US20160317896A1

US20160317896A1 - Electronic Personal Golf Training System

Info

Publication number: US20160317896A1
Application number: US14/699,643
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Albelo
Original assignee: Dacc Holdings Ltd Bvi
Current assignee: Dacc Holdings Ltd Bvi
Priority date: 2015-04-29
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2016-11-03

Abstract

A personal golf training system that has a smart golf ball and a smart golf club that provide wireless signals to a personal, mobile computing device regarding parameters of the golf club and golf ball that are interpreted algorithmically by a software application. The interpretations (results) are stored and visually displayed on the mobile computing device for the golfer in training. It also provides instructive suggestions as how to improve one's mechanics so as to better contact the golf ball. The diagnosis provided looks at numerous parameters such as golf club head swing speed, golf ball contact area, golf ball spin and trajectory. Imbedded in the golf club head and the golf ball are sensors and wireless transmitters reactive to their movement and position. The system can be used to play a normal round of golf, thus instructing the golfer based on his actual play patterns.

Description

The present invention relates to a personal electronic golf training system that introduces a new level of technology for private, individual golf skills training. It uses conventional golf equipment modified with nano and or micro technology electronics so as to allow the golfer to train without the use of any cumbersome, awkward or foreign implements of the sport. More importantly, this new system may be used not just for training, but to play a round of golf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is a game of great skill. The complexities of mastering the game involves numerous parameters such as the swing, stance, tee height, club length, club selection etc. Most training devices focus on training each of these parameters individually. To complicate matters, they introduce tools that are foreign to the game of golf such as a weighted swing club, a hinged club, and a system of tethered cords to name a few. These begin with the wrong premise—that of teaching the correct mechanics without utilizing the exact golf equipment the correct mechanics are to be coupled to. There is no sense learning how to swing a weighted flexible shaft correctly if the golfer never uses a weighted flexible shaft to play the game. Likewise, training muscle memory in a static location rather than out in a real world golf situation is not that practical. A golfer should know what is going wrong with his swing after he has walked 12 holes on a hot day and consumed five beers. None of the current golf training devices can actually be used in a real round of golf. Similarly, none of the current, state of the art devices can show the golfer in real time what he did wrong with his last stroke. They can only indicate what may be wrong in one of the parameters of his mechanics. The true way to train a golfer in an attempt to overcome his poor mechanics and to increase his performance is to be able to instantly inform the golfer what happened on his last stroke at a ball/club face level. Only once the golfer knows why the ball went where and how it did, can they alter the various parameters, individually or in conjunction with others, to correct his mechanics. Essentially being able to provide this type of biofeedback while in a real round of golf allows the golfer the opportunity to make stroke by stroke modifications in an attempt to remedy or improve his last stroke.
Henceforth, a personal golf skills training system that uses the golfer's golf club and ball to provide an instantaneous analysis of the stroke efficiency, and that could be used in a round of golf, would fulfill a long felt need in the golf industry. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems to accomplish this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a personal golf training system that is able to give the golfer a relatively, instantaneous feedback of what is happening at the club head on the swing, what is happening at the golf ball/club head interface at the moment of contact, and the resultant golf ball's spin, velocity and trajectory. Optionally incorporated into an alternate embodiment, is an LED lighting system whose brightness was conditioned by the efficiency and intensity of the golf ball to golf club head contact
It has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new golf training system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved personal golf training system capable of evaluating the golfer's performance with instantaneous biofeedback data obtained while shooting a round of golf.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved personal golf training system capable of evaluating the efficiency of the ball strike.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved personal golf training system that can store the improvements in performance on a personal computing device, report them immediately and compare the historical performance of one or more registered users on a personal computing device.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide for an improved personal golf training system that tracks the flight of the golf ball as well as sends signal of its position to the golfers personal computing devices (PCD's).
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved personal golf training system with an associated operational application for the golfer's PCD.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of the smart golf club;

FIG. 2 is a top side view of the smart golf club;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the smart golf club;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the smart golf club;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional perspective view of the smart golf club taken through the midpoint of the handle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustrative view of the smart golf club face and pressure sensor;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustrative view of the smart golf club's microprocessor;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the smart golf ball;

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross sectional view of the smart golf ball;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the smart golf club head showing a zone of contact;

FIG. 11 is an aerial view of the layout of a hold on a golf course;

FIG. 12 is top cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the pressure sensor arrangement;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a club face with a planar substrate indicating sheet affixed thereto;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a planar substrate indicating sheet after contact, and

FIG. 15 is a personal computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As used herein, the term “personal computing devices” (PCD) refers to any of the portable computing devices embodied in portable computers (PC's), cell phones, tablet PC's, digital music players, watches, personal digital assistants, wearable computers, printers, copiers and the like.
As used herein the term “smart phone” refers to a mobile phone with an advanced operating system such as an android or Apple IOS platform, capable of: running software applications, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to other devices, memory storage, video display, and GPS tracking at a minimum.
As used herein, the term “sweet spot” refers to the optimal area on the golf club face for contact with a golf ball to maximize the efficiency of the stroke.
As used herein the term “pressure sensitive or thermally sensitive planar indicating substrates” refers to thin devices such as polymer films/sheets, paper products or other planar substrates capable of detecting pressure zones of contact. These include devices having embedded electronics, chemically or thermally reactive/sensitive materials or coated materials that provide visual feedback of a zone of contact. Generally this will be by a partial surface area of the indicating substrate changing of a gradation of color.
As used herein, a “pressure transducer” refers to an instrument component which detects a pressure applied against its pressure-sensing element or sensor region and generates an output electrical signal related to the magnitude of that pressure. Its sensor region may be comprised of an array of individual sensing elements or a single element.
As used herein an “accelerometer” is a device that measures the magnitude of proper acceleration. It may be of a single, dual or tri-axial version.
As used herein a “tri-axial accelerometer” is a multi-axis accelerometer that can detect magnitude and direction of the proper acceleration as a vector quantity, and can be used to sense orientation, coordinate acceleration, vibration, shock, fall, inclination, vibration, dynamic distance and speed in all three axes. It is known that single and dual axis accelerometers may be substituted for the tri-axial accelerometer of the present invention, however with limited functionality.
As used herein a “lighting sequencer” is a solid state device that turns on various LED lights in an array of LED lights in response to a signal generated by the pressure transducer on a microprocessor. It may adjust the intensity of the individual LEDs or merely just switch the LEDs on or off.
The electronic sensing components discussed herein are micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), capable because of their size and weight of being imbedded in the golf club and golf ball without upsetting the weight or balance of the club or ball. Although not discussed in detail herein, the timing system is used in the software application's algorithmic calculations to determine, velocity, duration of contact, swing speed, etc based on the movement inputs of the tri-axial accelerometer or the contact inputs on the pressure transducers, draw their time inputs from either of the real-time clock or the system clock that reside on the motherboard and software. These clock components operation, construction and integration into MEMS coupled to algorithmically based software applications are well known in the industry and need not be expanded upon herein. Additionally, standard microprocessor technology common in consumer electronic products are also employed as engineering best practice dictates.
The electronic personal golf training system consists of three devices; a smart golf ball 2, a smart golf club 4 and a PCD that is electronically linked to either the smart golf ball 2, (FIGS. 8 and 9) the smart golf club 4, (FIGS. 1 to 5) or the smart golf ball 2 and the smart club 4 simultaneously. In the preferred embodiment the PCD 50 (FIG. 15) is a smart phone although the software application that receives and processes the signals of data packages sent from the smart golf ball 2 or the smart golf club 4 may be embodied in other PCD devices, including a dedicated unit. The system can be used with the smart golf ball 2 alone, the smart golf club 4 alone, or with both. The preferred embodiment of the system operates in conjunction with both the smart golf ball 2 and smart golf club 4.
Looking at FIGS. 8 and 9 the smart golf ball 2 has all of the conventional outer markings and configuration of a standard regulation play golf ball. Its weight and balance will also remain unaltered. The difference being that internally there is a ball microprocessor 10, and an antenna 12 The ball microprocessor is a miniaturized PCB having the following integrated thereon: a rechargeable power source 11 (battery) switchable by an inertial power switch 19, a real time clock, a system clock, a timer, a first wireless transmitter 13, an antenna 12 extending from the microprocessor 10 to the surface of the ball 2 through a laser or otherwise formed or drilled orifice/channel/space, an accelerometer 15, an inductive charging coil 17 and optionally, a global positioning system 3. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor PCB and all of its components (except for the majority of the length of the antenna) would be encased in a rigid shock proof, water proof medium like an epoxy, to prevent any repeated impact damage to their connections. Alternatively, the induction charging coil 17 and/or its connected battery 11 may be moved closer to the surface of the golf ball and while in electrical connection with the microprocessor 10, they would not be encased in the rigid shock proof, water proof medium. Recharging of the power source 11 is through standard inductive charging embodied in a cradle that would house the ball when not in use. This style of charging is well known in the industry. It eliminates the need for any external electrical charger jack connectors which could also be damaged by impact or immersion in water. The preferred embodiment uses a tri-axial accelerometer and a dipole antenna. (The dipole antenna requires two orifices in the ball's body.)
The smart golf club 4 has a replaceable or rechargeable power source (battery) 12 housed in the shaft 14 with its wires 16 traversing the length of the shaft 14 to the golf club head 18. (FIG. 5) The smart golf club will replicate the size, weight, club head size, and balance of a conventional club. It would be unremarkable in all external features except for the optional array of light emitting diodes 20 arranged in a line parallel to the club head face 6.
Looking at FIGS. 6, 7 and 12, it can be seen that the club head face 6 (which is generically a metal plate) has a plethora of laser drilled pressure transducer orifices 28 forming an array 5 that extends through it and into the club head 18, terminating at the pressure transducer 24 of the club head microprocessor 26. These pressure transducer orifices are filled with a polymer medium to form shock tubes 22 to aid in the rapid transfer of pressure information to the pressure transducer. In the preferred embodiment this would be a type of epoxy/elastomer that exhibits a “squishy” property. Ideally the elastomer, which can be a single part or multipart polymer material, would be adjusted in viscosity to enable full filling of the orifice array, while providing optimal meniscal performance. One item to be optimized on a per application basis would be the ideal shape of the polymer at the interface of the orifice and the air at the club face. The amount of polymer extruded beyond the orifice in to the space around the club material, will have an impact on the signal to noise ratio relative to the pressure transduction signal. The filling process will require uncured material to be applied and then cured, where the curing process will induce a large increase in viscosity up to and including solidification. The ideal polymer material will be cured thermally or by ultraviolet light because these polymer systems exhibit far less shrinkage than most other two-part chemical matrix. In optimizing the polymer fill, the difference between the polymer and the club face (surface) will be minimized, ensuring that each tube will be optimally filled for maximum signal transduction and recording. A preferred embodiment would utilize UV curable polymers containing acrylic based resins. There are numerous variation of these commercially available.
The shock tubes 22 are waterproof and flush with the front of the club face 6, and have an open distal end 21 and an open proximal end 23 each terminating in alignment with the individual pressure sensing elements 30 arranged on the pressure transducer 24 on the front face of the microprocessor 26. Thus, there is an individual pressure sensor for each shock tube. Alternately, the array of laser or otherwise drilled pressure transducer orifices 28 that extend into the club head may be conical in nature and each house a remote pressure sensing element 31 that is connected to a corresponding region on the pressure transducer 24 on the microprocessor 26. (FIG. 12) Also included in the microprocessor 26 is a tri-axial accelerometer 32, a real time clock, system clock, a wireless transmitter (its antenna is partially housed in the pressure transducer orifices 28 on the club face 6 or the club shaft), and a lighting sequencer 35.
The selection of the pressure transducer utilized is based on the quickness of the applied pressure and required response times. Electrical measurement of pressure is preferred because of its higher accuracy requirements, more favorable economics, and quicker response. Although resistive transducers, strain gages, magnetic transducers, capacitive transducers, and resonant transducers may be used, the preferred embodiment will utilize either of the following two types. First, a variety of strain gage transducer that uses integrated circuit technology wherein resistors are diffused onto the surface of a silicon crystal within the boundaries of an area, which is etched to form a thin diaphragm. The physical displacement of the diaphragm is converted into an electrical signal. The second type is a crystal transducer wherein piezoelectric crystals produce an electric potential when placed under stress by the pressure-sensing element. Crystal transducers are preferred because they offer a high speed of response and are commonly used in dynamic pressure measurements in ballistics applications.
The overarching principle of the operation of the system is to determine exactly where on the smart golf club head face 6 a golf ball (smart or otherwise) is being contacted, how long it is contacted for, the acceleration/speed and path of the golf club, the smart golf ball's trajectory and position, the acceleration/speed of the smart golf ball and optionally, the spin on the smart golf ball. The parameters of zone of contact 8, contact time, position and movement with their associated time components are sensed by the aforementioned MEMS sensors in the smart golf ball 2 and the smart golf club 4 and transmitted wirelessly as data packets to the golfer's choice of personal computing devices, be it a smart phone, computer tablet, laptop or the like, where the data integrates with an installed, personal golf training software application.
This personal golf training software application evaluates these data packages (through the application of algorithmic programs for the calculation of zone of contact patterns, velocity, speed, trajectory and position as is well known in the field) and does two things. First, it outputs the calculated values in a readable format on the video display screen 52 of the personal computing device 50. An example of this would be FIG. 10 which is an illustrative representation of the face of the smart golf club head 6 showing the zone of contact 8 between a golf ball and the smart golf club head face 6. This is established by the pressure signals generated by the pressure sensors according to the zone of contact of the ball 2 with the club face 6. Another example would be FIG. 11 which shows an overlay of the physical layout of the golf course showing the trajectory of the golf ball and where it lies, by way of predictive calculation—the idea being that it would send the golfer in the right direction, a box of likely touchdown for the ball after being hit with the club, derived from the data captured by the smart club and potentially augmented by the data from the ball. Second, it generates suggestions for improving the golf shot based on the calculated specific parameters of the shot such as swing speed, ball spin and trajectory, club path, club position etc. These suggestions are pulled from a relational database containing all the possible actions that a golfer can take based on what happened to the golf ball and what happened at the golf club head.
In the way of an example, the data may show that the smart golf club head's face 6 only contacted the top two thirds of the smart golf ball 2 on the farthest one third of the club face (having the zone of contact 8) and that the ball travelled in an arced path 10 known as a “slice.” For these parameters the relational database links the suggestions of raising the tee, moving player's stance closer to the golf ball, changing the grip to close the club face a little, and slowing the movement of the lower body with respect to the movement of the upper body. These suggestions are taken and compiled from numerous instructional golf sources including professional instructors.
The following table shows which device (e.g a MEMS or integrated circuit device) is responsible for the determination of which function by the personal golf training software application, and a typical type of suggested corrective action would be referenced in the relational database and presented as a suggestion to the user on his PCD.
Many of the diagnostic parameters that are determined by the various system elements are outlined in the following chart.


Smart Golf Ball

Imbedded Devices
On or Connected to
Microprocessor	Function	Suggestions

Tri-axial accelerometer	Ball spin	Adjust angle of club face;
	Ball trajectory (path)	Adjust grip;
	Ball velocity	Adjust body position;
	Ball acceleration	Adjust club swing motion;
	Ball position	Adjust swing speed;
		Adjust stance;
		Adjust distance from ball;
		Adjust ball height on tee;
		Adjust grip height on club;
		Adjust head position
		Adjust elbow position
Global Positioning System	Ball trajectory	Where to find struck ball.
	Ball position	Where ball is on course.
		Can also aid in developing
		more accurate diagnoses.
		(as listed above)
Bluetooth	Send data signals from ball	—
	to personal computing
	device, also sends locational
	signal when in range to
	personal computing device
Inertial power switch (IPS)	Turns on power to smart	—
	ball upon first strike
Timer for IPS	Turns off power to golf ball	—
	in the absence of a strike for
	set timeframe
Dipole antennae	Transmits outgoing data	—
	signals from golf ball to
	surface of golf ball and into
	air for receipt by computing
	device
Pressure transducer	Determines area pattern of	Adjust angle of club face;
	club face contacted by ball;	Adjust grip;
	Duration of contact,	Adjust body position;
	intensity of contact	Adjust club swing motion;
		Adjust swing speed;
		Adjust stance;
		Adjust distance from ball;
		Adjust ball height on tee;
		Adjust grip height on club;
		Adjust head position
		Adjust elbow position
Triaxial accelerometer	Determines the speed and	(same as above)
	path of the club head
	throughout swing
Bluetooth transmitter	Transmits data from club	—
	head to personal computing
	device
Memory	Stores transient data until	—
	transmitted to personal
	computing device
Battery	Power source for	—
	electronics and LEDs
LEDs	Provides visual feedback of	None but displays
	club face contact zone and	corresponding vertical zone
	intensity of contact. Light is	contacted by ball. Shows
	proportional to the intensity	efficiency of club face
	of pressure signal, duration	contact.
	of pressure signal and
	number of transduction
	elements activated during
	contact.
Lighting circuit	adjusts brightness of LED	—
with timer	array based on efficiency of
	club face contact pattern
	(timer circuit)

Personal Computing Device

Imbedded Devices in PCD
in Communication with		Suggestions/
Software Application	Function	Data Provided

Global Positioning system	Determine location of PCD	Ball location
	(personal computing	Present golf course
	device) and location of ball
WiFi	Enable transfer of data and	—
	results to another device
	and receive data such as
	golf course information
Memory	Stores all internal and	—
	externally received data and
	results
Bluetooth	Enable communication
	between devices

Algorithmic Software Application

	Suggestions/
Function	Data Provided

Interpret data received to algorithmically calculate and	Club face contact zone
generate the results needed to select the appropriate	Adjust angle of club face;
recommended corrective action form the relational	Adjust grip;
database and any stored models, output selected results	Adjust body position;
display on visual display; display possible corrective	Adjust club swing motion;
actions; display map of course and projected area of ball	Adjust swing speed;
landing, approximates distance, guides golfer into the area	Adjust stance;
until range is short enough to follow Bluetooth signal	Adjust distance from ball;
directly to ball. Generates pattern of club face impact	Adjust ball height on tee;
zone.	Adjust grip height on club;
The application will display visual representations of the	Adjust head position
club face for diagnostics and will also possess the ability	Adjust elbow position
to predict possible ball location which will also be	Historical data, game
displayed visually on a course map, available via	analysis, improvement over
commercially available GPS location technology.	time, long term diagnostic
	feedback/tracking

The most important parameter that the system evaluates is that of the zone of contact 8 on the club head face 6. Because the timing of the contact with the multiple pressure transducers is also determined, the angle from which the golf ball was hit is also known. The pattern of this zone tells more about what is happening with the shot than anything else, because it shows the precise location of the initial application of force applied to propel the golf ball. Since the pattern of this application of force determines the ball's, trajectory (direction, path and loft), it can be coupled with the spin, and distance sensed by the smart ball, to determine what is happening at a micro level (that of the club head and the golf ball.) This allows for the suggestion of the proper corrective action (generally golfer mechanics) intended to let the golfer attain a near perfect zone of contact in the “sweet spot” of the club head face. The application of force by a known body in a determined region from a determined direction (angle) can be used algorithmically to determine the sphere's trajectory and eventual location. Thus, a theoretically perfect model for the application of force to a golf ball can be developed, as well as a set of theoretical models of golf ball trajectories based on all of the possible zones of contact. Associated with the set of theoretical models are suggested actions of correction based on the deviance from the perfect model. With this information put into a relational database, the zone of contact reported for each shot can allow the software application to provide the appropriate associated correction suggestions.
As can be seen the personal golf training software application can select corrective actions from the relational database based on input signals from the smart golf ball 2, the smart golf club 4 or both. When both the smart golf ball 2 and the smart golf club 4 input signals are used, the list of corrective actions that will be provided (chosen for output and display) will be narrowed and more accurate (true) than the list of corrective actions provided using just one of these. With more information about what happened with the shot, the more narrow and tailored the relational database becomes.
The results of an entire round of golf may be saved in the program's allotted memory on the personal computing device for full evaluation later, or it may be viewed, shot by shot as the golfer progresses through the golf course, allowing him to make the corrections as indicated while he plays.
As can be seen, the golf ball contacted area (zone) on the clubface is almost instantaneously available to the golfer for his diagnosis and review. It cannot be called immediate biofeedback since it requires the golfer to open the application on his personal computing device and review it. However, in a cheaper, simpler embodiment the tri-axial accelerometer 32, the wireless transmitter (and its antenna) are not present and connected the microprocessor 26. This stripped down version retains the microprocessor, pressure transducer assembly (pressured transducer, pressure transducer orifices, and shock tube medium) operatively connected to the battery. In this embodiment the real time clock, the system clock, the LED array and the lighting sequencer 35 would be present and operatively connected to the microprocessor and battery so that at least one axis of the zone of contact (left to right horizontally) could be displayed momentarily in the array of illuminated LED's. For two axis indication a series of LED lights would reside perpendicularly to the first series of LED lights to display the zone of contact vertically. (FIG. 1)
In the highest level of embodiment the optional light emitting diode (LED) system detailed above, is incorporated so as to provide instantaneous visual biofeedback, which is helpful, but only a subset of the data available to the golfer via the PCD interface and SW analysis. An array of LED lights 20 is arranged on the top of the club head and the intensity of light emitted after a stroke is proportional to the “quality” of the stroke contact. (FIG. 2) The greater amount of the surface area in the “sweet spot” of the club face that is contacted by the ball, (as determined by the greater the intensity of light from the LED light array. This may be by the lighting of more of the LEDs or by the application of a higher voltage to the LEDs. Optionally, the LED lights might just light up directly above the areas in the “sweet spot” that are contacted. A timer in the LED system allows the LEDs to remain on for a predetermined time, say 15 seconds. This would be sufficient for the golfer to follow the path of the golf ball until landing, then look at the club head. This feature is very instrumental for those just learning to swing. The position of the lights, the number and or intensity of the lights and the projected trajectory are instrumental in diagnosing the golfer's swing at all skill levels. The LEDS receive their illumination signal from a contact sensing system which utilizes the technology discussed herein and comprises a power source, a microprocessor with lighting sequencer and at least one pressure transducer or pressure sensitive device in operation contact.
The physical overlay of the specific golf course being played is input into the personal computing device as determined by its GPS signal and downloaded database, in much the same way that GPS range finder data is collected, used and displayed on course specific maps. GPS signals sent from the smart golf ball's wireless transmission system (generally a Bluetooth system) through its antennae will create an additional stream of data to assist in determining the efficacy of contact, trajectory, ball location and the overall health of the golfer's swing. These signals of location/position are analyzed by a software application loaded onto the personal computing device. It compares these signals of location against its own relational database of golf courses, which is readily available and public domain. This mapping feature is a readily available prior art software application for personal computing devices, which has been well known in this field of art for some time. The information generated by this prior art software application is integrated into the electronic personal golf training software application, telling it where the ball is on the physical layout of that specific course based on the initial conditions of contact and the first 30 feet of flight time (in the case of the smart ball system, since the PCD will continue to receive the signal form the ball before during and after the ball is hit, until it passes out of range). This allows the location of the smart golf ball to be displayed in the personal computing device's video display screen. The ball tracking system operates as follows: The initial accelerometer data can be used to provide the calculated trajectory of the ball. The software then displays a box on the course map, which represents the likely landing zone of the ball thus struck. With a regular golf ball, the user then receives more precise position information from the PCD GPS application, which guides the user to the ball. In the embodiment where both the smart club system and smart ball system are employed, once the user is within range of the ball, the software will report on the ball's actual location from Bluetooth or other radio/electromagnetic signals being sent by the ball through its antenna. The box on the map thus directing to the general location and then the ball and PCD connecting, will activate the software feature to communicate the precise location of the ball. Never loose another ball again . . . unless one hits it into the pond on the next par three.
In an advanced, more expensive system with a more complex algorithmic software application, an infrared or “eye safe” laser diode or laser diode array can be included within the preferred embodiment to provide another layer of golfer-club-ball system diagnostic feedback in real or in near real time based upon tracking of the user's motion. Using similar technology to those employed in computer gaming systems where user/operator motions is recognized by the computer system, the golf system described herein can be augmented by the addition of the wired or wireless version of the diode feedback system. The software would naturally contain the necessary algorithmic functions to interpret the raw data collected by said diode system and sensors to receive the reflected, refracted and absorbed electromagnetic signals corresponding to the motion of the user's body. The software package would contain a relational database including, but not limited to, ideal body motion relative to club, ball, and ground to which it would compare the collected data and then provide the user with suggested corrective actions.
Looking at FIGS. 13 and 14, a final embodiment, a “poor man's version” replaceable inexpensive pressure sensitive or thermally sensitive planar indicating substrates 40 may be adhesively, electrostatically, magnetically, frictionally or otherwise affixed to the club face 26. Upon contact, a visible trace of the zone of contact will be left on the indicating substrate for inspection. There may be incorporated onto the club, a retention device for the operation placement of a non adhesive substrate as would be known in the art. In operation the player would purchase a set of these disposable indicating substrates and affix one to the face of the golf club before they struck the golf ball. Thereafter they would remove the indicating substrate and view the visual pattern 42 of where on the golf club face 26 the zone of contact occurred. Generally this will be in a partial surface area of the indicating substrate changing of a gradation of color.
With this embodiment, specific precise placement of the substrate on the club face is not critical as the pressure imprint created by the contact would reveal the outline of the club face grooves. From this the player can easily determine where on the club head face the zone of contact was and what correction is needed.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the way of an exemplary, the technology disclosed herein is applicable to a variety of sporting goods and equipment including but not limited to, baseball bats, cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, hockey stick and the like. In this vein, the term club, club head or club head face refers to the impact surface of any of a variety of sporting implements a user would employ to strike a ball or other sporting object in the conduct of a game such as hockey, tennis, badminton, cricket, etc.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. A golf training system comprising:

a smart golf club containing a power source, a wireless transmitter, and at least one pressure transducer all in operational connection, and located behind a golf club head face or contained within said golf club head face of said smart golf club;

a software application capable of operation on a personal computing device that is capable of wireless communication with said smart golf club;

wherein said at least one pressure transducer is capable of analyzing a zone of impact upon said golf club head face from an operably connected array of pressure sensors,

wherein said smart golf club transmits pressure data from said at least one pressure transducer to said personal computing device and said personal computing device is capable of wireless communication with said smart golf club;

wherein said software application algorithmically interprets said pressure data and calculates the shape and location of a zone of impact between a golf ball and said golf club head face, stores said results and outputs said zone of impact on a visual display of said personal computing device.

14. The golf training system of claim 13 further comprising an internally imbedded club microprocessor with a timing system, said club microprocessor operationally connecting said power source, said wireless transmitter, and said at least one pressure transducer.

15. The golf training system of claim 14 wherein said smart golf club also contains an accelerometer;

wherein said smart golf club transmits at least one of a club head motion data from said accelerometer to said personal computing device, said club head motion data selected from the set of club head motion data including club head speed, club head acceleration, club head orientation and club head position;

and wherein said software application algorithmically interprets said club head motion data and calculates a value of said smart golf club's speed, trajectory and position and stores said values and outputs said values on a visual display of said personal computing device.

16. The golf head training system of claim 14 wherein said smart golf club head further comprises;

a club head body;

a club head face plate disposed on an outer surface of said club head;

an array of pressure transducer orifices drilled through said club head face plate and into said club head body so as to form an array of shock tubes having an exterior distal end at said club head face plate and an interior proximal end within said club head;

an elastomeric polymer material optimized for pressure transduction filling said array of pressure transducer orifices between said distal and proximate ends;

and wherein said at least one pressure transducer is a plate with an array of operably connected pressure sensors thereon, said array of pressure sensors aligned at said proximate end of said array of orifices and said pressure transducer is in communication with said club microprocessor.

17. The golf head training system of claim 14 wherein said smart golf club head further comprises;

an array of light emitting diodes affixed on an outer surface of said club head in electrical communication with said power source; and

a lighting sequencer on said club microprocessor,

wherein said club microprocessor generates a signal to the lighting sequencer that regulates the amount of illumination emitted from said light emitting diode array based on the zone of impact sensed by said pressure transducing zones.

18. The golf training system of claim 13 further comprising:

a smart golf ball containing a, chargeable power source, a wireless transmitter, and an accelerometer operationally connected thereon,

said software application capable of wireless communication with said smart golf ball;

wherein said smart golf ball transmits motion data from said accelerometer to said personal computing device, said motion data selected from the set of motion data including speed, acceleration, orientation, spin, position, and dynamic distance; and wherein said software application algorithmically interprets said motion data and calculates at least one of a motion data result selected from the set of motion data results including said smart golf ball's speed, trajectory, spin and position, and stores said set of results and outputs said set of results on a visual display of said personal computing device.

19. The golf training system of claim 18 wherein said golf ball further comprises an internally imbedded ball microprocessor with a timing system operationally connecting said power source, said wireless transmitter, and said accelerometer thereon.

20. The golf training system of claim 19 wherein said smart golf ball has at least one antenna operationally connected to said wireless transmitter, said antenna residing in a bore formed thereon said smart golf ball, and further comprises an inertial power switching device capable of turning on said switchable power source based on motion of said smart golf ball; an inductive electrical charging coil for said power source; and a global positioning system, all of which are operationally housed on said internally imbedded ball microprocessor.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)