A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

An exercise device includes a base defining an inner volume and a top supported by the base, the top defining an aperture. The exercise device further includes a force sensor configured to measure force on the top and a motor disposed within the base and below the top, the motor including a cable extendable through the aperture. The exercise deice further includes a controller communicatively coupled to each of the force sensor and the motor. The controller is adapted to actuate the motor in response to forces applied to the top as measured by the force sensor. The controller may also actuate the motor in response to one or more additional parameters related to the speed or force with which the cable is manipulated (e.g., pulled by a user).

Four striking panels having wireless sensors are arranged such that at least one striking panel is: in front of an athlete, behind the athlete, to the right of the athlete, and to the left of the athlete. A display is situated in front of the athlete. Randomly, a particular striking panel is presented on the display during an exercise routine. When the athlete strikes the appropriate corresponding panel based on detection of a wireless signal provided by the corresponding wireless sensor, a next randomly selected panel is presented on the display. This continues for a particular number of times or for a particular elapsed period of time. Response time metrics are retained for the routine and provided at the conclusion of routine.

A ball throwing machine system comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a bottom of the housing; an adjustable stand with a base, the base in operational communication with the bottom of the housing via a mechanical joint means, and wherein the housing can lockably move with respect to the base, a first ball inlet located in the housing; a first ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the first ball inlet; a first ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the first ball corridor and the first ball inlet; a second ball inlet located in the housing; a second ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the second ball inlet; a second ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the second ball corridor and the second ball inlet; a single wheel configured to rotate at user adjustable speeds, and further configured to impart spin and velocity to a ball, wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the floor of the first ball corridor, and wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the ceiling of the second ball corridor. A ball throwing machine comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a bottom of the housing; a first ball inlet located in the housing; a first ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the first ball inlet; a first ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the first ball corridor and the first ball inlet; a second ball inlet located in the housing; a second ball corridor located in the housing and in communication with the second ball inlet; a second ball outlet located in the housing and in communication with the second ball corridor and the second ball inlet; a single wheel configured to rotate at user adjustable speeds, and further configured to impart spin and velocity to a ball, wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the floor of the first ball corridor, and wherein the outer surface of the single wheel is located on the ceiling of the second ball corridor and wherein the bottom of the housing is configured to moveably and lockably attach to an adjustable stand, and wherein the housing can lockably move with respect to the adjustable stand.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

A balance training method using a wearable device, and the wearable device are disclosed. The balance training method using the wearable device configured to provide a walking assist function includes executing a balance training mode of the wearable device and supplying an irregular pattern torque to an actuator of the wearable device at a time point or in a time period in the balance training mode.

A method for adaptive user training and gaming utilizing a media player is disclosed. The method includes operations of receiving, by control logic, data pertaining to selection of a first training program, transmitting, by the control logic, media instructions to cause activation of a media player configured to display visual data corresponding to the first training program, and transmitting, by the control logic, ball-throwing instructions to cause activation of a ball-throwing machine configured to impart motion to one or more balls in accordance with the first training program. The method includes additional operations of recording, by the control logic, an indication of the first training program in a player profile. Additional operations includes recording, by the control logic, training data indicating metrics associated with performance of the first training program.

An apparatus for training a sports player is enclosed. The apparatus may comprise one or more static training aid and/or one or more dynamic training aid. The static training aid and the dynamic training aid each includes a base and a pole vertically extending from the base. The static training aid may also include a light source extending along the pole from a point to a second end of the pole. In some embodiments, the static training aid includes one or more accessory parts. The one or more accessory parts may include a connector transversely connecting two static training aids. The one or more accessory parts may include a stick coupled to the pole of the static training aid. The dynamic training aid may include a first stick pivotally coupled to the pole of the static training aid. The first stick may be configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pole. Aspects of the invention relate to methods of training a sports player using the static training aid and/or the dynamic training aid.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.