Abstract: A controller and methods for operating the controller are provided for an improved paddle, such as a pickleball paddle. The controller operates in a low-power state to ignore all inputs other than a “wake” input, such as tapping a pickleball on the controller or housing of the controller. Programmable options are presented, such as by computer generated/recorded speech, for selection via a mechanical input (e.g., a tap). The controller then operates to report ball strikes received on an impact sensor and reports the location of the impact to the user, such as with generated/recorded speech. As a result, the user may receive near real-time feedback of their performance and where they are striking a ball with a paddle comprising the controller and impact sensor. Focus functions are provided, such as to illuminate a particular LED to indicate an impact with the paddle, strike location, or both.

Abstract: A system and method for locating objects such as people, pets, and personal articles is described. A transceiver is attached to the person, animal, or item to be tracked and a handheld locator device is employed to transmit a locator signal containing an address code to the transceiver. Upon receipt of a signal, the transceiver compares the address code contained in the locator signal with an address code stored in the transceiver. If the two codes are same, the transceiver sends a return signal back to the locator device. The locator device uses this return signal to determine the distance and/or direction of the transceiver from the user's location. The system allows a user to select from a multiple number of items to locate and allows multiple users to search for different articles within the same general area without interference.