Object sensing and feedback system

Abstract

In one general aspect, an apparatus to monitor movement of an object may include an input device configured to trigger pre-selection of a type of performance of the object, at least one sensor used to measure a motion parameter of the object, a controller configured to receive the motion parameter of the object and compare the measured motion parameter with a motion reference, and an output device configured to display, in real-time, a feedback information based on the comparison.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to monitor movement of an object, comprising:
 an input device configured to trigger pre-selection of a type of performance of the object;   at least one sensor used to measure a motion parameter of the object;   a controller configured to:
 receive the motion parameter of the object, and 
 compare the measured motion parameter with a motion reference; and 
   an output device configured to display, in real-time, a feedback information based on the comparison.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the object includes a ball, the ball includes a core within the ball, and   the core is configured to house the at least one sensor and the controller.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the type of performance of the object is a particular type of pitch. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the particular type of pitch is least one of a fastball, a riseball, a dropball, a curveball, a slider, a sinker, a screwball, and a changeup. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motion parameter is least one of velocity, acceleration, spin, and spin rate. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output device is a light-emitting device configured to be arranged on a surface of the object such that the feedback information is indicative of a desired performance of the object. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback information includes a specific color of light. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the output device is configured to change to a first color when the comparison is within a threshold range; and   the output device is configured to change to a second color when the comparison is outside of a threshold range.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input device is disposed within a cover of the object. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rechargeable power supply. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller of the object is configured to communicate the measured motion parameter to an external computing device. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 receiving a pre-selection of a type of performance of an object;   receiving a motion parameter of the object via at least one sensor;   comparing the measured motion parameter in accordance to a motion reference; and   trigger display, in real-time, a feedback information based on the comparison, the feedback information indicating a desired performance of the object.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the type of performance of the object is a particular type of pitch. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the particular type of pitch is least one of a fastball, a riseball, a dropball, a curveball, a slider, a sinker, a screwball, and a changeup. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the motion parameter is least one of velocity, acceleration, spin, and spin rate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback information includes a specific color of light. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 changing to a first color when the comparison is within a threshold range; and   changing to a second color when the comparison is outside of a threshold range.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the receiving the pre-selection of the type of performance of the object is in response to an input device on the object being activated by a user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a power supply disposed in the object and configured to be recharged. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transmitting, in real-time, the measured motion parameter to an external computing device.