Combined speed detection, video and timing apparatus

Abstract

A combination speed-detection, video-recording, and timing device that can be hand-held. The device contains one or more speed detection means, including, but not limited to, a radar detection or laser detection device. The device includes a camera able to capture video in digital form, and a timing device, similar in function to a stopwatch. The device is pointed at the object whose speed is to be measured, or the events to be recorded, and can be operated by means of a trigger on a handle. The device may further include a display, along with display controls. Storage means is used to store the speed, video and timer data. The device may contain its own power-supply, or may be externally powered.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for sports training, comprising:
 a barrel with a front and back, wherein the front of the barrel is pointed at a ball traveling at a speed;   a first speed-detection assembly mounted in or on said barrel, wherein said first speed-detection assembly is adapted to measure the speed of the ball;   a first video-camera assembly mounted in or on said barrel, wherein said first video-camera assembly is adapted to record video images of the ball;   a first stop-watch timer disposed in or on said barrel, with stop-watch start, stop and reset functions operable through stop-watch controls; and   a display mounted in or on the back of said barrel to display video images, speed data from the first speed-detection assembly, or data from the first stop-watch timer, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a handle attached to the barrel.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is permanently attached to the barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is removably attached to the barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second speed-detection assembly mounted in or on said barrel, wherein said second speed-detection assembly is adapted to measure the speed of the same ball as the first speed-detection assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first speed-detection assembly is radar-based or laser-based. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second speed-detection assembly is radar-based or laser-based, and is not the same basis as the first speed-detection assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the video image data is digital. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising display controls located near or adjacent to the display. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said display comprises an LCD or CRT monitor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a data storage device, disc or drive. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a trigger on the handle, wherein said trigger is used to control the operation of both the first speed-detection assembly and the first video-camera assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to be hand-held. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more operational controls adapted to control the operation of the speed-detection assembly, video-camera assembly, or stop-watch timer, or a combination thereof 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of said operational controls are located on a remote control unit in wired or wireless communication with the apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a first trigger on the handle, said first trigger used to control the operation of the first speed-detection assembly, and a second trigger on the handle, said second trigger used to control the operation of the first video-camera assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a USB port in the barrel. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a Bluetooth communications device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the video images or speed data, or both, are encrypted.