U.S. patent application number 12/337472 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for global positioning system use for golf ball tracking.
This patent application is currently assigned to Enfora, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert William Holden.
Application Number | 20100151955 12/337472 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42241186 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100151955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holden; Robert William |
June 17, 2010 |
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM USE FOR GOLF BALL TRACKING
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for integrating a transmitter
into an object, such as a golf ball, that becomes active upon the
motion of the object. This transmitter sends a signal to a receiver
that is configured to determine the location of the object. The
receiver is the able to determine the location of the object and
outputs the location to a display.
Inventors: |
Holden; Robert William;
(Plano, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOCKET CLERK
P.O. DRAWER 800889
DALLAS
TX
75380
US
|
Assignee: |
Enfora, Inc.
Richardson
TX
|
Family ID: |
42241186 |
Appl. No.: |
12/337472 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/199 ;
342/357.31; 473/198; 473/200; 473/353; 473/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20130101;
A63B 43/00 20130101; A63B 2024/0053 20130101; A63B 2102/32
20151001; A63B 71/0619 20130101; A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B
2220/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/199 ;
473/198; 473/200; 473/409; 473/353; 342/357.06 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 43/00 20060101 A63B043/00 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a object, wherein the object comprises a
transmitter, wherein the transmitter becomes active for a short
duration upon the motion of the object, and wherein the transmitter
sends a signal during the period of time in which the object is in
motion; a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive
the signal from the object, and wherein the receiver uses the
signal from the object to determine the location of the object; a
display, wherein the position of the object is displayed.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is powered
through kinetic energy transferred to the object.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a radio
frequency transmitter.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is used to create
a three-dimensional flight path of the object.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising creating a flight path
of the object.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is a golf ball.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises an
inductively charged battery.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a Global
Positioning System module.
9. A method, comprising: moving an object that comprises a
transmitter, wherein the transmitter becomes active upon the
movement of the object; tracking the object, wherein the tracking
of the object is preformed by monitoring at least one signal
transmitted by the transmitter; and displaying information relating
to the location of the object.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the object is a golf ball.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the object further comprises a
Global Positioning System module.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitter is powered by
kinetic energy.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitter is power by an
internal battery.
14. A system, comprising: a position tracked object, wherein the
object comprises a transmitter, power source, processor, motion
sensor, and Global Positioning System (GPS) module, wherein the
transmitter becomes active upon the motion of the object and
remains active while the object is in motion, and wherein the
transmitter transmits information from the GPS module; a receiver,
wherein the receiver is configured to receive the signal from the
position tracked object, and wherein the receiver uses the signal
from the object to determine the location of the object; a display,
wherein the position of the object is displayed.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the power source is a
battery.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the display is integrated into
a GPS device that provides a relative direction and a distance of
the position tracked object from the display.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the system is further capable
of determining the location of the position tracked object based
using the signal transmitted from the position tracked object.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the position tracked object is
a golf ball.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein display is configured to
display a flight path of the position tracked object.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is a radio
frequency transmitter.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Generally, the invention relates to tracking, and, more
particularly, the invention relates to tracking the location of
small objects using a variety of location technologies.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tracking small objects, particularly those used in sporting
events is difficult to do by eyesight. For example, in golf,
following a ball in flight is difficult. Moreover, the game may
require that a player focus on a swing and not try and watch the
flight of a ball. This leads to a problem of lost balls, as well as
frustration on the part of a player.
[0003] In addition, finding systems and methods that could not only
help locate a lost ball but plot the path of a ball might be useful
in a variety of sports. For instance, the plotting of the flight of
the golf ball might allow for the discovery and correction of bad
habits or problems in a swing. Therefore, systems and methods to
help track and locate small objects used in sporting events is
needed.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for integrating a
transmitter into an object, such as a golf ball, that becomes
active upon the motion of the object. This transmitter sends a
signal to a receiver that is configured to determine the location
of the object. The receiver is then able to determine the location
of the object and outputs the location to a display. The
transmitter may use GPS information or may use an RF signal to
relay the position of the object to the receiver.
[0005] In another embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes
moving an object that includes a transmitter. The transmitter
becomes active upon the movement of the object. This method also
includes tracking the object. Monitoring at least one signal
transmitted by the transmitter can promote the tracking of the
object. In addition, this method includes displaying information
relating to the location of the object.
[0006] In yet another embodiment a position tracked object is
disclosed that includes a transmitter, power source, processor,
motion sensor, and Global Positioning System (GPS) module. The
transmitter becomes active upon the motion of the object and
remains active while the object is in motion, and wherein the
transmitter transmits information from the GPS module to a
receiver. The receiver is configured to receive the signal from the
position tracked object, and wherein the receiver uses the signal
from the object to determine the location of the object. The
location of the object can then be displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one system of
implementing an automated object tracking system (AOTS).
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a handheld system using the AOTS.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram transmitter for use in the
AOTS.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram transmitter with Global
Positioning System (GPS) for use in the AOTS.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one method of locating a small
object using AOTS.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one method of locating a small
object using AOTS and preexisting information.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary general-purpose
computer system suitable for implementing the several embodiments
of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one system of
implementing an automated object tracking system (AOTS) 100 on a
golf course. In one embodiment, player 112 hits golf balls 114, 116
towards hole 118 on course 120. One of the problems with playing
sports with small objects, such as golf balls, is that it is easy
to lose such objects. Even when ball 114 lies well within course
120, it may still be difficult to locate with the naked eye. In
order to assist player 112, the present disclosure teaches an AOTS
100 with two components. First, balls 114 and 116 are fitted with a
transmitter that sends the location of balls 114 and 116 to a
handheld device 132. The information to handheld device may be
obtained through antennas 124, 126, and 128 mounted on golf cart
122. Golf cart 130 may also comprise an inductive area to charge
batteries within golf balls 114, 116.
[0016] When player 112 strikes a golf ball, such as golf balls 114,
116, the transmitter within the golf ball is activated. In some
embodiments, the golf ball transmits a "ping" signal that is
triangulated by the antennas 124, 126, and 128 of golf cart 122. A
ping signal is a simple signal that is transmitted and received by
a player. This signal can be used to triangulate the final location
of the golf balls 114, 116, and is transmitted to handheld device
132 through golf cart 122. In other embodiments, golf balls 114,
116 comprise GPS devices and transmitters that obtain the location
of the golf ball through GPS and transmit the location of the golf
ball to the handheld device through a wireless network or RF
signal. These and other embodiments will be discussed below.
[0017] In the example of the ping signal, the signal is transmitted
at a predetermined frequency (100 times/second) to the golf cart
122. This predetermined frequency allows the golf cart to
continually track the motion of the signal in real time. In
addition to determining the final location of the ball, it is
expressly contemplated that the real time data may be used to
obtain a three dimensional look at the track of the ball in flight.
In this way, not only the final location of the ball may be
determined, but the flight path may be determined.
[0018] Similarly to the ping signal, the GPS can also provide a
real time track of the location of the path of the ball. However,
unlike the ping, the frequency of the readings is determined by the
GPS within the ball. It is expressly understood that the resolution
of the flight path created by the GPS module is directly related to
the number of data points obtained by the ball (e.g., the more
readings taken from the GPS, the greater the resolution).
[0019] While FIG. 1 is illustrated as a golf course, it is
explicitly understood that any type of object, including, but not
limited to, other types of sporting equipment, bullets, or other
objects may be used consistent with the present disclosure. For
instance, the present module may be placed in a baseball to follow
the path of a pitch. In addition, the present module may be placed
in a bullet to obtain the flight pattern of a projectile. The
present disclosure contemplates any embodiment where determining
the flight path and final resting place of an object would be
helpful.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a handheld interface 200 used
with the AOTS 100. In this embodiment, a golf ball has been hit and
transmitted its location to the handheld device 132. The interface
200 shows a find button 202 used to obtain the location of the golf
balls 114, 116, a reset button 204, the battery status 208 of the
handheld device 132, the battery status 210 of the golf balls 114,
116, as well as the direction to the ball 212. In some embodiments,
there may be location information that is coupled with course
information providing the end player with additional information
relating to the location of the ball. This information 206 may be
shown as information such as the location of the ball, or other
useful information to the player.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross section of golf ball 300. In this cross
section, mass may be added to balance the weight distribution of
the golf ball 300. It is understood that, in this embodiment, a
simple transmitter is used to send a constant signal to the golf
cart. The golf cart then determines the position of the golf ball
300 based upon the transmitted signal. In some embodiments, a
motion sensor 316 is used to detect when the ball is in motion and
activates transmitter 314. The use of the motion sensor 316 allows
for the signal to only be transmitted while the ball is in motion
preserving battery life. It is understood that one or more of the
above-described components may be combined without departing from
the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.
[0022] It is understood that battery 312 may be charged through an
inductive plate, such as an inductive area. It is further
understood that the transmitter 314 may transmit information
relating to the status of the battery. This status information may
be the duration of the activity of transmitter 314. In other
embodiments, the handheld device 132 may determine the battery
status of the golf ball 300 by determining how long the transmitter
314 has been active. In yet other embodiments, the battery may be
replaced with a kinetically driven power source, such as a spring,
that transfers energy used to move the object into energy used to
power the transmitter.
[0023] FIG. 4 is substantially similar to FIG. 3, except that a GPS
402 receiver and antenna 404 have been added to golf ball 400. In
the example shown in FIG. 4, the transmitter 314 transmits
information relating to the location of the golf ball 400 as
determined by the GPS 402 as opposed to simply a ping. In some
embodiment, transmitter 314 may use a network connection (e.g.
wireless connection such as IEEE 802.11, or any other wireless
connection using internet protocol packet data) or a radio
frequency (RF) signal to relay the location of golf ball 400. In
other embodiments, transmitter 314 may use a wide area wireless
network, such as a cellular network to transmit data. In these
embodiments, the data from the golf ball could be transmitted
directly do a device, such as a cellular phone, removing the need
for a separate handheld device 132. It is understood that one or
more of the above described components may be combined without
departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.
[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 4 no motion detector is
present. Rather, when the GPS determines that either the ball has
stopped moving or has not moved for a predetermined time golf ball
400 will automatically shut down. In addition, golf ball 400 may
shut down for other reasons (charging, etc.)
[0025] Examples of other technologies that golf ball 300 and 400
may use to transmit location include, but are not limited to,
Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Active RFID. The examples of network and
communication protocols and technologies are intended to exemplary
purposes only.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one method 500 of using the
AOTS 100 using the basic ping embodiment. In this embodiment, the
golf ball transmits a ping signal (Block 510). The signal is
interpreted through the antennas 124, 126, 128 of golf cart 122
(Block 512). The interpreted information is then displayed to the
user on the handheld device 132 or through another wireless capable
device (Block 514). If the golf ball continues to move, the
location of the golf ball is updated (Block 516).
[0027] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one method 600 of using AOTS
100. In this embodiment, information relating to the golf course is
obtained (Block 610). The location of the golf ball is also
obtained (Block 612). The information about the golf course is
combined with the information about the golf ball. (Block 614). The
location information result is then displayed to the user (Block
616).
[0028] Handheld device 132 described above may be implemented on
any general-purpose computer 700 with sufficient processing power,
memory resources, and network throughput capability to handle the
necessary workload placed upon it. FIG. 7 illustrates a typical
system suitable for implementing one or more embodiments of the
receiver disclosed herein. The general-purpose computer 700
includes a processor 702 (which may be referred to as a central
processor unit or CPU) that is in communication with memory devices
including secondary storage 708, read only memory (ROM) 710, random
access memory (RAM) 712, input/output (I/O) 706 devices, and
network connectivity devices 704. The processor may be implemented
as one or more CPU chips.
[0029] The secondary storage 708 is typically comprised of one or
more disk drives or tape drives and is used for non-volatile
storage of data and as an over-flow data storage device if RAM 712
is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage 708
may be used to store programs that are loaded into RAM 712 when
such programs are selected for execution. The ROM 710 is used to
store instructions and perhaps data that are read during program
execution. ROM 710 is a non-volatile memory device that typically
has a small memory capacity relative to the larger memory capacity
of secondary storage. The RAM 712 is used to store volatile data
and perhaps to store instructions. Access to both ROM 710 and RAM
712 is typically faster than to secondary storage 708.
[0030] I/O 706 devices may include printers, video monitors, liquid
crystal displays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads,
switches, dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card
readers, paper tape readers, or other well-known input devices. The
network connectivity devices 392 may take the form of modems, modem
banks, Ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards,
serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data
interface (FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards,
radio transceiver cards such as code division multiple access
(CDMA) and/or global system for mobile communications (GSM) radio
transceiver cards, and other well-known network devices. These
network connectivity devices 704 may enable the processor 702 to
communicate with an Internet or one or more intranets. With such a
network connection, it is contemplated that the processor 702 might
receive information from the network, or might output information
to the network in the course of performing the above-described
method steps. Such information, which is often represented as a
sequence of instructions to be executed using processor 702, may be
received from and outputted to the network, for example, in the
form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave.
[0031] Such information, which may include data or instructions to
be executed using processor 702 for example, may be received from
and outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a
computer data baseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave.
The baseband signal or signal embodied in the carrier wave
generated by the network connectivity devices 704 may propagate in
or on the surface of electrical conductors, in coaxial cables, in
waveguides, in optical media, for example optical fiber, or in the
air or free space. The information contained in the baseband signal
or signal embedded in the carrier wave may be ordered according to
different sequences, as may be desirable for either processing or
generating the information or transmitting or receiving the
information. The baseband signal or signal embedded in the carrier
wave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter
developed, referred to herein as the transmission medium, may be
generated according to several methods well known to one skilled in
the art.
[0032] The processor 702 executes instructions, codes, computer
programs, scripts that it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk,
optical disk (these various disk based systems may all be
considered secondary storage 708), ROM 710, RAM 712, or the network
connectivity devices 704.
[0033] While several embodiments have been provided in the present
disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and
methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The
present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details
given herein. For example, the various elements or components may
be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may
be omitted, or not implemented.
[0034] Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described
and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate
may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules,
techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure. Other products shown or discussed as directly
coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through
some interface or device, such that the products may no longer be
considered directly coupled to each other but may still be
indirectly coupled and in communication, whether electrically,
mechanically, or otherwise with one another. Other examples of
changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one
skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the
spirit and scope disclosed herein.
[0035] It should be understood that although an exemplary
implementation of one embodiment of the present disclosure is
illustrated above, the present system may be implemented using any
number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The
present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary
implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated above,
including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and
described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the
appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
* * * * *