Patent ID: 6134965
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: A63B,G01D,Y10S

Abstract:
A device for measuring at least one physical parameter relating to a game ball propelled by means of a striking element, in particular a tennis racket, this device comprising at least one measuring sensor (7) designed to send signals corresponding to said physical parameter to be measured, means of processing (8, 9) these signals designed to analyze the signals sent by the measuring sensor (7) and to work out a measured value of said physical parameter and the display means (6) for displaying this value, the measuring sensor (7) being designed to detect the vibrations caused by the ball propelled by the striking element (2) and comprising a piezoelectric element designed to send sinusoidal electric signals in proportion to the severity of the vibrations detected, the physical parameters measured corresponding to the speed at which the game ball is struck, wherein:the means of processing the signals comprises at least one electronic analyzer (8) coupled to said measuring sensor (7) and designed to transform the electric signals sent by the sensor into a measured value of the real speed at which the ball is struck, and, at least one microcontroller (9) coupled to the electronic analyzer (8) and to said display means (6);the microcontroller (9) comprises a calibrating unit designed to initialize the electronic analyzer according to the type of striking element (2), like the type and tension of the strings and the type of game ball so as to automatically and instantaneously provide the correct said measured value of the speed of the ball; andthe analyzer (8) and the microcontroller (9) are designed to operate interactively.