculated, is to be converted into a new sensory signal incongruent with the corresponding individual sense; and converting the input sensory information into target sensory information to be transmitted to the determined target sense which is an organ.

Abstract: The invention describes a bat for baseball or softball having a composite or metallic outer barrel and an insert assembly formed from composite or metallic materials and soft foam materials. The invention describes a number of embodiments of the insert assembly which may include adjustable floating or fixed power cones and adjustable sleeves, as well as a dual wall construction with the radially outer wall having an annular gap to allow limited directional flex of the radially outer wall of the insert assembly upon impact with a ball.

Abstract: Some embodiments include club heads having reinforced club head faces. Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The system provides an improved and durable bat, that is also resistant to vibration, while still maximizing performance characteristics. In one embodiment, a thermal heat shrink to encase the bat with a more durable, crack and chip resistant outer layer. In one embodiment, polyolefin is used as the heat shrink materials. The heat shrink material also reduces vibration effects significantly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for 3D flight tracking of objects include a method including: determining at least one three dimensional trajectory for at least one golf ball hit into a three dimensional physical space based on observations by at least one golf ball sensor placed adjacent to the three dimensional physical space; calculating systemic and stochastic errors for the at least one three dimensional trajectory in accordance with variations in golf ball launching position, variations in locations for the at least one golf ball sensor, or both; and presenting a report showing a summary of the calculated systemic and stochastic errors to indicate preferred hitting positions, a different location for the at least one golf ball sensor, or both.

Abstract: Pneumatic simulator for an open bolt firearm including an actuator group having a stationary piston and a moving bolt. With each simulated firing cycle producing a firing event, the spring actuates moving bolt toward stationary piston such that the activator unseats a valve located in the stationary piston. Unseating the valve allows regulated compressed gas to exit a high pressure reservoir located in the firearm magazine well which drives the moving bolt back against the spring to complete a firing cycle. Subsequent firing cycles will continue automatically as long as the shooter keeps the trigger depressed. A tension rod, and laser also may comprise the simulator assembly. A nut may be used to secure the tension rod and laser. A laser cable may be used to electrically connect laser to a firing event signal generator. The firing event signal generator may include a magnet located in the moving bolt and a pickup positioned in the stationary piston.

Abstract: A system for determining potential changes in trajectories of golf shots includes a sensor array sensing swing data relating to a golfer's swing and trajectory data relating to the trajectories of each of a plurality of shots hit by the golfer and a computing arrangement including a data repository and a processor configured to: store in the data repository the swing data and the trajectory data; identify shots hit by the golfer that represent mishits; and determine output data based on the swing data and the trajectory data for all of the shots hit by the golfer that are not identified as mishits, the output data indicating an optimal shot achievable by the golfer.

Abstract: A system, method, and device are disclosed for creating a simulation that seamlessly switches or dissolves between see through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) thereby creating a mixed reality environment. The mixed reality environment switching or dissolving between AR and VR (or vice-versa) automatically based on predefined rules. The system, method, and device enabling the use of existing real world devices (e.g., sports equipment) displaying the real world devices in both AR and VR modes.

Abstract: A ball bat includes outer shell segments longitudinally spaced apart from each other to form a gap between them. A joint connects the segments. A first outer shell segment may include a barrel portion of the ball bat and at least part of a tapered portion of the ball bat. A second outer shell segment may include at least part of the tapered portion. The joint may include a tubular element having a first portion positioned within the first outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the first outer shell segment, and a second portion positioned within the second outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the second outer shell segment. The tubular element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the joint may be formed by an elastomeric material connecting the outer shell segments in the gap.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for autonomous tennis assistant systems. Example methods include determining, by a device, an outer boundary line of a tennis court, generating a digital representation of the tennis court using the outer boundary line, where the digital representation includes at least a portion of an out-of-bounds area adjacent to the outer boundary line, determining a first location of a first tennis ball, and causing a tennis ball retrieval robot to move to the first location to retrieve the first tennis ball, where the tennis ball retrieval robot is wirelessly connected to the device.

Abstract: Simulated motion of the papillary muscles in a heart simulator is provided that simulates natural motion of the papillary muscles. This improves heart valve simulation. This can be done with a six degree of freedom robotic actuator (e.g., a Stewart platform or the like) appropriately driven by a controller. This can also be done with a robotic actuator that provides constrained motion of its effector by including a mechanical linkage, as long as the resulting simulated papillary muscle motion includes time-varying position and orientation of the papillary muscle.

Abstract: A system determining a spin axis of a ball includes a radar transmitting a signal into a target area. The radar includes a minimum of three receivers arranged so that two pairs of receivers are not co-linear. The system also includes a Processing Unit (“PU”) receiving data from the radar and determining a radar range of frequencies received at a point in time corresponding to differing velocities relative to the radar of different portions of the ball as the ball is spinning. PU divides the radar frequency range into a plurality of frequency components and calculating, for each of the frequency components, an angular position associated therewith. PU identifies as a projection of the spin axis in a plane perpendicular to a line of sight from the radar to the ball, a line perpendicular to a line represented by the determined angular positions.

Abstract: A Powder Dispersal Target Impact Indication System (PDS) includes a body configured to contain a powdered substance for dispersing into air external to the body on impact of a target by a firearm projectile. A mounting structure is used to mount the body to the target. A securing cap is configured to retain the powdered substance within the body. A dispersal aperture is configured to disperse the powdered substance.