WO2007095081A1 - Dispositifs et procédés de télémétrie pour le golf - Google Patents

Dispositifs et procédés de télémétrie pour le golf Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007095081A1
WO2007095081A1 PCT/US2007/003461 US2007003461W WO2007095081A1 WO 2007095081 A1 WO2007095081 A1 WO 2007095081A1 US 2007003461 W US2007003461 W US 2007003461W WO 2007095081 A1 WO2007095081 A1 WO 2007095081A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
distance
golf
processor
user
recommended
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/003461
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew W. York
Wade Stevens
Victoria J. Peters
Original Assignee
Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Leupold & Stevens, Inc. filed Critical Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
Publication of WO2007095081A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007095081A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B57/00—Golfing accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/20—Distances or displacements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B55/00—Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
    • A63B55/60—Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3605—Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
    • G01S17/02—Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S17/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S17/08—Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only
    • G01S17/10—Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to the sport of golf and mqre particularly, but not exclusively, to rangefinding in the context of golfing.
  • the rangefinder described in Vermillion et al. determines a second range to a target based on a first range to the target and an angle to the target such that the parabolic trajectory of a golf ball is accounted for in determining the second range.
  • the rangefinder described in Vermillion et al. includes a range sensor for determining a first range to a target, a tilt sensor for determining an angle to the target, and a computing element for determining a second range to the target based on the first range and the determined angle. While Vermillion et al. may recommend a desired change in golf club selection, it does not does not make any other suggestion, such as a recommended swing speed. In addition, Vermillion et al. does not select one or more recommended clubs based on a hitter ability.
  • a device for use while golfing comprises a rangefinder, a memory, a display, an input device, and a processor.
  • the rangefinder determines a distance between a user and a target on a golf course.
  • the memory stores data concerning a plurality of golf clubs, the data including a hitting distance for each of the golf clubs.
  • the display can be viewed by the golfer.
  • the input device receives from the user an indication of a selected hitter ability from at least two different hitter abilities.
  • the processor is in communication with the rangefinder, the memory, the display, and the input device.
  • the processor is configured to select, based on the distance, the hitter ability, and the data, a recommended golf club from of the plurality of golf clubs.
  • the processor is further configured to cause the display to indicate the recommended golf club.
  • a method uses an electronic device in aid of golfing.
  • the method determines a distance between a user and a target on a golf course and accesses data concerning a plurality of golf clubs, the data including a hitting distance for each of the golf clubs.
  • the electronic device identifies, based on the distance, the data, and a hitter ability selected by a user from at least two different hitter abilities, a recommended golf club from the plurality of golf clubs.
  • the electronic device displays the recommended golf club for viewing by the user.
  • a device for use while golfing comprises a rangefinder, a memory, a display, and a processor.
  • the rangefinder can determine a distance between a user and a target on a golf course.
  • the memory stores data concerning a plurality of golf clubs, the data including a hitting distance for each of the golf clubs.
  • the display can be viewed by the user.
  • the processor is connected to the rangefinder, the memory, and the display.
  • the processor is configured to identify, based on the distance and the data, a recommended golf club from the plurality of golf clubs and to determine a recommended swing speed for a golfer to hit a golf ball with the recommended golf club.
  • the processor is further configured to cause the display to indicate the recommended golf club and the recommended swing speed.
  • a method uses an electronic device in aid of golfing.
  • the method receives an input from a user including a first hitting distance of a first golf club in a set of golf clubs.
  • the method calculates a hitting distance for one or more of the other golf clubs in the set based on the first hitting distance and stores the first hitting distance and the one or more calculated hitting distances in memory.
  • the method determines a target distance between the user and a target on a golf course.
  • the method identifies, based on the target distance and the stored hitting distances, a recommended golf club from the set of golf clubs and displays the recommended golf club for viewing by the user.
  • Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a device according to one embodiment.
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of an electronic display as may be viewed through the eyepiece of the device of Figure 1.
  • Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E are illustrations of various reticles for use on the display of Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of one illustrative architecture of the device of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment.
  • Figure 6 is a diagram showing a trajectory of a golf ball.
  • FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a device 50 according to one embodiment.
  • the device 50 is a portable handheld rangefinder with special features and capabilities for use when golfing.
  • the device 50 comprises a rangefinder 54, which is a machine that measures the distance to a target.
  • the rangefinder 54 may operate according to any principle, such as, for example, sonar, radar, or laser reflectometry.
  • a laser-based rangefinder is preferred for the rangefinder 54.
  • a laser-based rangefinder typically emits laser pulses to the target and detects reflections of those pulses through a lens 56. By measuring the time between emission and detection of the reflection, a range can be calculated.
  • the shape of the laser beam may be elongated in the vertical direction by use of beam-shaping optics, a scanning beam, etc., to enable better ranging to a pin or flag in a golf hole, although a spot laser beam or other beam shapes may be used.
  • the rangefinder 54 may be targeted using an integrated optical targeting sight 60 including an objective lens 62 and an eyepiece 64, through which a user views the distant target.
  • Objective lens 62 focuses an image of the target at a first (front) focal plane (not shown) located medially of objective lens 62 and eyepiece 64.
  • An erector lens assembly (not shown) may be interposed between objective lens 62 and eyepiece 64 to invert the image and refocus it at a second (rear) focal plane (not shown) between the erector lens assembly and eyepiece 64.
  • a part of the erector lens assembly may be movable in response to an optical power selector mechanism to adjust the optical power within a predetermined range of magnification.
  • a power button 66 when depressed, turns on certain electronics of the device 50 and causes the rangefinder 54 to emit laser pulses and acquire range readings.
  • the device 50 also has a pair of menu interface buttons 68 for operating menus for inputting setup information and enabling functions of the rangefinder 54, as described, in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/265,546, entitled “Rotary Menu Display and Targeting Reticles for Laser Rangefinders and the Like,” filed November 1, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of an electronic display 100 as may be viewed through the eyepiece 64 of the device 50.
  • the display 100 is preferably placed in the field of view of the targeting sight 60 of the device 50.
  • the display 100 is preferably formed by a transmissive LCD display panel placed between the objective lens 62 and the eyepiece 64 so as to not obscure the field of view.
  • the LCD panel may include transmissive electrodes formed of indium tin oxide (ITO).
  • ITO indium tin oxide
  • the visual elements on the display 100 e.g., reticle 110, line-of-sight distance readout 120
  • a source of illumination (not shown) may optionally be provided for illuminating the active display elements to enhance their visibility in low ambient light conditions.
  • the illumination source may be integrated in device 50 in such a manner so as to prevent illumination from being projected out of objective lens 62 toward the target.
  • display 100 may comprise any of a variety of visual display devices other than or in addition to an LCD display.
  • display 100 may comprise fiber optic displays, light emitting diodes (LEDs) 1 organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD) and others.
  • the display need not be located in the optical path.
  • a display such as an LCD, DLP, or another display outside of the optical path may project an image of the visual elements onto a prism or reversed beam splitter located in the optical path.
  • the display 100 may include a circular menu along its perimeter, which can be navigated using buttons the 66, 68 to select one or more of various functions of the device 50.
  • the visual elements on the display 100 include a reticle 110, which indicates where the rangefinder 54 is pointed (i.e., where the laser beam of a laser- based rangefinder is directed) and thus where a measurement reading is taken.
  • a line-of-sight distance readout 120 is below the reticle 110 . This distance may be reported in meters, yards, or other units of length.
  • Above the reticle 110 is a "true" distance readout 130.
  • the true distance is calculated based on inclination measurements and possibly golf ball flight data to better account for the effects of elevation difference between the target and the golfer using the device 50. Details of those calculations are described below in this document.
  • the display 100 also includes a suggested club indicator 140, which indicates a club that the device 50 recommends the golfer to use based on the line- of-sight distance, true distance, and possibly other factors.
  • the display 100 furthermore indicates a suggested swing speed for the golfer to hit the ball using the suggested club in order to reach or move toward the target.
  • the suggested swing speed is preferably indicated by means of a swing meter 150 or other graphical scale. Algorithms for selecting a club and determining a swing speed are described below in this document.
  • ball type selections 160 denoted “A,” “B,” and “C” in Figure 2, corresponding to short, standard, and longdistance balls, respectively, for example.
  • a greater or lesser number of ball types can be displayed.
  • the user can make an appropriate selection to match the type of ball he or she is playing.
  • the user can also choose between a default club selector 170 and a custom club selector 175.
  • the club selection and swing speed determination algorithms take into account range data for the various possible clubs. That data can be default values or can be customized data determined by training or programming the system for a specific user's golfing characteristics - in particular, his or her historical or expected hit distances for various clubs.
  • the display 100 may also include one or more hitter abilities (not shown).
  • a pro, men's, senior men's, women's, and senior women's hitter ability may be denoted “1,” "2,” “3,” “4,” and "5" respectively.
  • a greater or lesser number of hitter abilities can be used and/or displayed.
  • the user can make an appropriate selection to best reflect the one or more hitter abilities that best reflects their hitting ability.
  • the club selection and swing speed suggestion algorithms can take into account the hitter ability when recommending one or more clubs.
  • each golf club has associated with it a hitting distance, or range of hitting distances, for each hitter ability.
  • a pro hitter ability may have a hitting distance of 310 yards (or a range of 290 to 330 yards) associated with a driver, a men's hitter ability may have a hitting distance of 255 yards (or a range of 250 to 280 yards) associated with a driver, and a women's hitter ability may have a hitting distance of 195 yards (or a range of 190 to 220 yards) associated with a driver.
  • data concerning club range is scaled by a factor based on the hitter ability. For example, a pro hitter ability may have a factor of 1.5, a men's hitter ability may have a factor of 1.3 and a women's hitter ability may have a factor of 1.0.
  • the range may be scaled by a factor of 50 percent (e.g., multiplied by 1.5) to approximately 300 yards (or a range of 293 to 308 yards).
  • a user may indicate that they belong to more than one hitting ability.
  • the hitting abilities may include short hitter, mid hitter, long hitter, male hitter, and female hitter.
  • the user could indicate that they are a male hitter and then indicate that they have a long hitter ability, mid hitter ability, or short hitter ability.
  • a male short hitter may have a range of 200 to 230 yards with a driver
  • a male mid hitter may have a range of 230 to 260 yards with a driver
  • a male long hitter may have a range of 260 to 290 yards with a driver.
  • a female short hitter may have a range of 150 to 170 yards with a driver
  • a female mid hitter may have a range of 170 to 190 yards with a driver
  • a female long hitter may have a range of 190 to 220 yards.
  • Other hitter abilities may include a PGA pro, LPGA pro, and an amateur, for example.
  • the user may input a profile for a set of clubs. For example, the user may indicate that they are long with irons but short with woods.
  • the user may enter a hitting distance, or range of hitting distances, for all or a subset of the user's golf clubs. If the user enters a hitting distance for a subset of the user's golf clubs, a hitting distance for one or more of the other golf clubs may be calculated based on the hitting distance(s) of two or more golf clubs in the subset, such as by using known interpolation or extrapolation techniques. For example, if the user has a hitting distance of 150 yards with a 5-iron and 130 yards with a 7-iron, a hitting distance of 140 yards with a 6-iron and 160 yards with a 4-iron could be inferred for the user.
  • a hitting distance for one or more of the other golf clubs may be calculated using a hitting distance increment between golf clubs. For example, if the user has a hitting distance of 150- yards with a 7-iron, a hitting distance of 160-yards with a 6-iron, 170-yards with a 5- iron, and 180 yards with a 4-iron can be calculated assuming a 10 yard increment between golf clubs.
  • the user can enter some or all of their golf club information directly into device 50.
  • the user can enter the information in other ways, such as via software that downloads data to device 50 using a wired or wireless connection.
  • the display 100 includes various other indicia, such as the user's handicap 180, current temperature 190 or other sensed condition such as angle of inclination with respect to the target, and a battery charge indicator 195.
  • the visual elements may be re-arranged, some elements shown in Figure 2 may be omitted, and/or additional elements (e.g., current score, number of strokes on current hole, date and time, etc.) can be displayed.
  • the display 100 may also display other information relating to the device 50, such as control or setup information.
  • Various reticles 110 are possible, some of which are shown for the sake of illustration in Figures 3A-3E.
  • reticle 110 illustrated in Figure 3A includes crosshairs having a transparent portion surrounding the point of intersection. This may help the user aim device 50 at a golf ball, golf green, golf hole, or pin or flag in the golf hole when rangefinder 54 emits a spot laser beam.
  • Reticle 110 illustrated in Figure 3B includes one rectangle inside of another rectangle. This may help the user aim device 50 at the pin or flag in a golf hole when rangefinder 54 emits a vertically elongated laser beam.
  • Reticle 110 illustrated in Figure 3C includes one rectangle inside of another rectangle.
  • Both of the rectangles have a transparent portion along the center of the long axis of the rectangles.
  • a horizontal crosshair extends laterally from the transparent portion. This may help the user aim device 50 at the golf ball, golf green, golf hole, or pin or flag in the golf hole when rangefinder 54 emits a spot laser beam or a vertically elongated laser beam.
  • Reticle 110 illustrated in Figure 3D includes a circle having an aiming point at its center. This may help the user aim device 50 at the golf ball, golf hole, or golf green when rangefinder 54 emits a spot laser beam.
  • Reticle 110 illustrated in Figure 3E includes a square having an aiming point at its center. This may help the user aim device 50 at the golf ball, golf hole, or golf green when rangefinder 54 emits a spot laser beam.
  • FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of one illustrative architecture of the device 50.
  • a bus-based architecture is illustrated, based on a bus 405.
  • Other types of architectures are also suitable.
  • a number of other components interface to the bus 405, including the rangefinder 54, a processor 410, a memory 420, a display driver 430, a user input interface 440, an external peripheral interface 450, other sensor interfaces 460, and a GPS (global positioning system) receiver 470.
  • Other versions of the device 50 may have less than all of these components and/or may contain other components.
  • the processor 410 may be any form of processor and is preferably a digital processor, such as a general-purpose microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP), for example.
  • the processor 410 may be readily programmable; hard-wired, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); or programmable under special circumstances, such as a programmable logic array (PLA) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), for example.
  • Program memory for the processor 410 may be integrated within the processor 410, may be part of the memory 420, or may be an external memory.
  • the processor 410 executes one or more programs to control the operation of the other components, to transfer data between the other components, to associate data from the various components together (preferably in a suitable data structure), to perform calculations using the data, to otherwise manipulate the data, and to present results to the user.
  • the processor 410 preferably executes a club selection and swing speed determination algorithm.
  • the memory 420 may store default club distance data, custom club distance data, programs executed on the processor 410, and other data (e.g., map graphic files).
  • the memory 420 may be permanent or removable.
  • the display driver 430 can interface with the processor 410 and the display 100 to present, for example, in textual and/or graphical form the club selection and swing speed suggestions calculated by the processor 410.
  • Some versions of the system 100 may not include the display 100, in which case the display driver 430 may instead drive an external display wirelessly or via a wired connection.
  • the external display may be a PDA (personal digital assistant), handheld computer, mobile phone, dedicated display unit for the device 50, printer, or the like.
  • the user input interface 440 may interface to one or mor v e user input devices, such as the buttons 66 or other controls.
  • the external device interface 450 allows for connection to an external device, such as another computer, a display screen, a printer, etc.
  • the external device interface 185 preferably provides an industry standard interface, such as a wireless or wired connection.
  • a data bus may be provided using any protocol, such as Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), and/or Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1 for example.
  • the wireless connection may use low powered electromagnetic waves to transmit data, using any wireless protocol, such as BluetoothTM, WiFi, or IEEE 802.11, for example.
  • any of the components illustrated in Figure 4 as being directly connected to the bus 405 may instead be external peripherals connected via the external device interface 450.
  • the rangefinder 54 rather than being directly connected to the internal bus 405, may be a separate external device connected via the external device interface 450.
  • an electronic device connectable to the device 50 via the external device interface 450 is a computer, to which the device 50 connects as a peripheral.
  • a computer may be a personal computer, a handheld computer such as a PDA (personal digital assistant) or smart mobile phone, or the like.
  • Taking advantage of the external computer's expanded user interface can simplify certain data-entry tasks for the user, such as entering characteristics of the user's clubs (e.g., available irons, available woods, and associated face or loft angles), ball data, the user's distance performance characteristics (i.e., how far he or she hits the ball) for each club in the user's set, the one or more hitter abilities that best reflects their hitting ability, and data regarding course layout for a selected golf course.
  • Club data e.g., loft angles and default distances for the average user of such clubs
  • ball data, and course layout are preferably made available by the club or ball manufacturers or seller or golf courses for downloading by the user.
  • the user enters several custom distances for each club by swing speed (or suitable approximation, such as hard swing, medium swing, soft swing) so that a swing speed profile can be constructed for each club.
  • This data can be obtained by the user hitting balls at a driving range and noting the club used, speed of swing, and length of hit.
  • the computer may execute a software program to query the user about his or her golf experience in order to deduce or estimate the user's distance data for various clubs. For example, data about the user's gender, height, weight, golf experience, handicap, etc. can be used to adjust default club-distance values.
  • Other sensors may optionally be a part of the device 50 or connectable to the device 50.
  • Such other sensors include an inclinometer (i.e., tilt sensor), temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an altimeter, an anemometer, a compass, and a barometer, for example.
  • the processor 410 can calculate the density of air or other parameters affecting a golf ball's flight.
  • the device 50 may also optionally include or be able to communicate with a GPS receiver 470, which can determine the location of the device in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude.
  • a GPS receiver 470 can determine the location of the device in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude.
  • device 50 and/or GPS receiver 470 may include an altimeter to provide altitude readings.
  • the device 50 can compute line-of-sight distance and inclination without utilizing the rangefinder 54 or other sensors.
  • the club selection and swing speed suggestion algorithms described herein can operate on such data, whether obtained from a GPS receiver, a rangefinder and inclinometer, or otherwise.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 that may be preformed by or with the aid of the device 50, according to one embodiment.
  • the method 500 determines (510) a line-of-sight (LOS) distance between the golfer (more particularly the device 50) and the target. This step is preferably performed using the rangefinder 54, but it may be performed in other ways. For example, using the GPS receiver 470 to determine the golfer's current location and accessing target position data, which may be supplied by the golf course, a processor can calculate a distance between those two points in space. As another example, a golfer with an electronic device can estimate the distance to the target or observe printed distance markers on the golf course and enter that distance in the electronic device, which can perform the method 500.
  • the method 500 also determines (520) an inclination to the target with respect to the golfer or the device 50. This is preferably performed by a inclinometer that is part of the device 50 and is preferably performed at the time of distance LOS ranging.
  • the method 500 computes (530) an adjusted distance based on the LOS distance and the inclination.
  • the adjusted distance may be an equivalent horizontal range.
  • diagram 600 illustrates the pin or hole 605 located on a hill 610.
  • the trajectory curve 620, angle, and hill 610 are greatly exaggerated and not to scale.
  • the pin 605 is elevated above the golfer (represented by the intersection of the x- axis and y-axis) at an angle of inclination of theta, ⁇ .
  • method 500 determines (510) the LOS distance 615 between the golfer and the pin 605 and determines (520) an inclination theta, ⁇ , to the pin 605 with respect to the golfer.
  • a trajectory 620 of a golf ball depends on many factors, including the drag generated by the dimples on the ball, the spin rate of the ball, the terminal velocity of the ball, the wind force, the launch velocity, and ball bounce and roll on inclined planes.
  • An equivalent horizontal range 625 helps the golfer determine the range at which the golfer should aim in order to reach a pin 605. For example, although the pin 605 is located a horizontal distance 630 from the golfer, for example 120 yards, the ball would fall short of pin 605 if the golfer hit the ball expecting it to travel 120 yards.
  • the equivalent horizontal range 625 for example 130 yards, may be calculated. Armed with the equivalent horizontal range 625, the golfer can hit the ball as though the pin 605 was 130 yards away on level ground. In addition, a predicted roll and bounce of the ball may be factored in.
  • the equivalent horizontal range 625 is a function of the LOS distance and the angle of inclination, or /(LOS, ⁇ ).
  • the trajectory 620 may be defined by a polynomial equation or set of polynomial equations that can be solved to determine the equivalent horizontal range 625 based on the LOS distance, the angle of inclination, and other factors.
  • knowing the LOS distance 615 and angle of inclination, ⁇ , the elevation of the pin 605 above ground (e.g., the x- axis) may be calculated.
  • the curve and its polynomial equation may be solved to ensure that at the time the ball intersects with the pin 605, it has an elevation equal to the elevation calculated using the LOS distance 615 and angle of inclination, ⁇ .
  • An imaginary trajectory 620 can then be extended through the hill 610 to a point horizontally located from the golfer (e.g., where the ball would intersect the x-axis but for the hill 610).
  • the equivalent horizontal range 625 can then be calculated as the horizontal distance between the golfer and the imaginary point at which the ball intersected the x-axis.
  • the equivalent horizontal range 625 may be a function of an initial velocity of a golf ball, an altitude of the golfer above sea level, a barometric pressure, an ambient temperature, a relative humidity, and possibly other factors.
  • the adjusted distance may be a true distance analogous to
  • TRUE BALLISTIC RANGETM which is an equivalent horizontal range that takes into account inclination, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/555,591, entitled “Ballistic Ranging Methods and Systems for Inclined Shooting,” filed November 1, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
  • the principles disclosed in that application can be applied to golf ball flight trajectories, the primary differences being in the aerodynamics of a golf ball as compared to a bullet, the dependence of takeoff direction on the club used (higher numbered clubs resulting in a steeper take-off direction, and lower numbered clubs resulting in a more level take-off direction), and the dependence of initial ball velocity on swing speed.
  • the processor 410 or other suitable processor can determine a number of different calculated shot positions using the equations and principles set forth above and in the above-referenced application and then choose the most appropriate combination or a few of the most appropriate combinations at steps 550 and 560 and display them at step 570. Iterative techniques can be applied to fine tune the swing speed to a more precise value for a given club. When there are multiple appropriate combinations, the displaying step 570 may cycle sequentially through the combinations of recommended club selection and corresponding swing speed for each club or display some or all of them simultaneously to the extent the display 100 has the space and capability to do so. [0041] Other methods of calculating an adjusted distance are taught in the prior art.
  • the method 500 accesses (540) the player's club-distance data, which may be default values, custom values, values based on the hitter ability, or some combination of these.
  • the method 500 may also determine a type of golf ball to use for the shot. Different golf balls have different flight or ballistic characteristics. Some balls are designed for maximum carry, others for shorter distances with more predictable flight. Thus, the club-distance data accessed at step 540 may be club- ball-distance data. Ball type is another variable that can be chosen and suggested to the golfer. In this case, the method 500 performs an additional step (not shown) to select a club. This may be performed, for example, by calculating final ball positions based on trajectory calculations for a number of different ball-club-swing speed combinations and choosing the closest one or closest few.
  • the method 500 may calculate and/or recommend only a club, both a club and a swing speed, both a club and ball type, all three, or any other combination of the three.
  • the swing speed determining step 560 is optional.
  • the method 500 may select (550), based on the hitter ability, the determined LOS distance, the adjusted distance, and/or the club-distance data, one or more recommended clubs. This may involve the additional steps (not shown) of selecting the hitter ability from multiple different hitter ability groups, for example a pro, men's, senior men's, women's, and senior women's hitter ability, and scaling the data concerning the hitting distances associated with the golf clubs by a factor based on the hitter ability.
  • the displaying step 570 may display other information, such as the LOS distance, the true distance, and other measured variables.
  • the temperature display 190 can alternately display inclination angle for a period of time, say, for example, about five seconds, before reverting to a temperature readout.
  • the device 50 may have additional capabilities, and the method 500 may perform other functions, not necessarily illustrated in the drawings.
  • the device 50 can include a handicap tracker and can display the player's handicap 190, as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the device may have a capability to count strokes by hole or by round, such as by activation of a button after each stroke, and update a cumulative score for the round with respect to par.
  • the device 50 can be used to range to the golf ball after the shot is completed. This can provide immediate feedback to the player regarding hitting distance. This measured range can also be used to supplement the player's club-distance database. Entries in this database can be time-stamped. When enough data is accumulated in the database, it better represents the user's abilities. If the data is time-stamped and sufficiently copious, then the accessing step 540 can filter the data, such as by a exponentially weighted window over time so as to give greater weight to more recent data. If compass bearing and inclination are also measured at the time of ranging to the hit ball, then the location of the hit ball can be calculated. This location can be displayed on a map to provide a graphical depiction of the user's play for a particular hole or an entire round. This calculated location can also be used to determine a range to the next target.
  • the algorithms for operating the methods and systems illustrated and described herein can exist in a variety of forms both active and inactive. For example, they can exist as one or more software or firmware programs comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats. Any of the above can be embodied on a computer-readable medium, which include storage devices and signals, in compressed or uncompressed form. Exemplary computer-readable storage devices include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), flash memory and magnetic or optical disks or tapes.
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read only memory
  • EPROM erasable, programmable ROM
  • EEPROM electrically erasable, programmable ROM
  • flash memory magnetic or optical disks or tapes.
  • Exemplary computer-readable signals are signals that a computer system hosting or running a computer program can be configured to access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other networks.
  • Concrete examples of the foregoing include distribution of software on a CD ROM or via Internet download.
  • the Internet itself, as an abstract entity, is a computer-readable medium. The same is true of computer networks in general.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif (50) comprenant un télémètre (54), une mémoire (420), un afficheur (100), et un processeur (410). Le télémètre (54) est capable de mesurer une distance (615) entre l'utilisateur et une cible (605) sur un parcours. La mémoire (420) sert à stocker les données concernant une pluralité de clubs, notamment la distance de frappe de chacun de clubs de golf. Le processeur (410), qui est raccordé au télémètre (54), à la mémoire (420) et à l'afficheur (100), est configuré pour sélectionner, à partir de la distance mesurée (615), un club de golf recommandé, et pour déterminer une vitesse de swing recommandée avec laquelle le golfeur doit frapper la balle à l'aide du club recommandé. Le processeur (410) est en outre configuré pour indiquer (140, 150) le club de golf et de la vitesse de swing recommandés sur l'afficheur. Dans un autre variante ou additionnellement, ce dispositif (50) peut comprendre un inclinomètre et calculer la distance rectifiée à partir de l'inclinaison et de la distance (615), et sélectionner le club de golf recommandé à partir de la distance rectifiée.
PCT/US2007/003461 2006-02-09 2007-02-09 Dispositifs et procédés de télémétrie pour le golf WO2007095081A1 (fr)

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