Sports performance testing and training systems, devices and methods

Abstract

A method for collecting performance test data during a performance test of an athlete from timing devices associated with a performance test includes automatically receiving an electronic time stamp message from each of the timing devices, each electronic time stamp message incorporating a time stamp generated by the timing device in response to entering into a triggered state during the performance test; and automatically inserting time data corresponding to the received time stamps into respective fields of an electronic performance test record associated with the unique athlete identifier. A system for collecting performance test data includes a plurality of timing devices each configured to generate one or more electronic time stamp messages each incorporating a time stamp generated in response to entering into a triggered state during a performance test; a synchronizing device configured to periodically transmit electronic synchronize instructions to the timing devices to synchronize the timing devices; and a control device configured to receive the electronic time stamp messages from the timing devices and to insert time data corresponding to the time stamps into respective fields of performance test records.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method on a master device for synchronizing the master device and slave devices in a system for collecting performance test data, the method comprising:
 on a periodic basis, automatically:
 transmitting a silence command to a network coordinator to delay transmission of network communications by the network coordinator; 
 transmitting a silence command to the devices to be synchronized to delay transmissions of network communications by the devices; 
 while the transmissions of network communications are being delayed, broadcasting a synchronize command incorporating a time stamp captured from a master device clock for receipt by the devices; 
 with the synchronize command having been broadcasted, transmitting a resume command to the network coordinator to resume transmission of any delayed network communications; and 
 re-setting the master device clock to the time stamp time.