An image-stream windowing method includes capturing, with a camera located at a fixed position and having a fixed field of view, a high-resolution image stream of an object that moves during said capturing. The high-resolution image stream includes a sequence of high-resolution frames. The method also includes determining, for each high-resolution frame of the sequence of high-resolution frames, a respective window, of a sequence of windows corresponding to the sequence of high-resolution frames, that encloses the object within said each high-resolution frame. The size and location of the respective window are determined based at least on the fixed position, the fixed field of view, and a position of the object. The method also includes generating a low-resolution image stream from the high-resolution image stream by cropping said each high-resolution frame with its respective window.

Ball return devices may include a body having a front surface configured to return a ball incident thereon and a back surface. The body may be configured to be positioned at an angle to, and coincident with, an underlying surface, the angle between the ground surface and the body being variable. The ball return devices may also include an attachment mechanism coupled to the body and adapted to attach the body to an external anchoring mechanism.

A system for planning, managing, and analyzing sports teams and events. The system may include a content management function for storing data. The data can pertain to a plurality of sports-related statistics and a variety of identifying data. The system and method can also include an event management function for planning and evaluating sports-related events such as practices and games. The system and method can also include a report function which can provide a variety of statistical analyses.

A moving body information providing system constituted by a moving body information analysis device and wearable devices 1 mounted to soccer players for detecting the status of the soccer players, wherein the wearable devices are each provided with a storage unit, an internal timer, a position sensor, a moving body information detection sensor having a plurality of types of sensors, an initial-time setting unit, a position data calculation unit, an output control unit, a communication module, and other components, and the moving body information analysis device has a tablet provided with a moving body information transmission/reception unit, an analysis result display processing unit, and other components, and an analysis result providing device of an analysis center provided with a storage unit for fine position data, a position calculation unit, or the like.

A sports and performance media positional detection system, comprising: at least two elements, with at least one element involved in the sporting activity; a power source; and machine-to-machine communication, which are collectively arranged such that if any two or more elements interact, their electromagnetic properties can be detected thus allowing the position of the interacting elements to be communicated to a decision maker. The system can be applied to at least one stationary element, which can be the playing surface, lines defining the boundaries, or a set of goalposts; and at least one moving element, which could be a ball, footwear, or the participants themselves. The system can also be applied to performance media capture.

Virtual and augmented reality sports training environments are disclosed. A user interacts with virtual players in a simulated environment of a virtual reality sporting event. In some embodiments, the user's actions and decisions are monitored by the simulated environment. The environment evaluates the user's performance, and provides performance feedback based on the user's decisions and timing. In one application, real life pitchers and their pitching data are tracked and replicated in a simulated pitching environment. A team of users may practice against a simulation of a pitcher they are about to compete against, swinging at pitches that they would see in a real game. Such environments may maximize effective practice time for users, and help develop better players with improved decision-making skills. Some embodiments include various pitch recognition training, which may be against replicated real-life pitchers.

A device for receiving a user and cushioning an impact where a plurality of air displacement units are connected through air displacement units comprising discrete pillars extending above base cells where base cells are selectively connected to adjoining base cells to attenuate and manage air flow. A tarp connected to each base cell provides positional stability and a cover connected across a top surface of the device provides a working surface to receive a user. The combined elements provide a cushioned impact for a user. The device can be inflated with a portable blower positioned within the device that can be battery powered to provide a mobile and portable inflatable impact device.

A portable sports rack and delivery system including an elongate rack enclosure, and a method of use thereof are provided. The elongate rack enclosure defines a storage space for accommodating balls stacked one above the other. A delivery opening, disposed at a first end of the elongate rack enclosure, receives, accommodates, and delivers an uppermost ball from the storage space. A base member, attached to a second end of the elongate rack enclosure, supports the stacked balls within the storage space. A release component including a compression spring, disposed on an upper surface of the base member, elastically compresses and expands to elevate and release the uppermost ball from the storage space for delivery through the delivery opening. A training component, operably and adjustably coupled to a rear section of the elongate rack enclosure, extends above the first end of the elongate rack enclosure to assist in training a sportsperson.

A system for creating a virtual environment is disclosed. The system has a barrier screen configured to stop an object including a ball that is moved toward the barrier, including a first barrier screen portion that is a cylinder section, and a second barrier screen portion that is disposed above the first barrier screen portion, wherein the second barrier screen portion is an elliptical section. The system also has at least one projector configured to project an image of the virtual environment on the barrier screen, at least one sensor configured to sense data associated with the object, and a computing device configured to control the at least one projector to change the image based on the sensed data.

A slant board device, formed of a base on the ground, and supporting a slanted top surface. The top surface has a pad and artificial grass. The top surface is used as a slant board for exercizing with cleats on.