The sports ball (410) has an inner layer (416) and an outer panel (414). The inner layer (416) is secured to the outer panel (414) and several inner layers (416) and outer panels (414) are sewn together to form the sports ball (410). A strip (440) is positioned between the inner layer (416) and outer panel (414) under a white stripe (448) to raise the white stripe (448) on the sports ball (410) above the surrounding outer surface of the sports ball (410) to enhance grip. The sports ball (410) can be a football (412). A line of thread (424) can be stitched between the inner layer (416) and outer panel (414) on either side of the stripe (448) to enhance the shape retention of the sports ball (410), enhance grip and help keep the strip (440) in place. In a modification, a strip (480) is positioned between the inner layer (416) and outer panel (414) except under the white stripe (448) to form a void under the stripe (448) and enhance grip.

A golf ball including a spherical body, first regions, and second regions. The spherical body includes a core layer and a cover layer made from a synthetic resin covering the core layer. Dimples are formed in a surface of the cover layer. First regions that are electrically conductive are formed on a surface of the spherical body. The first regions are formed on a spherical surface having a center of the spherical body as a center. The first regions are positioned at six vertices of an imaginary regular hexahedron such that the vertices are positioned on the surface of the spherical body and, thus, six of the first regions are formed. The second regions are formed in areas of the surface other than where the first regions are formed. The second regions have a radio wave reflectance lower than that of the first regions.

Cue sports tables are provided with associated automated sensor and positioning assemblies. This permits competitors to play each other on separate tables. The tables automatically sense ball positions on one table and communicate that to a positioner associated with another table. That positioner then automatically drives balls on that other table to a mimicking position. These systems also permit a shot to be replayed if desired.

Virtual golf system for playing golf, comprising a plurality of trackable golf balls, wherein each golf ball comprises transmitting means for broadcasting electromagnetic beacon signals for detecting a position of the golf ball, a position determination unit comprising three receiving antenna's arranged for receiving beacon signals broadcasted by any of said plurality of trackable golf balls, and wherein said position determination unit is arranged to determine a position of said golf ball on a driving range based on time differences of a broadcasted beacon signal received by said receiving antenna's. A plurality of trackable golf balls and a plurality of players may be active at the same time. Trackable golf balls may be paired with specific players. A game controller advances a virtual game of golf each time a trackable golf ball is stroked by a player.

In one general aspect, an apparatus to monitor movement of an object may include an input device configured to trigger pre-selection of a type of performance of the object, at least one sensor used to measure a motion parameter of the object, a controller configured to receive the motion parameter of the object and compare the measured motion parameter with a motion reference, and an output device configured to display, in real-time, a feedback information based on the comparison.

A ball includes a first housing, at least a fixing body, at least a ceramic vibration unit and a second housing. The fixing body is disposed on the internal wall of the first housing. The ceramic vibration unit is configured to make a sound and is fixed on the fixing body. The ceramic vibration unit includes a vibrating plate, a ceramic sheet and a cover body. The ceramic sheet and the cover body are disposed on the vibrating plate, and the ceramic sheet is located between the vibrating plate and the cover body. The second housing covers the first housing.

A device (10) including a deformable shell (12) delimiting an inner space (14), and: a resilient band (18, 30, 32) suspended in the inner space (14) and including two ends secured to the deformable shell (12), said band (18, 30, 32) including a piezoelectric material (30, 32) to generate an electric voltage under the effect of the deformation of the shell (12) and two electrodes for collecting the voltage; and an electronic circuit (34) for processing the voltage, arranged on the resilient band (18, 30, 32) and connected to the electrodes of the resilient band (18, 30, 32).

An Internet of Thing (IoT) device includes a camera coupled to a processor; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor. Blockchain smart contracts can be used with the device to facilitate secure operation.

Motion-related, information-indicating systems for football generate and present flight relevant information of a thrown football. These systems include a measuring device and an indicating device. In one embodiment, the system measures the spin speed of a football using a gyro. If the spin speed is higher than a preset value, then an LED light on the football is tuned on. A quarterback assesses his spin speed by whether the LED light is on or off. In another embodiment, the indicating device is an LED light positioned on a ring worn by the quarterback. A transmitter/receiver pair transfers signals from the thrown football to the ring. In another embodiment, the system measures the acceleration of a football using an accelerometer. Further the system indicates the acceleration value on an LCD display monitor positioned on the ground. A quarterback checks the LCD display to access the strength of his throw.

Embodiments relate to an elastically deformable item of sports equipment (100; 200; 250; 300; 500), comprising at least one deformable electromagnetic coil structure (104; 204; 254; 304; 504) arranged around a curved surface (102; 106; 202; 206; 252; 256; 302; 306; 502; 506) within the item of sports equipment, wherein the at least one deformable electromagnetic coil structure has an elongation reserve corresponding to a maximum elastic deformation of the item of sports equipment.