A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

A method of operating an electronic basketball scoreboard apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving a game parameter; operating a basketball game based upon the received game parameter; receiving a first indication of a ball passing through a first basketball hoop; receiving a second indication of a ball passing through a second basketball hoop; determining a first score of the basketball game based on the first indication from the first score sensor; determining a second score of the basketball game based on the second indication from the second score sensor; recording video of the basketball game; transmitting the recorded video; and transmitting the first score and the second score.

The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and computer program for collecting and processing digital information by computer vision and/or tracking as well as observing specific events during sports, in particular during the practice of racket sports, comprising: at least one camera pair for obtaining real image-related information in sports-related stereo, processor for processing the actual image-related information from the at least one camera, memory space containing stored comparison data for typical actions of a fictitious athlete and for typical movements and positions of a fictitious ball, the camera, processor and memory space all to each other for both storage and retrieval of digital information, the processor comparing the actual image-related information from the at least one camera with the corresponding stored comparison data from the memory space and categorizing the work image-related information.

The Pincer Paddle is a novel racquet for use in any suitable sport but especially for table tennis. It allows a player to hit the ball with both the front and back sides of the paddle blade on the both the forehand and backhand, when driving, pushing or smashing. Since a player is allowed to use different rubbers on the front and back of the paddle this can make it easier to add spin to the ball or handle the spin put on the ball by the other player depending on which rubber is selected. The ergonomic design allows a player to make these shots over a greater range of angles even when reaching or when close to the body.

A display method includes acquiring first attitude information of the hands of a subject holding an exercise equipment during standing still on the basis of an output from an inertial sensor (sensor unit) which measures a swing action of the subject (user) performing a swing with the exercise equipment (golf club) and is attached to at least one of the exercise equipment and the subject, acquiring second attitude information of the hands of the subject holding the exercise equipment at impact on the basis of an output from the inertial sensor, and displaying at least one of the first attitude information and the second attitude information.

A virtual target system, for training multiple sports, and in an example, tennis, can include a projector system that can display a virtual target on a surface, like a tennis court. A sensor system can detect activity near the virtual target, for example, the movement or impact of a tennis ball. A processor can be linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity. In one example, the display of the virtual target may or may not change in reaction to the collected activity data.

A preferred embodiment of a novel paddle for use in racquet sports, and particularly table tennis, is disclosed. The paddle features a handle which is designed to comfortably conform to the players grip, while both enhancing total backhand play and allowing for ease of rotation to forehand play at any time on either side of the body; Thus, a paddle which eliminates ever being caught out of position. The alignment for the attachment of the handle to the blade is what is specifically unique.

A firing device is provided for launching and retrieving projectiles as well as firing laser weapons from a robotic platform. In robotic games or competitions the projectiles and laser weapons are fired at targets to score points. In a game of laser tag the laser and/or infrared weapons are fired at targets on competing robots to score points and/or to disable the targeted robot. The firing device has one, two, or three rotating launch wheels for launching spherical projectiles illustratively including ping pong balls, where the revolution speed of launch wheels may be varied to control projectile velocity and distance of travel. A deflector plate is used to change the trajectory of the projectile and/or the laser beam.

A robot server assembly for serving table tennis balls comprising a body defining an internal ball path, means for introducing balls into the internal ball path at the lower end of the body; a ball guide at the upper end of the back panel, a serving head assembly at the upper end of the body having a ball discharge tube in communication with the ball guide; a pair of opposed discharge wheel operatively associated with the discharge tube; a plurality of gears associated with the serving head; at least one servo motor associated with at least one of the gears to actuate rotation of the gear; whereby actuation of a least one of said gears affects 180 rotation of the serving head about a longitudinal axis of the serving head, up and down movement of the serving head and side to side movement of the serving head.

A preferred embodiment of a novel paddle for use in racquet sports, and particularly table tennis, is disclosed. The paddle features a handle which is designed to comfortably conform to the players grip, while both enhancing total backhand play and allowing for ease of rotation to forehand play at any time on either side of the body; Thus, a paddle which eliminates ever being caught out of position. The alignment for the attachment of the handle to the blade is what is specifically unique.