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 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 system includes a database, a tracking arrangement, a motion sensor device and a processing arrangement. The database stores profiles for each sports player, each profile comprising identifying information for the player and a playerID. The tracking arrangement captures shot data corresponding to trajectories of sports balls launched by the players. The motion sensor device captures motion data corresponding to a swinging motion of a player or ball striking implement. The tracking arrangement and the motion sensor device: detect a first swing of a first player from the motion data captured by the motion sensor device, the first player being associated with a first playerID; associate the first swing of the first player with a timestamp and a location; and associate a first trajectory of a sports ball from the shot data captured by the tracking arrangement to the first swing based on the timestamp and the location.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a first point on an object striking element in a first image and a second image from images. The first and second images are captured within a predetermined time span of an impact of the object with the element and determining an impact time of the impact in combination with determining a position in the first and/or second images corresponding to a location of the object at the impact time. Based on the positions of the first point in the first and second images, determining a position in the first and/or second images corresponding to a position of the first point at the impact time. The method also includes determining a distance from the imager to a location at which the object and the element impact one another and determining an impact location of the object relative to the first point.

Abstract: A system includes a database, a camera, a tracking arrangement, and a processing arrangement. The database stores profiles including visual profiles of a plurality of sports players, each visual profile comprising identifying information for a player, each profile comprising an associated playerID. The camera captures a video stream comprising images of the sports players. The tracking arrangement captures data corresponding to trajectories of sports balls launched by the sports players. The processing arrangement coupled to the database. The camera and the tracking arrangement configured to; detect a first sports player in an image from the video stream and determine visual characteristics of the first detected sports player; match the determined visual characteristics to a first visual profile of a first profile and an associated first playerID stored in the database; and associate a first trajectory associated with a first sports shot with the first playerID.

Abstract: A processor and camera capture data corresponding to a position of a ball and automatically adjust orientation and zoom level of the camera. The processor pre-calibrates the camera so an initial orientation is known in a world coordinate system (WCS) and so different zoom levels are associated with respective parameter values. A first position of the ball in a first image is detected and a first zoom level of the first image and intrinsic parameter values for the first zoom level are read. Based on pan and tilt relative to the initial orientation, the first orientation of the camera is determined. A 3D line through the camera and the ball in WCS is determined based on the first position, the first orientation and parameter values for the first zoom level and a 3D position is determined in WCS along the line based on information extrinsic to the camera.

Abstract: A system includes a camera capturing images in a first field of view of a sports ball bouncing and rolling, a storage arrangement, and a processing arrangement. The storage arrangement includes a three-dimensional 3D model of a part of a sports play area and the processing arrangement is configured to: detect a pixel location of a ball in an image; determine, based on intrinsic and extrinsic calibration parameters, a camera-ball line comprising a straight line passing through the camera in the direction of the sports ball and to determine, based on the 3D model, an intersection point of the camera-ball line with the 3D model. The processor outputs the intersection point as a 3D position of the ball in the image.

Abstract: A method and a device are for simulating a golf shot for a user. The method includes receiving golf course information and receiving historical golf shot capabilities of the user in combination with generating at least one current golf shot simulation based on a current position of a golf ball on the golf course, the golf course information and the historical golf shot capabilities of the user and determining a strategy for the current golf shot based on the at least one current golf shot simulation.

Abstract: A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports hall, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

Abstract: A method and a device are for simulating a golf shot for a user. The method includes receiving golf course information and receiving historical golf shot capabilities of the user in combination with generating at least one current golf shot simulation based on a current position of a golf ball on the golf course, the golf course information and the historical golf shot capabilities of the user and determining a strategy for the current golf shot based on the at least one current golf shot simulation.

Abstract: A method includes generating an initial radar track using radar data and initial radar parameters and an initial camera track using image angular position data, initial camera parameters, and the radar range data in combination with calculating correction parameters to be applied to one of the radar data and the image data by comparing positions for the object from the initial radar track and the initial camera track, the first correction parameters being selected so that, when applied to the data from the other of the radar and the camera, to generate a first corrected track, a degree of correspondence between the first corrected track and the track of the other of the radar and camera is higher than a degree of correspondence between the initial radar track and the initial camera track.

Abstract: A system for tracking an object includes a first tracking device aimed so that a first field of view of the first tracking device covers at least a portion of a target volume into which an object is to be launched from a launch location and a processor receiving data from the tracking device and identifying from the data the velocity of the object over time, the processor identifying, based on changes in the velocity of the object over time, a first portion of a path of the object during which the object was in one of a bouncing state and a sliding state.

Abstract: A system for tracking multiple projectiles includes a first radar device aimed so that a field of view of the first radar device covers at least a portion of a target area into which projectiles are to be launched from a plurality of launch locations and a processor receiving data from the radar and identifying from the data tracks of a plurality of projectiles. The processor determines for each projectile track identified a specific one of the launch locations from which the projectile was launched and provides to the launch location associated with each projectile data corresponding to a trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A method of determining spin parameters of a sports ball, such as spin axis and rotation velocity of a golf ball. The spin axis is determined solely from the trajectory of the flying ball, and the rotational velocity is determined from a frequency analysis of a signal provided by a radar, which signal comprises spectrum traces positioned equidistantly in frequency, which frequency distance relates to the spin velocity.

Abstract: A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

Abstract: A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

Abstract: A system for tracking multiple projectiles includes a first radar device aimed so that a field of view of the first radar device covers at least a portion of a target area into which projectiles are to be launched from a plurality of launch locations and a processor receiving data from the radar and identifying from the data tracks of a plurality of projectiles. The processor determines for each projectile track identified a specific one of the launch locations from which the projectile was launched and provides to the launch location associated with each projectile data corresponding to a trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A system for tracking an object includes a first tracking device aimed so that a first field of view of the first tracking device covers at least a portion of a target volume into which an object is to be launched from a launch location and a processor receiving data from the tracking device and identifying from the data the velocity of the object over time, the processor identifying, based on changes in the velocity of the object over time, a first portion of a path of the object during which the object was in one of a bouncing state and a sliding state.

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 for tracking the movement of an object includes a radar device having a first field of view. The radar device generates radar data indicating one of a range corresponding to a distance of a moving object within the first field of view from the radar device and a range rate corresponding to a rate at which the distance is changing relative to the radar device. The system also includes an imager having a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view in an overlap field of view. The imager generates imager data measuring, when the object is in the second field of view, an angular position of the object relative to the imager in at least one dimension. In addition, the system includes a processor combining the radar data and imager data, when the object is in the overlap field of view, to identify a track of the object in at least two dimensions.