The xFactor Hitting System Patents

The landscape of baseball and softball training is rapidly evolving, driven by a surge of technological advancements. Amidst this revolution, X Factor Technology has been at the forefront, not just mirroring but advancing these trends. Our distinction lies not merely in facilitating practice, but in empowering it with precision and intelligent solutions. Our approach combines the art of hitting with the science of data and analytics, offering a suite of tools that redefine training efficiency and effectiveness.

In the days ahead, we’ll unveil our vision for both present and future hitting strategies, all anchored in our proprietary methods exclusive to the X Factor Hitting System. Our suite, including the AI SwingPilot™ and Swing Dynamics Pro™, embodies this cutting-edge philosophy.

For those interested in delving deeper into the technical foundations of our innovations, we invite you to explore the patents that form the backbone of our technology. Follow these links to access detailed descriptions of our patented Swing Alert™ System and Method, as well as our Swing Capture Device Method, and discover how X Factor Technology is reshaping the way athletes train and excel. 

Swing Capture Device and Method

U.S. Patent No. 10,994,187 – Swing Capture System
Measuring Swing Delay, Swing Time, and Total Swing Time

This patent protects the method of measuring how long a
batter takes to complete a swing—broken into precise time segments that define
the swing process from start to contact.

The system issues a swing cue, then uses sensors to capture
the start of forward bat movement and the moment of contact with the ball (or
object). From these two captured events, the system measures:

  • Swing
    Delay™     – the time between the cue (decision to swing) and the first
    forward movement     of the bat. This reflects both reaction time and any
    hesitation and/or mechanical latency before launch.
  • Swing
    Time     – the time from the swing launch (start of the swing) to
    the moment of contact. This isolates the execution portion of the
    swing.
  • Overall
    Swing Time     – the total time from cue to contact. This is the
    full swing process, from prompt to result.

The system also measures stride time using a separate
cue, either audio, visual or haptic, and it supports training based on preset
pitch speeds and distances (Tempo Trainer Pro). Data can be
stored, averaged across attempts, displayed for review, or used to calibrate
future swing cues.

In plain terms:

This patent protects any system that captures and breaks
down a batter’s swing into measurable time intervals—capturing how long it
takes to react, swing, and make contact. If a product measures that full
sequence, it falls under this patent.

Catcher's view: pitch location inside at the thighs
Swing Alert System and Method

U.S. Patent No. 10,987,567 – Swing Alert System Using Pitch Tracking and Pre-Captured Swing Time

This patent protects the method of issuing a swing cue in real time based on live captured or preprogramed pitch velocities and the batter’s unique swing time. The system processes the speed and flight path of a pitch, then calculates when the ball will arrive at a target location in the hitting zone.

The batter’s total swing time—measured in advance—is applied to this calculation. That time is subtracted from the pitch’s arrival time to determine the exact moment the batter must start the swing. At that moment, the system delivers a cue—visual, audio, tactile, or virtual—telling the batter to swing.

Additional claims cover variable pitch speeds, stride cues, multiple cue types, and compatibility with various input methods and devices.

In plain terms:
If a product tracks a live pitch and signals the hitter to swing, this patent protects it.

Swing Capture and Swing Alert for Virtual Applications

U.S. Patent No. 11,596,852 (Continuation) – Timing Training in Virtual or Simulated Environments

This continuation patent expands protection to virtual, augmented, and simulated hitting environments, including VR goggles, projection systems, screen-based trainers, and pitching machines. It covers any system that delivers a swing cue based on predefined pitch parameters and measures swing timing—even without a real ball.

What’s new:
This patent introduces target zones—defined spatial areas where contact is expected. Swing timing is measured by issuing a cue, detecting the start of forward bat motion, and detecting the bat’s entry into a target zone. These zones may be real or virtual.

From these events, three proprietary metrics are calculated:

  • Swing Delay™ – cue to launch
  • Swing Time – launch to zone entry
  • Overall Swing Time – cue to zone entry

This enables precise timing measurement for dry swings, tee work, or simulated pitches—with or without ball flight.

The system supports:

  • Zone-specific timing profiles (e.g., inside vs. outside pitch timing)
  • User-selected pitch types and speeds for simulation
  • Real-time swing cueing based on pitch trajectory and individual swing profiles
  • Integration with pitching machines using inputted velocity and distance
  • Sensor flexibility, including accelerometers, gyros, mics, cameras, and optical gates

In plain terms:
If a system delivers swing timing cues in a non-live or simulated environment and uses spatial zone entry to calculate swing metrics, this patent protects it—whether the pitch is thrown, projected, or virtual.