Abstract: A device for training and testing dynamic visual acuity is provided. The device comprises an object that is tethered using a connector, such as a string. The object may display one or more visual indicia with a given characteristic. Examples of visual indicia may include letters, numbers, shapes, and the like. Additional exemplary characteristics of the visual indicia may include varying sizes and contrasting colors. Once tethered, the object can be put into motion, which causes the subject to use more effort in viewing and identifying the visual indicia on the device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an eye alignment training device that may be used to train and improve an individual's ability to align their vision. In using this device, a base piece of the device is held by the user, a connector may extend from the base piece while another end of the connector may be secured, for example, to a wall. Between each end, sliding markers slideably positioned on the connector may have various visual characteristics. For example, each marker may be of a different color. The markers may be moved to different locations on the connector, and the subject may move his focus between the various markers. When not in use, the connector may be stored in a cavity within the base piece, such as by being wound around a groove in the base piece, retained within a gap in the base piece, or retained within a cavity enclosed within the base piece. The device may have a retraction mechanism which retracts the connector into the cavity of the base piece.

Abstract: The visual focusing and/or vergence abilities of a subject may be trained and/or tested using apparatuses and methods in accordance with the present invention. The subject may be provided with an apparatus having optical elements having different optical characteristics and instructed to look through an optical element having a first optical characteristic and to focus on an indicia or object. The subject may be instructed to rotate the apparatus and to look through optical elements having a second optical characteristic and to focus on the same or different indicia or object. The subject may be instructed to repeat this process with this or further apparatuses having optical elements having the same or different optical characteristics. The visual focusing and/or vergence abilities of a subject may thus be tested and/or trained.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated testing and/or training of a subject's visual ability at varying distances are provided. A near display device may display visual indicia possessing characteristics. After receiving an input identifying a visual characteristic possessed by the displayed indicia, a second indicia may be displayed on a far display device. After receiving an input identifying a characteristic of the indicia displayed on the far display device, further testing may proceed alternating between the near display device and the far display device. More than two display devices may be utilized, with the display devices being located at differing distances or positions relative to a subject.

Abstract: Conical face shields, sports helmets, and methods for orienting a conical face shield in a sports helmet are described. In embodiments, the conical face shield has at least two opposing arcuate edges, at least two opposing side edges, and a shield. The arcuate edges each have a first end, a second end, and an edge surface extending between the first end and the second end. Further, the edge surface of the first arcuate edge and the edge surface of the second arcuate edge include an arc segment and the arc segment of the edge surface of the first arcuate edge is part of an ellipse with a greater semi-minor axis than the semi-minor axis of the ellipse forming the arc segment of the edge surface of the second arcuate edge. In various other embodiments, the conical face shield may be horizontally and/or vertically tapered.

Abstract: The present invention tests and/or trains the visual sensitivity of a subject using adaptable visual indicia. One or more visual indicia possessing a visual trait are displayed to the subject. The displayed visual indicia possessing a visual trait may be adjusted to determine when a subject can and cannot be perceived by the subject. A displayed visual indicia may be adjusted in its size, rate of movement, direction of movement, location of display, duration of display, or other characteristic. To determine whether a subject correctly perceived the visual trait possessed by a displayed visual indicia, an input may be received from the subject. If an input received corresponds to the visual trait possessed by the displayed visual indicia, the subject may be determined to have correctly perceived the displayed visual indicia and the visual trait.

Abstract: A garment, such as a sports uniform, may provide visibility zones and/or flicker zones to enhance the ability of teammates to perceive the wearer. Different zones on a garment may have different sets of visual properties that may contrast with one another and/or a visual background. A denier differential between layers of a garment may facilitate moisture transport across the layers of the garment. Flicker zones may be discrete from or combined with visibility zones. One or more zones of a garment may also be substantially non-reflective at wavelengths associated with the visual background encountered while wearing the garment.

Abstract: Methods and equipment to improve the visual ability of a subject during athletic activities are provided. One such method includes configuring a sporting object to visually approximate the appearance of a background or configuring a background to visually approximate the appearance of a sporting object. A subject may then train using the sporting object visually in front of the low contrast background. A background where the visual appearance of the background comprises at least one depiction of the sporting object may be used. A subject may then train using the sporting object visually in front of the background.

Abstract: Putters and putter heads better camouflage the main body of the head and/or highlight the alignment aid. The top surface of the head (when viewed from a ball address orientation) may be finished in a non-reflective, matte finish, optionally, in a dark color and/or in a color or colors selected so as to blend into or match the color of a golf green. At least some portion of the shaft member may be colored and finished in this same manner. These features help in visualization of the alignment aid (which also may be designed to help in alignment). If desired, the club head and/or shaft color and finish may be customized based on the greens at a specific golf course, greens in a specific geographical region, greens of a specific grass type, greens at a specific time of year or under specific conditions, etc.

Abstract: System and methods for testing and/or training a subject's visual ability are provided. More specifically, the method may include testing various aspects of the subject's visual acuity, such as clarity, contrast, tracking, etc. By using various tests, a more efficient examination may be administered. In accordance with the invention, an individual may be tested using methods of testing and/or training at a unitary center, where the unitary center is capable of presenting visual tests to the individual, receiving input from the individual, and processing the received input. Such a unitary test center may further be configurable, so that the tests administered may vary based on the needs of the individual. The received input may then, for example, be used to compute data related to the user's visual acuity, both overall and for each individual test.

Abstract: Protective eyewear is configured so that interior surfaces are associated with visual characteristics based on a use environment. Eyewear includes an interior surface having two or three horizontal zones that are assigned colors, gray levels, color coordinates, or other characteristics based on playing surface characteristics. Upper, middle, and lower interior portions can be associated with blue, green, and brown, respectively.

Abstract: System and methods for testing and/or training a subject's visual perception span and/or speed are provided. More specifically, a method may include testing/training various aspects of the subject's visual perception span/speed through the use of assessments that test the subject's ability to receive and retain information that is flashed in front of them. By using various assessments, an efficient examination may be administered. In accordance with the invention, an individual may be subjected to such a method of testing/training comprising: presenting one or more two-dimensional representations to the subject at a first time; receiving input responses from the subject at a second time; and processing the received input responses to provide a measure of the perception span of the subject; and processing the time between the first time and the second time to provide a measure of the perception speed of the subject.

Abstract: The contrast sensitivity of an individual may be tested and/or trained using a plurality of circular contrast zones. The individual may select the circular contrast zone having a different degree of contrast than the other circular contrast zones. For example, the individual may select the circular contrast zone having the highest or lowest contrast of a displayed plurality of circular contrast zones. A plurality of circular contrast zones may be displayed with a spatial arrangement that facilitates inputting a selection of one of the plurality by the individual. A variety of input devices may be used to receive a selection from an individual. Both the accuracy and speed of an individual's contrast sensitivity may be tested and/or trained in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention tests and/or trains the visual sensitivity of a subject using adaptable visual indicia. One or more visual indicia possessing a visual trait are displayed to the subject. The displayed visual indicia possessing a visual trait may be adjusted to determine when a subject can and cannot be perceived by the subject. A displayed visual indicia may be adjusted in its size, rate of movement, direction of movement, location of display, duration of display, or other characteristic. To determine whether a subject correctly perceived the visual trait possessed by a displayed visual indicia, an input may be received from the subject. If an input received corresponds to the visual trait possessed by the displayed visual indicia, the subject may be determined to have correctly perceived the displayed visual indicia and the visual trait.

Abstract: Sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, casings for sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, and methods for enhancing visual acuity of a soccer ball are described. In embodiments, the sporting ball has an exterior with a substantially spherical surface including a first pole opposing a second pole and an equator circumferentially intermediate the first pole and the second pole. Additionally, in embodiments a first exterior region of a first color may include a first hub section oriented at the first pole generally opposite a second hub section oriented at the second pole on the substantially spherical surface. The first hub section may have one or more first hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator, and the second hub section may have one or more second hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator. Further, in embodiments, the sporting ball may have a second exterior region of a second color.

Abstract: The eye movement, body movement, and/or physiological performance of a subject may tracked while the subject performs a task, such as participating in an activity or sport. The collected data may then be used to identify correlations between the subject's eyesight and the subject's body movement exists and/or physiology. Such a correlation may be analyzed (e.g., over time) to determine any delays or gaps in the subject's ability to track an object, such as a ball, while participating in a sport or other activity. Further, a subject's performance may be compared to data collected from other individuals. The eye movement, body movement, and/or physiological performance data may be used to test and/or train the visual and cognitive abilities of an individual.

Abstract: A method of making a protective shield is provided. The method comprises molding an arcuate lens blank having an optical center displaced from an apex of the lens to a position near or beyond the edge of the protective shield. This reduces the object shift as wearer of the lens shifts gaze from a normal straight ahead line of sight to an activity specific line of sight that is vertically displaced from the normal straight ahead line of sight.

Abstract: Systems and methods may test and/or train the peripheral visual abilities of an individual. Peripheral visual abilities may be tested and/or trained while maintaining a central visual focus by the individual. A central display element may display central visual indicia, while a peripheral display element may display peripheral visual indicia. Each visual indicia displayed may possess one or more trait and, optionally, one or more property. Inputs may be received at a central input device and/or a peripheral input device, with inputs corresponding to the traits perceived to be possessed by displayed indicia. By determining the correspondence of received inputs to the traits possessed by corresponding indicia, the peripheral visual abilities of an individual may be tested and/or trained in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: This invention is related to systems and methods of analyzing sensory ability data. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising the steps of receiving data from a remote location. The data is comprised of sensory ability data and demographic data associated with a subject. The data may then be stored. Further, the method includes identifying a potential evaluation level associated with the subject. The evaluation level is identified, at least in part, utilizing a sports tree function. The method also includes retrieving peer data associated with the potential evaluation level. Additionally, the method includes determining when the peer data is statistically powerful for use in generating a comparative profile of the sensory ability data associated with the subject. Additional embodiments develop training programs based on one or more training program functions.

Abstract: System and methods for testing and/or training a subject's visual perception span and/or speed are provided. More specifically, a method may include testing/training various aspects of the subject's visual perception span/speed through the use of assessments that test the subject's ability to receive and retain information that is flashed in front of them. By using various assessments, an efficient examination may be administered. In accordance with the invention, an individual may be subjected to such a method of testing/training comprising: presenting one or more two-dimensional representations to the subject at a first time; receiving input responses from the subject at a second time; and processing the received input responses to provide a measure of the perception span of the subject; and processing the time between the first time and the second time to provide a measure of the perception speed of the subject.