System and method to automatically control a track timing system for humans and/or animals. One or several users are detected in start and finish areas on one or several tracks and automatically signaled to start by the system. Results such as finish time, start reaction time, false starts, split times, relay exchanges, and such can be calculated. The results can be displayed and distributed, and the system can be configured by a user.

A variety of improvements to portable electronic devices are disclosed, particularly electronic devices designed for use in and around water. The improvements include a more secure interface jack, improved waterproofing techniques, improved battery stability, and improved device functionality. One or more of the disclosed improvements may be incorporated into a variety of portable electronic devices.

Provided is a skipping rope. The skipping rope allows the rope skipping times being counted and displayed in the form of light, facilitating users and others to learn about the rope skipping times. The skipping rope comprises two handles, a rope arranged between the two handles, a counting module located on one of the two handles for counting the rope skipping times, a display device arranged within the rope and electrically connected with the counting module for displaying the rope skipping times in the form of light after the counting module counts the rope skipping times.

Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.

Portable fitness monitoring methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a portable fitness monitoring method includes a method for providing audible output to a user during an athletic activity using a portable fitness monitoring device. The method includes the steps of receiving an audio feedback file package that includes a first audio feedback file, updating the audio feedback file package, and processing the updated audio feedback file package to provide audible output to the user through an audio output device during the athletic activity.

One or more accelerometers embedded with an earbud and/or a set of earphones are able to sense a moving pace of a user. Based on a moving pace of the user, a signal is sent to a remotely connected electronic device. The electronic device is able to separately increase and decrease a beat or rhythm of the audio from the electronic device based on a pace of the user. In some embodiments, an audio alert is sent to the user to inform the user of pace and whether the user has increased or decreased their pace. Additionally, in some embodiments, a program stored on the electronic device is used to compare the user's current progress and/or speed based on past runs and workouts.

The auxiliary shot clock is used during a basketball game. The auxiliary shot clock is a timing device that: 1) operates a five-second timing device that detects a five-second violation for an inbound pass; 2) operates a ten-second timing device that detects a half court violation after an inbound pass; 3) displays the time of the five-second timing device; 4) displays the time of the ten-second timing device; 5) generates an alarm signal on expiration of the five-second timing device; and, 6) generates an alarm signal on expiration of the ten-second timing device. The auxiliary shot clock comprises a five-second timing device, a ten-second timing device, one or more time lapse displays, and a plurality of control signals. The five-second timing device, the ten-second timing device, and the one or more time lapse displays are electrically interconnected using the plurality of control signals.

A system for simultaneous visual data presentation is provided having a processor and memory with instructions for execution by the processor for: receiving attended data; receiving unattended data; and generating presentation data. The presentation is suitable for simultaneous presentation of the attended data and the unattended data in a manner in which the unattended data at least partially overlaps the attended data and the unattended data does not interfere with the attended data by replacing, erasing, or suppressing the attended data, and vice versa. The presented unattended data gives cues that the user can sense and provide information to the user while attending to the presented attended data, without attending to the presented unattended data.

A sports training-device (100) comprising: a base (102); a retainer (104) for retaining a ball (106); and a flexible tether (108), a first end of the flexible tether attached to said base, and a second end of the flexible tether attached to said retainer; said flexible tether configured to, in use, provide damped movement of a ball retained in said retainer, following application of a force to said ball.

A cordless treadmill including a frame, a belt system. and a drop-in cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes a plurality of staggered rollers configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. The frame is adapted to receive the belt system and the cartridge as they are lowered into the frame, and the frame is adapted to place the belt of the belt system into tension as the belt system is lowered into the frame. An integrated flywheel generator system provides smooth operation of the treadmill and generates electricity to power additional systems.