CA2406070C - Miniature sports radar speed measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A sensor (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sports object, for example, a ball such as a baseball (16) or softball. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object. For measuring the speed of a ball, the sensor is preferably mounted on or in a ball glove (14) or is otherwise mounted on the forearm of a person catching or otherwise receiving or interacting with the ball, for example, by wearing the sensor on such person's wrist. The sensor of the preferred embodiment utilizes CW Doppler radar in the form of a microwave radio frequency transmitter and receiver that has a single-transistor integrated antenna/oscillator.

Description

;\II\IATLiRE SPORTS RADAR SPEED MEASURING DEVICE

Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to speed nieasttrim~ devices particularly suited for use in detel-mininL velocity matglitude or speed of spons objects, and niore pat-ticulariy, to loxv cost.
low energy radar devices for use in measuring the speed of baseballs, baseball bats_ Lolf club heads. arrows from archery botvs. paint balls fi-om paint 1 ball Runs, and other sports objects. or tlie speed of movements bN niartial artists and other plavers, particularlv durinu traininL,.
Backoround of the Invention:
C:ontinuous xvave (CW) Doppler radar technoloLv is commoniv utilized to detect a movini-, object illununated bythe electromagnetic field of the radar and producim_ an electrical signal at a Doppler frequency whicli is a measure of the relative speed of the rnovim_ obj:ct. This teciutolo %
lias been pioneered and developed by the defense industry in the United States, is well docuniented in textbooks and reports, and has found numerous applications in consumer products. Security motion sensors. industriai position sensors and police radat- units ai-e ezamples of current us-.s of Doppler i-adar svstems.
Doppler radar has been used in sports applications to measure the velocities of sports objects or players relatix-e to one another or relative to a reference point. Examples of sports radar in use are found in U.S. Patent \o.
4.2 76.5-45 to Lutz and L.S. Patent No. 5,199,70~ to.lenlcins et al.
Conventional spot'ts radar includes "speed ;,_uns"
for meastu-in`~ baseball or softball speed. such as disclosed in the Lutz patent. Available sports radar units generally occupy approxiniately 200 cubic inches and cost several hundred dollars. These units are typically operated by a third person somewhat remote from the tlu-ower and receiver.
Implementation of prior art CW Doppler radar systems is relatively complex, generally involving the use of an RF oscillator and signal generator, an antemla system to radiate the oscillator output into free-space and to receive a portion of the transmitted electromagnetic energy that is reflected by the moving object, a transmit/receive switch, diplexer, or circulator device if a single anteima is used for both transmit and receive ratlier than separate transniit and receive anteimas, and various local oscillators, mixers, phase-locked-loops and other "front-end" circuits to heterodyne, demodulate and detect the Doppler signal. This complexity imposes high cost and size requirements on the radar units, which have heretofore discouraged the utilization of GW
Doppler teclniology in consumer applications where extremely small size and low cost are necessary for practical end product realization.
In electronics applications unrelated to those discussed above, Doppler radar systems using simple homodyne circuits have been luiown. Such applications include defense applications such as ordnance proximity fiizes and target detectors where Doppler modulation provides evidence of a target encounter. Validation of the presence of target signals within a presci-ibed Doppler frequency passband and the detection of ainplitude build-up as the target encounter distance decreases are sufficient for signal processing and decision making in such systems, obviating the need to accurately measure or calculate the specific velocity magnitude or speed. For example, for general proximity sensing applications, mere detection of an inereasing distance signal is satisfactory. However, applications reqtiiring a speed measurement necessitate determination of the specific Doppler frequency and a calculation of a corresponding speed value. Such homodyne circuits are but ainong hundreds or thousands ofcircuits and modulation schemes that in some way carry speed infonnation but which have not been considered practical for providing speed measurements. Accordingly, circuits of a size or cost that are practical for consumer applications such as sports object speed ineasurement have not been laiown or available.
Existing Doppler speed ineasuring devices suffer from loss of accuracy due to the inability to place the unit in the line of the moving object, resulting in a reduction in the speed measurement to the cosine of the angle between the object's velocity vector and the line of the Doppler signal between the unit and the moving object. Further, the Doppler units must be positioned wliere they are not subjected to damage by collision with the object.
Accordingly, a need exists for a low cost, effective, small size, low power device usefiil for measuring and displaying -the speed of objects in consumer applications such as sports and sports training.
Surr-niary of the Invention:
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a small size, low cost, low power device for measuring object speed that is practical for consumer applications such as sports. It is a particular objective of the present invention to provide a sports radar unit for measuring and displaying the velocity magnitude or speed of a sports object such as a baseball. Further objectives of the invention are to provide such a speed measurement apparatus and method for measurement ofbaseball speed, baseball bat speed, for calibrating paint ball marker speed, for martial arts punch and kick speed measurements and other applications, particularly in training.

According to principles of the present invention, there is provided a CW
Doppler radar speed sensor that is small in size, low in cost, low in power consunzption and radiated energy, that measures and displays the speed of an object such as a baseball and displays the measured speed to a user.
Ftuther according to principles of the present invention, a device is provided that is adapted for mounting at or near the path or ponit of reception of the moving object, or at the "target point" at wllich the moving object is directed. Such positioning facilitates the use of a low power, short range signal and accurate velocity measurement. The unit preferably transmits and receives RF energy in a n-iicrowave frequency range, preferably of a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz or higher, such as in the 10-25 GHz range.
The device according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a radar transmitter and receiver that employs a single sinzple CW Doppler homodyne circuit preferably having an oscillator-detector that is based on a single transistor, which utilizes resonant circuit elements of the oscillator as an antenna to radiate energy into free-space. A portion of the radiated energy strikes the nearby moving object and is reflected back to the oscillator-anteiula circuit where it is mixed with the oscillator signal. The coherent relationship of the transinitted and received signals in a simple honlodyne circuit produces a Doppler frequency modulation as the distance to the moving object changes.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention makes use of the phenomena whereby, at a given separation distance between the radar and the znoving object, the received object-reflected signal is exactly in-phase with, and reinforces, the oscillator signal, but as the separation distance changes by each one-quarter wavelength of the transmitted signal, the total two-way travel distance to the object and back changes by one-half wavelength, resulting in an out-of-phase or canceling relationship between the received and transinitted signals. Each distance change of one-half wavelength results in a two-way radar round trip change of one wavelength, thus producing one coinplete cycle of modulation. As the distance to the moving object changes by successive one-half wavelength increments, multiple cycles of modulation are produced. The fiequency of this modulating signal is the Doppler frequency, which is equal to the velocity of the moving object expressed in terins of one-half wavelengths of the transmitted signal as follows:

V 2vft .1 t/2 c where: fo is the frequency of Doppler modulation, v is the relative velocity of the moving object, 11, is the wavelength of the transmitted signal, . f is the frequency of the transmitted signal, c is the magnitude of the velocity ofelectromagnetic energy propagating in sun=ounding medium (free-space in this case) and is equal to the product of frequency and wavelength.

In tbe prefei-red embodiment of the invention, tlais resulting Doppler signal wliich modulates the oscillator signal is detected by filtering it out of the incoming signal, anZplifying it, filtering it again and converting it to a digital signal, preferably using a zero-crossing detector (ZCD). The output of the ZCD is ideally a square wave having a fiequency that is the Doppler frequency. The detected digitized Doppler frequency signal is applied to the input port of a microprocessor, which measures the time between negative-going zero-crossings using an internal tiiner. The measurement of zero-crossing intervals are coinpared to certain criteria to verify that a valid signal is being processed.
Then a Doppler frequency value is calculated from the measured zero-crossing infornlation by taking the time between zero-crossings in the same direction as is equal to the period of the Doppler frequency. Using the above formula, the velocity of the moving object toward the sensor, for example, the speed of a tlirown ball approaching the sensor, is then calculated. The calculated velocity magnitude is displayed on a sn1a11 liquid crystal display (LCD).
The radar unit of the preferred embodinient of the invention is preferably located in approximately a direct line witli, or at only a sliglit angle to, the flight of the ball or other object whose speed is being measured. It is also preferably located such that the obj ect passes witliin one or a few feet of the device somewliere in the path of the obj ect, such as at tl-ie endpoint or point of catch. This arrangement preferably places the object witliin a few inches of the radar unit and moving directly toward the unit so that the speed of the object is measured within close proximity to the unit.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the anteiuia of tl-ie unit is positioned in or very close to the patli of the moving object witli a signal processing portion of the unit positioned remote from tl-ie antenna and coiuzected to the antemla by a transmission 1 ine. The anteruia is preferably of a fixed lengtli and, w11en remote from the otller circuitry of tl-ie iulit, is coiuiected to the circuitry with a coaxial, parallel conductor or otlier transmission line that is impedance matched and designed into the RF detector circuitry.
In the case of a baseball, a preferred location for the tuiit, or at least the anteiuia portion of the unit, is on the catching forearm of the person catching the ball, preferably on the hand or wrist of the catching player. In one preferred embodiment, tlie unit is supported on or in a baseball glove worn on the hand of the user, preferably at the web portion thereof or behind the fingers of the user in line with the path of the ball. By so locating tl-ie unit, or providing the iulit witli a short range of effectiveness of less tlian ten feet, and preferably of from one to tluee feet, velocity errors due to off line location are niinimized, since the Doppler frequency represents the velocity of the object in a direction toward or away from the radar unit. Glove location of the radar also allows detection of the approacliing ball witliin very close proxiinity to the unit and just before the baseball enters the glove pocket. Alternatively, the unit can be mounted on the catcher's wrist, hand or elsewliere on the user's forearm. This positioning fixes the relationship of the unit to tl-ie path of the ball and minimizes transmitter output power requirements, and corresponding battery power supply needs. Witli one preferred embodiment of the invention, transmitter output power can thus be in the order of microwatts, which is much less than the radiated power levels of most wireless constuner products such as cellular and portable telephones. Short range detection also avoids false readings of speed due to the motions or movement of the tluower.

With the baseball speed measuring radar unit mounted on the receiver's forearm, such as on a baseball glove, the display is preferably positioned on the unit itself facing rearwardly so that the receiver can read the output upon catching the ball. Mounted on the receiver's wrist, the anteiula portion of the radar tmit is preferably worn on the front of the wrist facing the tlu=ower while the display is mounted on the back of the wrist so it is visible to the catcher, with both the anteima and display portions being secured by the same wrist band, with the band containing a flat cable intercoiuiecting the two portions. The LCD, battery, power supply, and the two switches are located in a module on the back of the wrist. In this embodiment, the unit can include a real tiune such as that of a conventional digital wristwatch, which can share the battery and power circuit with the speed measuring device and utilize the display of the device to display time of day or elapsed tizne.
The radar velocity sensor can be operated from a 2.5 VDC battery power supply, requiring an average current of less than one nlilliampere. Thus, a single 3 volt nonlinal lithium cell capable of 160 millianzpere-hours can power the sensor for a relatively long duration. Small, inexpensive cylindrical and button configuration litliium cells with this energy capability are readily available and are widely used in consumer products. Power "ON/OFF" and "Reset"
switclies are provided which are easily operated by the non-gloved hand of the receiver before each succeeding tluow is delivered.
The velocity measurement device of the present invention is capable of being miniaturized and produced inexpensively so that it can be used in constuner applications, which, up to now, have not heretofore been addressed by the prior art. It can be built into, or attached to, a baseball or softball glove, to ineastue the speed of the ball being caught. The radar can be worn on tlirowing arms of peisons "tossing" a ball or by others batting, throwing, catching or otherwise dealing with moving objects in sports or other recreational uses.
Gloves can be designed to conveniently incoiporate the radar in a pouch, witllin a glove thumb, finger or heal pad, or held by straps, bands, hook and loop fasteners or effective means. A radar unit can be built directly into the glove. Gloves may be used in various sports applications, and may be considered to include hand and other forearm garments or body fastening stilictures or devices. In the preferred enlbodiments, the unit or the anteiuia of the unit is sihiated behind the glove or other target with the radiated and reflected signals passing tluough the glove or target.
In certain embodiments of the invention, a bat speed meastuing device and nzethod are provided in which an RF
antenna is positioned in or near the path of a bat, such as on a post upstanding from a home plate or other base. The post may be a ball support post of a batting tee. The antemla is a fixed length anteiula having a defined radiating length and coiulected to the end of a transulission line. Preferably, the anteiula is at the top of the tee or other post and the transmission line extends from the anteula through the post to a signal processor in or near the base or beyond the base at a locatiou that is out of the path of the swinging bat and imnzune from being struck and damaged by the swinging bat. The signal processor includes an RF detector matched and ttuied to the transmission line and the anteiula and a digital processor that converts the RF Doppler signal to numerical speed measl.uement data. The processor may include or be lii-ilced to a display or computer, either by wire or other solid linlc or tluough a wireless circuit so the ineasurement data can be read by a coach or the person swinging the bat. This embodiment of the invention is adaptable for measurins the speed of a,olf club head for use improvinu auolfer's swing. For measurin, the speed of implements such as golf clubs and ball bats, location of the device in line with the swin, of the implement, such as in a battin_, cage or behind a rolfer, with the displav remotely locatecl from the device and comiected through a wireless link to the device. is also practical.

In another embodiment of tlie invention, speecl measw-ement is provided in martial arts n-ainin_= to measure the speed of punches and kicks. Preferably. a speed measurement device or anteima thereof is provided behind a target pad that is held by a coach or trainei- ot- is fixed to a support, so that a trainee punchin , or kicking the pad can have the hand or loot speed measui-ed.
Also accordin~~ to the pt-esent invention. speed measurenient of other sports objects is also pt-ovided in applications xvhere small portable, devices may be used. For example, paint ball guns used in survival games and ti-ainin(l. use air pressure to pi-opel paint balls or mat-kei-s at other players. To avoid injury to the plavers being shot witli the markers, the velocity of the markers at the barrels of the guns is limited to, for exaniple, 300 feet per second.
To optimize the trajectory of the markers, it is desirable to calibrate the guns so that the marker is as close to the upper velocity limit without Loing over the limit. One embodiment of the invention contemplates the fixing of a speed n1easurin, unit or the antetina thei-eof on the barrel of tlte mai-ker gun closely adjacent the bari-el with the antenna aimed parallel to the barrel and the path of the marker. The device is adjusted to pi-ocess Doppler readings foi- a speed range of. for example. 150 to 400 feet per second. To accommodate such speeds, band pass filtei- and clock speed settings ai-e nlade to differ from those used for baseballs. etc. Dependim~ on the anticipated speed ofthe object bein, measui-ed.
such senin,2s should be made to exclude signals below and above the anticipated speed range to eliminate ert-oneous ?0 readin Ls- and the tiniinL should be such that a series of speed readings ai-e made of the speed of the object travelin, in the ranse of the sianal. Further, in archery competition, the trajectorv of an arrow depends on precise contt-ol of the speed of the arrow leavinw the bo . As in tiie paint ball application. the speed measurin- device can be attaclied to a bou-to measure the speed of an arrow leaving the boxv. The device is preferabiv fixed to an extension foru ard of the bow. closely adjacent 2 5 the path of the arrow. For exan7ple. the device may be fixed ahead of the tip of the arrow when the bow is drawn and at about or slightly ahead of the nudpoint of the arrouwhen the rear of the arrow is restin against the undrawn .
bowsn-in - The device may, accordin2lv. be fixed on the end of a counterbalance bar that is fixed to and extends forward of the bo-,v.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of measuring the speed of a _'0 moving sports object comprising the steps of: providing a battery powered device that includes a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element, a signal processor having an input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor, the annunciator being located remote from the antenna element; positioning the at least one antenna element in line with the path of the moving object the speed of which is to be measured;
generating a Doppler signal proportional to the speed of the object by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the -6a-RF signal from the transmitteri'receiver to the antenna elenient and radiating the RF signal from the antenna elenient along the path of the moving object, --etlecting the RF signal fi=orn the object, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element, transmitting the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, and detecting the Doppler signal frorn the reflected signal witli the transmitter/receiver;
processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing tlierefrom a digital representation of the speed of the object; and outputting the digital representation of the speed of the object with the annunciator.
According to a firrther aspect of the present invention there is provicled a tee comprising: a vertically upstanding post having a free end configured to support a ball thereon in the approximate path of a bat to be swung by a persori; at least one antenna element located ori the post in close proximity to the free end thereof; a transrnitter/receiver located remote from the free end of the post and operable to transmit and receive a continuous RF signal and to detect a Doppler signal thereti-om; a transniission line extending along the post and connecting the at least one antemia element to the transmitter/receiver; a signal processor remote from the free end of the post and having an input connected to the transmitter/receiver and operable to produce a digital signal in response to the detected Doppler signal; and an output annunciator remote from the free end of the post and having an input connected to the signal processor.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is pr-ovided a method of ineasuring the speed of body movements of a martial arts trainee comprising the steps of:
providing a target pad having at least one antenna element secured thereto, and positioning the target pad in the approximate path of punches or kicks by the trainee; providing a transrnitter/receiver connected to the at least one antenna element, a signal processor having an input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a digital display having an input connected to the signal processor; and when the trainee punches or kicks the pacl, displaying the speed of a hand or foot of the trainee striking the pad on the display by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transniitting the RF signal to the arttenna elenteitt ort the pad and radiatuig the RF signal from the antenna element along the path of the punches or kicks, reflecting the RF signal frorn a hand or foot of the trainee that is striking the pad, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element ori the pad, transmitting the reflected signal froni the antenna elemelit to the transmitter/receiver, detecting a Doppler signal frorn the reflected signal with the transmitterireceiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto displaying a numerical representation of the punch or kick speed on the display.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of measuring the speed of a sports object comprising the steps of: providing a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna elenient connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having a processor input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a visual display having a display input connected to the signal processor; positioning the at least one antenna element on a device froni which the object is shot and forward thereof in close proximity to the path of the object; when an object is shot frorn the device, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the object leaving the device by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna elenient and i-adiating the RF signal fi-om the -6b-antenna eleinent adjacent the device along the path of the object, reflecting the RF signal froin the object, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the object nioving from the device, rec-eiving the reflected signal with the antenna elenient adjacent the device, communicating the reflected signal fronl the antemia eleinent to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receivcr, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the object leaving the device on the display.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of measuring the speed of a moving sports object comprising the steps of: providing a battery powered device that includes a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having an input in communication with the transmitter/receiver, and an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor; positioning the at least one antenna element on a launching or shooting implement approximately adjacent a path of an object to be shot from the implement, the speed of which is to be measured; transmitting an RF signal from the at least one antenna element along the path in the direction of motion of the object and reflecting the transmitted signal from the object when the object is shot from the implement; from the transmitted and reflected signals, generating a Doppler signal of the speed of the object being shot from the implement; processing the generated Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the object; and outputting the digital representation of the speed of the object with the annunciator.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination for measuring the speed of an object being shot from a shooting implement comprising: a shooting implement; a radar speed measuring device including: an RF transmitter/receiver, at least one RF antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having an input in communication with the transmitter/receiver, an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor, and a source of electric power connected to the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator; the radar speed measuring device being mounted such that the at least one antenna element is approximately adjacent a path of an object to be shot therefrom and is directed along the path in the direction of motion of the object.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of measuring the speed of a sports projectile being shot or launched from a shooting or launching implement, the method comprising: providing a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having a processor input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a visual display having a display input connected to the signal processor; positioning the at least one antenna element on the implement from which the projectile is being shot and forward thereof in close proximity to a path to be taken by the projectile in leaving the implement; when the projectile is shot from the implement, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the projectile leaving the implement by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the implement along the path being taken by the projectile, reflecting the RF signal from the projectile, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the projectile -6c-moving from the implement, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the implement, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the projectile leaving the implement on the display.

These and other aspects and advantages of the pt-esent invention will be niore readily apparent from the followin,, detailed description of the of the prefen-ed embodiments of the invention. in which:
Brief Description of the Dra-*N=in(*s:
Fia. 1 is a perspective view of the catchin_ arni of a baseball player utilizin_ baseball speed measurin_ embodiments of a device embodving principles of the present invention.
Fib. 1A is a perspective viex~ of an alternative embodiment of the speed measuring dex-ice of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspectn e\ iz~\ o1'tlte speed nieasurin~~ device of Fig. 1.

Fib. 3 is a schematic block dia~~ram of one enibodiment of circuitry of the speed measuring device of Fig. 1.
Fib. 3A is a schematic block diaE!ram of the RF detector and antemia portion of the circuitry of Fib. 3 illustrating an embodiment havin2 a remote antenna.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the speed measuring devices of Fibs. 1-3 for ~ measurinõ bat swing speed and utilizing the t-emote antetma cit-cuitry feature of Fig. 3A.

Figs. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an alternative to the embodiment of Fig. 4 used for measuring bat swing speed and illustrating a wireless link between the signal processor and a remote display.
Fig. 5 is a perspectixfe %-iew of a fut-ther alternative embodiment of the speed measuring devices of Figs. 1-4 for meastu-imL punch and kick speed in martial arts traininL.
Fig. -_5A is a perspective view of an alternative to the embodiment of Fig. 5.
Fib. 6 is a perspective view of a still further alternative embodiment of the speed nieasurinc devices of Fibs. 1-5 for measuring marker speed leaving the bat-rel of a paint ball _un.
Figs. 7 and 7A are perspective views of an alternative embodiment, similar to that of Figs. 4 and 4A, for measuring golf club head speed.

1 Fig. 8 ts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment. similat- to that of Fig. 6 for measuring the speed of an an-ow leavinL, an archerv bow.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment:
Fig. I illustrates one embodiment of a speed measuring device or unit 10.
according to principles of the present invention, secured to the back of the \veb 12 of a baseball Llove 14 on the forearn-t of the catching arm 1 I of a person catchint,, a thrown baseball 16 to nieasure the speed of the ball. The device 10. so secured to the baseball <_love 14, is located on the user's hand in or xvithin a few inches of the direct path of movement of the baseball 16 bein~~ caught.
The device has a twto pan plastic housing that includes a forward facing housin<, 17 and a rearward facinL ltousinu 18.
In the illustrated enibodinient of the unit 10, the tWo parts of the housinI-l 17.18 at-e secured together to fomi a sinale enclosui-e that contains the electronics of the unit 10. Tiie forward facin_ housin<_ 17 is secured by a fastening element 20, for example. a two part liook and loop fastener such as that sold ttnder the u-adenlark \'ELCRO, and encloses an antenna 21 (Fics. 2 and 3) Nvith a radiation pattern having a main lobe that faces through the xveb 12) of the Llove 1=1 and in the eeneral direction of the incomin~~ baseball 16. The rear~~ard faciM_ housin-, is contains a speed output atmunciator, for example. a visual display 22 such as an LCD havin =.
for eaample, a digital readout of two to four di_*its. On the rearward facinL housin_ 18 there is also provided a plurality of user accessible control buttons 25-~0 27. One buuorn 2~ is c unit on off s\~ iich. A secoud button'6 is a niode s,,vitch that permits sequential selection of the units of the displa\ 22. for example. in niiles per hour. kilometers per hour. feet per second or meters per second.
A third button 27 is a reset or start bunon that powers the transmittet- for a predetetniined amount of time. such as ten or fifteen seconds. after which the transniitter of the unit \vil] turn off.
As furthet- illustrated in Fig. 2. bet -een the forxxard and rearward facinL, housinLs 17 and 18 is a circuit board 3=
?~ that contains the transmittin and receiving circuitrV. and 3 siL'nal processinf_ circuit boat-d 30 that contains the siglal processing and logic of the unit 10. The circuit board 30 includes a battery 31 that is replaceable through an access door 32 in the rearward facing housing 18. The board 33 contains components and circuitry of a transmitter/oscillator circuit, which includes the strip transmission line resonator/antemla 21. The circuit board 30 contains a signal filter and processor 34 tllat processes the detected Doppler signal that is produced in the RF circuit by the moving object, an opei-ational amplifier-based voltage regulatoi- cllip 35 that provides filtered regulated voltage to the signal processor chip 34 at about one-half the supply voltage of the battery 31, a microprocessor 36 that digitizes output from the signal processor 34 and inteiprets the detected signal as a speed reading and connnunicates the inteipreted signal to the display 22, and clock and delay circuits 37, 38, respectively, that are used by the n-ucroprocessor 36.
An alternative embodiment of the unit l0a is illustrated in Fig. 1A and is configured for attaclunent to the wrist 13 of the catching arm 11 of the person catching the baseball 16, on the catcher's forearm, below the elbow, so that the unit is maintained at a constant distance from the path of the ball. With the wrist mounted unit I Oa, forward and rearward facing housings 17a, 18a, respectively, are separate enclosures that are secured witll a wrist or arm band 40 on opposite sicles ol'tl7e wi-ist 15 oI tlle CatChl'.r, so lllat the lorwaPd faCing holislllg 17a faces the arriving object 16 while the rearward facing housing 18a faces the catcher. The separate housings 17a, 18a are electrically intercomlected tllrough the condtictors of a ribbon cable 41 contained in the band 40. The forward facing housing 17a contains at least the antemla 21 while the rearward facing housing 18a contains at least the display 22 and the buttons 25-27. The circuit board 30 and the components and devices tllereon may be contained in eitller housing. Preferably, the Doppler sensor 33 and the Doppler signal processor 34 are contained in the forward facing housing 17a in close proxinlity to the anteiula 21, while the microprocessor 36 and related circuits 37, 38 are contained in the rearward housing 18a in close proxiinity to the display 22.
The electronics ortlle units 10, l Oa illustrated in Fig. 3 can be fabricated utilizing readily available components.
The Doppler sensor circuit 33 is preferably a CW radar homodyne oscillator-detector 50 having an integral anteiuza circuit by which the moving object 16 is detected. The oscillator preferably operates at between 2400-2425 MHZ, but may operate at other frequencies, typically in the 2,000 to 10,000 MHZ region.
The oscillator 50 of the preferred enlbodiment draws about 0.6 millianlperes fi=om a 2.5 VDC power source such as tlle battery 31. Partially because of the location and configuration of the units 10, 10a, less than ten microwatts need be transnlitted into free-space by the oscillator resonant elements. These elements are preferably of a strip transmission line configuration that includes two electrically equivalent quarter wave micro-strip lines that form radiating elements 21a, 21b of the anteinla 21. The elenients 21 a, 21 b, along with a transistor Q1 arld a coi153, fornl a negative resistance network which oscillates with a capacitor 21c at the operating carrier frequency of, for example, 2.4 GHz. A
transmission line 51 and capacitor 49 are provided to prevent parasitic oscillations in the bias network. Capacitor 52 is a bypass capacitor which creates a low inipedance to ground for the carrier frequency, partially filtering the carrier signal at an otitlet 54 at which the received Doppler signal can be extracted. Typical objects the size of a baseball or softball witliin a distance of about two feet from the radar, produce a reflected Doppler frequency signal having an amplitude in the 10 to 100 niicrovolt range. This signal modtilates the oscillator signal at the Doppler sensor otitput 54 of the sensor circuit 33.

A portion of the modulated oscillator signal that has been filtered within the oscillator circuit 33 and fed on the outlet 54 into the signal processor 34 consisting of a connnercially available AC or capacitively coupled high-gain differential amplifier 55, several stages of filters 56 ancl a ZCD 57. The gain of the differential amplifier 55 is preferably set at a gain of about 1000, or 60 dB. The filters 56 produce a 150 to 1200 Hz passband, which covers the range of anticipated Doppler frequency signals encoiuztered in baseball and softball applications with the above oscillator frequency. The filters 56 include, for example, standard twin-tee configuration operational amplifier based 60 Hz and 120 Hz notch filters 56a, 56b to suppress AC power circuit interference. The filters 56 also include two second-order, multiple feedback high-pass filters 56d, 56e each having a gain, for example, of 2.7, and each having a 3 dB cutoff frequency of 160 Hz. Next, the filters 56 include a single order passive low-pass filter 56e having, for example, a 3 dB cutoff fi-equency of 1200 Hz. The passband can be tailored to fiilfill specific needs by selection of the corresponding low and high pass filter conlponent values wliich establish the conler frequencies. The amplified and filtered signal from the filtering stages 56 is fed to the ZCD 57, which is a standard Sclurutt trigger that uses a connnercial comparator, withpositive feedback to create hysteresis. The ZCD
produces a square-wave which is output and applied to the input of an eight-bit microprocessor 36.
The niicroprocessor 36 is coiulected to external clock circuit 37 which provides a time reference to the microprocessor 36. The inicroprocessor 36 is progrannned to verify the validity of the received signal, for example, by requiring at least four consecutive Doppler frequency cycles, which causes it to recognize the received signal as a valid Doppler signal reading. When a reading is determined to be a valid Doppler signal reading, the microprocessor calculates the corresponding velocity. The microprocessor 36 has an output 61 that connntuiicates a signal representative of the calculated Doppler speed mea5urement tluough appropriate drivers (not shown) to the LCD 22 for display. The calculation is made by detecting successive negative edge zero-crossings following the depression of the reset button 27, which triggers a microprocessor interrupt that samples the clock 37 to cause the times of each crossing to be stored and so the intervals between them can be calculated. The sampling is terininated after 26 successive negative transitions are stored, or there has been a dead time of at least 1/6 second since the last transition, indicating that the object or target is no longer moving. Once the data has been captured, the differences between transition times are calculated, from which the Doppler frequency is deterinined. In malcing the calculations, the inicroprocessor 36 eiAiances the speed reading validity by starting with the difference between the first two recorded time readings and then looking for a sequence of at least tluee consecutive periods that are within 25% of each other.
Ifnone is found, the process is started over and additional readings are stored. When tluee consecutive readings within 25% of each other are found, the data is scamied until tlu-ee consecutive readings are not witllin 25% of each other, whereupon the calculations are averaged. The averaged calculated Doppler frequency value is then converted to the selected l lits and displayed. Velocity can be displayed in niiles per hour, kilometers per hour or meters per second in the preferred embodiment, selectable by the user by way of the MODE switch 26, which is a pushbutton switch which, when depressed, sequentially steps the display 22 tlu-ough the various units, as is convenient for the user.

The electronics are powered by a power supply formed of the battery 31 which is connected/disconnected by the ON/OFF switch 25, which controls sional power to tiie microprocessor 36, the si~;nal processor 34 and display 22.
However. the oscillator transniitter circuit power is controlled by the READY, or RESET switch 27 through the microprocessor 36 Nvhen the battery power switch 25 in "ON". Activation of the RESET switch 27 causes the ntieroprocessor 36 to close a transmitter power sxvitch 60 whieh applies electrical power to the transniitter/Doppler sensor cii-cuit 33 for a prescribed tinie interval (e._. ) 0-15 seconds) controlled by the time delay circuit 38, oi- until an object velocity signal is calculated as controlled by the niict-oprocessor.
36, whichever_occurs first, aftet- which the transniitter 33 and si=nal processor circuit 34 arr deactivated as the microprocessor causes tlie switch 60 to tut-n "OFF".
Activation of the RESET switclt 26 causes the microprocessor 3 )6 to reset the LCD 22, wliicli is holding the previous]y calculated velocity value, and to re-apply powet- to the transmitter 33 and signal processor 34 for perforrrtin- the next detection and velocity measurement. In this nianner. the transmitter radiated output is linvted to just the period of time of actual measurement usaoe, and battery power is also conserved.
Easily packaged in a volunie of about 1-3 cubic inches are: a single transistor oscillator-detector-antenna circuit 33. signal processor 34 with the Doppler bandpass amplifier and the zero-cross detector, eight-bit microprocessor velocity calculator and transniitter controllei- 36, liquid crystal display 22, single-cell battery power supply 31 and ON/OFF and RESET switcltes 26. 27. For example, the specific embodiment described above can be packaged in a volume of less than two cubic inclies usint, discrete circuit coniponents, and, with appropriate utilization of a custom application-specific integrated circttit (ASIC) and at a frequency of about 5.8 GHz, the device ean be packaged in a volunie ofapproxiniately one halfcubic inch. At higher frequencies of 10 to 25 GHz, which can be used, the package size will be essentially the prefen-ed size of the display.
Fia. 4 illustrates a battinc tee 100 which incotporates an altennative embodiment of the speed measuring device 10 in the forrn of a bat speed measuring device 1 10. The battin, tee 100 includes a base 103, which may be a home plate as illustrated, from which extends an upstanding post 105. The post 105 has a flexible link 106 therei.n and a ball supponing free end 107 at the top thereof. In use. a batter places the baseball 16 on the free end 107 of the post 105 2 5 and swints at it with a bat 114.
The device 110 includes a fixed lenQth antetuta radiating element 121 which replaces the antenna radiating element 2 l a of circuit board 33 of the embodinlent of Fig. 3. The antenna radiating element 121 is contained inside of the post 105 at the top end 107 thereof and is directed to.rard the rear of the plate or base 103 in the direction from which the bat 114 Nvill approach the ball 16. The element 121 is located remote from the remaining circuitry 130 of tile device 1 10. which includes the Doppler sensor circwt 50 of alternative circuit board 33a, as illustrated in Fig. 3A, as well as the signal processor circuit 34, the mici-oprocessor 3 16 and other con-iponents similar to those of the circuitry of the device 10 illtistrated in Fig. 3.

The anteinla element 121 has a fixed radiating lengtli and is connected to the RF detector circuit 50 on the circuit board 33a tl-lrough a transmission line 120, such as a coaxial cable or parallel plate or wire transmission line having nlinimal radiation of the RF energy transmitted to and from the antemia. The transmission line 120 has a shield conductor 124 that is preferably grounded at a ground coiulection 125. The circuit 50 is ttuied to the impedance of the line 120 to produce optimum operating efficiency in a conventional maiuier.
The unit 110 may be mounted in the base 103 in such a way that the display 22 is visible to the batter.
Alternatively, the display 22 may be located remote from the device 110 or may be the display or memory of a remote coniputer terminal and comiected to the circuitry of the device 110 in the base 103 by a cable or a wireless commnnications liiilc. In Fig. 4A, the display 22 is contained in a remote housing 18a, illustrated as coiulected tluough a wireless liiic 190 between the signal processor 34, which is contained in the device 110, and the housing 18a. The housing 18a may be located at a coach's station and contain all of the operator interface components of the housing 18 of the embodiment of Fig. 2. The housing 18a nlay be either stationary or hand held, for exanlple, with batteries contained in a belt pack worn by a coach. A wireless conununications linlc includes transmit/receive units, inchiding unit 191 in the remote housing 18a and unit 192 coiuiected to the circuitry 130 in the device 110. The liiilc 190 preferably communicates the digital output from the microprocessor 31 or the output from the signal processor 34 from the device 110 to the remote housing 18a. Connnands from the buttons 25-27 may also be conununicated tluough the linlc 190 from the housing 18a to the unit 110. Preferably, rather than providing a baseball 16 on the tee, a soft foam or fabric ball 16a is pennanently attached to the free end 107 of the post 105 to ininimize interference of the motion of the ball 16a with the bat speed measurement.
An alternative method of ineasuring bat speed is illustrated in Fig. 4B, where the device 110a is motmted along the expected trajectory of a ball hit by a bat, for example, at the end of a batting cage 109. The unit 110a, or at least the fixed length anteiuia radiating elenZent 121 thereof, is mounted in the cage 109 at the approximate height of the tee 100 of Figs. 4 and 4A. Preferably, a standard batting tee 100a is used with a soft sock or foam ball fixed to the end thereof at which a batter swings the bat of wliich the speed is being measured, so that the movement of an actual ball does not interfere with the measurement of bat speed. The tmit 110a may be mounted include the display 22 moiulted in a way that is visible to the batter, but is preferably located remote from the device 110a in remote housing 18b carried by the batter or a batting coach, and coiulected tlu-ough the wireless linlc 190a between the signal processor 34 of the unit 110a and the housing 18b, similar to the unit 110 of Fig. 4A, or tluough a cable.
In the embodiment of Fig. 5, measuren7ent of the speed of human body parts is provided. A speed measurement unit 210, similar to the units 10, 110 described above, is located in a target pad 200 held by a trainer or coach 202 to measure the speed of punches andlciclcs from a person 203 inmartial arts training. The entire unit 2 10 may be mounted on the back of target pad 200, or only an antemla radiating element 221. As with the element 121 in the embodiment above, the element 221 may be comiected tluough a coaxial cable or other transmission line 220 to remaining circuitry 230 of the device 210, as illustrated in Fig. 5A, which includes the Doppler sensor circuit 50 of Fig. 3A, as well as the otller components of the circuitry of the device 210 that are illustrated for the device 10 in Fig. 3. The energy radiated from the anterma element 221 passes tluough the pad 200 and is reflected back fiom the hand 213 or foot 214 of a boxer 201 who is punching or kicking the pad 200.
In Fig. 6, an embodiment of a speed measurement device 310 is illustrated mounted on a paint ball gun 300 to measure the speed of a paint ball marker 301 shot from the gun. The device 310, so used, provides a way to calibrate the gun 300 so that the speed of the marker 301 approaclles but does not exceed a maximum marker velocity limit of, for example, 300 feet per second. A self contained device 310 may be mounted on the barrel of the gun 300 as illustrated in Fig. 6, with the anteiuia directed in the direction in which the gun 300 is pointing, or a remote anteiuia element 321 may be mounted on the barrel close to the barrel centerline, with the remaiiiing circuitry 33a located rearwardly of the antenna element 121 and coiuiected to the antemia 121 throtigh the transniission line 120.
Fig. 7 illustrates a golf club head speed meastring embodiment 410, which is in most respects sinzilar to the bat speed measuring device 110 of Figs. 4 and 4A described above. It utilizes a golf tee 405 wliich contains an antemia elenZent 421 sinular to the element 21 and is coiuiected to the circuitry 430 in a base 403. The tee 405 may support a soft radar invisible golf ball 16b, similar to the ball 16a of Fig. 4A. The circuitry 430 may coiulect to a display on the base 403 or tluough a cable or wireless coinmunieations lilik to a remote housing such as housing 18a of Fig. 4A.
Similarly, the invention may be used to nieasure the speed of ball or other sports object striking and propelling implements in addition to ball bats or golf clubs. With such applications, particularly for talcing bat speed and golf club head speed meastuements, the antemia can be contained within a urethane or other simulated ball that is fixed to the post or tee.
The speed of a golf club head 409 may also be meastued using a golf club head speed measuring embodiment 410a of Fig. 7A, which is in znost respects similar to the bat speed meastu=ing device 110a of Fig. 4B described above, while a golfer hits conventional golf balls from a conventional golf tee. The device 410a is preferably located behind the tee in line with the flight of the ball, so that the speed of the club head 409 is easily within the field of the anteiuia 21 wllile the ball, wlien it moves, is generally on the opposite side of the club head from the anteiuia element 21 where its motion does not affect the Doppler reading frm the moving club head.
The display and the controls are connected tluough a cable or wireless cotmnunications lilik to a remote housing such as housing 18b of Fig. 4B, which may also contain the buttons and otlier controls. The wireless linlcs for the bat, club head and other object speed n1easuri11 , drN=icz s may be any of the telecommiul ications 1 inks that are conunei-cially available, among which are UHF-RF linlcs, ultrasonic liiilcs, optical liiilcs and others.
Fig. 8 illustrates a arrow speed nieasuring embodiment 5 10 for use in archery, wllich is similar to the paint ball marlcer speed measuring embodiment 310 of Fig. 6. A bow 500 is equipped with a speed measuring device 510 to measure the speed of an arrow 501 shot from the bow. The device 510 may be self contained and mounted on a counterweight 502 extending from the front of the bow 500, or on another extension provided to hold the device 500, preferably at a distance L about seven inches forward of the front of the bow 500. The device 500 is vertically adjustably mounted on the counterweight 502 so that the antemia thereof can be positioned within about one half inch of the arrow 501. The antemla of the device 500 is directed in the direction from which the arrow 501 is pointing.

Alternatively, a remote anteiuia element may be mounted on the bow close to the arrow with the remaining circuitry and/or display located elsewbere, coiuiected through eitlier cable or a wireless linlc.
Witli the various embodiments, the Doppler frequencies passed by the filters and the tiining of the samples should be set to best acconul7odate the anticipated speeds being measured.
Other applications of the invention can be made. Those skilled iil the art will appreciate that the applications of the present invention lierein are varied, and that the invention is described in preferred embodiments. Accordingly, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the following is claimed:

Claims (35)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of measuring the speed of a moving sports object comprising the steps of:
providing a battery powered device that includes a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element, a signal processor having an input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor, the annunciator being located remote from the antenna element;
positioning the at least one antenna element in line with the path of the moving object the speed of which is to be measured;
generating a Doppler signal proportional to the speed of the object by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal from the transmitter/receiver to the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element along the path of the moving object, reflecting the RF signal from the object, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element, transmitting the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, and detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver;
processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the object; and outputting the digital representation of the speed of the object with the annunciator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:
providing a transmission line connecting the at least one antenna element to the transmitter/receiver which is located remote from the antenna element; and said transmitting the RF from the transmitter/receiver signal to the antenna element and said transmitting of the reflected RF signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver being along said transmission line.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a wireless communications link connecting the processor with the annunciator.

4. The method of claim 2 for measuring the speed of a swinging sports implement wherein:
the positioning step includes the step of providing a post adjacent a person swinging a sports object propelling implement, the post having a free end having the at least one antenna element secured thereto, and positioning the free end in the approximate path of the implement to be swung by the person;
the locating step includes fixing the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator away from the free end of the post with the transmission line extending from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver;
wherein, when the person swings the implement, the speed of the swinging implement is output by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF
signal along the transmission line and the post to the antenna element at the free end of the post and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element at the free end of the post along the path of the swinging implement, reflecting the RF signal from the implement, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element at the free end of the post, transmitting the reflected signal from the antenna element along the transmission line to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the object, and outputting the digital representation of the speed of the swinging implement with the annunciator.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the implement is a baseball bat and the person is a batter swinging the baseball bat.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the implement is a golf club and the person is a golfer swinging the golf club.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein:
the positioning step providing a tee that includes a base having the post upstanding vertically from the base with the free end thereof configured to support a ball thereon in the approximate path of the implement to be swung by the person; and the locating step includes fixing the transmitter/receiver and processor on the base.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the output annunciator is a digital display; and the locating step includes providing the digital display on the base.

9. The method of claim 1 for measuring the speed of a baseball wherein:
the positioning step includes the step of providing a glove positionable with the at least one antenna element secured thereto in the approximate path of a ball to be caught by a person using the glove.

10. The method of claim 2 for measuring the speed of body movements of a martial arts trainee wherein:
the positioning step includes the step of providing a target pad having the at least one antenna element secured thereto, and positioning the pad in the approximate path of punches or kicks by the trainee;
the locating step includes fixing the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator away from the pad with the transmission line extending from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver;
wherein, when the trainee punches or kicks the pad, the speed of a hand or foot of the trainee striking the pad is output by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal along the transmission line to the antenna element on the pad and radiating the RF
signal from the antenna element at the pad along the path of the punches or kicks, reflecting the RF signal from the hand or foot of the trainee, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element at the pad, transmitting the reflected signal from the antenna element along the transmission line to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the hand or foot striking the pad, and outputting the digital representation of the speed with the annunciator.

11. The method of claim 2 for measuring the speed of a marker shot from a paint ball gun wherein:
the positioning step includes the step of providing a paint ball gun locating at least one antenna element adjacent to the barrel thereof proximate the path of markers shot from the barrel;
the locating step includes fixing the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator to the gun with the transmission line extending from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver;
wherein, when a marker is shot from the gun, the speed of the marker leaving the barrel is output by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF
signal along the transmission line to the antenna element on the barrel and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element at the barrel along the path of the markers leaving the barrel, reflecting the RF signal from the marker, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element at the barrel, transmitting the reflected signal from the antenna element along the transmission line to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the marker leaving the barrel, and outputting the digital representation of the speed with the annunciator.

12. A tee comprising:
a vertically upstanding post having a free end configured to support a ball thereon in the approximate path of a bat to be swung by a person;
at least one antenna element located on the post in close proximity to the free end thereof;
a transmitter/receiver located remote from the free end of the post and operable to transmit and receive a continuous RF signal and to detect a Doppler signal therefrom;
a transmission line extending along the post and connecting the at least one antenna element to the transmitter/receiver;
a signal processor remote from the free end of the post and having an input connected to the transmitter/receiver and operable to produce a digital signal in response to the detected Doppler signal; and an output annunciator remote from the free end of the post and having an input connected to the signal processor.

13. A method of measuring the speed of body movements of a martial arts trainee comprising the steps of:
providing a target pad having at least one antenna element secured thereto, and positioning the target pad in the approximate path of punches or kicks by the trainee;
providing a transmitter/receiver connected to the at least one antenna element, a signal processor having an input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a digital display having an input connected to the signal processor; and when the trainee punches or kicks the pad, displaying the speed of a hand or foot of the trainee striking the pad on the display by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal to the antenna element on the pad and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element along the path of the punches or kicks, reflecting the RF signal from a hand or foot of the trainee that is striking the pad, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element on the pad, transmitting the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting a Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto displaying a numerical representation of the punch or kick speed on the display.

14. A method of measuring the speed of a sports object comprising the steps of:
providing a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having a processor input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a visual display having a display input connected to the signal processor;
positioning the at least one antenna element on a device from which the object is shot and forward thereof in close proximity to the path of the object;
when an object is shot from the device, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the object leaving the device by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF
signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the device along the path of the object, reflecting the RF signal from the object, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the object moving from the device, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the device, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the object leaving the device on the display.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the object is a marker shot from a paint ball gun and wherein:
the positioning includes positioning the at least one antenna element adjacent to the barrel of a paint ball gun in close proximity to the path of markers shot from the barrel; and when a marker is shot from the gun, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the marker leaving the barrel by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the barrel along the path of the marker leaving the barrel, reflecting the RF signal from the marker from the barrel, the reflected RF
signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the marker moving away from the barrel, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the barrel, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the marker leaving the barrel on the display.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
adjusting the marker velocity of the paintball gun in response to the detected Doppler signal.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the object is an arrow shot from a bow and wherein:
the positioning includes positioning the at least one antenna element on the bow and forward thereof in close proximity to the path of arrows shot from the bow;
when an arrow is shot from the bow, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the arrow leaving the bow by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the bow along the path of the arrow, reflecting the RF signal from the arrow from the bow, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the arrow moving from the bow, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the bow, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the arrow leaving the bow on the display.

18. The method of claim I further including the step of:
locating the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator remote from at least one antenna element.

19. The method of claim 13 or 14 wherein:
providing a transmission line connecting the at least one antenna element to the transmitter/receiver which is located remote from the antenna element; and said transmitting the RF from the transmitter/receiver signal to the antenna element and said transmitting of the reflected RF signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver being along said transmission line.

20. The method of claim 13 or 14 wherein:
further comprising a wireless communications link connecting the processor with the annunciator.

21. A method of measuring the speed of a moving sports object comprising the steps of:
providing a battery powered device that includes a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having an input in communication with the transmitter/receiver, and an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor;
positioning the at least one antenna element on a launching or shooting implement approximately adjacent a path of an object to be shot from the implement, the speed of which is to be measured; transmitting an RF signal from the at least one antenna element along the path in the direction of motion of the object and reflecting the transmitted signal from the object when the object is shot from the implement; from the transmitted and reflected signals, generating a Doppler signal of the speed of the object being shot from the implement; processing the generated Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the object; and outputting the digital representation of the speed of the object with the annunciator.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:
locating the annunciator remote from the antenna element.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising:
locating the transmitter/receiver remote from at least one antenna element with a transmission line extending therebetween.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein:
the transmitting of the RF signal between the antenna element and the transmitter/receiver includes transmitting the RF signal over a transmission line connecting the at least one antenna element to the transmitter/receiver which is located remote from the antenna element.

25. The method of any one of claims 21, 22 or 23 further comprising:
providing a wireless communications link connecting the processor with the annunciator.

26. The method of claim 21 for measuring the speed of a marker being shot from a paint ball gun wherein:
locating the at least one antenna element adjacent to a barrel of a paint ball gun and proximate a path of markers shot from the barrel;
radiating the RF signal from the antenna element at the barrel along the path in the direction of the marker being shot from the barrel;
reflecting the RF signal from the marker; receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element at the barrel and communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver;
detecting the Doppler signal;
processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and producing therefrom a digital representation of the speed of the marker leaving the barrel; and outputting the digital representation of the speed with the annunciator.

27. A combination for measuring the speed of an object being shot from a shooting implement comprising:
a shooting implement;
a radar speed measuring device including:
an RF transmitter/receiver, at least one RF antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having an input in communication with the transmitter/receiver, an output annunciator having an input in communication with the signal processor, and a source of electric power connected to the transmitter/receiver, processor and annunciator;
the radar speed measuring device being mounted such that the at least one antenna element is approximately adjacent a path of an object to be shot therefrom and is directed along the path in the direction of motion of the object.

28. The combination of claim 27 for measuring the speed of a projectile being shot from a gun, wherein:
the implement is a gun having a barrel; and the speed measuring device is mounted on the barrel such that the at least one antenna element is approximately adjacent the path of a projectile to be shot from the gun and is directed along the path in the direction of motion of the projectile.

29. The combination of claim 28 wherein the gun is a paintball gun and the projectile is a paintball.

30. The combination of claim 28 wherein the gun is a firearm and the projectile is a bullet.

31. The combination of claim 28 for measuring the speed of an arrow being shot from a bow, and wherein:
the implement is a bow; and the speed measuring device is mounted on the bow such that the at least one antenna element is spaced forward of the bow, and forward of at least most of an arrow that is to be shot from the bow, when the bow is drawn, is approximately adjacent the path of the arrow, and is directed along the path in the direction of motion of the arrow.

32. A method of measuring the speed of a sports projectile being shot or launched from a shooting or launching implement, the method comprising:
providing a transmitter/receiver, at least one antenna element connected to the transmitter/receiver, a signal processor having a processor input connected to the transmitter/receiver, and a visual display having a display input connected to the signal processor;
positioning the at least one antenna element on the implement from which the projectile is being shot and forward thereof in close proximity to a path to be taken by the projectile in leaving the implement;
when the projectile is shot from the implement, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the projectile leaving the implement by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the implement along the path being taken by the projectile, reflecting the RF signal from the projectile, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the projectile moving from the implement, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the implement, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the projectile leaving the implement on the display.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the projectile is a marker being shot from a paint ball gun and wherein:
the positioning includes positioning the at least one antenna element adjacent to the a barrel of a paint ball gun in close proximity to the path of markers shot from the barrel; and when a marker is shot from the gun, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the marker leaving the barrel by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the barrel along the path of the marker leaving the barrel, reflecting the RF signal from the marker from the barrel, the reflected RF
signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the marker moving away from the barrel, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the barrel, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the marker leaving the barrel on the display.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising:
adjusting the speed of the marker leaving the barrel of the paintball gun in response to the detected Doppler signal.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the projectile is an arrow shot from a bow and wherein:
the positioning includes positioning at least one antenna element on the bow and forward thereof in close proximity to the path of arrows shot from the bow;
when an arrow is shot from the bow, displaying on the display a digital representation of the speed of the arrow leaving the bow by producing an RF signal with the transmitter/receiver, transmitting the RF signal via the antenna element and radiating the RF signal from the antenna element adjacent the bow along the path of the arrow, reflecting the RF signal from the arrow from the bow, the reflected RF signal containing a Doppler signal related to the speed of the arrow moving from the bow, receiving the reflected signal with the antenna element adjacent the bow, communicating the reflected signal from the antenna element to the transmitter/receiver, detecting the Doppler signal from the reflected signal with the transmitter/receiver, processing the detected Doppler signal with the signal processor and in response thereto outputting a digital representation of the speed of the arrow leaving the bow on the display.