A multifunctional self-contained system that wirelessly integrates actual sports equipment with a computer providing critical feedback to improve all aspects of a player's game, and also allows players to play an actual competitive real or visually simulated game or sports with one or more players. Therefore, an individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing skills and techniques. The system includes sport implements that include, but are not limited to, smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing device, all containing circuits with contact sensors and or motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game status and performance parameters to a remote receiver and computer. The computer then optionally displays important parameters such as proximity of a sports implement contact face to an object, the impact of a sports implement with a sports equipment item, wherein the contact force, contact time, impact location, face angle, spatial orientation of a sports implement in motion, and the subsequent energy, velocity, and trajectory of game projectile such as a golf ball. The sports implements can be further equipped with motion sensing devices, and its motion and swing trajectory is visually simulated on the computer display. Standard sport implements which include, but are not limited to, golf clubs may be retrofitted with the device sensors and associated electronic circuitry to convert such clubs into smart clubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information to players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information.

A system that wirelessly integrates actual game equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive real or simulated sports game such as golf. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic sports techniques. The system includes, but is not limited to, golf clubs, and motion sensing devices, all containing circuits, contact and or noncontact motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game data performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer displays player information and visually simulates and controls a game between one or more local players or via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. This invention uses the electric field of a capacitive plate for sensing object proximity, motion, and geometry. More particularly, the invention relates to a system wherein the physical geometry in part of an object, and or its spatial orientation, motion, and an environmental change of state can be detected due to signal variances and or from a change in the dielectric of a capacitor array. The invention also uses the coupling of sports equipment and a computer to communicate information wirelessly to a remote computer, and thereby, if desired, to the internet. Standard golf clubs may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such clubs into smart clubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between local and remote players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information and dynamic motion parameters.

A system that wirelessly integrates actual golf equipment, game apparatus, or gaming tool, with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive real or simulated game. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing or sports techniques. The system includes any sports implement or smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing devices, all containing circuits and contact and or noncontact motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer display screen displays player information and visually simulates and controls a game between one or more local computer players or via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. The computer displays player information such as anatomical motion or data, game apparatus, gaming tool, or sports implement information simultaneously, and visually simulates and controls a game between two players via the internet having sports equipment remotely located from each other, providing graphics animation and graphics to learn and compete by. Standard sports implements may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such implements as clubs into smart dubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations and display player performance information and dynamic motion parameters.

A motion analysis device analyzing a swing using an exercise apparatus, includes an acquisition section that acquires outputs from an inertial sensor, and a detection section that detects collision of the exercise apparatus with the ground by using at least an acceleration output among the outputs from the inertial sensor.

The invention relates to a system that connects a game implement to a computer. Two or more persons are allowed to be interconnected and play interactively through the system.

A golf club swing arc impact location training system that helps the user to determine the ideal deepest point of his or her swing in relation to the location of the ball being hit. A rigid rectangular frame is topped by an elastic panel that can be deformed when the user swings and hits a golf ball attached to a tether assembly fixed to the edge of the rectangular frame. An array of photodiodes mounted on the inner surface of the frame senses the location of the depressed elastic panel as the ball is hit and sends the results to a digital display mounted on the top surface of the frame.

A golf training aid 100 has a sensor mat 105 placed under a golf mat 200. The sensor mat 105 has pressure-sensitive impact sensors 210 disposed in first, second and third regions. It includes an electronic circuit which activates a first indicator green upon an ideal impact detected by impact of a golf club head on pressure-sensitive impact sensors 210 in the first region, a second indicator yellow upon a thin impact, or the third indicator red upon a fat shot impact detected by the impact sensors 210. The golf training aid 100 also includes a wearable module 700 attached to the golfer's waist. It includes an accelerometer which measures rotational motion of the wearable device 700 and wirelessly transmits a signal to a base module 600 which activates an indicator to show under-rotation, proper rotation and over-rotation of the golfer's hips at impact of the golf ball 305.

Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.

Devices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club. One exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device can include a patch that can be attached to the face of a golf club and can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. The impact locations of previous strikes can be removed from the patch without the user having to do anything more than take another swing. In some embodiments, the device includes a yield-stress material that assist in displaying impact a most recent impact location without displaying previous impact locations. Other features that can allow patches to work in this fashion, as well as methods related to the same, are also provided. Further, disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder are also provided.

Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.