A golf ball with a core comprising polybutadiene and graphene with an embedded IC is disclosed herein. The golf ball preferably has a single core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an inner core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an outer core comprising polybutadiene and graphene.

Systems and methods for tracking a sports ball assembly in real time during a sporting event are disclosed. A structure of the sports ball assembly is also disclosed. The sports ball assembly comprises at least one electronic circuit embedded or attached to a sports ball. The sports ball assembly is in network communication with a server processor via at least two receivers within a sports arena. The sports ball assembly generates and transmits UWB data packets comprising movement-related data for the sports ball assembly in real time at a predetermined rate. The at least two receivers receive the UWB data packets and transmit to the server processor with time stamps. The server processor is operable to determine a movement of the sports ball assembly based on the UWB data packets and the time stamps received from the at least two receivers.

A training ball system comprising a training ball including a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from a remote location, the training ball further comprising a vibration module for providing a sensory indication to a user carrying the training ball; an input device physically separate from the training ball including a transmitter for enabling transmission of a wireless signal to the receiver; where the receiver responds to receiving a wireless signal from the input device to trigger vibration of the motor immediately upon receipt of the wireless signal.

A system for sports training comprising an object comprising one or more sensors that allows the system to identify the location of the object. The object also may have a microprocessor and wireless transmitter to allow for transmission of the sensor data via wireless transmission to an external electronic device. A software application running on the electronic device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, receives the sensor data and incorporates the information into a game-like or training application. This application can display to the user which location the object should be for the game. This application can also analyze which patterns the player has difficulties with and suggest certain patterns and other advice to help the player to improve their skills. Use of ultra-wideband communication between objects and base stations can determine the position of objects for use in training in hockey or soccer.

Provided is a smart golf ball comprising: an inner electronics core, the inner electronics core comprising: a microcontroller with memory and at least one processor; a power supply in communication with the microcontroller; and an RF transmitter/receiver in communication with the microcontroller; an outer core surrounding the inner electronics core; and a skin layer covering the outer core. Also provided is a data processing system configured for golf ball tracking, comprising: a host computing system; a display in communication with the host computing system; one or more smart golf balls, each comprising a Real Time Location System (RTLS) Ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter/receiver and a corresponding ID, in communication with the host computing system; three or more beacons, each comprising an RF transmitter/receiver, in communication with the host computing system; and a golf ball tracking module.

A ball has a hollow ball, a sensor, and a sensor assembling structure. The hollow ball is hollow, is inflatable, and has an inner peripheral surface. The sensor is disposed at a central position inside the hollow ball. The sensor assembling structure has an installation assembly and a thermal insulation coat. The installation assembly has multiple connecting members. Each one of the multiple connecting members is made of a thermal insulation material and is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the hollow ball. The thermal insulation coat is connected to the multiple connecting members and is wrapped around the sensor for thermally insulating the sensor. The sensor assembling structure retains the sensor at the central position inside the hollow ball for collecting data and improving efficiency during training of athletes.

Systems and apparatus for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) golf ball testing include, in at least one aspect, an apparatus including: one or more RFID readers having associated read zones; a star wheel unit defining cavities to receive golf balls; golf ball sensors including at least one sensor for each respective path through the read zones; kickers including at least one kicker positioned after each respective path through the read zones and arranged to change a golf ball's direction of travel when the at least one kicker is activated; and a controller coupled with the kickers, the golf ball sensors, and the one or more RFID readers, wherein the controller is configured to activate any of the kickers responsive to the one or more RFID readers inadequately reading an RFID tag in a golf ball detected by the at least one sensor for that kicker's associated path through a read zone.

Systems and apparatus for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) golf ball testing include, in at least one aspect, an apparatus including: one or more RFID readers having associated read zones; a star wheel unit defining cavities to receive golf balls; golf ball sensors including at least one sensor for each respective path through the read zones; kickers including at least one kicker positioned after each respective path through the read zones and arranged to change a golf ball's direction of travel when the at least one kicker is activated; and a controller coupled with the kickers, the golf ball sensors, and the one or more RFID readers, wherein the controller is configured to activate any of the kickers responsive to the one or more RFID readers inadequately reading an RFID tag in a golf ball detected by the at least one sensor for that kicker's associated path through a read zone.

Described is a sports training system that can be used to assist pitchers in identifying foot placement and mechanics during a pitching motion. The sports training system includes a mat and plurality of foot pads. The mat is designed to have at least a pitching plate and a plurality of grid zones, while the foot pads are used for placement in one or more of the plurality of grid zones to assist the pitcher with foot placement.

Described herein are embodiments of electronic sensorized spherical input and output devices, systems, and methods for capturing gestural input from a user's physical interactions with a spherical device. In one embodiment, the spherical input and output device includes a number of sensors along the surface area of the sphere in a configuration conforming to a user's fingers and hands. A microprocessor receives sensor input and transmits the sensor signals to receiving devices which include computer software to translate the sensor signals to audio output, visual output, or various functions on receiving devices. Additional embodiments of the invention include binary modifier functions which allow the user to trigger a number of different outputs for the sensorized sphere, such as volume control, tempo, sample playback, LED lights, game modes, and other functions. Other embodiments include the integration of inertial measurement units (IMUs), which may include a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to capture complex user gestures involving motion, direction and spin of the sensorized sphere to provide unique output signals.