Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
  • A63B24/0003—Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
  • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
• • 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
  • A63B69/3691—Golf courses; Golf practising terrains having a plurality of driving areas, fairways, greens
  • A63B69/3694—Golf courses; Golf practising terrains having a plurality of driving areas, fairways, greens for driving only
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
  • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
  • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• • 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
  • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
  • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
  • G01S13/50—Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
  • G01S13/58—Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• • 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
  • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
  • G01S13/86—Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
  • G01S13/867—Combination of radar systems with cameras
• • 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
  • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
  • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
  • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
  • A63B2024/0028—Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
  • A63B2024/0031—Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch at the starting point
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
  • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
  • A63B2024/0028—Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
  • A63B2024/0034—Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch during flight
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
  • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
  • A63B2024/0037—Tracking a path or terminating locations on a target surface or at impact on the ground
  • A63B2024/004—Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
  • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
  • A63B2071/0658—Position or arrangement of display
• • 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
  • A63B2220/10—Positions
• • 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
  • A63B2220/30—Speed
• • 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
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/805—Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• • 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
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/806—Video cameras
• • 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
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/808—Microphones
• • 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
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/89—Field sensors, e.g. radar systems

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to the field of tracking golf balls, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems for using a plurality of sensors to facilitate the depiction of that path on a display.
• the a driving range includes a golf ball, a golf club, a hitting station, a range surface, a plurality of sensors, a computer, and a display.
• Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect at least one parameter related to the golf swing or flight path of the golf ball.
• each sensor in the plurality of sensors is connected to the computer.
• the computer includes a processor and a database.
• the database is configured to store parameters related to the hitting station, each of the sensors in the plurality of sensors, the range surface, and the golf club.
• the database is configured to store the parameters detected by each of the sensors in the plurality of the sensors.
• the data base is configured to store rules and methods that can be used to determine which sensor's parameters should be used to depict the golf swing and the flight path on the display. All parameters and rules stored in the database are stored in a manner that allows them to be retrieved and processed as needed by the processor.
• FIG. 1 shows a back perspective view of a first embodiment of a multiple sensor tracking system at a driving range.
• FIG.2 shows an overhead view of a first embodiment of a multiple sensor tracking system at a driving range.
• FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of a second embodiment of a multiple sensor tracking system at a driving range.
• FIG. 4 shows an overhead view of a second embodiment of a multiple sensor tracking system with a plurality of a hitting stations.
• FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method of determining which parameters should be used to depict a travel path.
• FIG. 6 is a chart showing the possible scenarios and results from using the method depicted in FIG. 5.
• FIG.l shows a driving range 10 that includes at least one hitting station 100, at least one golf ball 110, at least one golf club 120, and a range surface 200.
• the hitting station 100 is positioned at one end of the range surface 200. It will be understood that a player 300 standing in the hitting station 100 may swing the golf club 120 to hit the golf ball 110 over and onto the range surface 200.
• FIG. 2 shown therein is the path that the golf ball 110 travels from the point of impact with the golf clu b 120 (referred to as the origination point 160) to the point that the golf ball 110 initially impacts the range surface 200 (referred to as the impact point 170).
• the path the golf ball 110 travel from the origination point 160 to the impact point 170 is referred to as the flight path 130.
• the path that the golf ball 110 travels from the impact point 170 to the point it comes to rest on the range surface 200 (referred to as the resting point 180) is referred to as the ground path 140 .
• the total travel path 150 refers to the complete path that the golf ball 110 travels after the origination point 150 to the resting point 180, and is equivalent to the combination of the flight path 130 and the ground path 140.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, therein depicted is a preferred embodiment of a multiple sensor tracking system specially configured to track the total travel path 150 of the golf balls 110 used at a driving range 10 and to display that total travel path 150 to the player 300.
• the multiple sensor tracking system preferably includes a plurality of sensors 410, 420, and 430, a display 450, and a computer having a processor and a database.
• Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to record certain parameters about the total travel path 150.
• Such parameters may include, without any limitation, the detection of the moment of impact, the origination point 150, the launch angle of the flight path 130, side spin of the golf ball 110, vertical spin of the golf ball 110, initial location of the golf ball 110, the impact point 160, speed/velocity of the golf ball 100 on the flight path 130, the three-dimensional coordinates of the flight path 130, the three- dimensional coordinates of the ground path 140, and the resting point 180.
• certain sensors may be configured to detect other parameters related to the golf swing of the player 300, including but not limited to the club path and the club speed/velocity.
• infrared beam sensors are numerous types, including for example and without limitation, infrared beam sensors, radar sensors, pressure sensors, sound sensors, laser sensors, and cameras (both infrared and visible light). It will be further understood that certain sensors are capable of detecting a subset of the total parameters available about the total travel path 150. For example, infrared beam sensors are particularly well-suited for detecting the moment of impact, but are not able to detect or otherwise determine the side spin of the golf ball 110, the impact point 170, or other similar parameters.
• radar sensors are particularly well suited to detect the side spin and vertical spin of the golf ball 110 on the initial flight path 130, as well as the club path and club head speed, but unable to determine parameters associated with the ground path 140.
• each sensor type In addition to being configured to detect certain parameters, each sensor type also has a field of detection.
• the field of detection is the general area in front of the sensor from which the sensor can detect parameters. It will be understood that the field of detection can be adjusted for each sensor type, but may be restrained by the particular technology used to detect parameters.
• the position of each sensor may affect its field of detection. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a sensor 410 positioned in the back of a hitting station 100, with a field of detection 411. In such a position the sensor's 410 view of the flight path 130 can be obscured by the golfer, or the divisions between each of the hitting stations 100. Such obstructions often adversely impact a sensor's ability to detect parameters.
• a key improvement of the invention is the placement of other sensors in the plurality of sensors such that their respective fields of detection 411, 421, and 431 are not similarly obstructed. It will be therefore understood that such placements can thereby ensure a high probability that the combined fields of detection 411, 421, and 431 provide for an uninterrupted view of the total travel path (150).
• the fields of detection 411, 421 and 431 for each of the sensors 410, 420 and 430 respectively are shown to overlap, yet cover different areas where the golf ball 110 might travel on the total travel path 150.
• FIG. 2 depicts one such preferred embodiment.
• a driving range 10 may include a plurality of hitting stations 100 arranged in a curve around an end of the range surface 200, as depicted in FIG. 4.
• a first-type sensor 410 is positioned at the back of each of the hitting stations 100.
• the first-type sensor 410 uses radar to detect club path, club face angle, launch angle, side spin, vertical spin and initial velocity.
• a second-type sensor 430 is positioned at another end of the range surface 200, and is generally positioned to face a plurality of hitting stations 110, as shown in FIG. 4.
• the second-type sensor 430 has a narrower field of detection 431 and is thus used to detect parameters related to the ground path 140.
• the second-type sensor uses narrow-angle cameras to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the ground path 140 and the speed/velocity of the golf ball 110. It will be understood that while only one sensor 430 is depicted in this embodiment, several second-type sensors 430 could be used in combination to detect parameters for ground paths 150 that occur in different places on the range surface 200.
• two third-type sensors 430 are positioned at opposite ends of the plurality of hitting stations 100.
• the third-type sensors are configured to face inwards towards the range surface 200 and have overlapping fields of detection 421.
• Such overlapping fields of detections 421 are either necessary for certain types of sensors, or can be optionally employed to improve the accuracy of the detected parameters.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 depicted therein are alternate preferred embodiments of the multiple- sensor tracking system wherein the first-type sensors 410 of the first preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been replaced with a fourth-type sensor 460.
• the fourth-type sensor 460 is configured to be a simple infrared directional trip sensor.
• Such sensor 460 includes a beam emitter and a beam detector positioned on opposite sides of the hitting station 100.
• the beam emitted of sensor 460 sends an infrared light beam to the other side of the hitting station 100 where it is detected by the beam detector.
• the database of the computer stores all parameters necessary for the multiple-sensor tracking system, which may include the size, shape and location of the hitting station, the location of each of the sensors in the plurality of sensors, the parameters that each of the sensors in the plurality of sensors can detect, the location and boundaries of the range surface 200, and the number, expected distance and trajectory of shots hit with the selected golf clu b 120. Such parameters are retrieved by the processor as needed to operate the multiple-sensor tracking system.
• the multiple-sensor tracking system is able to capture certain desired parameters of the total travel path 150. Because the sensors 410, 420 and 430 may detect the same parameters, a method is necessary to determine which parameters should be chosen to depict the total travel path 150 on the display 450. FIG. 5 depicts a method for making such determinations.
• step 500 The method of FIG. 5 begins in step 500 when the golf ball 110 is struck by the golf club 120.
• the moment of impact is potentially detected by sensor 410 in step 504 (or alternatively by sensor 460 as described above). If sensor 410 detects the moment of impact, processing is transferred to step 506.
• step 506 the computer uses the launch angle, initial velocity and origination position to estimate three- dimensional coordinates of the flight path 130 and an estimated impact point 170. In the first preferred embodiment, the launch angle, initial velocity and origination position are all parameters that can be detected by sensor 410. Processing is then passed to step 508.
• step 508 The purpose of step 508 is to determine if the sensors 420 have detected a golf shot that corresponds to the golf shot that was detected by the sensor 410 from step 504. This is done by comparing the estimated three-dimensional parameters from step 506 with the actual three-dimensional parameters detected by the sensors 420. It will be understood that in the typical driving range 10 there may be several different golf shots being tracked at any given time, such as those depicted in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment, sensors 420 may detect actual three-dimensional parameters for many if not each flight path 130 associated with each such golf shot. Accordingly, in step 508, the computer first collects the actual three-dimensional parameters associated with each flight path 130 that was detected by sensors 420 during the time window when sensor 410 captured the parameters that were processed in step 506.
• the particular duration of the time window may depend on the types of sensors used, the weather conditions, the particular arrangement of the plurality of the hitting stations 100 on the driving range 10, the size and shape of the range surface, the positioning of the plurality of sensors, or any other condition that might effect the amount of time that a golf ball 110 could be expected to travel in each of the respective fields of detection 411, 421, 431.
• the computer After capturing the actual three-dimensional parameters of the flight path 130 for the appropriate time window, the computer then compares such actual three-dimensional parameters for each flight path 130 with the estimated three-dimensional coordinates of flight path 130 and determines if any of the actual three-dimensional parameters correspond to the estimated three-dimensional parameters.
• the computer can calculate an estimated origination position 160 by extrapolating the three-dimensional parameters of the flight path 130 backwards.
• the estimated origination positions 160 (and actual origination positions 160 detected by the sensors 420 to the extent they exist) for each of the flight paths 130 are then compared to the actual origination position 160 detected by the sensor 410. If a corresponding actual/estimated origination position 160 detected by sensors 420 is found for the actual origination position 160 detected by sensor 410 is found, then processing proceeds to step 510. If no corresponding actual/estimated origination position 160 is detected by sensors 420, then processing proceeds to step 514.
• step 514 the flight path 130 is depicted on the display 450 using the three-dimensional parameters detected by sensor 420.
• the flight path 130 is depicted on the display 450 using the three-dimensional parameters detected by sensor 410, or where sensor 410 did not detect three- dimensional parameters for the entire flight path 130, the computer will estimate any missing three- dimensional parameters by extrapolating the detected three-dimensional parameters along a parabolic curve.
• step 516 Processing is then transferred to step 516 wherein sensor 430 potentially detects parameters associated with the ground path 140 of the golf ball 120. If sensor 430 detects parameters associated with the ground path 140, then in step 520, the total travel path 150 is depicted as continuing from the depicted flight path 130 using the parameters for the ground path 140 detected by sensor 430. It will be understood that in a typical driving range 10, sensor 430 may detect parameters for the ground path 140 of many different golf shots (as shown in FIG. 4). Accordingly, in step 516 the computer will attempt to align the parameters for the ground path 140 with the corresponding flight path 130. This is accomplished by taking the three-dimensional parameters used to depict the flight path 130 and calculating an estimated impact point 170. If sensor 430 detects parameters for the ground path 140 that correspond to the estimated point of impact, then processing proceeds to step 520. If sensor 430 does not detect parameters that correspond to the estimated impact point 170, then processing proceeds to step 518.
• step 518 the computer calculates parameters for the ground path 140 and depicts that ground path 130 on the display 450. This calculation is done by using the parameters used to depict the flight path 130, which may include an actual/estimated speed/velocity and direction as well as parameters that describe the effect of the friction between the range surface 200 and the golf ball 130.
• step 520 the ground path 130 is depicted on the display 450 using the actual parameters for the ground path 130 that were detected by sensor 430.
• step 504 If sensor 410 fails to detect the moment of impact in step 504, then processing moves to step 512 wherein sensor 420 potentially detects parameters associated with the flight path 130. If sensor 410 fails to detect the moment of impact, but sensor 420 detects parameters associated with the flight path 130, then processing is transferred to step 514. If sensor 410 fails to detect the moment of impact and sensor 420 fails to detect any parameters associated with the flight path 130, then processing returns back to step 500.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
• Golf Clubs (AREA)
• Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Controlling Rewinding, Feeding, Winding, Or Abnormalities Of Webs (AREA)
• Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)

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Citations (6)

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• 2014
  • 2014-09-02 EP EP14901129.8A patent/EP3188810A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-09-02 CN CN201480083141.2A patent/CN107073325B/zh active Active
  • 2014-09-02 CA CA2959499A patent/CA2959499C/en active Active
  • 2014-09-02 BR BR112017004213A patent/BR112017004213A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2014-09-02 AU AU2014405613A patent/AU2014405613A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-09-02 MX MX2017002677A patent/MX2017002677A/es unknown
  • 2014-09-02 WO PCT/US2014/053728 patent/WO2016036351A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-09-02 KR KR1020177008798A patent/KR102353481B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-09-02 JP JP2017512999A patent/JP6526799B2/ja active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-05-04 AU AU2021202781A patent/AU2021202781A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2023
  • 2023-07-04 AU AU2023204292A patent/AU2023204292A1/en active Pending

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