Abstract: Described herein is a technology for facilitating skills-training mode in athletic sports that utilize a sporting-object. At least one implementation of that technology includes a rotational sensor configured to measure a series of angular velocities about a defined axis of a sporting object; a launch determiner configured to determine whether the sporting object is in a skills-training mode based upon one or more measured angular velocities of the series; and a trainer configured to both ascertain, during the skills-training mode, whether a consecutive sequence of measured angular velocities of the series falls within a defined range of angular velocities and generate an audible signal in response to the ascertainment.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for training players of team sports are presented. A robot athlete emulates a sports player and includes a motive system for moving about a sports field. The robot athlete also includes an anthropomorphic figure with mechanisms for rotating the torso, raising the arms, and a lifting the torso to emulate a stretch or jump. An inventive method and system for controlling the robot athlete may include resetting the body of the robot athlete to a neutral position and determining if one of a plurality of modes of operation has been selected. Exemplary modes of operation may include an automatic mode, a pursuit mode, and a remote control mode. In the automatic mode, the robot athlete may monitor an array of sensors with a control system that responds to human player movement with one or more sets of predefined motion routines.

Abstract: A system for identifying ball movement and position is disclosed. The system includes a ball for use in a sport activity comprising a lace or thread on, or adjacent to, an outer surface of the ball, and a communication element such as a wire or antenna disposed within the lace or thread, the ball's communication element being adapted to communicate via a signal received from, or sent to, one or more communication elements, such as a transmitter or receiver, disposed at or near a playing area. The playing area communication elements are adapted to communicate ball position based upon the signals sent and/or received. A processor is provided which is adapted to translate or process information received by the playing area communication elements into position, trajectory and/or movement of the ball. A method of identifying ball movement, trajectory and position and a ball for use with a ball movement and position identification system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implementation including an outputter (11) following a control to output a signal, a microphone (10) for acquisition of sound from inside a ball (1a), a determiner (121) working in accordance with a level of sound acquired through the microphone (10) to determine a state of the ball (1a), and a control processor (122) working in accordance with a result of determination at the determiner (121) to generate a signal to output through the outputter (11).

Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing, a bladder, and a component. The casing forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball, and the bladder is located within the casing. The bladder includes a pocket that projects toward a center of the sport ball, and the pocket defines a cavity. The component, which may be an electronic device or a counterweight, is located within the pocket. In some configurations, the bladder may include a valve that is located on an opposite side of the bladder from the pocket and component.

Abstract: A light emitting ball structure is disclosed and comprises a body; a control circuit module, disposed inside the body; at least one sensor, for detecting the motion status of the body and transmit to the control circuit module for data processing; at least one light emitting module, attached on an outer surface of the body; a wireless charge transmitting module, disposed outside the body and actuating a charging operation of a wireless charge receiving module; a rechargeable battery, electrically connected to the control circuit module, the charging operation between the wireless charge transmitting module and the wireless charge receiving module is actuating to charge; a remote control receiving module, electrically connected to the control circuit module and disposed inside the body; and a remote control transmitting module, disposed outside the body and remote controlling the remote control receiving module to process a switch ON/OFF operation.

Abstract: A projectile that includes a vibrating function is presented. The vibrating projectile, such as an arrow, is structured to penetrate flesh of an animal more easily than a standard projectile. After the arrow has reached its target, a switch turns on a vibrating mechanism that causes the arrowhead, such as a broadhead to vibrate as it is traveling into the animal. This deeper penetration causes more injury to the animal and reduces the time between arrow penetration and animal expiration.

Abstract: An electronic game tracking device is attached an arrow to be used in hunting. When the arrow strikes a game animal, barbs on the electronic game tracking device attach that device to the game animal, which electronic game tracking device then allows a hunter to readily track and find a wounded animal with a compatible receiver. The electronic game tracking device is still easily transported and utilized.

Abstract: A vibration damping nock for crossbow arrows includes an insert to absorb bow string slap, thereby to prevent damage to the nock during crossbow firing.

Abstract: The visibility of an arrow after it has been fired is increased by illuminating arrow fletchings in which light injected into the nock is further injected into the fletching.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus is configured to couple to an arrow-mounted electronic device where the apparatus includes a housing, a receptacle included in the housing and at least one electrical contact configured to couple to a contact included in the arrow-mounted electronic device. According to one embodiment, the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the arrow-mounted electronic device, the at least one electrical contact includes a spring-bias in a first direction and the spring bias is opposed with the arrow-mounted electronic device inserted within the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved LED illuminated rolling game ball designed to use three AAA batteries. The ball includes a plastic, opaque spherical body with an axially aligned bore in which a multiple LED light assembly extends. The light assembly includes an outer tube, an intermediate sleeve, a multiple AAA battery holder, a multiple LED bulb holder, one switch cap and one end cap. In one embodiment, outer tube is a solid structure made of electrical conductive material includes two opposite end openings that connect to the switch and end caps that hold the outer tube in place in the bore. LED bulb holes are formed on the outer tube. The intermediate sleeve is located inside the outer tube and the battery holder is located inside the intermediate sleeve. The LED bulb holder includes a PCB with two or more LED bulbs arms that hold the LED bulbs outward through the bores formed on the outer tube.

Abstract: A ball game apparatus comprises a control device (14, 24, 52, 60) which defines a predetermined range of allowable movements of a ball (10, 20, 40, 70) over space and time, sensing means (12, 22, 42) for detecting the actual movements of a ball, comparison means for comparing an actual movement to the predetermined range of allowable movements, and indicating means (16, 34, 54, 62) for indicating the output of the said comparing. The sensing means (12, 22, 42) comprises a multi-axis accelerometer contained in the ball and having accelerometer, gyroscope and/or magnetometer functions. The ball may be activated by an internal magnetically-operated switch (17, 22, 47). The control device and indicating means can be incorporated in the ball itself or in a separate portable computing device.

Abstract: An improved LED illuminated rolling game ball designed to use three AAA batteries. The ball includes a plastic, opaque spherical body with an axially aligned bore in which a multiple LED light assembly extends. The light assembly includes an outer tube, an intermediate sleeve, a multiple AAA battery holder, a multiple LED bulb holder, one switch cap and one end cap. In one embodiment, outer tube is a solid structure made of electrical conductive material includes two opposite end openings that connect to the switch and end caps that hold the outer tube in place in the bore. LED bulb holes are formed on the outer tube. The intermediate sleeve is located inside the outer tube and the battery holder is located inside the intermediate sleeve. The LED bulb holder includes a PCB with two or more LED bulbs arms that hold the LED bulbs outward through the bores formed on the outer tube.

Abstract: A self-centering nock is provided for use in a well-balanced nock-arrow or nock-bolt assembly. The self-centering nock includes compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms that are substantially rotationally symmetric about a cross section normal to a main axis of the self-centering nock. The compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms may be received in bolts that have bores of differing internal dimensions.

Abstract: A game ball and game for play by a plurality of players with a ball to be passed for player to player that emits a sound at different intervals from slow to rapid during a single play period to indicate to the players a stage of the game is provided.

Abstract: A toy projectile launching system including at least one launchable toy projectile, including at least one RFID tag, and a toy projectile launching apparatus, including a housing, a projectile launching mechanism, a projectile receptacle, and an RFID writer adapted to write tag data to the at least one RFID tag, wherein the toy projectile is adapted to be loaded into the projectile receptacle and launched by the projectile launching mechanism.

Abstract: A bouncing ball with internal lights that are electronically controlled to produce patterns of illumination.

Abstract: The crossbow bolt or arrow nock in certain embodiments of the current invention includes a structural support piece that substantially surrounds and structurally supports the distal end of the nock, which may be made of a clear polymeric material to allow the transmission of light.

Abstract: A training device is disclosed that has a depressable element and an indicator element that provides a perceivable indication, for example an audible alarm, to a user when an amount of force being applied to the training device along the major axis of the training device is less than a desired amount of depressing force. In some embodiments, the training device is in the shape of a prolate sphere and approximates the size and shape of a ball typically used in American football. The training device may be configured so that no perceivable indication is provided while either little to no force is being applied to the training device along its major axis or while an adequate amount of force is being applied to the training device along the major axis thereof.

Abstract: An alignment tool may be used to align a nock with respect to an arrow having vanes. The alignment tool may include a body, a connection member extending from the body, and indicating surfaces that are spaced around the outer surface of the alignment tool body at a relative angular orientation that matches the angular orientation of the arrow vanes. The connection member may be attached to the nock and then both the tool and the nock may be rotated with respect to the arrow to align the nock with respect to the arrow by aligning the indicating surfaces with respect to the vanes.

Abstract: A lighted nock system includes a lighted nock assembly and a plurality of adaptors. The lighted nock assembly includes a shaft insertion portion having a shaft outer shape and shaft outer dimension. The first adaptor includes an internal opening having an internal size and internal shape configured to mate with the shaft insertion portion of the lighted nock assembly. The second adaptor includes the same internal opening size and shape as the first adaptor. The outer diameter of the second adaptor is different than the outer diameter of the first adaptor. A plurality of adaptors having different sized outer diameters, but the same internal configurations, can be provided in a single package with the lighted nock assembly. The lighted nock assembly can include a rotatable lockout collar to prevent unintended activation of the lighted nock assembly.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable prolate spheroidal shaped bladder, at least one cover panel surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, a flap and an electronic circuit. The flap is coupled to the outer surface of the bladder and is generally positioned to align with the lacing. The electronic circuit is positioned on or beneath the flap. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit is configured to produce a signal to enable at least one characteristic of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: A football training aid for football practice with an external battery powered activation and a variable speed setting control mechanism in communication with an internal cam driven assembly configured to create a dynamic inertia and a shaking motion of the football when activated, thereby making the football more difficult to catch. Power speed settings range from slow to fast to accommodate the skill and age of the player and increase player grip strength to enhance performance during practice to simulate the movement of a football in game situations.

Abstract: A game-playing set including a striking device and a ball, and games for playing therewith, are disclosed. The ball includes a hollow spherical translucent outer shell and a smaller inner object loosely disposed within the outer shell. The inner object includes a first illumination element and a first inertia switch. The striking device includes a hollow translucent tube, a second illumination device rigidly disposed within the tube, and a second inertia switch. The first inertia switch is triggered by impact of the inner object against the outer shell to cause illumination of the first illumination element and the second inertia switch is triggered by an externally-applied impact against the tube to cause illumination of the second illumination element.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is coupled to the bladder. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, at least two cover panels surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. Each of the cover panels includes an outermost layer and a lining. The electronic circuit is coupled to at least one of the cover panels. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor. The electronic circuit is configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: A bat has a core section made from wood or grass material fibers artificially fused together and an outer section for substantially surrounding the core section. The core section can be made exclusively of bamboo fibers artificially fused together. The outer section has opposite bottom and top subsections and opposite side subsections, adhered to corresponding sides of the core section. The outer section can be made of bamboo strips. The bat also has an insert or plug made of a wood material. The insert or plug is disposed in a void provided in a distal end portion of the bat.

Abstract: Implementation including an outputter following a control to output a signal, a microphone for acquisition of sound from inside a ball, a determiner working in accordance with a level of sound acquired through the microphone to determine a state of the ball, and a control processor working in accordance with a result of determination at the determiner to generate a signal to output through the outputter.

Abstract: An interactive ball that may project a sound. The interactive ball may include a ball with an audio chip and a speaker. The interactive ball may further include an activation device. When in use, the ball may be thrown from a presenter to an audience member, between two participants, or used individually. The audience member or participant may receive the ball and activate the activation device. A sound may then project from the speaker, which may include a message.

Abstract: An arrow construction system comprising a tip canister configured to receive an arrow tip and to attach to an arrow shaft. The tip canister contains a power source and sensitive electronics. The power circuit may be a battery, a primary storage capacitor, a coil and a rectifier, and/or a solar cell. The tip canister may be electrically connected to the nock via the shaft electrical conduction system. The electrical conductors may be integrated into the shaft. The wires may form a cable with standard connectors. The nock may contain a light. Alternatively, the fletching may comprise light emitting film or fibers. The circuits may include a flash circuit, an audio circuit, a radio beacon, a wireless transmitter, environmental sensors, a camera, a switch, and/or a GPS device. The switch may be activated by a current detected in a coil or by an accelerometer.

Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing, a bladder, and a component. The casing forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball, and the bladder is located within the casing. The bladder includes a pocket that projects toward a center of the sport ball, and the pocket defines a cavity. The component, which may be an electronic device or a counterweight, is located within the pocket. In some configurations, the bladder may include a valve that is located on an opposite side of the bladder from the pocket and component.

Abstract: A projectile that includes a shocking function is presented. The projectile, such as an arrow, is structured to shock an animal as the arrow strikes its target. A capacitor may be used to store energy to generate the shock, or a shocking circuit may be self-contained. The shocking mechanism may be controlled by switch. In other embodiments electrically isolated electrodes could be present on the arrow, including the broadhead, that automatically cause the shocking system to discharge when the arrow has reached its target. The shocking function may be combined with a vibrating function for an even more lethal strike.

Abstract: A projectile that includes a vibrating function is presented. The vibrating projectile, such as an arrow, is structured to penetrate flesh of an animal more easily than a standard projectile. After the arrow has reached its target, a switch turns on a vibrating mechanism that causes the arrowhead, such as a broadhead to vibrate as it is traveling into the animal. This deeper penetration causes more injury to the animal and reduces the time between arrow penetration and animal expiration.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method that may include receiving, at one or more sensors in communication with a mobile computing device positioned within a device receptacle portion of a device, the device receptacle portion being configured to substantially enclose and protect the mobile computing device during physical activity, sensor data. The method may include determining, by a processor of the mobile computing device, motion data regarding a movement of the protective device. The method may include estimating a behavior of a user based in part upon the motion data. The method may include generating a response to the behavior including at least one of graphic, audio, tactile, or video output. The method may include providing, through a wireless communications path, the response to a second device in wireless communication with the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A system for identifying ball movement and position is disclosed. The system includes a ball for use in a sport activity comprising a lace or thread on, or adjacent to, an outer surface of the ball, and a communication element such as a wire or antenna disposed within the lace or thread, the ball's communication element being adapted to communicate via a signal received from, or sent to, one or more communication elements, such as a transmitter or receiver, disposed at or near a playing area. The playing area communication elements are adapted to communicate ball position based upon the signals sent and/or received. A processor is provided which is adapted to translate or process information received by the playing area communication elements into position, trajectory and/or movement of the ball. A method of identifying ball movement, trajectory and position and a ball for use with a ball movement and position identification system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A badminton play set in which all components is illuminated, comprising a boundary line, a net, a pair of racquets, and a shuttlecock. The play set provides a means for participating in the game of badminton during not only daytime, but also nighttime via an illumination means on each component of said play set.

Abstract: A ball comprising a body having a channel and a compartment formed therein and a light source disposed within the channel.

Abstract: Described are balls for a ball sport, wherein the ball includes at least one heating element.

Abstract: Provided is an illuminated toss game having at least one (1) game piece that is tossed into at least one (1) scoring hole located in a top surface of a playing platform. The toss game further includes a speaker and various lighting devices that are activated when a game piece is tossed through a scoring hole. To sense when a game piece passes through a scoring hole the toss game also includes a detector that emits an electrical signal that causes lights near the scoring hole to signal that a point has been scored. The toss game further includes an on-board battery, power and audio ON/OFF switches, and a controller that causes various lighting and sound effects to occur. Additionally, the game piece includes illumination lights.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a battery carried by the football, and a light emitter. The light emitter is carried by the football and is electrically connected to the battery. At least a portion of the cover transmits light from the light emitter.

Abstract: An arrow construction system comprising a tip canister configured to receive an arrow tip and to attach to an arrow shaft. The tip canister contains a power source and sensitive electronics. The power circuit may be a battery, a primary storage capacitor, a coil and a rectifier, and/or a solar cell. The tip canister may be electrically connected to the nock via the shaft electrical conduction system. The electrical conductors may be integrated into the shaft. The wires may form a cable with standard connectors. The nock may contain a light. Alternatively, the fletching may comprise light emitting film or fibers. The circuits may include a flash circuit, an audio circuit, a radio beacon, a wireless transmitter, environmental sensors, a camera, a switch, and/or a GPS device. The switch may be activated by a current detected in a coil or by an accelerometer.

Abstract: A game ball supports electronics. In one implementation, the electronics sense motion of the game ball and are encapsulated by potting compound which forms an encapsulating body sized and shaped to fit within a cavity of the game ball. In one implementation, a game ball comprises an inflatable body which supports the electronics, wherein an electrical conductive line is electrically connected to electronics extends along a surface of the inflatable body at least 60 degrees about the inflatable body.

Abstract: A self-propelled flying toy includes a body defined as having a front section, a center section and a back section each along a longitudinal axis. A ducted fan is located within the body substantially centered about the longitudinal axis. A motor is mechanically coupled to the ducted fan and a power source is coupled to the motor. An air-inlet is located substantially within the front section in airflow communication with the ducted fan. An air-outlet is located substantially within the back section in airflow communication with the ducted fan. At least two angled surfaces are fixed relative to the body and located substantially within the front section. Each of the at least two angled surfaces are evenly centered about the longitudinal axis and facing an opposite thrust-generating rotational direction relative to the ducted fan.

Abstract: A lighted nock device includes a nock body, the nock activation collar, a nock housing and LED/battery assembly. The nock body includes a first plurality of radially arrayed teeth and a plurality of gaps defined between the teeth. The nock activation collar is disposed adjacent the first plurality of teeth. The collar includes a second plurality of radially arrayed teeth projecting longitudinally outwards towards the first plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are configured to interleave with the first plurality of teeth in a first rotational position when the second plurality of teeth are rotationally aligned with the gaps between the first plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are configured to abut the first plurality of teeth in a second rotational position when the second plurality of teeth are rotationally aligned with the first plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A basketball shot determination system for use with a basket and a portable electronic device including a data acquisition device, a processing unit, a memory and an output device, the system includes a basketball, at least one sensor carried by the basketball, and a non-transient computer-readable medium. The medium contains code to direct the processor to obtain at least one attribute of a shot of the basketball towards the basket from the data acquisition device. The at least one attribute is sensed by the sensor or derived from signal output by the sensor. The medium contains code to direct the processor to determine whether the shot is a made basket by comparing the at least one attribute of the shot to one or more predetermined signature characteristics of a made basket, and to present output to a person based on the determination of whether the shot is a made basket.

Abstract: A basketball shot determination system for use with a basket and a portable electronic device including a processing unit, a memory and an output device, the system includes a basketball, at least one sensor carried by the basketball, and a non-transient computer-readable medium. The medium contains code to direct the processor to obtain at least one attribute of a shot of the basketball towards the basket. The at least one attribute being sensed by the at least one sensor or derived from signal output by the at least one sensor. The code also directs the processor to determine whether the shot is a made basket by comparing the at least one attribute of the shot to one or more predetermined signature characteristics of a made basket, and to present output to a person based on the determination of whether the shot is a made basket.

Abstract: A sports ball including an inflatable bladder, a battery carried by the ball, at least one light emitting element carried by the ball, a sensor carried by the ball to sense rotation of the ball, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the sensor and the light emitting element. The controller actuates the light emitter based upon sensed rotation of the ball.

Abstract: A hard baseball ball is configured including a core layer, an intermediate layer, and the cover layer. The intermediate layer is formed on a spherical body by winding yarn having radio wave transmissivity, which allows radio waves to pass through, in a spherical shape around the core layer. The cover layer covers the intermediate layer, and is formed from a material with radio wave transmissivity. The hard baseball ball also includes the reflecting portion. The reflecting portion is formed on a spherical surface whose center is the center of the spherical body, and has radio wave reflectability. The reflecting portion is configured using yarn from which the intermediate layer is formed. At least a portion of the yarn from which the intermediate layer is formed is given radio wave reflectability, and the reflecting portion is configured from the portion of the yarn that has been given radio wave reflectability.

Abstract: A valve for a ball includes a casing and a core. The core is arranged at least partially inside the casing. The core comprises a first sealing area with a plurality of sections which have alternating concave and convex curvatures.