A method includes identifying a first point on an object striking element in a first image and a second image from images. The first and second images are captured within a predetermined time span of an impact of the object with the element and determining an impact time of the impact in combination with determining a position in the first and/or second images corresponding to a location of the object at the impact time. Based on the positions of the first point in the first and second images, determining a position in the first and/or second images corresponding to a position of the first point at the impact time. The method also includes determining a distance from the imager to a location at which the object and the element impact one another and determining an impact location of the object relative to the first point.

A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

A smart ball-machine uses artificial intelligence to train a player or to play with a player. For example, the ball-machine can adjust the tennis ball speed, topspin, bounce according to the player's successful ball return rate. The ball-machine can be preconfigured with a profile of a player. For example, the ball-machine may download a complete profile of a tennis player from a game recording, or may download a file with a customized profile of a player to train a player using the ball-machine. The ball-machine is equipped with a plurality of wheels, motors, and shafts to provide a fully customizable launch of one or more balls. For example, the ball can be launched from the machine from one side of a tennis court to another side of a tennis court with a variety of speeds, trajectories, topspin, bounce etc.

A launch monitor for golf training includes both a continuous wave radar transmitter and a frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter. A first set of golf ball trajectory parameters are estimated with the continuous wave radar transmitter and a second, different set of golf ball trajectory parameters are estimated with the frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter. The array of transmitters and receivers may be non-uniform.

Disclosed are a device for calculating flight information of a ball and a method of calculating flight information of a ball that are capable of rapidly calculating the motion parameters of a ball and a golf club using an infrared sensing type device or a camera sensing type device and very rapidly calculating spin information of the ball corresponding to the calculated motion parameters with high accuracy through a simple calculation with reference to database type information about the calculated motion parameters, and a computing-device-readable recording medium having the method recorded therein.

A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer's swing and determining if the golfer's swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer's swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.

A mixed-reality sport simulation system includes a projectile-tracking sub-system to generate projectile-tracking data when a projectile is launched by a user, a near-eye display to display mixed-reality virtual objects displayed over physical objects within a field of view of a user representing lines of sight of the user, and a controller. The controller may direct the near-eye display to display a mixed-reality environment including virtual objects within the field of view. The near-eye display may provide an unobstructed real-world view for view vectors below a selected pitch angle and at least a portion of the mixed-reality environment for view vectors above a selected pitch angle. The controller may receive projectile-tracking data in real-time from the projectile-tracking sub-system and may direct the near-eye display to display one or more virtual objects representing a trajectory of the projectile within the mixed-reality environment in real-time based on the projectile-tracking data.

A configurable flexible putting green system and methods provide a golf putting experience on a highly configurable simulated putting green surface. A movable, flexible turf belt is tensioned between storage devices at each end of the turf belt. A portion of the turf belt is configured as a putt spot, supporting the player's weight and simulating a real putting experience. The system is provided with actuators underneath the turf belt for creating a variety of undulations, inclinations, and declinations so as to simulate a wide variety of golf putting scenarios. A golf computer is provided for controlling the turf belt and undulators to simulate golf putting conditions according to a database of simulated golf putting terrain matching existing golf courses.

The present invention relates to a virtual sport system using a start sensor. One embodiment of the present invention provides a virtual sport system comprising: a hitting section from which a ball is hit; a start sensor unit which determines the physical quantity of the ball at the stage when the ball starts moving; and a simulation unit which receives, from the start sensor unit, information on the physical quantity, and simulates the motion of the ball on the basis of the information received.

A system and method for tracking the flight of golf balls at driving range. The system includes a plurality of hitting stations, a plurality of sensors, a computer, and a range surface. Each hitting station in the plurality of hitting stations includes a golf ball, a golf club, a monitor, and a sensor. At least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors is placed outside a hitting station. The flight path of the golf balls being calculated by the computer using parameters by the plurality of sensors. The method includes steps for determining whether a first sensor detected a first parameter and a second parameter, whether a second sensor detected a first and a second parameter, whether a third sensor detected a third parameter, and depicting the flight path of the golf balls using the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.