A golf ball launch monitor is disclosed that may be used with an alignment stick. The monitor has a default alignment and an image sensor adapted to capture an image of the alignment stick and communicate that image to a processor. The processor is configured to perform the following steps: (a) detect a horizontal edge within the image representative of the alignment stick by detecting large contrast changes; (b) convert each edge to a vector that starts at the sensor's focal point and projects into space based on the sensor's calibration; (c) locate the plane formed by the vectors by applying standard outlier removal and best fit analysis (d) determine the intersection of the plane and an earth tangential plane; and (e) calculate an azimuth alignment angle offset based on the line and the monitor's default alignment. The calculated azimuth alignment angle can then be used to adjust ball flight trajectory calculations.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to simulation, generally, and in some embodiments, more specifically to simulating a flight path of a golf ball. In such embodiments, a computer may be adapted to determine a first trajectory of the golf ball based on one linear expression; determine variations based on a flight path of the golf ball according to a first plane and a second plane, the first plane and second plane having orthogonality; adjust the first trajectory based on the variations; and provide a virtual golf ball with a virtual flight path based on the adjusted trajectory.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to simulation, generally, and in some embodiments, more specifically to simulating a flight path of a golf ball. In such embodiments, a computer may be adapted to determine a first trajectory of the golf ball based on one linear expression; determine variations based on a flight path of the golf ball according to a first plane and a second plane, the first plane and second plane having orthogonality; adjust the first trajectory based on the variations; and provide a virtual golf ball with a virtual flight path based on the adjusted trajectory.

A basketball machine includes a body having an inclined lane, a display configured to display a game having a plurality of challenges, a hoop including an engagement portion and an opening, a sensor configured to detect whether a ball has passed through the opening of the hoop, and a processor. The game has a first image layer showing a plurality of display areas, a reference object and a plurality of moving objects. The moving object moves towards and past the reference object. Each moving object has a bonus prize. The sensor generates a scoring signal when the detected result is positive. The processor calculates an accumulated number of times the scoring signal has been received and converts the accumulated number into an instant score. The processor determines whether the player qualifies as completing the current challenge, and controls the game to enter the next challenge when the determination is positive.

A system and method for providing a table game are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a playing field, a ball launcher mechanism launching a ball into the playing field, and the ball launcher mechanism allows a first player to select one or more attributes affecting a ball trajectory. The apparatus further comprises a ball striker mechanism controlling a ball striker. The ball striker placed at a distance from the ball launcher mechanism in the playing field has a bat to hit a ball launched by the ball launcher mechanism and is controlled by a second player. One or more sensors are placed in predetermined locations in the playing field. The electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors are used to update a status of a game.

A system and method for providing a table game are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a playing field, a ball launcher mechanism launching a ball into the playing field, and the ball launcher mechanism allows a first player to select one or more attributes affecting a ball trajectory. The apparatus further comprises a ball striker mechanism controlling a ball striker. The ball striker placed at a distance from the ball launcher mechanism in the playing field has a bat to hit a ball launched by the ball launcher mechanism and is controlled by a second player. One or more sensors are placed in predetermined locations in the playing field. The electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors are used to update a status of a game.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to simulation, generally, and in some embodiments, more specifically to simulating a flight path of a golf ball. In such embodiments, a computer may be adapted to determine a first trajectory of the golf ball based on one linear expression; determine variations based on a flight path of the golf ball according to a first plane and a second plane, the first plane and second plane having orthogonality; adjust the first trajectory based on the variations; and provide a virtual golf ball with a virtual flight path based on the adjusted trajectory.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to simulation, generally, and in some embodiments, more specifically to simulating a flight path of a golf ball. In such embodiments, a computer may be adapted to determine a first trajectory of the golf ball based on one linear expression; determine variations based on a flight path of the golf ball according to a first plane and a second plane, the first plane and second plane having orthogonality; adjust the first trajectory based on the variations; and provide a virtual golf ball with a virtual flight path based on the adjusted trajectory.

An arena includes a porous surface through which an airflow is output, thereby providing lift for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to push the UAV away from the porous surface. The airflow may also provide thrust to push the UAV in a direction that is parallel to the porous surface. The UAV may include one or more propellers that can provide lift, thrust, or both to the UAV. The airflow may be modified over a duration of time to modify lift or thrust to the UAV. The airflow may be modified based on regions of the arena to modify lift or thrust in different regions of the arena. The arena may include a scoreboard to display a score that may be modified as a result of actions undertaken by the UAV. Two or more UAVs may be used to play a game via the arena.

An arena includes a porous surface through which an airflow is output, thereby providing lift for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to push the UAV away from the porous surface. The airflow may also provide thrust to push the UAV in a direction that is parallel to the porous surface. The UAV may include one or more propellers that can provide lift, thrust, or both to the UAV. The airflow may be modified over a duration of time to modify lift or thrust to the UAV. The airflow may be modified based on regions of the arena to modify lift or thrust in different regions of the arena. The arena may include a scoreboard to display a score that may be modified as a result of actions undertaken by the UAV. Two or more UAVs may be used to play a game via the arena.