A fencing scoring system may include a controller configured to output a signal indicative of a hit. The output signal may be in response to counts of edges of one or more oscillating signals having a variable frequency deviating from a threshold over a period. The counts may be of edges that are rising. The counts may be of edges that are falling. The counts may be of edges that are rising and falling. The frequency may be based on a capacitance of a circuit. A portion of the capacitance may be from a fencing equipment component. The equipment component may be a lamé. The equipment component may be a weapon.

A ball supply apparatus includes: a housing coupled to the upper portion of the column structure, wherein a top portion of housing is partially opened, wherein the housing is divided by a partition into a ball storage portion and a ball discharge portion, wherein a bottom face of the ball storage portion is inclined downward toward the ball discharge portion, wherein a first opening is formed in a bottom of the ball discharge portion, and a second opening is formed in the partition at a lower portion thereof; a rotatable opening/closing plate rotatably coupled to the partition, wherein the rotatable opening/closing plate is configured to rotate to open/close the second opening; and a ball discharge tube rotatably coupled to the ball discharge portion at the first opening, wherein the ball discharge tube ball-communicates with the ball discharge portion via the first opening.

A 3-Dimensional golf game having a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, and a curvilinear surface that interconnects the horizontal and vertical surfaces, wherein at least the vertical surface includes one or more ball-receiving cups. The game of skill is played by one or more players putting or striking a golf ball along the horizontal surface with sufficient force to travel through the curvilinear surface and up the vertical surface. The force of gravity then causes the ball to return back down the vertical surface and—if appropriately aimed and struck—the ball travels downwardly into the opening of the least one ball receiving cup. Players are awarded points for successfully landing the ball into the ball receiving cup and the game may include differently sized and/or positioned cups having different point values.

Described herein are devices and systems relating to sports training equipment, for example, for baseball. These devices and systems can comprise a mat with markers identifying a plurality of positions on the mat. In some embodiments, the system can comprise removably attachable footpads to identify ideal foot positions for an athletic performance. In some embodiments, the footpads comprise one or more pressure sensors. The system can comprise one or more position sensors on a ball, and one or more position sensors removably attachable to a hand-held sports instrument. In some embodiments, the system can comprise a memory, communicatively coupled to a processor and a camera, with executable instructions to implement a set-up component, a user recognition component, a practice component, and instructional component, and a play component.

Various improvements in fitness devices are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed including reading performance data from an exercise device; adjusting a visual output of one or more visual output devices (VODs) attached to a mechanical element of the exercise device; and synchronizing the visual output of the one or more VODs in response to a change in the performance data.

An apparatus for facilitating soft tossing of balls for players. The apparatus includes a body, a launching device, a storage device, a timer, and an output device. The body includes a top side and a bottom side opposing the top side. The body includes a launching platform on the top side. The launching platform includes a launching station on the launching platform. The launching device is coupled with the launching station and launches a ball disposable on the launching station in an upwardly vertical direction in relation to the launching platform for soft tossing the ball based on signals. The storage device stores timing information. The timer is communicatively coupled with the storage device and the launching device and generates the signals based on initiating the timer and the timing information. The output device is communicatively coupled with the timer and presents an output based on the signals.

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 wireless electronic table game scoreboard is disclosed. An example scoreboard apparatus includes a data transmission module in wireless communication with a user device and configured to wirelessly receive a plurality of game parameters from the user device. The apparatus also includes a score sensor configured to detect a ball passing through a basketball hoop. The apparatus further includes a game execution module configured to operate a basketball game based upon the plurality of received game parameters and record a score of the basketball game based on signals received from the score sensor indicative of the ball passing through the hoop. Additionally, the apparatus includes a camera configured to record video of the basketball game. The data transmission module is configured to transmit the recorded video of the basketball game to the user device in connection with the recorded score.

A golf analysis assistance apparatus includes an input/output unit, a golf course data storage unit, a player data storage unit, a target score acquisition unit configured to acquire a target score throughout a course, the target score being set by a player, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to obtain an optimal solution at each hole that enables achievement of the target score throughout the course, the target score being set by the player, based on golf course data and player data.

A virtual reality (VR) system comprising a head-mounted display (HMD) and handheld controller set is enhanced to provide a more realistic end user VR experience, e.g., for boxing or other interactive training. In this approach, and in lieu of simply establishing a boundary area for the VR experience, the user also maps a position of a real-world object into a reference frame of the VR environment. This mapping is facilitated using the handheld controller itself, e.g., as positioned in a backwards-facing manner on the user's forearm. The real-world object is then simulated in the 3D VR environment as rendered by the VR HMD, and the user interacts with the real-world object (or its simulation) to provide a more enjoyable and useful interactive experience.