Abstract: Various aspects of a system and method to process sensor data are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method includes receipt of sensor data from one or more sensors associated with an item of sports equipment. The received sensor data is analyzed by use of an inference engine. One or more recommendations are generated based on the analyzed sensor data.

Abstract: In a tennis training device there is a curved track whose curvature corresponds to the correct path that a tennis racquet should travel during a proper serve. The track has a channel along its length. The channel is sized and configured to receive a coupling which is attached to the head of a tennis racquet. The coupling travels along the track and allows the head of the tennis racquet to rotate relative to the track. The tennis racquet coupling preferably is a clip configured for releasable attachment to a head of a tennis racquet and a connector having an elongated body and a head attached to the body.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a tennis session for game improvement using a portable device and a tennis analysis system, includes collecting information from the tennis session using the portable device attached to a racket used in a game for a plurality of strokes, transferring the collected information from the portable device to the tennis analysis system using a communication interface; analyzing information relating to the plurality of strokes; analyzing information relating to collections of strokes from said plurality of strokes to identify rallies, games, sets and matches played during the session, by said tennis analysis system; and generating a plurality of game statistics.

Abstract: One embodiment of a terminal device according to the present invention comprises a moving image acquiring means for acquiring the moving image of a measured subject on which a sensor is installed, a sensor data acquisition means for acquiring sensor data from the sensor about said measured subject and a display control means for overlaying and displaying said moving image and additional images that are generated from said sensor data. The embodiment provides a terminal device capable of effectively checking a player's motion.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are herein disclosed for improving an athlete's swing by detecting three phases of a swing—the backswing, the lead up, and the follow through—and determining whether a ball impact or highest velocity occurred between the lead up and follow through using an inertial measurement unit device affixed to a piece of sports equipment without encumbering the athlete's equipment by substantially changing the weight, balance, or structure of the equipment.

Abstract: A system for a racket comprises an inertial sensor for coupling to the racket, a processor connected to the inertial sensor, and a memory device connected to the processor. The inertial sensor includes an accelerometer array with three degrees of freedom in acceleration and a gyro array with three degrees of freedom in rotation. The processor is configured to generate stroke profiles describing acceleration and rotation of the racket based on signals from the accelerometer and the gyro arrays, and the memory device is configured to store the stroke profiles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for gathering ball game data and in particular tennis match data in real time. To this end the system comprises a hands-free voice receiving means (4) adapted to receive words spoken by the player (2) wearing the receiving means. The words are then analyzed by an analyzing means adapted to analyze a dedicated ball game vocabulary used by the player. The analysis of the spoken words translates these words into digital match data. This data can be displayed, at least as score of the game by a display (10). More elaborate match data information can be gathered. Such data may be fed to an expert system giving back advice to the player.

Abstract: A training or safety aid for a baseball bat is disclosed. The device is configured to be placed on a bat, and indicators, which may be sound producing devices, produce a noise in accordance with selected qualities of the swing. In some embodiments, a flute-type opening is used, and may be configured with tubes to determine a pitch of a produced tone. An air scoop or funnel may be used with any of the devices that utilize airflow to produce a tone. Where more than one sound producing device is used, the devices are configured to only produce a sound within a narrow angular range of airflow, and are angularly spaced so as to produce sounds during different portions of a bat swing.

Abstract: A tennis skill training device comprising a substantially planar foot placement platform platform having foot placement graphics disposed thereon, the foot placement graphics consisting of a first stance position representing right and left foot positions for a right-handed player proximate a first court position, a second stance position representing right and left foot positions for a right-handed player proximate a second court position, and a first toss target representing a first forward foot post-stroke position for the right-handed player. In some embodiments, the graphics include a third stance position representing right and left foot positions for a left-handed player proximate the first court position, a fourth stance position representing right and left foot positions for the left-handed player proximate the second court position, and a second toss target representing a first forward foot post-stroke position for the left-handed player.

Abstract: A tennis training aid can be used to teach proper wrist and racket position for swings such as a forehand ground stroke, two-handed backhand stroke, or volley. Such a tennis training aid is provided herein and includes a forearm attachment member operable to be releasably attached to a forearm of a player. In some implementations, the tennis training aid may also include a tether attachment having a first and second end, such that the first end is attached to the forearm attachment member and the second end is attached to a tennis racket throat in order to hold the wrist of the forearm holding that racket at a desired angle so as to allow the player to practice a plurality of different tennis strokes.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus and method of enhancing muscle tone and improving swing form includes a swing device that guides a user's swing along a predetermined path in a selected swing plane to improve form and enhance muscle memory for a preferred swing. A tensioning device enables the user to adjust the resistance to his or her swing, increasing resistance to strengthen muscles used while executing the preferred swing. The apparatus is adjustable for individuals of varying height, size, strength and ability.

Abstract: A muscular energy state analysis system and method for a swing motion and a computer program product thereof are provided. The system includes: a swing implement, for a user to perform the swing motion, and including an acceleration sensor for sensing acceleration of the swing implement when the swing implement is swung, so as to generate a swing speed data; a plurality of signal detection modules, for detecting electromyographic (EMG) signals generated by a muscles of the user; a database, for storing a muscular energy sample value,; a muscular energy analysis module, for analyzing the EMG signals and the swing speed data so as to obtain a plurality of muscular performance values; and a comparison module, for comparing the swing speed data and the muscular performance values with the at least one muscular energy sample value in the database, so as to generate a comparison result data.

Abstract: Enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, for example without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package in the mount, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and golf club shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Abstract: The inventive system comprises a first plurality of cameras disposed around a first point in a practice area to generate a plurality of first images of an individual positioned at the first point in the course of the execution of a swing by the individual. A second plurality of cameras is disposed around a second point in a practice area, the second point being displaced from the first point. The second plurality of cameras is symmetrically positioned with respect to the first plurality of cameras about an axis defined by the position of a first theoretical line positioned between the first and second plurality of cameras, and transverse to a second theoretical line extending between the first and second plurality of cameras. The second plurality of cameras generating a plurality of second images of an individual positioned at the second point in the course of the execution of a swing by the individual.

Abstract: A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving objects in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each object and providing immediate feedback information to a human that has launched the object into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. The feedback information may include one or more trajectory parameters that the human may use to evaluate their skill at sending the object along a desired trajectory. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving objects may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a basketball shot at a basketball hoop by a player. The feedback information, such as a trajectory entry angle into the basketball hoop and/or an entry velocity into the hoop for the shot, may be output to the player in an auditory format using a sound projection device.

Abstract: A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving volleyballs in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each volleyball and providing feedback information to a human that has launched the volleyball into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. The feedback information may include one or more trajectory parameters that the human may use to evaluate their skill at sending the volleyball along a desired trajectory. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving volleyballs may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a volleyball hit towards a virtual target area by a player.

Abstract: A tennis training aid can be used to teach proper wrist and racket position for swings such as a forehand ground stroke, two-handed backhand stroke, or volley. Such a tennis training aid is provided herein and includes a forearm attachment member operable to be releasably attached to a forearm of a player. The tennis training aid also includes a tether attachment having a first and second end, such that the first end is attached to the forearm attachment member and the second end is attached to a tennis racket throat in order to hold the wrist of the forearm holding that racket at a desired angle so as to allow the player to practice a plurality of different tennis strokes.

Abstract: A tennis training aid can be used to teach proper wrist and racket position for swings such as a forehand ground stroke, two-handed backhand stroke, or volley. A training aid includes a forearm attachment member that can be quickly and easily attached to a player's forearm. A wrist positioning member can be attached between the forearm attachment member and the player's racket to maintain proper wrist angle and racket position. A first wrist positioning member can be used for a forehand ground stroke or two-handed backhand stroke, while a second wrist positioning member can be used for volleys. The forearm attachment member can include a rotatable member, and the wrist positioning member can be slightly elastic, in order to allow the racket to move slightly with respect to the wrist, and to allow for slight wrist movement, in order to provide a natural feel for the player.

Abstract: A gyroscope assembly is mounted within a sports instrument swing aid. A motor is connected to a rotor within the gyroscope assembly. A power source drives the motor to rotate the rotor. During a forward swing of the swing aid, an angular momentum of the rapidly spinning rotor tends to maintain the swing aid parallel to a plane of the swing. A reaction torque from the gyroscope assembly may be sensed by a player if a player's wrists are rotated in a release, and may also be sensed if a parallel relationship of the swing aid to a plane of the swing is not maintained. The swing aid may be in the form of a bat or racket.

Abstract: A tennis training aid can be used to teach proper wrist and racket position for swings such as a forehand ground stroke, two-handed backhand stroke, or volley. A training aid includes a forearm attachment member that can be quickly and easily attached to a player's forearm. A wrist positioning member can be attached between the forearm attachment member and the player's racket to maintain proper wrist angle and racket position. A first wrist positioning member can be used for a forehand ground stroke or two-handed backhand stroke, while a second wrist positioning member can be used for volleys. The forearm attachment member can include a rotatable member, and the wrist positioning member can be slightly elastic, in order to allow the racket to move slightly with respect to the wrist, and to allow for slight wrist movement, in order to provide a natural feel for the player.

Abstract: A tennis training aid can be used to teach proper wrist and racket position for swings such as a forehand ground stroke, two-handed backhand stroke, or volley. Such a tennis training aid is provided herein and includes a forearm attachment member operable to be releasably attached to a forearm of a player. The tennis training aid also includes a tether attachment having a first and second end, such that the first end is attached to the forearm attachment member and the second end is attached to a tennis racket throat in order to hold the wrist of the forearm holding that racket at a desired angle so as to allow the player to practice a plurality of different tennis strokes.

Abstract: By providing a playing surface which is dimensioned for enabling a desired game to be played with all competitors positioned thereon, with the playing surface being rotated, a competitive game and/or playing system/environment is created which enables all individuals to compete equally and fairly regardless of their physical capabilities. In the preferred embodiment, the rotation of the playing surface is maintained at a constant rate of speed, although added dimensions and difficulties can be added to the game by altering the rotational speed of the playing surface during the competition. By providing a playing surface upon which any desired game can be played, particularly an action oriented game, with the playing surface being continuously rotated throughout the play of the game, forces previously unknown to each competitor are continuously imposed on each competitor, effectively rendering each competitor to possess equal capabilities, regardless of their strength, agility, proficiency, or size.

Abstract: A device mounted in a tennis racket includes a cylindrical cushioning member including an annular groove, a central chamber, an axial channel crossed the chamber, and two recesses at its both ends; and a rigid, doughnut-shaped, hollow sound producing member mounted in the chamber and including a space and an axial tunnel therethrough. Three straight wires of a network of the racket pass three sides of the groove for fastening the device such that the device can absorb reaction when a ball is hit by the racket. The strength of sound produced by the device is determined by whether air flowing through one recess, one end of the channel, and the tunnel co-acts with air in the space to produce resonance or not by whether a handle held by the hand correctly hits the ball or not. The recess has a concave, convex, or inclined section around its central portion.

Abstract: A tennis training device for training a user proper tennis strokes with a means for attaching the tennis training device to an upper arm of a tennis player, a means for connecting the means for attaching to a tennis racquet, and a means for restricting the position of the tennis racquet in relation to the tennis player.

Abstract: A racquet stroke training device adapted to “fix” a user's forehand racquet stroke comprises, in one embodiment, a band adapted to be worn on a user's arm above the user's elbow, a glove adapted to be worn on a user's hand, and a tether having a first end attachable to the band and a second end attachable to the glove. The tether has (or is dimensioned to have) a given length such that, during a practice stroke, the user's elbow is bent at a substantially 90° angle and the user's wrist is fixed in an upwardly-extending, wrist-locked position.

Abstract: An improved baseball swing trainer is presented where a standard wooden bat is modified with an embedded magnetic speed indicator based on a ball bearing and a magnet. The distance between the magnet and the ball bearing can be adjusted to adjust the amount of swing force necessary to break the ball bearing free. The device is mechanically simple and easy to install in any wooden bat.

Abstract: A training device which interactively guides a tennis racquet by exerting a towing force on a card which is connected to the tennis racquet. The device includes a vertically adjustable support connected with a guide pole fixed to a wall. A swivel arm is movably supported on the support and has a distal end which suspends a ball therefrom. The cord extends along the swivel arm and the support, and one end thereof is connected to the racquet through a stirrup.

Abstract: An athletic training device having a frame which is attached to a base at lower end and one or more guide rails at a higher end. Attached to the rails are one or more antennas which are resilient and flexible in nature. The rails preferably have a forward length which can be adjusted up or down which will corresponding shift the position of the attached antennas. The apparatus is used by starting a tennis game stroke at or near the rear length of the rails and progressively moving one's racquet progressively forward so as to impact the free ends of the antennas in the follow-through of the stroke. Because the rails and attached antennas can be adjusted in position, various stroke techniques can be practiced. Sensors are activated to show impact with the rails and a proper technique.

Abstract: An athletic training device having a frame which is attached to a base at lower end and one or more guide rails at a higher end. Attached to the rails are one or more antennas which are resilient and flexible in nature. The rails preferably have a forward length which can be adjusted up or down which will corresponding shift the position of the attached antennas. The apparatus is used by starting a tennis game stroke at or near the rear length of the rails and progressively moving one's racquet progressively forward so as to impact the free ends of the antennas in the follow-through of the stroke. Because the rails and attached antennas can be adjusted in position, various stroke techniques can be practiced. Sensors are activated to show impact with the rails and a proper technique.

Abstract: A velocity indication system is comprised of a force measurement sensor shielded by a protective covering that measures the level of force at the point of impact of the sensor with an object, and transmits the measurement, via a transmission carrier, to a computing unit that calculates the force measurement into a velocity measurement and projects that information on a display. A system carrier has an impact and a holding area. The invention is designed for use in sports such as hockey, tennis, baseball, cricket, golf, and the like; generally a sport with a racquet or stick.

Abstract: A baseball training aid includes a hollow tubular member rotatably positioned on an adjustable height stand, for use in practice batting. The hollow tubular member is adjustably positioned to guide a bat during the initial movement of the bat by the batter. The apparatus can be configured as a bat guide, as a ball support, and for aligning the batting swing of a batter. A swing tube is pivotally secured to the base of the powertube apparatus, and may be adjustably positioned in relation to the hollow tubular member. A ball may be placed upon either the swing tube or on the hollow tubular member. The apparatus improves the power developed during a swing, by guiding the initial part of a swing in a forward direction, before the bat is rotated to meet the ball. The apparatus may be adjusted to suit the height and batting stance of the batter, and the hollow tubular member may be rotatably positioned and releasably secured to suit the needs of a variety of batters.

Abstract: A game racket is provided in the grip portion thereof with a sensor for detecting changes in body characteristic of a person engaging in exercise by using the game racket. The changes in body characteristic of the person are detected in the form of electronic signals, which are converted by the sensor into data. The data are exhibited by a display which is disposed in a predetermined position of the game racket. On the basis of the data, an exerciser may adjust the pace of the exercise in which the exerciser is engaged.

Abstract: A sports training device which consists of a body belt which can be secured around the body, an elastic cord and an implement holder. The elastic cord is attached to an adjustable length strap on the belt so that the end of the elastic cord can be drawn snug against the body or eased off. The elastic cord passes through a slide ring. The implement holder, which can be secured around a sports implement or stick, is attached at the free end of the elastic cord.

Abstract: A device (1) for measuring the strike velocity of a game ball struck by a striking element, particularly a tennis racket (2), said device being provided directly on the racket. The device comprises at least one measuring sensor mounted on the strings (4) of the racket (2) and arranged to output signals for the strength of the vibrations generated by the ball, means for processing said signals using microprocessors that analyse the signals and determine a measured value of the ball velocity, and means (6) for displaying said value. The processing means comprise a calibrating unit for automatically correcting the measured value depending on at least the features of the racket and the ball in order to provide a highly accurate and reliable result. Said measuring device is miniaturised and inexpensive and fits in a small housing (3) mounted on the racket (2) to enable the player to read the velocity value directly.

Abstract: An athletic stroke training device is disclosed. The training device has a semi-rigid shaft that is attached to a player's shoulders or hips by incorporating the shaft into the garment worn by the player or by use of a shoulder harness. The shaft has a length slightly wider than shoulder width and includes indicators at each end to give the player a visual cue for proper shoulder or hip rotation. The shaft can be telescoping or made of a helical spring. The indicators can be a flag, disks, suspended balls, cones, or illuminated light emitting sources such as a bulb, a neon strobe, or an LED. Furthermore, the indicator can be constructed from a ring supported by radial struts to be used as a sight for aiming the stroke. The stroke training device is easily adapted for use in many sports that entail shoulder or hip rotation such as tennis, golf, hockey, baseball, etc.

Abstract: An exercise device for learning to guide a tennis racquet which includes an upwardly open ball track that is curved approximately like a horseshoe from a top view, and a support device by which the ball track is supported inclined on the ground in such a manner that the lowermost point of the ball track lies in an apex area of the curved track.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for teaching motor skills to a human subject, learning by a student is based upon imitation of a teacher's motion. The teacher's motion is sensed by a motion sensing device, is digitized by a computer, and is then recorded in memory. The computer generates a virtual image sequence of the teacher on the computer display of the teacher interacting in the computer-generated virtual environment for the student to view and imitate. The same motion sensing device used to record the teacher's movement tracks the student's movement and the computer creates a virtual image sequence on the display corresponding to the student's movement and its interaction with the virtual environment in real-time, simultaneously providing an image sequence of the teacher's movement. The student's task is to imitate the teacher's movement. This process is repeated until the teacher's and student's trajectories match well in space and time.

Abstract: A combination of an implement employed in a sports game to impact with a body, and a device coupled to the implement which measures the natural frequency and the relative amplitude of vibration of the implement resulting from the impact. The implement can be a game racket, bat, club or the like and the body impacted can be a ball. The lower the value of the natural frequency of vibration of the implement the more flexible the implement is when it impacts the ball, the greater is the amplitude of the vibration of the implement and the rebound of the ball has a lower velocity. One of the embodiments, called a FLEX METER is a frequency measuring device which employs a series of reeds mounted on a base member each reed being adjusted to vibrate at a maximum amplitude when a vibration having a designated frequency is applied to the base member. Each reed is identified with a designated frequency.

Abstract: A system measures and records deflection of an elongated shaft such as the shaft of a golf club and provides a trace or diagram of the swing of the club. The system includes an elongated rod, mounted to the golf club shaft, and a separate recording system. Preferably the recording system is a writing platform mounted to the golf club shaft. The recording member is biased into contact with the writing platform. During swing of the golf club, deflection of the golf club shaft causes relative movement between the writing implement and the writing platform and a trace or diagram of the golf club swing is created.

Abstract: A tennis aid for improving the stroke of a tennis player. The aid includes a wrist band for encircling the wrist of a tennis player and an associated elastic cord attached thereto. The cord is attached to the wrist band near its midpoint and at opposite ends thereof may be attached to the head of a tennis racket. When the handle of the racket is properly held by the tennis player tension in the cord will tend to prevent the player from bending or flexing the wrist during a tennis stroke.