A smart ball-machine uses artificial intelligence to train a player or to play with a player. For example, the ball-machine can adjust the tennis ball speed, topspin, bounce according to the player's successful ball return rate. The ball-machine can be preconfigured with a profile of a player. For example, the ball-machine may download a complete profile of a tennis player from a game recording, or may download a file with a customized profile of a player to train a player using the ball-machine. The ball-machine is equipped with a plurality of wheels, motors, and shafts to provide a fully customizable launch of one or more balls. For example, the ball can be launched from the machine from one side of a tennis court to another side of a tennis court with a variety of speeds, trajectories, topspin, bounce etc.

A smart ball-machine uses artificial intelligence to train a player or to play with a player. For example, the ball-machine can adjust the tennis ball speed, topspin, bounce according to the player's successful ball return rate. The ball-machine can be preconfigured with a profile of a player. For example, the ball-machine may download a complete profile of a tennis player from a game recording, or may download a file with a customized profile of a player to train a player using the ball-machine. The ball-machine is equipped with a plurality of wheels, motors, and shafts to provide a fully customizable launch of one or more balls. For example, the ball can be launched from the machine from one side of a tennis court to another side of a tennis court with a variety of speeds, trajectories, topspin, bounce etc.

A marking system for a baseball bat includes a bat including a barrel extending along a central longitudinal axis, the barrel defining a minimal vibration region. The marking system also includes a sheet having a first edge, a second edge positioned opposite the first edge, a third edge positioned between the first and the second edges, and a fourth edge positioned opposite the third edge, the first edge having a first curvature and the second edge having a second curvature, the sheet adapted to at least partially encircle a portion of the barrel of the bat. Additionally, a first positioning feature is disposed on the sheet, and a first alignment feature is disposed proximate the first edge of the sheet. Furthermore, the first positioning feature may be configured to be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the minimal vibration region.

The invention relates to social activities typically based on physical manipulation of objects to achieve an objective common to the participants or to allow participants to engage in distinct activities on a shared field of play, part of which is physical and part of which is virtual and rendered on one or more displays. The invention provides a system and method to enable multiple participants (users) to engage in the activity sequentially or simultaneously, based on the context and objectives of the game. The activity includes one or many shared physical environments modeled on a computing system and displayed, in high fidelity, by one or more projectors or screens.

Systems for detecting a successful field goal are described herein. More specifically, the systems are directed at automated detection for a field goal attempt. The systems evaluate whether the football was kicked within the designated area (e.g., above the cross bar and between the two upright poles). The detection is performed through the use of cameras, lasers and detectors associated with the field goal post. In this way, the systems assist referees in determining the success of the field goal attempt.

A variable-color region (106) of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112), normally appears along it as a principal color, and includes pressure-sensitive color-change structure (132) and pressure-spreading structure (242) having an internal pressure-spreading surface (244). An object (104) impacts the zone at an object-contact area (116). The pressure-spreading structure spreads pressure of the impact along a distributed-pressure area (256) of the pressure-spreading surface. A segment (142) of the pressure-sensitive color-change structure responds to the excess internal pressure along the distributed-pressure area by causing an impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region to temporarily appear along a print area (118) of the zone as changed color materially different from the principal color if the excess internal pressure meets excess internal pressure criteria. The print area thereby closely matches the object-contact area in size, shape, and location.

Principal and secondary regions (106 and 108) of an information-presentation structure extend to an exposed surface (102) respectively at principal and secondary surface zones (112 and 114) variously impacted by a spherical object (104) that rebounds from the surface. The principal region normally appears along the principal zone as a principal color. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the principal region responds to the object impacting the principal zone at an object-contact area (116) by temporarily appearing along a print area (118) of the principal zone as changed color materially different from the principal color. The print area closely matches the object-contact area in size, shape, and location. The secondary region fixedly appears along the secondary zone as a secondary color. Restitution matching is provided across the two zones so that the rebound characteristics of the object are largely independent of whether it contacts the principal or secondary zone.

A swing practice device for emitting light at impact through self-generation enables an impact moment to be checked with the naked eyes without needing a battery by emitting light at an impact time point through self-generation during swinging by using a golf club, a baseball bat, and the like. The swing practice device includes a power generation magnet provided to a shaft so as to slide in the longitudinal direction of the shaft during swinging; a power generation coil provided on the circumference of a section in which the power generation magnet moves; a light-emitting lamp connected to the power generation coil so as to be turned on by the movement of the power generation magnet; and a magnet control means for preventing the movement of the power generation magnet at a set swing speed or lower.

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).

A rotating force sensing kickboxing apparatus is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a support member including a first connector located at a bottom portion of the support member and a body. The apparatus also includes a sensor attached to the body, the sensor configured to detect an object striking a portion of an exterior side of the body. The apparatus further includes a stand including a circular recessed channel and a second connector secured within the circular recessed channel and configured to connect to the first connector. The second connector is configured to rotate within the circular recessed channel. The connection of the first connector to the second connector enables the body and the support member to be rotatable with respect to the stand.