Abstract: Described herein are wireless billiard ball devices comprising a spherical housing and a circuit board mounted within the spherical housing, the circuit board having components for measuring the impact location of a billiard cue strike upon the surface of the spherical housing in reference to the relative orientation of the device with respect to gravity. The devices described herein do not require manual alignment by a player to measure impact location data. In other embodiments, the spherical housing is comprised of a bored hole, a potting material, and a circuit board mounted within the bored hole and secured in place with the potting material, the circuit board having components for measuring the impact location of a billiard cue strike upon the surface of the spherical housing in reference to the relative orientation of the device with respect to gravity.

Abstract: A system of activity timing uses a radio frequency identification reader; radio frequency tags; circuit board; battery; and software to determine the elapsed time of a participant in the activity. The activity can be used for activities including, but not limited to, foot races and bicycle races.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a passing time of a passive RFID sports timing transponder includes a housing for protecting the apparatus; an RFID reader unit connected to an RFID antenna for remotely determining an identity and a passing time of the transponder; a location unit for determining a location of the apparatus; a mobile communication unit connected to a mobile communication antenna for transmitting the identity and the passing time of the transponder and the location of the apparatus to a processing unit; and a communication unit for communicating with another similar apparatus in an immediate spatial vicinity to synchronize operation of the RFID reader unit and an RFID reader unit of the similar apparatus to avoid interference. The RFID reader unit, the RFID antenna, the location unit, the mobile communication unit and the neighbor communication unit are integrated in a common printed circuit board that is mounted within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring lower extremity muscle strength, and more particularly, to a system for measuring lower extremity muscle strength which can effectively measure or train lower extremity muscle strength by means of a simpler method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring at least one time or an elapsed period of a competitor in a sports competition via a transponder module which is personal to the competitor and accompanies the competitor throughout the competition in a measuring system. The personalised transponder module is activated at the start of the competition or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition (6). Detection of at least one variation in motion or vibration level is effected by a motion sensor (11) integrated in the transponder module. The transponder module transmits data related to the detection effected by the motion sensor on the competition route or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition, to a decoder unit (4) of the measuring system to check a time or elapsed period related to the detection of the competitor's motion sensor.

Abstract: Timing apparatus which may be in the form of a stop watch and which includes a laser beam transmitter for transmitting a laser beam and a detector for detecting a reflected laser beam reflected from objects for example runners intercepting the transmitted beam. The apparatus includes a processor for calculating elapsed time of movement of the runners and their finishing order from the reflected signals received by the detector.

Abstract: System and method for tracking assets comprises determining if an asset is inside a geofence area, using a first set of asset monitoring parameters to monitor operation of the asset, if the asset is inside the geofence area, and using a second set of asset monitoring parameters to monitor operation of the asset, if the asset is outside the geofence area. The invention further comprises a system and method for providing one or more competitors with an asset tracking device, wherein the asset tracking device allows each competitor's location to be monitored, defining one or more geofence areas on a racetrack, and detecting when the competitors enter a designated geofence area.

Abstract: System and method for tracking assets comprises determining if an asset is inside a geofence area, using a first set of asset monitoring parameters to monitor operation of the asset, if the asset is inside the geofence area, and using a second set of asset monitoring parameters to monitor operation of the asset, if the asset is outside the geofence area. The invention further comprises a system and method for providing one or more competitors with an asset tracking device, wherein the asset tracking device allows each competitor's location to be monitored, defining one or more geofence areas on a racetrack, and detecting when the competitors enter a designated geofence area.

Abstract: This invention relates to a measurement system for determining the running time that a person need to run over one of a plurality of selectable different out-and-back courses, departing from a common starting point that is the finish point at the same time, wherein different turning points are provided by which the particular out-and-back course to be run is established. The times consumed are detected and evaluated individually.

Abstract: A handheld data device with cellular connectivitys for facilitating tracking of training and handicapping for horses. The handheld data device with cellular connectivitys includes a housing, designed for being grasped by a human hand, which includes a front wall and defines an interior space, a processing and storage means preferably positioned within the housing, and timing means used for determining an elapsed time, and also positioned within the housing. The timing means facilitates timing of a horse. A plurality of actuators are operationally coupled to the timing means and facilitates indication of a start time, a stop time, and a split/lap for the timing means. A stop watch display may be positioned on the front wall. The stop watch display is operationally coupled to the timing means and provides a visual indication of an elapsed time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clocking system such that the magnetic sensor can detect the external magnetic field from the magnetic member that is rather far apart therefrom without increasing the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor excessively and without making the magnet constructing the magnetic member strong excessively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a USB disk watch consisting a computer storage device-watch combination, providing users a portable, safe, and convenient device that also has the function of a watch. It is a portable storage device, on which there is a time display, fastened to a base by a latch-and-hatch unit on one end of the base. A wrist band goes through the two ends of the bottom of the base rendering the storage device watch-like and releasable without taking off the wrist band. After use, putting back the device is just as easy, resulting in this invention on which the function of a watch also exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clocking system such that the magnetic sensor can detect the external magnetic field from the magnetic member that is rather far apart therefrom without increasing the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor excessively and without making the magnet constructing the magnetic member strong excessively.

Abstract: A system for managing delivery of pharmaceutical drugs is formed of a blister package that includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. Each of the cells is sealed by a breakable wall and holds a unit-dose of medication. A user gains access to the medication in a given cell by puncturing the breakable wall associated with the given cell. A severable conductor is positioned proximate to each breakable wall. The severable conductor associated with a given cell ruptures upon puncturing of the breakable wall associated with the given cell. A computer chip is electrically connected to the severable conductors. The computer chip senses the puncturing of each cell in the grid by monitoring the rupturing of each of the severable conductors. An RF transmitter is coupled to the computer chip. The RF transmitter sends information corresponding to usage of each of medications stored in the blister package to a remote information transceiver.

Abstract: A wrist watch which instantaneously displays the velocity of the service ball in kilometers or miles for its manual or electronic display during competitions.

Abstract: An athletic training device includes a main control unit coupled to one or more finish line units via a communication link. The main control unit arranged to provide a pre-race start signal and a race start signal simulating an actual race event starting condition. The main control unit further arranged to time the race events, to determine reaction times and to measure weather and/or atmospheric conditions and to store all these as training statistics.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the time and location of a participant in a competitive activity, which includes memory apparatus for storing event performance parameters and the identity of the participant; clock apparatus, for determining event times of the participant; control apparatus, associated with the clock apparatus and the memory apparatus, for receiving as input data the event times of the participant, and for determining event performance parameters in accordance therewith, and for storing the parameters in the memory apparatus; and event duration measuring apparatus associated with the control apparatus; the event duration apparatus including first tactile apparatus associated with the clock apparatus, for automatically starting the clock apparatus in response to a first predetermined tactile input, and second tactile apparatus for providing an output signal to the clock apparatus in response to each of one or more second predetermined tactile inputs, wherein the clock apparatus is operative to provide

Abstract: A speed-sensing projectile such as for example a baseball includes a generally spherical body. An inertial switch is positioned within the body and is actuable between open and closed conditions in response to accelerations of the body greater than a threshold value. A processor also within the body is responsive to the inertial switch and calculates the average speed at which the baseball is thrown over a fixed distance. A visible display on the body is in communication with the processor and displays the calculated speed.

Abstract: A clocking system for measuring running speeds such as split time or lap time for a plural number of track runners like racehorses at each one of a plural number of clocking positions provided at predetermined intervals along a running course or track toward a goal position. The clocking system fundamentally includes: a trigger signal transmission means provided at each one of the clocking positions and adapted to release a trigger signal toward a narrow signal receiving zone; a passing signal generating means carried by each runner and adapted to produce a passing signal specific to a particular runner at each clocking position upon reception of the trigger signal; and a measuring means provided either at each clocking position or on each runner and adapted to register a time reading for each runner upon reception of the trigger signal or passing signal.

Abstract: A hand-held and operated, instantaneous readout, portable electronic instrument is disclosed, which may be used by an observer from the grandstands to determine the speed of racers such as racing cars, horses, athletes, etc. over a lap of a race-track and to comparatively display the speeds of one racer over different laps and the speeds of different racers.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to automatically measure the total moving time, split times, time lag, and the like of each of a plurality of moving objects, and determine the arriving order of each moving object. Every time a plurality of moving objects, e.g., runners or vehicles, pass through each predetermined point, pieces of information such as total running/moving times, split times, time lags, and arriving orders are transmitted, in units of moving objects, to the respective moving objects or a transmission/reception unit arranged at each predetermined point. When moving objects pass through a predetermined point, and their moving times exceed passage times set in units of moving objects, an excess time is informed to each moving object.

Abstract: A race recording and display system includes a detection station for detecting each participant in a race. The detection station has an array of detection signal transmitting devices and identifying signal receiving devices arranged over a race course in sufficient numbers to irradiate a portion of the course ensuring detection and identification of each participant traversing the station. Detection results from the reflection of a portion of a detection signal transmitted by each transmitting device sufficient to provide an identifying signal unique to each participant to each receiving device. Identifying means carried by each participant provides the identifying signal upon irradiation by a detection signal. Determining means responsive to each identifying signal relates the identifying signal to each participant, fixes a time of receipt of the identifying signal and generates an information signal for transmission to a display means.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of arrival or the racing time of a large number of participants in the track and field events, the method comprising steps of bar-coding a racing number of each participant; causing a bar-code label to be carried by each participant; sequentially reading, by a bar-code reader, the racing number on the bar code label carried by each participant who has passed the finish line; and introducing, as inputs, into a computer with timers being incorporated therein, those data as read by the bar code reader.

Abstract: An apparatus which can determine the velocity of a projectile based on distance traveled and time of travel. The apparatus includes a manually operated stopwatch function which can measure elapsed time to at least hundredths of a second, a calculator function which can convert elapsed time and distance traveled by the projectile into velocity of the projectile, and a display to show the velocity. The apparatus can have either a digital or an analog stopwatch function.

Abstract: A device for measuring and displaying the time elapsed in increasing or in decreasing the speed of a vehicle from one predetermined velocity to another includes means for starting a clock at a predetermined, selectable speed, means for stopping the counter when a predetermined, higher or lower speed has been attained, means for displaying the time elapsed in increasing the predetermined starting speed to the predetermined, higher or lower ending speed, and means for resetting the clock counter.

Abstract: The electromagnetic transmission in an interference-laden environment of events defined by the time of their occurrence is accomplished by repeatedly generating, at equal intervals after occurrence of the event, signals representing the occurrence of the event. An event which must be defined by the time t.sub.e at which it occurs triggers a switch which in turn triggers a time base whose signal is sent to a counter. The counter produces at its output a sequence of pulses which are coded in a coder. The code indicates for each pulse the deviation in time .DELTA.T.sub.i which separates it from the time at which the event occurred. The sequence of pulses is sent electromagnetically to a receiver via a transmitter. The first interference-free pulse received is processed by a decoder which provides the value .DELTA.T.sub.i to an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit subtracts the value .DELTA.T.sub.i from the time of day t.sub.h to obtain the time of day t.sub.e of the event.

Abstract: A system and method for timing a plurality of entities, typically marathon runners over a premeasured course including a first transmitter at the starting line for transmitting a predetermined type signal. Each runner carries a timing unit actuable upon passing within a predetermined distance of the first transmitter. At another location is a second transmitter and as each runner passes within a predetermined distance the respective timing units are stopped. A read-out means is provided for having each timing unit connected thereto at the end of the event for obtaining the time elapsed.

Abstract: Upon depression of a number key, the timer memory corresponding thereto is started to be in its counting operation state, and when the number is depressed again, the timer memory stops its counting operation. When a relative difference key is depressed, a maximum (or minimum) value is selected from the count contents of respective timer memories and then, when the relative difference key is depressed repeatedly, a difference between the selected value and each of the other count contents in a decreasing (or increasing) order, the number of the number key corresponding to the count contents and its ranking are displayed on a display unit upon each depression of the relative difference key. With one instrument, it is possible to obtain a plurality of timer operations, the ranking of the measured results and their relative differences.

Abstract: A system for measuring and indicating the time required for a movement from a first location to a second location that is spaced from the first location, including a first transmitter located at the first location and adapted to transmit either an RF or an acoustical signal, a second transmitter located at the second location and then adapted to transmit a second acoustical or RF energy signal, a moving vehicle, such as a sports implement, designed to travel between the first and second locations and having a receiver with a sensing antenna, for receiving the first and second acoustical or RF energy signals. The receiver is connected by a start-switch and a stop-switch to an electronic stopwatch which is capable of delivering timed clock signals to a memory circuit.