Importance

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Abstract

A system 20 for measuring the initial velocity vector of a ball 500 includes a first light sensing array 24, a first light source 28, a second light sensing array 30, and a second light source 32. The ball 500 has an initial position 22. When the ball 500 is struck, at time T1 it casts a first shadow position 36 on first light sensing array 24, and at time T2 it casts a second shadow position 42 on second light sensing array 30. A first plane 38 is formed by initial position 22, first light source 28, and first shadow position 36. A second plane 44 is formed by initial position 22, second light source 32, and second shadow position 42. The line of flight 37 of ball 500 is defined by the intersection of planes 38 and 44. A slant distance D.sub.s is determined, whereby the speed S.sub.b of ball 500 is defined as S.sub.b =D.sub.s /(T2-T1). The velocity vector is then S.sub.b in the direction of line of flight 37.

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First Claim