A63B71/0605

Method and apparatus for false start detection

A method, a false start detection system, and a false start detection sensor for determining whether an athlete has performed a false start in an event. Force data is received representing the force exerted by at least one upper appendage of the athlete on a surface when in a starting position (S701). The force data is processed to determine an athlete start time (S702), and the athlete start time is compared to an event start time to determine whether a false start has occurred (S703).

Electronic home plate
11517805 · 2022-12-06 · ·

An electronic home plate system includes a home plate enclosure and at least one image sensor system disposed within the enclosure, each image sensor system including an image sensor, a lens and a first processor. The first processor is adapted to detect a motion of a ball by continuously capturing frames from the image sensor. The detected motion includes the ball passing over the home plate enclosure or the ball passing near and not over the home plate enclosure.

MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING DEVICE WITH SCORING SYSTEM
20220370879 · 2022-11-24 ·

A martial arts training device with scoring system, device comprising a padded device designed to be struck by a participant; and a scoring system attached to padded device, scoring system comprising: an impedance-based impact sensing mechanism that detects a source of impact comprising at least one impedance changing mechanism that changes impedance as each of conductive material is moved towards and away from impedance changing mechanism as the first participant delivers the impact; an impact sensing mechanism for which mechanically detects the force of impact creating electrical charges; at least one impedance-based impact measuring scoring system determining the source of the impact that occurred based on a change in impedance electromagnetically in said impedance changing mechanism; and at least one impedance changing rate determination engine configured to determine a rate at which the impedance changes in impedance changing mechanism; and at least one impact force determination engine configured to determine a magnitude of a force of the impact based on the rate at which the impedance changes in impedance changing mechanism and the impedance changing a rate data.

Flag football marker
11590404 · 2023-02-28 · ·

An electronic sideline marker for use in football comprises a first display configured to display an indication of a down and a second display configured to display one or more timers. The second display may be configured to display a play clock, a go-clock, and/or a throw-clock. A play clock may first be displayed, and the marker may then receive an indication (e.g., a button press) that the football has been snapped, at which point display of the play clock may be replaced with display of a go-clock. The marker may be configured to output indications when the play clock, go-clock, and/or throw-clock expire. The marker may be configured to electronically communicate with one or more other markers for use in the football game, or one or more other remote electronic devices such as sensors in flag football belts, flags, and/or footballs.

Athletic Performance Monitoring Systems and Methods in a Team Sports Environment
20230048020 · 2023-02-16 ·

Systems and methods for sensing and monitoring various athletic performance metrics, e.g., during the course of a game, a practice, a training session, training drills, and the like, are described. These systems and methods can provide useful metrics for players and coaches relating to athletic performances in various sports, including various team sports.

Football yardage chain apparatus
11491385 · 2022-11-08 ·

A football yardage chain apparatus for more accurately detecting first downs includes a unit housing having a pole aperture extending from a top side through a bottom side and a channel extending through to the pole aperture from proximal the bottom side to the top side. A pole is coupled through the pole aperture and a chain connector is coupled proximal a bottom end of the pole. A marker bar has a hinge coupled within the channel and swingingly moves between a stored position parallel with the pole and an alternative extended position configured to extend to a height proximal a nose of a football resting horizontally on the ground. A back side of the marker bar lies coplanar with a tangent plane of the pole at a point of union with the chain connector.

Shuffleboard scoring system
11484764 · 2022-11-01 · ·

A scoring system is disclosed for a shuffleboard table 2 having a sliding surface 4 on which a puck 6 can be thrown. A camera 26 is arranged to point in a direction 28 that is angled relative to the normal 30 of the sliding surface 4. A puck 6 can be thrown and a computer 32 can detect a moving object within a throwing zone 16. The computer 32 analyses whether the detected moving object corresponds to a valid puck. When all pucks are stationary on the sliding surface 4 the computer 32 can calculate a score.

DETECTION OF INTENTIONAL CONTACT BETWEEN OBJECT AND BODY PART OF PLAYER IN SPORT

An electronic device and method for detection of intentional contact between an object and a body part of a player are provided. An electronic device receives a plurality of frames of a video from an imaging device. The electronic device tracks a movement of the object and a movement of the body part across the plurality of frames. The electronic device determines, based on the tracked movement, a frame of interest from the plurality of first frames in which degree of overlap between position coordinates of the object and position coordinates of the body part of the player exceeds an overlap threshold. The electronic device detects a contact between the object and the body part of the player based on the frame of interest. The electronic device applies a machine learning model on the frame of interest and the tracked movement to determine whether the contact is intentional.

BASKETBALL PERFORMANCE MONITORING SYSTEM
20230031488 · 2023-02-02 · ·

A basketball performance monitoring system sensor including at least one sensor proximate a basketball goal having a backboard, a rim coupled to the backboard, and a net having strings coupled to the rim; the at least one sensor configured to determine shot information, the shot information comprising both an impact of a basketball with at least one of the backboard and the rim, and a shot passing through the rim; a local microprocessor coupled to the at least one sensor; a housing containing both the at least one sensor and the local microprocessor; the housing includes geometric features to reduce the likelihood of tangling housing in the net; and the housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; wherein the first end of the housing extends outside the net; wherein the second end of housing includes an arm extending inside the net.

Basketball architecture
11484759 · 2022-11-01 ·

A basketball goal system comprising a backboard assembly and suspension frame affixed to the back surface, a suspension structure connected to the suspension frame of the backboard and a goal indication system which interfaces to at least one of the suspension structure or backboard to cause an indication (of various colors) to be presented via the suspension system and/or the backboard which indication relates to the shot points associated with a shot attempted at the goal. The goal indication system causes presentation of a cue on a front surface of the backboard, which cue is of a color corresponding to shot points. The backboard elements and light emission of the suspension frame can be controlled synchronously or asynchronously.