Abstract: A ball machine comprising an imaging system to capture image data and a processor configured to, for a frame of the image data, analyze the image data using a neural network to detect a plurality of persons, determine a coordinate position on a playing surface of each of the plurality of detected persons, extract features of each of the plurality of detected persons, generate a first set of feature vectors corresponding to the plurality of detected persons, associate a first feature vector to the coordinate position on the playing surface of a first detected person to generate a first unique identifier, associate a second feature vector to the coordinate position on the playing surface of a second detected person to generate a second unique identifier, and control the ball machine to launch balls based on first settings corresponding to the first unique identifier and second settings corresponding to the second unique identifier.

Abstract: A ball machine system comprising a ball launching system, a memory configured to store a court model that includes dimensions of a court type in relation to a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system, an imaging system connected to the ball launching system and configured to capture a plurality of images of a court, and a processor. The processor configured to analyze the plurality of images to detect feature points in each of the plurality of images, superimpose a plurality of different transformations of the court model onto the plurality of images to generate a plurality of model fits, select as a final model fit, from the plurality of model fits, a model fit based on a degree of overlap among features of the transformed court model and the respective image, and calculate the position of the ball launching system on a playing surface of the court based on the selected final model fit and intrinsic parameters of the imaging system.

Abstract: A ball machine comprising an imaging system attached to the ball machine and configured to capture image data of a court, a ball launching system configured to launch a ball to a user and a processor. The processor configured to initiate a workout routine that includes launching, using the ball launching system, a sequence of balls to a user, select a shot type of a first ball to launch in the sequence, control settings of the ball launching system to launch the first ball based on the selected shot type to the user, determine a shot type returned by the user in response to the launched first ball, select a shot type of a second ball to launch in the sequence, and control settings of the ball launching system to adjust one or more parameters of the second ball based on the determined shot type returned by the user.

Abstract: A ball machine comprising an imaging system to capture image data and a processor configured to, for a frame of the image data, analyze the image data using a neural network to detect a plurality of persons, determine a coordinate position on a playing surface of each of the plurality of detected persons, extract features of each of the plurality of detected persons, generate a first set of feature vectors corresponding to the plurality of detected persons, associate a first feature vector to the coordinate position on the playing surface of a first detected person to generate a first unique identifier, associate a second feature vector to the coordinate position on the playing surface of a second detected person to generate a second unique identifier, and control the ball machine to launch balls based on first settings corresponding to the first unique identifier and second settings corresponding to the second unique identifier.

Abstract: A cue stick (100) utilizes a tip plate (120) directly attached to the tip (110) and shaft of a cue stick (100). The tip plate may be constructed of a lightweight, high stiffness material, such as a carbon fiber composite or resin material. A tip plate (120) may increase the durability and strength of adhesion of the tip (110) to the remainder of the cue stick (100), while decreasing the mass of the tip (110) end relative to other attachment methods utilized in the prior art.

Abstract: A billiard cue includes a shaft having a hollow bore extending for a predetermined distance from a first end of the shaft to reduce the tip end weight of the shaft. In one aspect, where the shaft is formed of a composite material consisting of fibers in a binder, such as carbon fibers in an epoxy resin, the bore forms an outer wall in the tip end of the shaft having a thickness between about 0.005 and about 0.05 inches The shaft material has a modulus of elasticity of at least 4.3×106 psi. The bore extending from the first end of the shaft, the thin wall thickness of the tip end of the shaft and the material forming the shaft combine to decrease the mass of the tip end of the shaft while maintaining substantially all of the stiffness of a conventional solid wood shaft formed of a hard maple to minimize buckling of the tip end of the shaft and thereby substantially decrease deflection of the cue ball from its intended path of movement along a path parallel to the stroke axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A unique and improved billiard cue shaft is disclosed. The billiard cue shaft includes a core of light wood such as spruce and a skin of composite material such as carbon fiber/epoxy. The very light core combined with the extremely strong composite skin allow the billiard cue shaft to be very stiff where required without being too heavy and very light in areas where low mass is most critical for maximum performance while maintaining adequate stiffness. The shaft can be capped watertight at both ends to have none of the stability problems of a wood shaft while maintaining substantially all the feel and sound of a solid wood shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a cue stick member is disclosed. A stiffness characteristic Sf factor for a series of wood strips can be tested and determined. The wood strips that have matching stiffness characteristic factors Sf can be selected within a predetermined tolerance for laminating together.

Abstract: An improved billiard cue shaft is disclosed. The shaft includes a tapered and tubular shaft body made of a composite material such as carbon fiber/epoxy and may also include a plastic foam core. The thickness of the wall of the shaft body increases continuously along the length of the shaft from a low at the smaller front end to a high at the larger back end. The shaft, when correctly used to form the body, or a portion of the body of a billiard cue, will facilitate a more efficient transfer of energy to the cue ball.

Abstract: Cue sticks, shaft sections of cue sticks, and methods of using such devices are disclosed, where the devices are configured to reduce the phenomenon of cue ball deflection. In particular, limits upon the mass of the cue stick in a section extending from the tip to a predetermined distance toward the butt end are revealed to improve cue ball deflection characteristics. Other embodiments of the invention place a lower limit on the bending stiffness of the tip end of a cue stick or shaft to reduce accentuation of cue ball deflection under high offset/high velocity conditions. As well, an upper limit on specific section modulus is described for deterring the phenomenon of double strike in off center ball strikes.

Abstract: A unique and improved billiard cue shaft is disclosed. The billiard cue shaft includes a core of light wood such as spruce and a skin of composite material such as carbon fiber/epoxy. The very light core combined with the extremely strong composite skin allow the billiard cue shaft to be very stiff where required without being too heavy and very light in areas where low mass is most critical for maximum performance while maintaining adequate stiffness. The shaft can be capped watertight at both ends to have none of the stability problems of a wood shaft while maintaining substantially all the feel and sound of a solid wood shaft.