Abstract: An apparatus for installing a valve in a hollow body. The apparatus includes a first member and a second member, wherein a part of lengths of the first and second members are complementary to each other to accommodate the first member circumferentially over the second member at the complementary part. The second member is configured to be inserted in a hole on an outer surface of the hollow body; advanced inside the hollow body while retaining the first member against the hole; and withdrawn from the hollow body while retaining the first member against the hole. The apparatus is configured to install the valve into the hollow body while the first member is retained against the hole, and wherein the first member is withdrawn upon the installation of the valve into the hollow body.

Abstract: A method for tracking performance of player including determining global direction of magnetic field at first court and computing first court specific data; providing rotation for rotating apparatus about spin axis via player, wherein rotating apparatus comprising XYZ-magnetic field sensor; measuring plurality of magnetic field values as function of time when rotating apparatus is rotating about spin axis; computing magnetic field component of magnetic field in direction of local body co-ordinate of spin axis of rotating apparatus; determining direction of spin axis using computed magnetic field component of magnetic field and determined global direction of magnetic field; determining player specific data comprising angle of spin axis with respect to horizontal ground plane and angle of shot direction with respect to horizontal component of spin axis; and calibrating and storing first court specific data and player specific data to track performance of player at first court.

Abstract: A method for determining a direction of a spin axis of a rotating apparatus which includes an XYZ-magnetic field sensor. The method includes determining a global direction of a magnetic field; rotating the rotating apparatus around the spin axis, measuring at least one magnetic field value as a function of time with the XYZ-magnetic field sensor when the rotating apparatus is rotating about the spin axis, computing a magnetic field component of the magnetic field in a direction of a local body co-ordinate of the spin axis of the rotating apparatus from the measured at least one magnetic field value and determining a direction of the spin axis using the computed magnetic field component of the magnetic field and the determined global direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for determining a direction of a spin axis of a rotating apparatus which includes an XYZ-magnetic field sensor. The method includes determining a global direction of a magnetic field; rotating the rotating apparatus around the spin axis, measuring at least one magnetic field value as a function of time with the XYZ-magnetic field sensor when the rotating apparatus is rotating about the spin axis, computing a magnetic field component of the magnetic field in a direction of a local body co-ordinate of the spin axis of the rotating apparatus from the measured at least one magnetic field value and determining a direction of the spin axis using the computed magnetic field component of the magnetic field and the determined global direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for determining a direction of a spin axis of a rotating apparatus which includes an XYZ-magnetic field sensor. The method includes determining a global direction of a magnetic field; rotating the rotating apparatus around the spin axis, measuring at least one magnetic field value as a function of time with the XYZ-magnetic field sensor when the rotating apparatus is rotating about the spin axis, computing a magnetic field component of the magnetic field in a direction of a local body co-ordinate of the spin axis of the rotating apparatus from the measured at least one magnetic field value and determining a direction of the spin axis using the computed magnetic field component of the magnetic field and the determined global direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for determining a direction of a spin axis of a rotating apparatus which includes an XYZ-magnetic field sensor. The method includes determining a global direction of a magnetic field; rotating the rotating apparatus around the spin axis, measuring at least one magnetic field value as a function of time with the XYZ-magnetic field sensor when the rotating apparatus is rotating about the spin axis, computing a magnetic field component of the magnetic field in a direction of a local body co-ordinate of the spin axis of the rotating apparatus from the measured at least one magnetic field value and determining a direction of the spin axis using the computed magnetic field component of the magnetic field and the determined global direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for automatic identification of at least one player. The system and method are associated with a processing unit, and at least one projectile having a wireless interface and at least one sensor. The sensor collects sensor data at a first moment of time before release of the projectile by the player and communicates the sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit collects and analyses the sensor data to identify similar data, associates such data to a player, and stores the associated data. The sensor collects further sensor data at a second moment of time before release of the projectile by the player, which second moment of time is later than the first moment of time and communicates the further sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit compares the further sensor data to the stored associated data to identify the player.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for automatic identification of at least one player. The system and method are associated with a processing unit, and at least one projectile having a wireless interface and at least one sensor. The sensor collects sensor data at a first moment of time before release of the projectile by the player and communicates the sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit collects and analyses the sensor data to identify similar data, associates such data to a player, and stores the associated data. The sensor collects further sensor data at a second moment of time before release of the projectile by the player, which second moment of time is later than the first moment of time and communicates the further sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit compares the further sensor data to the stored associated data to identify the player.

Abstract: An apparatus including a data acquisition device, a processing unit, a memory and an output device. The data acquisition device obtains at least one attribute of a shot of a basketball towards a basket. The at least one attribute is sensed by at least one sensor carried by the basketball or derived from signal output by the at least one sensor. The memory contains instructions to direct the processing unit to determine whether the shot is a made basket shot or a missed basketball shot by comparing the at least one attribute of the shot to one or more predetermined signature characteristics of a made basket. The output device presents output to a person based on the determination of whether the shot is a made basket shot or a missed basket shot.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for automatic identification of at least one player. The system and method are associated with a processing unit, and at least one projectile having a wireless interface and at least one sensor. The sensor collects sensor data at a first moment of time before release of the projectile by the player and communicates the sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit collects and analyses the sensor data to identify similar data, associates such data to a player, and stores the associated data. The sensor collects further sensor data at a second moment of time before release of the projectile by the player, which second moment of time is later than the first moment of time and communicates the further sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit compares the further sensor data to the stored associated data to identify the player.

Abstract: A sport monitoring system includes a projectile(s), sensor units for one or more players to wear, and a data processing arrangement. The projectiles are useable in a game played by players. Each projectile has a motion sensing arrangement for generating one or more motion-indicative signals, and a data recording arrangement for recording the motion-indicative signals as a function of time. Each sensor unit is provided with a motion sensing arrangement for generating a motion-indicative signal(s), and a data recording arrangement for recording the motion-indicative signals as a function of time. The data processing arrangement receives data pertaining to the motion-indicative signals from at least one of the projectiles and/or at least one of the sensor units. The data processing arrangement performs a temporal correlation of the data to determine one or more periods of time when the projectiles are likely to be spatially closely associated with the players.

Abstract: A system (234, 220, 200) for monitoring movements of one or more users and/or one or more projectiles during sports activities performed by the one or more users is provided. The one or more projectiles (200) incorporate sensors (202, 204) for sensing movements of the one or more projectiles (200) during the sports activities. A user interface (220) is used for presenting automated sports training services. A data processing arrangement (234, 232, 220) is used for analysing one or more records of the movements of the one or more projectiles (200) against reference data, for providing the automated sports training services to the one or more users via the user interface (220).

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for automatic identification of at least one player. The system and method are associated with a processing unit, and at least one projectile having a wireless interface and at least one sensor. The sensor collects sensor data at a first moment of time before release of the projectile by the player and communicates the sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit collects and analyses the sensor data to identify similar data, associates such data to a player, and stores the associated data. The sensor collects further sensor data at a second moment of time before release of the projectile by the player, which second moment of time is later than the first moment of time and communicates the further sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit compares the further sensor data to the stored associated data to identify the player.

Abstract: A portable computing device for enabling user to view video content of sports activity such as basketball or ice hockey. The computing device is configured to receive video content, video clips, statistics of the game as well as spatial position data of players and position data of for example a ball used in the game as functions of time. Spectators can use the portable computing device to view spatial position of the players and the ball at given time of the game or view spatial position of the players and/or the ball based on set filters by the user. User can for example select to see spatial position of players in at the times when the team scored or according to other statistics. The user/spectator can use the user interface of the computing device to select an icon of a player to see corresponding video clip of actions in the sports field.

Abstract: A sports apparatus is provided. The sports apparatus includes a computing device, an imaging device, and a projectile. The projectile includes a configuration of sensors for collecting sensor data, and a wireless interface for communicating the sensor data to the computing device. The computing device is operable to use the sensor data to detect a beginning of an event of interest, and to use the imaging device to start recording a sequence of still images along an expected trajectory of the projectile based on the detected beginning of the event of interest. The sequence of still images comprises at least one image where the projectile is detectable. Moreover, the computing device is operable to use the at least one image and the sensor data to determine a time-parameterized trajectory of the projectile, and to determine whether the time-parameterized trajectory intersects a specified region in space.

Abstract: A sports apparatus for monitoring movement of a sport projectile includes a sensor and a wireless interface disposed within the sport projectile for communicating sampled data signals from the sensor, a portable communication device in wireless communication with the wireless sensor for receiving sampled data signals from the wireless sensor, the sampled data signals indicative of a motion of the sport projectile. The portable communication device includes a controller having a memory including programming instructions that when executed by the processor cause the controller to detect a sensor signal from the wireless interface, determine a motion characteristic of the sport projectile from the motion characteristic from the sensor signal, and determine if the motion characteristic is passage of the sports projectile through a goal structure, motion of the sports projectile after a shot or an impact of the sport projectile with an object.

Abstract: A sports apparatus is provided for monitoring movement of one or more projectiles associated with a sporting event. The apparatus includes a data processing system for processing sampled data signals generated in operation by one or more sensors (202, 204) included in the one or more projectiles. Moreover, the apparatus includes a mobile telephone coupled in wireless communication with the one or more projectiles for receiving the sampled data signals indicative of motion of the one or more projectiles. Furthermore, the mobile telephone is operable to execute one or more software products therein for analyzing the sampled data signals received at the mobile telephone for providing analysis results indicative of a nature of trajectory of the one or more projectiles.

Abstract: A portable computing device for enabling user to view video content of sports activity such as basketball or ice hockey. The computing device is configured to receive video content, video clips, statistics of the game as well as spatial position data of players and position data of for example a ball used in the game as functions of time. Spectators can use the portable computing device to view spatial position of the players and the ball at given time of the game or view spatial position of the players and/or the ball based on set filters by the user. User can for example select to see spatial position of players in at the times when the team scored or according to other statistics. The user/spectator can use the user interface to select an icon of a player to see corresponding video clip of actions in the sports field.

Abstract: A sports apparatus is provided for monitoring movement of one or more projectiles associated with a sporting event. The apparatus includes a data processing system for processing sampled data signals generated in operation by one or more sensors (202, 204) included in the one or more projectiles. Moreover, the apparatus includes a mobile telephone coupled in wireless communication with the one or more projectiles for receiving the sampled data signals indicative of motion of the one or more projectiles. Furthermore, the mobile telephone is operable to execute one or more software products therein for analyzing the sampled data signals received at the mobile telephone for providing analysis results indicative of a nature of trajectory of the one or more projectiles.

Abstract: A system (234, 220, 200) for monitoring movements of one or more users and/or one or more projectiles during sports activities performed by the one or more users is provided. The one or more projectiles (200) incorporate sensors (202, 204) for sensing movements of the one or more projectiles (200) during the sports activities. A user interface (220) is used for presenting automated sports training services. A data processing arrangement (234, 232, 220) is used for analysing one or more records of the movements of the one or more projectiles (200) against reference data, for providing the automated sports training services to the one or more users via the user interface (220).