U.S. patent application number 09/920529 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for system and method for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game.
Invention is credited to Boscha, Bogie.
Application Number | 20020173365 09/920529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25329293 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020173365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boscha, Bogie |
November 21, 2002 |
System and method for controlling conditions in putting as a part
of a golf game
Abstract
The invention relates to system and method for measuring speed
of a golf ball in putting as a part of a golf game, as well as
other characteristics of the game. The system consists of a group
of optical light emitting and receiving devices built into the
putter head and exposed to the light reflected from the golf ball
during rolling on the putter green. The putter head also contains
force sensor for measuring a force applied from the club head to
the golf ball and a gyro sensor which measures angular deviation of
the actual direction of hit from a reference direction which has
been preliminarily entered into the system. A microprocessor that
receives and processed the information from the optical, force, and
gyro components is built into the putter grip. The latter also
contains a IR receiving/transmitting device which transmits the
processed data to a remotely located microprocessor and display.
The method and system of the invention are based on a principle of
measuring the speed of rolling of the golf ball by measuring the
number of revolutions of the ball during rolling. For this purpose
the ball is provided with at least one equatorial mark detectable
by the light receiving optical sensors. The ball is irradiated by
the light emitted from the aforementioned light emitting devices,
and each revolution of the ball is sensed as a light signal
produced by the light reflected from the equatorial mark of the
ball. The system produced a modulated light signal having a
frequency of modulation corresponding to the frequency of rotation
of the ball during rolling. The results of measurements of the
angles and speed can be selectively shown to the golfer in a real
time of the game.
Inventors: |
Boscha, Bogie; (Metuchen,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bogie Boscha
101 Hillside Avenue
Metuchen
NJ
08840
US
|
Family ID: |
25329293 |
Appl. No.: |
09/920529 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09920529 |
Aug 1, 2001 |
|
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09858829 |
May 17, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/362 20200801;
A63B 69/3632 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2220/40
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/131 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
1. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a
golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the
surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising: a golf ball
and a golf club having a club head, a club grip, a shaft
interconnecting said club head and a club grip; light emitting
means for emitting light from said club head toward said golf ball
during the game; light receiving means capable of receiving light
reflected from said golf ball; marking means on said golf ball
capable of producing light signals on said light receiving means
corresponding to a number of revolutions of said golf ball during
rolling thereof over said surface; a gyro sensor means built into
said club head for determining the angular direction of impact
transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;
a microprocessor built into said golf club and capable of receiving
and processing signals transmitted thereto from said light
receiving means and said gyro sensor means; first signal
receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for
receiving signals from said microprocessor; and a remote data
processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said
golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received
from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said marking means comprises at
least one mark formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible
by said light receiving means.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said light emitting means
comprises at least one laser diode.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein said first signal
receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal
receiver/transmitter.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein said club head has a flat face on
the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said
light emitting means and said light receiving means are built into
said golf club and exposed through said face towards said golf
ball.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
7. The system of claim 4, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote data processing and
displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a
laptop and a palm top.
9. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a
golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the
surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising: a golf ball
and a putter having a putter head, a putter grip, a shaft
interconnecting said putter club head and a putter grip, said golf
ball having means for selectively reflecting signals sent to said
golf ball; signal emitting means for emitting signals from said
putter head toward said golf ball during the game; signal receiving
means capable of receiving signals reflected from said golf ball,
said signals selectively reflected from said golf ball
corresponding to a number of revolutions of said golf ball during
rolling thereof over said surface; a gyro sensor means built into
said club head for determining the angular direction of impact
transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;
a microprocessor built into said golf club and capable of receiving
and processing signals transmitted thereto from said signal
receiving means and said gyro sensor means; first signal
receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for
receiving signals from said microprocessor; and a remote data
processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said
golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received
from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said signal transmitting means
comprises light emitting means and said means for selectively
reflecting signals from said golf ball comprises at least one mark
formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible by said light
emitting means.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said light emitting means
comprises at least one laser diode.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein said first signal
receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal
receiver/transmitter.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein said putter head has a flat face
on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said
signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built
into said putter head and exposed through said face towards said
golf ball.
14. The system of claim 9, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
15. The system of claim 13, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein said remote data processing and
displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a
laptop and a palm top.
17. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a
golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the
surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising: a golf ball
and a golf club having a club head, a club grip, a shaft
interconnecting said club head and a club grip; light receiving
means capable of receiving light reflected from said golf ball; a
gyro sensor means built into said club head for determining the
angular direction of impact transmitted from said club head to said
golf ball during said game; a microprocessor built into said golf
club and capable of receiving and processing signals transmitted
thereto from said light receiving means and said gyro sensor means;
first signal receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf
club for receiving signals from said microprocessor; and a remote
data processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from
said golf club and has means for processing and displaying data
received from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a force sensor
rigidly connected to said golf club for measuring a force with
which said golf club hits said golf ball.
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising with a signal
transmitting means for transmitting signal from said club head
toward said golf club, said golf ball having marking means which
can be sensed by said signal receiving means.
20. The system of claim 18, further comprising with a signal
transmitting means for transmitting signal from said club head
toward said golf club, said golf ball having marking means which
can be sensed by said signal receiving means, said forced sensor,
signal receiving means, said gyro sensor means, and said first
signal receiving/transmitting means being connected to said
microprocessor.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein said marking means comprises at
least one mark formed on said golf ball and sensible by said signal
receiving means.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein said marking means comprises at
least one mark formed on said golf ball and sensible by said signal
receiving means.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said signal emitting means
comprises at least one laser diode.
24. The system of claim 17, wherein said first signal
receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal
receiver/transmitter.
25. The system of claim 17, wherein said club head has a flat face
on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said
signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built
into said golf club and exposed through said face towards said golf
ball.
26. The system of claim 22, wherein said club head has a flat face
on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said
signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built
into said golf club and exposed through said face towards said golf
ball.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein said signal emitting means
comprises at least one laser diode.
28. The system of claim 17, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
29. The system of claim 27, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
30. The system of claim 17, wherein said remote data processing and
displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a
laptop and a palm top.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein said remote data processing and
displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a
laptop and a palm top.
32.A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a
golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the
surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising: a golf ball
and a putter having a putter head, a putter grip, a shaft
interconnecting said putter club head and a putter grip, said golf
ball having means for selectively reflecting signals sent to said
golf ball; light emitting means for emitting signals from said
putter head toward said golf ball during the game; light receiving
means capable of receiving light signals reflected from said golf
ball, said light signals selectively reflected from said golf ball
corresponding to a number of revolutions of said golf ball during
rolling thereof over said surface; a gyro sensor means built into
said club head for determining the angular direction of impact
transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;
at least one force sensor for measuring a force applied from said
putter head to said ball during hit; a microprocessor built into
said golf club and capable of receiving and processing signals
transmitted thereto from said light signal receiving means, said
gyro sensor means, and said force sensor; first signal
receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for
receiving signals from said microprocessor; and a remote data
processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said
golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received
from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein said light transmitting means
comprises light emitting means and said means for selectively
reflecting signals from said golf ball comprises at least one mark
formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible by said light
emitting means.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein said light emitting means
comprises at least one laser diode.
35. The system of claim 32, wherein said first signal
receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal
receiver/transmitter.
36. The system of claim 32, wherein said putter head has a flat
face on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and
said signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are
built into said putter head and exposed through said face towards
said golf ball.
37. The system of claim 32, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
38. The system of claim 36, further comprising second signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing
and displaying unit.
39. The system of claim 32, wherein said remote data processing and
displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a
laptop and a palm top.
40.A method for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a
golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball to a selected hole
by rolling over the surface of a golf field, comprising: providing
a system that comprises: a golf ball with means for reflecting
selected signals; a golf putter with signal transmitting means and
signal receiving means; a microprocessor capable of receiving and
processing signals obtained from said signal receiving means, and
first signal receiving/transmitting means; and a signal processing
and displaying means having second signal receiving/transmitting
means; sending signals from said signal transmitting means toward
said golf ball; hitting said golf ball with said putter for
accomplishing said putting by rolling said golf ball toward said
selected hole; receiving at said signal receiving means said
selected signals reflected from said golf ball by said means for
reflecting selected signals; generating on said signal receiving
means a first output signal corresponding to number of revolutions
of said golf ball during said rolling; transmitting said first
output signal to said microprocessor; processing said first output
signal in said microprocessor and generating on said microprocessor
a second output signal with information about said number of
revolutions; sending said second output signal to said first signal
receiving/transmitting means; processing said second output signal
in said first signal receiving/transmitting means, and transmitting
thereof to said second signal receiving/transmitting means;
processing signals received by said second signal
receiving/transmitting means in said data processing and displaying
means for generating a displayable output signal with information
about said number of revolutions; and displaying said displayable
output signal on said data processing and displaying means.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:
additionally providing said golf putter with a at least one force
sensor and at least one gyro sensor for measuring a force applied
to said golf ball from said golf putter and a direction of hit by
said golf putter on said golf ball; measuring said force with said
force sensor and said direction of hit with said gyro sensor and
producing on said gyro sensor an output signal with information
about said force and said angle; sending said output signal with
information about said force and said angle of hit to said
microprocessor; processing said output signal with information
about said force and said angle of hit in said microprocessor and
generating in said microprocessor a third output signal with
information about said force and said angle of hit; sending said
third output signal to said first signal receiving/transmitting
means; processing said third output signal in said first signal
receiving/transmitting means, and transmitting thereof to said
second signal receiving/transmitting means; processing signals with
information about said force and said angle of hit received by said
second signal receiving/transmitting means in said data processing
and displaying means for generating an additional displayable
output signal with information about said force and said angle of
hit; and displaying said additional displayable output signal on
said data processing and displaying means.
42. A method for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a
golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball to a selected hole
by rolling over the surface of a golf field, comprising: providing
a system that comprises: a golf ball with means for reflecting
selected signals; a golf putter with signal transmitting means,
signal receiving means, gyro sensor means for measuring an angle of
hit by said putter on said golf ball, a force sensor for measuring
a force applied from said golf putter to said golf ball at the
moment of said hit, a microprocessor capable of receiving and
processing signals obtained from said gyro sensor means, said force
sensor, and from said signal receiving means; a first signal
receiving/transmitting means located in said golf putter; and a
signal processing and displaying means having second signal
receiving/transmitting means; sending signals from said signal
transmitting means toward said golf ball; hitting said golf ball
with said putter for accomplishing said putting by rolling said
golf ball toward said selected hole; measuring said force applied
from said golf putter to said golf ball and sending the results of
measurement to said microprocessor; receiving at said signal
receiving means said selected signals reflected from said golf ball
by said means for reflecting selected signals; generating on said
signal receiving means a first output signal corresponding to
number of revolutions of said golf ball during said rolling;
generating on said gyro sensor means a second output signal
corresponding to said angle of hit; transmitting said first output
signal and said second output signal to said microprocessor;
processing said results of measurement of said force, said first
output signal, and said second output signal in said microprocessor
and generating on said microprocessor a third output signal with
information about said force and said number of revolutions and a
fourth output signal about said angle of hit; sending said third
output signal and said fourth output signal to said first signal
receiving/transmitting means; processing said third output signal
and said fourth output signal in said first signal
receiving/transmitting means, and transmitting them to said second
signal receiving/transmitting means; processing signals received by
said second signal receiving/transmitting means in said data
processing and displaying means for generating a first displayable
output signal, with information about said force and said number of
revolutions, and a second displayable signal with information about
said angle of hit; and displaying said first displayable output
signal and said second displayable output signal on said data
processing and displaying means.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein means for reflecting selected
signals comprises at least one mark formed on the equator of said
golf ball and sensible by said light receiving means.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein said signal transmitting means
comprises at least one laser diode.
45. The system of claim 44, wherein said first signal
receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal
receiver/transmitter.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein said second displayable signal
is displayed In the form of a first image which contains concentric
circles with the center of the circles corresponding to the center
of said selected hole with a black mark corresponding to an actual
direction of said hit and wherein said additional displayable
signal is displayed in the form of a range of speeds of said golf
ball required for putting said ball into said selected hole, said
range being shown as a first mark that corresponds to a minimal
speed and a second mark that corresponds to a maximal speed.
47. The method of claim 46, further provided with a step of
indicating change in speed of said golf ball versus time during
said rolling.
48. The method of claim 45, wherein said first displayable signal
and said second displayable signal are shown as a three-dimensional
picture which shows a part of said surface, said selected hole, and
a position of said golf ball after said hit.
49. The method of claim 45, wherein said putter has a putter head
with a face on a side facing said golf ball, said gyro sensor means
are two gyro sensors, said second displayable signal being shown in
digital and graphic forms of angles of tilt of said face in a
vertical plane and a horizontal plane.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of my previous
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/858,829 filed on May 17, 2001
and now pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of golf and, in
particular, a system and method for measuring speed of a golf ball
in putting as a part of a golf game, as well as other
characteristics of the game. More specifically, the invention
relates to a system based on the use of sensors and a
receiver/transmitter unit built into the head of a putter and
capable of sensing a signal reflected from a golf ball.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world for
people of all ages and skill levels. According to the definition
from Encyclopedia Britanica, the game consists of playing the ball
on a teeing ground and trying to put it into a hole by successive
strokes in accordance with the rules. The stipulated round consists
of 18 holes, and most golf courses have 18. Standard 18-hole
courses measure from 6500 to 7000 yards (5900 to 6400 meters). Some
courses have only nine holes; these are played twice in a
stipulated round. The clubs are designed for the various positions
in which the ball may come to rest and for the various distances to
the hole. The objective is to put the ball into the hole with
fewest strokes.
[0006] Golf balls have a maximum weight of 1.62 ounces (45.93
grams) and a minimum diameter of 1.68 inches (4.27
centimeters).
[0007] The golf clubs are different in length and suppleness of
shaft, weight, size and shape of head, the angle at which the shaft
ends and the head begins (the lie), and the angle of the face of
the club from the vertical (the loft). In the average, good golfers
set there are usually either three or four woods clubs and nine or
ten irons. No two clubs in a set are the same. The game consists
mainly of two stages. At first the golf ball is delivered as close
to the nearest hole as possible with a powerful stroke or swing
that hits the ball with a club of the type having an inclined face
of the club head for delivering the ball to putting green along a
ballistic trajectory. The golf ball is then delivered to the hole
with minimal number of strokes by hitting the ball with a putter
that has a flat surface on the head which is perpendicular to the
surface of the putting green during the hit. At this stage of the
game the ball is rolled over the surface of the putting green.
[0008] An apparatus for measuring dynamic characteristics of golf
game and method for assessment and analysis of hits and movements
in the aforementioned first stage of the game are described in my
previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/858,829 filed on May
17, 2001, now pending.
[0009] The apparatus of my aforementioned previous invention
consists of three active electronic force sensors built into the
head of the club head, a main electronic unit built into the shaft
or grip of the club and electrically connected to the sensors
within the club, and a remotely located data acquisition,
processing and displaying unit connected with the electronic units
within the club via an IR or RF transmitter which is a part of the
main electronic unit. A first force sensor measures a force in the
direction perpendicular to the front face of the club head (axis
X'). The second sensor measures a force in the direction
perpendicular to axis X' in the plane of the club head face which
either contains the longitudinal axis of the shaft or is parallel
thereto (axis Y'). The third sensor the direction perpendicular to
the plane X'-Y'. The data collected during the game from the
aforementioned self-contained system makes it possible to conduct
complete dynamic analysis of swings and hit and correlate the
results of this analysis with actual movements of the ball. The
data and results of the analysis can be presented on the display of
the data acquisition and processing system in a simple graphical or
digital form convenient for observation and understanding by a
golfer.
[0010] However, the apparatus and method of my previous invention
relate to the first stage of the game in which the golf ball is hit
with a swing or stroke that ensures a ballistic trajectory of the
ball for delivering it to the point farthest from the point of heat
and nearest to the position of the nearest hole or cup. In other
words, the apparatus and method of our previous application are not
applicable for putting the ball by rolling to its final
destination, i.e., to the hole.
[0011] Heretofore many studies and analysis were dedicated to golf
putting. There exists many types of putters of specific geometry
for selecting the putter most suitable for specific physiological
features and playing habits of a golfer. The putter stroke involves
mainly the motion of the shoulder, and the arm and wrist motion is
very low. Angular displacement of the shoulder determines putter
head speed for a particular swing time. The distance of a putt
depends on putter head velocity at impact.
[0012] In contrast to wood and iron club swings, a golfer in a
putting situation does not typically strike the ball with the same
club velocity regardless of the length of the putt. Instead, the
golfer must adjust the velocity of the putting stroke while on the
green in order to compensate for the length of a particular putt.
Since the golfer must vary the velocity of the putting stroke for
every putt, it is considerably more difficult in the case of
putting for a golfer to develop a feel for a proper stroke.
Therefore the aforementioned variety of putter clubs is available
for selecting the club most suitable for specific conditions of
putting. It would therefore be desirable to have a device which a
golfer could use during a game situation in order to get a feel for
a proper putting stroke in advance of attempting to make a putt.
More particularly, it would be desirable for a golfer to have a
device which the golfer could use, immediately before attempting to
make a putt, in order to establish that the golfer is swinging the
putter with a velocity and with an angular swing that matches the
distance of the putt the golfer is attempting to make.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,583 issued in 1998 to Agulnek, et al.
describes an apparatus for determining a predicted distance that a
golf ball will travel when struck by a putter club head during a
putting swing. A first optical sensor is located in a first
position outside the putter for sensing when the putter club head
travels over the first position during the putting swing. A second
optical sensor is located in a second outside position for sensing
when the putter club head travels over the second position during
the putting swing. The second position is a predetermined distance
away from the first position. A timer, coupled to the first and
second optical sensors, is provided for generating a time
difference value representing a difference between a first time
when the putter club head travels over the first position during
the putting swing and a second time when the putter club head
travels over the second position during the putting swing. A
microprocessor is provided for determining the predicted distance
in accordance with the time difference value and the predetermined
distance. Means for communicating the predicted distance determined
by the microprocessor to a user are also provided. An actual
putting distance between the golf ball and a hole on the putting
green is estimated by a golfer. While the golf ball remains
positioned on the putting green, the golfer moves a putting club
head over a pair of sensors with a practice putting swing to
determine a predicted putting distance. Next, while the ball
remains on the putting green, the golfer compares the actual
putting distance with the predicted putting distance determined
using the sensors. If the actual putting distance and the predicted
putting distance are not within a predetermined threshold, then the
golfer continues to swing the putter club head over the sensors
until the actual putting distance and the predicted putting
distance determined using the sensors are within the predetermined
threshold. When the actual putting distance and the predicted
putting distance determined using the sensors are within the
predetermined threshold, the golfer then putts the golf ball toward
the hole.
[0014] A disadvantage of the aforementioned system consists in that
this system is a training bench rather than a system used in a real
golf course. The parameters of the swing in putting are controlled
by two external optical sensors which detect the moments when the
golf club overlaps the path of light sensed by the sensors. In
other words, the system of the aforementioned patent does not
reproduce conditions of real game.
[0015] Many golfers, in spite of practice, remain inconsistent in
their putting game. A common mistake some of the golfers make in
their putting game is to strike the golf ball with the head of the
putter while the velocity of the putter head is decelerating rather
than accelerating. This deceleration generally results in uneven
putting strokes because difficult to control such factors as the
inconsistency in speed and the amount of initial acceleration and
subsequent deceleration of the putting head.
[0016] A better method of putting is termed accelerated putting. In
accelerated putting the ball is struck while the velocity of the
putter head is increasing, i.e., the putter head is accelerating.
In this type of putting the golfer is required to learn only a
single acceleration motion of the putter which is applicable to any
length of putter. This acceleration motion is retained, with
repetition, as part of the golfer's muscle memory. The distance the
ball travels is then determined by the amount of backswing of the
putter head. As the backswing is increased, the pre-contact time of
the club head, i.e., the time from the beginning of the swing until
the ball is struck, also increases, and therefore the velocity of
the club head is greater when it strikes the ball than it would be
for a shorter backswing.
[0017] A second common mistake of some golfers is to stroke the
ball with a putter head that is not traveling along the intended
path of the golf ball. That is, the golfer does not swing the
putter along the same line as the intended path of the ball, but
rather in a path that is oblique to the intended path of the ball.
Such a stroke causes the golf ball to deviate from the intended
travel path.
[0018] A third common mistake of some golfers is to stroke the golf
ball with the putter head at an oblique angle to the intended path
of the golf ball, rather than perpendicular to the intended path.
This oblique angle causes the golf ball to deviate from the
intended travel path of the golf ball.
[0019] It can be appreciated that a golf putting teaching aid which
aids golfers in establishing the proper method of accelerated
putting, including the proper path of the putter head and the
proper orientation of putter head with respect to the golf ball, is
desirable.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,912 describes a golf putting teaching
aid for use in establishing the proper method of accelerated
putting. The teaching aid described therein, however, requires a
movable, ruler-like apparatus (called a stroke length ruler)
locatable along an edge of the putting surface. The stroke length
ruler has marks thereon for aligning the stroke length ruler with
squaring lines located on the putting surface and for indicating
the proper length of the back swing for each of the squaring lines.
The stroke length ruler costs money to fabricate and is
inconvenient to use because it must be repositioned whenever the
golfer wishes to practice putts from a different distance from the
cup.
[0021] The above problems are obviated with the use of the golf
putting teaching aid system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,719
issued in 1997 to Franklin. This includes a generally rectangular
putting surface having a first end and a second end, with a cup
located near the first end. At least one teaching pattern is
disposed on the surface of the putting surface a predetermined
distance from the cup. The pattern has parallel lines that are
disposed along a desired travel path for a golf ball. The parallel
lines have a front portion oriented toward the first end of the
rectangular surface and a rear portion oriented toward the second
end of the putting surface. A central location between the front
and rear portions is provided to define the location of the golf
ball to be putted. The rear portion is of a predetermined length
and the front portion is of a predetermined length for the parallel
lines. A squaring line is disposed perpendicular to the parallel
lines and on the distal side of the central location for allowing
the head of a golf club to be squared to the parallel lines behind
the golf ball located in the central location. A second squaring
line is also disposed on the distal end of the rear portion
perpendicular to the parallel lines for further helping the head of
the golf club to be squared perpendicular to the parallel lines. In
the putting exercise, the club head is first squared behind the
ball and then is moved backward to the rear squaring line.
Thereafter, the club head is moved forward from the rear squaring
line to or through the proximal end of the pattern. The location of
the ball in the central location is designed such that the
acceleration of the club head when contacting the ball is
optimal.
[0022] Commercially available golf putting practice devices are
known in the art, including those that simulate a golf putting
green by using a closely cropped simulated grass indoor/outdoor
carpeting material. These devices frequently have a ramped surface
which leads up to a flat putting platform containing a golf putting
cup. In some devices ramped returns bring the ball from the cup
back to the initial putting surface.
[0023] In addition, there are devices for the serious golf student
which sense golf ball speed and timing and which emit audible
messages or visual messages to instruct the golfer in game
improvement. Such sophisticated devices are expensive, due to their
use of complicated photoelectric beam sensing devices,
microprocessors and voice synthesizers, or light emitting diodes
(LED). These devices may be programmed to deliver an oral message
or compute measurements and relay the results visually or
aurally.
[0024] Putting practice devices which provide detailed putt
information may be intimidating to the casual golfer, and, due to
the precision sensors and computers required, are costly to
produce.
[0025] What is need is a play apparatus which permits golf practice
and which interacts with the golfer yet which may be manufactured
at a low cost.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,169 issued in 1993 to Laabs, et al.
discloses a golf practice device which has a thermoformed
thermoplastic housing with a deck having a putting ramp and
platform covered with a simulated putting-green carpet. A putting
cup extends beneath the platform. A recording playback unit
comprised of a combined speaker and miniature record golfer is
mounted beneath the cup by a thermoformed thermoplastic support
member. The support member affixes the electronic components of the
apparatus and extends beneath the deck to engage the apparatus
support-surface to stabilize the housing deck and ensure a stiff
play surface. A false bottom plate is hinged to the sidewall of the
putting cup. The false bottom overlies a lever and contact button
of a switch. A made putt directs a ball into the cup and onto the
false bottom. The weight of the ball on the false bottom plate
depresses the false bottom to close the lever on the contact
button. The closed switch activates the miniature record golfer.
The record golfer plays several messages in a random sequence which
are broadcast through the speaker.
[0027] The above device is a training system which does not
reproduce conditions of real game and therefore possesses the same
disadvantages as the previously discussed devices.
[0028] Thus, devices and methods for accurately measuring the speed
of a golf ball as well as angular and dynamic characteristics of
impact during putting as a part of the golf game do not exist.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of the putter head, ball,
putting green, and the hole illustrating the physics of the putting
stage in a golf game.
[0030] FIGS. 1B and 1C are front and side views which illustrate
approximate positions of a golfer, golf ball and golf club at the
moment of hit.
[0031] FIG. 1D is a three-dimensional view of a coordinate system
stationary with respect to the putting green for representation of
movements of the golf ball and the golf club.
[0032] FIG. 1E is a view of a horizontal plane illustrating
impulses acting on the golf ball ands directions of the impulses at
different positions of the golf club head at the moment of hit.
[0033] FIG. 1F is a view which illustrates lateral (angular)
deviations in the plane XZ possible during the game.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a general schematic view of the entire system of
the invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross section of the
putter.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the putter head along
line IV-IV of FIG. 3.
[0037] FIG. 5 is an electric diagram of receiving electronics which
receives optical signals from the rolling ball.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a view of a golf ball with two mutually
perpendicular equatorial marks.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a graph that shows an example of a signal sent to
an amplifier included into the circuit of FIG. 5.
[0040] FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are examples of graphical
presentation of the results of the hit shown on the display of the
data processing unit.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0041] It is an object of the invention to provide a self-contained
system and method for controlling positions in putting and a golf
ball speed after hitting with the putter. Another object is to
measure angular deviation of the hit direction from the reference
direction which has been preliminarily entered into the system.
Still another object is to provide a self-contained measurement
system of the aforementioned type built into the golf club. Another
object is to provide the measurement system of the aforementioned
type designed specifically for putting as a part of a golf game.
Still another object is to provide a data processing display system
which can accumulate, analyze and display data on the game in a
simple visually represented form which facilitates training and
elaboration of correct habits for the game.
[0042] The system consists of a group of optical light emitting and
receiving devices built into the putter head and exposed to the
light reflected from the golf ball during rolling on the putter
green. The putter head also contains a gyro sensor which measures
angular deviation of the head face from axes X (which approximately
coincides with the direction of hit) and Y (which approximately
coincides with the direction perpendicular to the direction of hit)
which form a horizontal plane. The putter shaft contains a swing
angle sensor which measures the angle of club swing, which is
proportional to the force of the hit. A microprocessor that
receives and processed the information from the optical, gyro and
force components is built into the putter grip. The latter also
contains a IR receiving/transmitting device which transmits the
processed data to a remotely located microprocessor and display.
The method and system of the invention are based on a principle of
measuring the speed of rolling of the golf ball by measuring the
number of revolutions of the ball during rolling. For this purpose
the ball is provided with at least one equatorial mark detectable
by the light receiving optical sensors. The ball is irradiated by
the light emitted from the aforementioned light emitting devices,
and each revolution of the ball is sensed as a light signal
produced by the light reflected from the equatorial mark of the
ball. The system produced a modulated light signal having a
frequency of modulation corresponding to the frequency of rotation
of the ball during rolling. The results of measurements of the
angles and speed can be shown to the golfer in a real time of the
game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] For better understanding the principle of the invention, it
would be advantageous to consider some theoretical aspects of
motions and forces that occur during putting in a system "club
head--golf ball". Let us first assume, for simplification of the
physical picture of putting, that after being hit the golf ball
rolls over the surface of the putting green without sliding and the
surface of the putting green is ideally horizontal.
[0044] The aforementioned physical picture is shown in FIG. 1A,
where reference numeral 20 designates a golf ball, 22 is the
surface of a putting green, and 24 is a club head which has a head
face F that contacts the ball at the moment of hit. The center of
the ball is designated by letter O, 26 designated the hole into
which the ball has to be delivered as a result of the hit, and
letter V designates the translational motion speed of the golf ball
20. An arrow F.sub.w designates a gravity force with which the ball
20 acts on the surface 22 in a stationary condition.
[0045] Let us assume that the "ideal" hit is the one with the face
F being perpendicular to the surface 22.
[0046] After being struck with the "ideal" hit, the golf ball
begins to move. Under the aforementioned "ideal" conditions, the
translational motion speed V is equal to a linear speed V.sub.r on
the surface of the rolling ball 20. It is understood that an
instant resulting speed (which is obtained by adding the speed V to
the V.sub.r) in each current point N of contact of the ball 20 with
the surface putting green surface 22 is equal to 0. It is clear
that this condition corresponds to ideal rolling without sliding.
In this case, kinetic energy of the golf ball 20 can be expressed
as mV.sup.2, which consists of a translational energy component and
a rolling energy components. Each of these components is equal to
mV.sup.2/2.
[0047] All deviations from the aforementioned "ideal" conditions,
which may take place in a real golf game, are reduced to
redistribution of the energy between the translational and rolling
motion components. These deviations will depend on a character of
the hit, condition of the putting green 22, etc.
[0048] Let us consider the nature of the aforementioned deviations
in more detail. FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate approximate positions of
a golfer, golf ball and golf club at the moment of hit. For better
understanding quantitative parameters, which affects the quality of
the game and which are needed for detailed description of the game,
I introduce a coordinate system stationary with respect to the
putting green. This coordinate system is shown in FIG. 1D. Let us
assume, in first approximation, that the putting green is
absolutely horizontal and that the center of origins of the above
coordinate system coincides with the center of the golf ball 20
which is in a stationary state just before the hit. Axis X of the
above coordinate system extends in a direction of the line that
connects the center O of the golf ball 20 with the center (not
shown) of the target hole 26 in the plane of the putting green 22.
Axis Z is a vertical axis initiated from the center O of the golf
ball 20, and axis Y also passes through the center O of the ball 20
perpendicularly to the XZ plane.
[0049] With the "correct" strike, the putter head 24 moves along a
trajectory close to circular with radial orientation of the
longitudinal axis of the club, and with the center of rotation C1
(FIG. 1D) located approximately in the center of the golfer's chest
at the level of his/her shoulder. In FIGS. 1B and 1C this zone is
designated by symbol C. In other words, the center of rotation of
the club in putting should be in the YZ plane (FIG. 1D), and the
golfer's shoulders should be parallel to the XZ plane. Errors of
the golfer during putting may be construed, first, as a deviation
of the actual direction of the impulse transmitted to the golf ball
20 at the moment of hit from a target direction, and, second, as an
excessive or insufficient impulse. In the case of an excessive
impulse, the ball 20 rolls over the hole 26, and in the case of an
insufficient impulse, the ball 20 does not reach the hole 26.
[0050] The situations described above related to events which take
place in the plane XZ. FIG. 1G illustrates lateral (angular)
deviations in the plane XY possible during the game. When the
impact is absolutely resilient, the direction of the impulse M*
transmitted from the club head 24 to the ball 20 coincides with the
axis X. Two other directions (P3 and P4) of the club head 24
correspond to impulses M3 and M4, respectively, with respective
angular deviations .beta..sup.-, .beta..sup.+ from the vertical
plane XZ. A new (lateral) component of the impulse, which appear in
this case in the plane YZ, also causes deviation of the ball 20
from the "correct" direction along axis X.
[0051] A less typical error, which still may occur during putting,
and its dynamic analysis are illustrated in FIG. 1E. This case
corresponds to angular deviation of impact in the plane XZ. The
impulse M1 transmitted from the club head 24 to the ball 20
deviates from the horizontal axis X in the vertical plane by angle
.alpha..sup.-. In accordance with the law of conservation of
energy, the impulse P2 is concerted into impulse M2 of the golf
ball M2 directed at an angle .alpha..sup.+ to axis X in the XZ
plane.
[0052] Two scenarios are possible in the situation shown in FIG.
1E. The first scenario occurs when a part of the impulse is
directed along axis Z.sup.-. In this case, a part of energy
(impulse M1) transmitted from the head 24 to the ball 20 will be
spent for non-elastic deformation of the surface of the putting
green 22 (FIG. 1A) directly under the ball 20. The second scenario
occurs when a part of the impulse (M2) is directed along axis
Z.sup.+. Impulse component M2 will decrease pressure of the ball 20
(F.sub.w in FIG. 1A) on the surface of the putting green 22 and
hence will decrease the force of friction of the ball on the
aforementioned surface. Such movement may consist of pure sliding
or sliding with a small component of rolling. In this case,
relationship between the kinetic energy of translational movement
and that of rolling energy will be different from the first
scenario.
[0053] In reality, a golfer may transmit to the golf ball 20 an
impulse which is neither in plane XZ nor in plane YZ. It is
understood, however, that any real impulse can always be described
in terms of angles .alpha., .beta. and an absolute value of impulse
transmitted to the ball 20.
[0054] It is understood, however, that the physical picture of the
putting, as a part of the golf game, can be described, with
practical accuracy, by measuring the force of impact, direction of
impact, and frequency of rolling of the golf ball 20. It is also
understood that in order to get into the hole 26, the rolling golf
ball 20 must reach the edge E of the hole 26 with a speed within a
range from a magnitude close to 0 and a certain maximal threshold
V.sub.thr above which the ball 20 may roll over the hole 26.
[0055] Another important criteria for evaluation of the results of
putting in a golf game is sequential registration of the positions
of the golf club during "small swing", i.e., putting. It is
understood that movements of hands and body of the golfer are
transmitted to the putter and determine the quality of hit on the
ball. It is also understood that the purpose of training is
elaboration in a golfer of muscle memory which later is realized in
a game as his/her game habits. In my previous U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/858,829, relating to a swing in the initial
stage of the game, I have described a system where data on the
movements of the club head are obtained from an acceleration sensor
built into the club head. Similar system for measuring and
processing dynamic parameters of the swing is used in the system of
the present invention where the aforementioned acceleration sensor
is referred to as a "gyro sensor".
[0056] The system and method of the present invention collect data
mentioned in connection with FIG. 1A and make it possible in a real
time to collect the data, produce quantitative analysis of the
data, and to monitor the quality of the game under real conditions
by instructing the golfer on the results of each hit.
[0057] This it can be summarized that the system of the present
invention:
[0058] 1) measures parameters of movements of the golf club prior
to contact of the club head with the ball and processes the
measured parameters in a real time for indication of these
parameters and their derivatives on the display of a computer
monitor in a customer-friendly manner;
[0059] 2) measures dynamic parameters of the golf ball which
completely describe the phenomenon of hit with the club on the golf
ball in real time and which indicates these measured parameters on
the display of the computer monitor independently and in
correlation with the parameters of item 1) in a formal convenient
for use;
[0060] 3) registers parameters of a trajectory of the ball movement
after the hit from the initial point till full stop or fall into
the target hole, processes the measured data, and indicates them or
their derivatives on the display in an independent form or in a
form correlated correlated with the parameters of items 1) and 2);
and
[0061] 4) statistically processes the data of items 1), 2), and 3)
on the basis of the accumulated data.
[0062] The system of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 which
schematically illustrates a putter 30 which in general consists of
a shaft 32, a grip 34 on one end of the shaft 32, and a head 36
with a face F1. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross section of
the putter 30, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the
putter head 36 along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. The second component of
the system is a golf ball 40, which preferably is white and has a
mark 42, preferably black, over the equator of the ball. The third
element of the system is a measurement system that consists of
groups 44a-44d of optical transmitting devices and receiving
sensors, a gyro sensor 46, an infrared data transmitting unit 48
built into the grip 34, a microprocessor 47 built into the club
grip 34, a data processing unit 50, and a display unit 52 (FIGS. 3
and 4). Reference numeral 33 designates a force sensor or a force
moment sensor built into the club grip 34. The data processing unit
50 and the display unit 52 can be built into a common housing and
can be placed during the game into any position convenient for the
golfer (not shown).
[0063] Some of the aforementioned main components of the system
will be further described in more detail. It can be seen that the
putter head 36 houses a group of optical transmitting devices and
receiving sensors which are built into the head 36 so that the
light-emitting elements of the transmitting devices and sensitive
elements of the sensors are exposed through the head face F1
towards the golf ball (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The
transmitting optical devices are designated by reference numerals
44a, 44c, whereas the receiving optical sensors are designated by
reference numerals 44b, 44d. In the illustrated embodiment the
transmitting devices and receiving sensors are arranged in an
alternating order. It is understood that two optical transmitting
devices and two optical receiving sensors and their alternating
order are shown only as an example and that the number of sensors
and their arrangement can be different. In order to protect the
exposed elements of the transmitting devices and of the sensors,
they are located below the putter head face F1 and can be covered
with a protective layer 54 with exposure openings 56a, 56b, 56c,
and 56d.
[0064] Located inside the head 36 is a gyro sensor 46 which is
connected by a group of conductors 62 to the aforementioned
microprocessor 47 built into the club grip 34. The microprocessor
47 may be a chip, such as MPS430 produced by Texas Instruments,
USA.
[0065] Each optical transmitting device 44a and 44c can be
represented by a laser diode such as SDL 980 which comes in TO-9
can package produced by SD, Inc.
[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates receiving electronics for receiving
signals from outputs of the aforementioned optical transmitting
devices 44a, 44c and sensors 44b, 44d. The receiving electronic
consist of a signal amplifiers A (one for each diode). Only one
amplifier A is shown in FIG. 5. The amplifier A is connected in
point M to the optical receiving sensors (one of which 44b is shown
in FIG. 5) via a group wires 60. The receiving electronics also
contains a parallel oscillating circuit consisting of an inductance
L and a capacitance C. This circuit is connected between point M
and the ground G.
[0067] The outputs of the amplifiers A are electrically connected
to the aforementioned microprocessor 47.
[0068] The gyro sensor 46 built into the body of the putter head 36
can be represented by a device such as a single-chip Yaw rate gyro
sensor of ADXRS 150 type produced by Analog Devices, Nortwood,
Mass., USA. This is a complete angular rate sensor (gyroscope)
which, in the system of the invention, is used for determining the
angular direction of the putter face surface before the impact, in
the moment of impact, and after the impact on the ball. In order to
improve accuracy of angular measurements to fit specific conditions
of the putting operation, the gyro sensor 46 is located on the
longitudinal axis of the shaft in the lowest possible place in the
head 36. In fact, the gyro sensor 46 registers its own angular
positions on the trajectory 39 shown by a broken line in FIG. 1D.
After being processed in a microprocessor 47, this data can be
presented as angle .gamma. shown in FIG. 1D. If necessary, an
additional gyro sensor similar to the gyro sensor 46 can be built
into the club head for measuring angular positions of the head 24
in planes XZ and YZ.
[0069] The microprocessor 47 receives signals with information on
the frequency of rolling of the golf ball as well as the
information about angle of the direction of hit and about the force
of the hit. The microprocessor 47 processes the aforementioned
signals and generates on its output an output signal about the
number of revolutions of the ball and an output signal about the
angle and force of the hit. These output signals are sent to an
infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 48 built into the
club grip 34. The latter sends this information in the form of
infrared signals shown in FIG. 2 in the form of concentric arcs IR
to the remotely located data processing unit 50. This unit, in
turn, has a transmitter/receiver 51 mounted into processing unit
50. This transmitter/receiver operates in the same frequency range
as the transmitting unit 48. An example of transmitter/receivers
pair 48 and 51 is any commercially available compact radio
telephone having a telephone transmitter and receiver mounted into
the grip 34 and the telephone receiver and transmitter 51 mounted
into the remotely located data processing unit 50. In other words,
each transmitter/receiver 48 and 51 can operate in both
transmitting and receiving modes. This is necessary for feedback,
for calibration of the measurement system, or for adjustment in
accordance with the specific conditions of the game.
[0070] The data processing and displaying unit 50 is located
remotely either in the form of a IR receiver/transmitter 51 in
combination with a display unit 52, e.g., in the form of a
laptop-type personal computer placed in the field of direct vision
of the golfer for observation of the results of the game or in the
form of a pocket-size mini-display.
[0071] The IR receiver/transmitter 51 can be represented by a
MAX3120 IrDA 1,2-compatible infrared transceiver commercially
produced by MAXIM, California. This receiver/transmitter is
suitable and optimized for battery-powered space-constrained
applications. It consumes only 120 .mu.A while supporting data
rates up to 115 kbps over a wide 3 V to 5.5 V operating range. This
unit is extremely compact and can be used in conjunction with
light-emitting diodes built into miniature and hand-, as well as
with the palm-top computer displays.
[0072] The signal receiving/transmitting unit 51 is a
custom-designed infrared receiver the block diagram of which is
shown in FIG. 6. The unit is plugged into the PC RS232 interface of
the data processing and displaying unit 52 and is characterized by
the following features:
[0073] 1) Powered from the laptop or palmtop serial port (does not
require a separate battery or external power supply);
[0074] 2) Obeys the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol;
[0075] 3) Generates a 16.times.Baud clock from the received
infrared signal;
[0076] 4) Contains RS232 compatible driver for data transmission to
the laptop or palmtop.
[0077] All the elements of the signal receiving/transmitting unit
51 are mounted on a single printed circuit board and comprise the
pin diode PD connected to the following sequentially arranged main
elements: an infrared transceiver MAX3120, two timer modules, i.e.
TLC555(1) and TLC555(2), IRDA encoder/decoder, and MAX233A
driver.
[0078] A power source 64 (e.g., a conventional DC 12 V
Duracell-type N.21 battery or the like) for supplying electric
power to the elements of the measurement and data processing system
built into the putter is located inside the grip 34 so that it
could be conveniently reached for activation. Reference numeral 66
designates a switch for switching the power source 64 on or off.
The aforementioned group of wires also includes wires for
connecting the laser diodes 44a and 44c with a driver (not shown)
which is controlled from the microprocessor 47.
[0079] Description of Operation
[0080] In order to use the system of the invention for monitoring
the golf game or for training purposes, it is require merely to
place the remotely located data processing unit 50 (FIG. 2) into a
position convenient for use. For this purpose, the display unit 52
(FIG. 2) can be placed within the vision field of the golfer or can
be located in a different place for analyzing the result of the
game after the game is completed. For example, the pocket-size
palmtop can be kept in the golfer's pocket, and the larger-size
displays can be located in the couch's office or on the ground in
front of the golfer.
[0081] The golfer switches the power supply of the measurement and
data processing system on by pushing on the switch 66. For
observing the results of the hits the data processing unit 50 also
has to be switched on so that its display unit 52 is activated and
is ready for reproduction of images indicating the results of the
hits. It is understood that after the battery 64 is switched on,
the optical transmitting devices 44a and 44c begin to irradiate
light, e.g., in an infrared range of the spectrum, e.g., 980 nm. If
necessary, the optical signal transmitting device 44a and 44c and
the optical signal receiving devices 44b and 44d can be
automatically switched on by the impact on the ball. Furthermore,
in order to obtain current data for each specific moment and for
conservation of power in the battery, the light
transmitting/receiving devices can be switched off in a time
intervals proportional to the force of the impacts, e.g., in 3 sec.
More specifically, measurement of the ball speed with the use of
optical light transmitting/receiving devices can be started and
activated by an impulse signal from the force sensor 33. The force
sensor can be placed in the shaft or in the putter head. This
signal can be detected by the microprocessor 47 and then programmed
to activate the optical signal transmitting devices, e.g., a laser
diodes 44a and 44c, and optical signal receiving devices 44b and
44d.
[0082] Successful putting depends in large part upon the golfer's
proper consideration of the frictional resistance of the green
surface and the contour and terrain of the green surface.
[0083] The frictional resistance of a green surface is commonly
expressed in terms of a stimp number. The stimp number is a measure
of the distance which a ball will travel on a level green when
released from a stimp meter. A stimp meter is a simple device
consisting of an aluminum trough with a length of 30 inches
inclined at a 20 degree angle from the horizontal green surface. A
ball released from a stimp meter will always have the same initial
velocity when it comes into contact with the green surface and will
travel a certain distance on a horizontal green depending upon the
friction imparted to the ball by the putting green. The distance
which the ball travels is that particular green's stimp number.
Stimp numbers typically range from about 7 feet for very slow
greens to about 12 feet for very fast greens.
[0084] The resulting stimp numbers are also introduced into the
system of the invention prior to the initiation of the game and are
used for establishing a reference value. The actual ball speed is
compared with the aforementioned reference value and the results of
the comparison are sent to the golfer as a feedback
information.
[0085] The golfer then places the golf ball 40 (FIG. 2) into the
starting point for initiation of the game. If necessary, the golf
ball may have two or more equatorial marks, as shown in FIG. 6
where a golf ball 40a has two marks 42a and 42b formed in two
mutually perpendicular equatorial planes of the ball.
[0086] The golfer hits the golf ball 40 in accordance with his/her
golf habits and rules of the game. It is assumed that in putting a
correct swing of the putter for striking the ball is the one in
which the putter head moves practically parallel to the surface of
the putting green 22 so that the golf ball 40 would acquire pure
rolling movement. It is also understood that in first
approximation, for the case of the absolutely horizontal plane of
the putter grass, at the moment of hit the line L that passes
through the centers of the golf ball 40 and of the hole H (FIG. 2)
should be perpendicular to the face F1 of the putter head (FIGS. 2
and 4). This line L determines the direction of the ball 40 for
reaching the hole H in the case of a correct hit. Since the gyro
sensor 46 measures an angle between a given direction and an actual
direction of the impulse in hit, the aforementioned line L is
assumed as the aforementioned given direction (i.e., reference
direction), which is preliminarily entered into the measurement
system and into the display system as one of the input data.
[0087] During rolling over the surface of the putting green 22, the
golf ball 40 rolls so that its mark 42 (or marks 42a and 42b) are
seen for a viewer, as well as for the optical receivers 44b and
44d, with periodicity of variations in brightness/darkness equal to
number of revolutions of the ball 40 during rolling (or equal to a
doubled number of revolutions, if two marks are used).
[0088] The optical receivers 44b and 44d sense the light reflected
from the ball and produce on their outputs electrical signals with
the frequency corresponding to the frequency of revolutions of the
ball. One of the optical receivers, e.g. the optical receiver 44b,
is shown in FIG. 5 as a part of the signal receiving electronic
circuit. In point M of FIG. 5, the signal has a periodical shaped
shown in FIG. 7, which is a graph where the abscissa axis shows
time and the ordinate axis shows the value of the signal, e.g., in
volts. This signal shown in FIG. 7 has the same periodicity as the
actual frequency of revolutions of the ball 40. The amplitude of
the signal in point M for the supply to the amplifier A is
determined by the impedance (at the carrier frequency lock diode
modulation).
[0089] The signal amplified by the amplifier A (FIG. 5) is supplied
to the input of the microprocessor 47, and after being processed in
the microprocessor 47 the signal is transmitted to the infrared
data transmitting unit 48 (FIG. 3), where the signal about the
frequency of revolutions (i.e., about the speed of rolling) of the
golf ball 40 is converted into an infrared signal irradiated toward
the receiver/transmitter 51 of the data processing unit 50. The
transmission of the signal is done after the swing.
[0090] At the same time, the gyro sensor 46 also generates signals
corresponding to the angular position of the putter face F (FIG.
1A) prior to hitting the ball 40, at the moment of hit, when the
face F contacts the ball 40, and after the hit (see angle .gamma.
in FIG. 1D). This angular dimension of putting, which is shown on
the display 52 (FIG. 2) is a very important criterion for
evaluating the quality of the game.
[0091] The signals of the gyro sensor 46 are sent via the wires 62
to the microprocessor 47 (FIG. 3). In the infrared data
transmitting unit 48 these signals are processed. The resulting
angular infrared signals are also irradiated toward the receiver 51
of the data processing unit 50. In the case of an "ideal" hit,
i.e., when the angles .alpha. and .beta. (FIGS. 1f and 1g) are
equal to 0, the ball 40 will roll to the target hole without
sliding or flying.
[0092] The data processing unit 50 processes the signal obtained
from the devices built into the putter 30 and transmitted from the
infrared data transmitting unit 48. The processed signals, which in
general consists of a signal indicating the speed of the golf ball
40 and the angular direction of the ball trajectory in the plane of
the putting green 22, can be presented on the screen 52 in a
variety of graphical forms. Two of these forms are shown as
examples in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8 the displayed information
consists of two image. The first image contains concentrated
circles 68a, 68b, 68c with the center of the circles corresponding
to the center of the hole H and a black mark 68d corresponding to
the actual direction of the ball trajectory in direction of hit,
i.e., the angular deviation from the aforementioned reference line
L.
[0093] The second image shows the range of ball speeds required for
putting the ball into the hole, where line 72 (FIG. 8) corresponds
to the minimal speed and the line 74 corresponds to the maximal
speed. The mark 76 illustrate an actual speed of the ball.
[0094] For quantitative evaluation of the results, the images are
provided with respective scales 78 and 80.
[0095] It is understood that the ideal hit in putting corresponds
to the central positions of the line 80 and of the black spot
68d.Another example of graphical presentation of the results of the
putting hit is shown in FIG. 9. This three-dimensional picture
shows a part of the putting green and with certain approximation
imitates the actual position of the ball 40 after the hit with
respect to the hole H. Position of the ball 40 in point 82
corresponds to a weak strike and to an angular deviation of the
ball trajectory to the left. Position of the ball 40 in point 84
corresponds to an excessively string strike and to an angular
deviation of the ball trajectory to the left. Position of the ball
40 in point 86 corresponds to a weak strike and to an angular
deviation of the ball trajectory to the right, etc.
[0096] FIG. 10 is a form for presentation of the results of the
game control which displays concentric circles 88a, 88b, 88c . . .
with dark spot 90 showing position of the golf ball at holt with
respect to the center of the circles which corresponds to the
center of the target hole. The circle 88d which is shown by a
broken line and is the nearest to the center O2 of the circles
designate a boundary area around the center O2 from which the golf
ball 20 will automatically rolls down to the hole 26. The graph
below the concentric circles shows ball speed V1 versus rolling
distance L1.
[0097] FIG. 11 is a form for presentation of the results of the
game control with reference to angles .alpha. and .beta. shown in
FIGS. 1E and 1F. In this version, the display shows the tilt of the
club head face F or angular deviation of the face F from the
"correct" angular position at the moment of hit on the ball 20. The
tilt is shown graphically and with the digital values of the angles
in vertical and horizontal planes. The arrow V2 designates the
speed of the head, and the arrow V3 designates the speed of the
golf ball 20. Since the mass of the head 24 is greater than the
mass of the ball 20, the arrow V2 is shorter than the arrow V3.
[0098] It is understood that in order to obtain all the
measurements and indication points on the screen of the display 52,
after purchase and before the first use the system has to be
calibrated by repeating the aforementioned measurement procedures
one or more times and then selecting the most advanced results as
reference data for input into the microprocessor 47 and the data
processing unit 50.
[0099] The display unit 52 (FIG. 2) may present the results of
monitoring and control of the game in the forms described above, as
well as in many other forms, such as curves obtained by processing
statistically accumulated data, results of calibration, stimp
measurements, the set of all parameters of the game in real time,
etc. The mode of indication can be selected and switched between
variety of options to satisfy the customer's needs.
[0100] Thus, it has been shown that the invention provides a system
and a method for measuring angular deviations of a golf putter face
with respect to the position of the golf ball and a golf ball speed
after hitting with the putter. The system measures angular
deviation of the hit direction from the reference direction which
has been preliminarily entered into the system. The invention also
provides a self-contained measurement system of the aforementioned
type built into the golf club and designed specifically for putting
as a part of a golf game. The system can accumulate, analyze and
display data on the game in a simple visually represented form
which facilitates training and elaboration of correct habits for
the game.
[0101] Although the invention has been shown and described with
reference to specific embodiments, it is understood that these
embodiments should not be construed as limiting the areas of
application of the invention and that any changes and modifications
are possible, provided these changes and modifications do not
depart from the scope of the attached patent claims. For example, a
gyro sensor of the type different from the one mentioned in the
description can be use. The optical transmitters and receivers may
operate in the range of the light spectrum different from the 980
nm. The results can be represented in a variety of different forms.
Instead of the data processing system, the receiver/transmitter 50
can be automatically connected in an interactive manner to a
virtual coach in the Internet so that the golfer can automatically
receive recommendations from the "coach" in the coarse of the game.
The signal transmitting and receiving means are not necessarily
those operating with light energy and may comprise devices
operating on microwave energy. For example, the signal transmitting
devices can be Gunn diodes, which emit microwave signals. In this
case, the golf ball should have alternating marks capable of
absorbing microwave energy. In accordance with another
modification, the signal transmitting and receiving devices may
operate on ultrasonic signals used, e.g., on the principle of bias
of frequency caused by the Doppler effect. If necessary, the putter
can be provided with devices for measuring only the angle of hit or
only the number of revolutions of the rolling ball, or the putter
may contain devices measuring both aforementioned parameters but
discontinue measuring one of them for concentration on the other.
The optical transmitting-receiving units can be replaced by a
compact CCD camera built into the club head for receiving a signal
from the golf from in the form of a naturally reflected light. In
order to amplify the signal received from the ball, the latter can
be coated with a luminescent layer. The force sensor 33 may be
presented by the moment sensor.
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