U.S. patent application number 12/772730 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for apparatus for measuring the stimp and other characteristics of a putting green.
Invention is credited to Harry E. Nicodem.
Application Number | 20100285903 12/772730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43062666 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100285903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nicodem; Harry E. |
November 11, 2010 |
Apparatus for Measuring the Stimp and Other Characteristics of a
Putting Green
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring the rolling resistance and other
characteristics of a golf course putting green is disclosed herein.
The present invention can be incorporated into a golf ball housing
and used by golfers, greens keepers, and other persons to measure
the green speed or stimp, and other characteristics, of a putting
green on a golf course.
Inventors: |
Nicodem; Harry E.; (McHenry,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Valauskas Corder LLC
150 South Wacker Drive, Suite 620
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
43062666 |
Appl. No.: |
12/772730 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61215102 |
May 1, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 37/0003 20130101;
A63B 43/00 20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B 69/3688 20130101;
A63B 57/00 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2071/0625
20130101; A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B
37/0055 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2220/803 20130101;
A63B 47/00 20130101; A63B 2220/20 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101;
A63B 37/0024 20130101; A63B 57/505 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/404 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green by accelerating and decelerating an inertial golf ball across
a portion of the golf course putting green comprising: a. an
inertial golf ball, said inertial golf ball comprising a housing,
said housing being configured to replicate a standard golf ball in
shape and size; b. a sensor element, said sensor element being
located inside said housing, said sensor element functioning to
sense the acceleration and deceleration of the inertial golf ball;
c. a data transmission system, said data transmission system being
located inside said housing, said data transmission system
functioning to transmit data received from said sensor element
inside said inertial golf ball to the outside of the inertial golf
ball; d. a power storage element, said power storage element being
located inside said housing, said power storage element functioning
to provide power to the sensor element and the data transmission
system of the inertial golf ball; wherein said inertial golf ball
can be accelerated across the portion of the golf course putting
green such that said sensor senses the acceleration and
deceleration of the inertial golf ball as it travels across the
portion of the golf course putting green, and said data
transmission system transmits information received from said sensor
element to the outside of the inertial golf ball.
2. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said housing is completely sealed with no
access to the inside of the inertial golf ball.
3. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said housing is completely sealed except
for a socket that allows access to said power storage element
inside the inertial golf ball.
4. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said housing has a removable cover, said
removable cover can be removed to provide access to said power
storage element.
5. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said housing has a partially or entirely
translucent cover, said translucent cover providing visual access
to said sensor element and power storage element.
6. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said sensor element is an
accelerometer.
7. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 6, wherein said sensor element determines movement
of said inertial golf ball continuously.
8. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 6, wherein said sensor element determines movement
of said inertial golf ball at discrete points during the movement
of said inertial golf ball.
9. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said sensor element is a speedometer and
timer, such that said sensor element determines the velocity of the
inertial golf ball at particular times during the movement of the
inertial golf ball.
10. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said data transmission system is a
display visible from the outside surface of the inertial golf
ball.
11. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said data transmission system is a
speaker providing audible information to the outside surface of the
inertial golf ball.
12. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said data transmission system is a
wireless communication system providing information to the outside
of the inertial golf ball.
13. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 12, wherein said wireless communication system is
one of radio waves or other electromagnetic waves capable of being
transmitted, Bluetooth or other external communication
protocols.
14. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, wherein said power storage element is one of a
battery, capacitor, inductive coil or other device allowing for
non-contact power transfer.
15. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 1, further comprising a base unit, said base unit
comprising: a. a receiver, said receiver receiving information from
said data transmission system in said inertial golf ball, b. a
processor, said processor processing the information received from
said data transmission system in said inertial golf ball and
sending the processed information to a display, c. said display
capable of displaying the processed information.
16. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 15, wherein said base unit further comprises a
receptacle, said receptacle configured to receive said inertial
golf ball for charging and transmitting data.
17. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 15, wherein said base unit further comprises an
input element, said input element allowing the entry of input
information or commands.
18. The apparatus for measuring the speed of a golf course putting
green in claim 15, wherein said input element is one or more of an
on/off switch, a keyboard, or a microphone.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/215,102, filed May 1, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring
various characteristics of a section of turf, and more
particularly, the present invention can be used by golfers, greens
keepers, and other persons to measure the green speed or stimp, and
other characteristics, of a putting green on a golf course.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Golf is a popular game, which is played on golf courses.
Generally, these golf courses are made up of a series of unique
holes, each hole being comprised of a teeing area, a fairway, and a
putting green. Each putting green has a hole or cup and during the
game or round of golf, each player using a variety of golf clubs,
attempts to hit a golf ball from the teeing area to the green and
into the cup with the least amount of shots or strokes.
[0004] Once a player is on the putting green, he or she is said to
be putting. Putting is a uniquely challenging part of the golf
game. Unlike the other shots that the player will make, the putt
leaves the golf ball in substantially continuous contact with the
grounds surface as it travels. Because of this contact the path and
ultimate destination of the golf ball is heavily influenced by the
properties and characteristics of the green.
[0005] The green is comprised of closely trimmed turf, which is
sloped at varying angles across its surface. In addition to slope,
the green's moisture content, turf length, and other factors can
affect the rate at which a golf ball travels across the green.
These factors (and others) can be used to determine the coefficient
of friction of the green, more commonly known as the speed of the
green or the stimp.
[0006] Different greens may exhibit different speeds; however, it
is desirable and the objective of many greens keepers to maintain
the speed of all the greens in a given course at approximately the
same speed. To aid in this endeavor, the stimpmeter was developed.
The stimpmeter measures the speed of the green and gives a
quantifiable means to express the speed of the green.
[0007] The traditional stimpmeter is a track having a v-shaped
groove and a notch near the top. A golf ball is placed in the notch
and the end of the stimpmeter is raised until the golf ball is
released from the notch at approximately 20 degrees. The golf ball
then rolls down the v-shaped groove onto the golf course and the
distance the golf ball travels is measured. This process is
repeated several times and the average distance that the golf ball
traveled in feet becomes the stimp of the green.
[0008] This reading allows greens keepers to better maintain a
constant speed on their greens. In addition, it allows players to
better predict how their golf ball will travel across the green.
However, the traditional stimpmeter does have some
disadvantages.
[0009] The traditional stimpmeter is a relatively large and
cumbersome device with several pieces required. As such, it is not
practical for a golfer to take with him or her. Further, when the
ball transitions from the stimpmeter track to the greens surface,
the ball may bounce creating an inaccuracy in the measurement.
[0010] Certain inventions have tried to improve on the traditional
stimpmeter. Some of these inventions have included new mechanical
embodiments of the stimpmeter--such as a stimpmeter that releases
multiple balls at once to reduce the need for repeated testing, or
a stimpmeter that has a curve near the bottom of the track so that
the golf ball makes a smoother transition to the surface of the
green.
[0011] Other inventions have included electronic embodiments of the
stimpmeter. Generally, the electronic embodiments time the progress
of the ball as it passes a set of electronic eyes. By using
electronics, these stimpmeters are generally much smaller than
their mechanical equivalent and are thus easier for a greens keeper
or player to take with him or her.
[0012] However, the current electronic embodiments have several
disadvantages, such as the need to sense the ball at a number of
finite points, usually two, and the current embodiments rely on the
total distance of the ball traveled. These disadvantages manifest
themselves in multiple ways. One, because they use a limited number
of location measurements, their accuracy is also limited. Two,
because they calculate stimp using the total distance the ball
traveled, it is still necessary for the user to measure the
distance the ball traveled and input it to the stimpmeter. Three,
the ball must be ejected at a standard speed in order to calculate
the distance, and thus, the stimp may only be measured over the
distance that the ball rolls after emission from the traditional
stimpmeter at the standard speed.
[0013] For all the above reasons, there is a need for a stimpmeter
that can provide more measurements of the ball at multiple points
along its path or calculates the stimp in a way that does not
require the user to input the distance the ball traveled, does not
require the user to carry and implement a cumbersome device, and
allows the user to measure stimp over a wider variety of distances.
The present invention satisfies this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for
measuring the stimp of a putting green. The apparatus comprises a
sensor element, power storage element, and a housing element. In
certain embodiments, the apparatus may optionally comprise a
processor element, a base element, a power source element, a
display element, a speaker element, an output element, and/or an
input element.
[0015] The sensor element measures the acceleration of the
apparatus in one embodiment with the use of a single or multiple
axis accelerometer. The accelerometer can measure the acceleration
or deceleration of the apparatus through an internal process. The
accelerometer could take several measurements during the movement
of the apparatus or could take one acceleration measurement at the
initial movement of the apparatus.
[0016] In an embodiment that operates by taking a measurement at
the initial movement of the apparatus, the sensor element would
also include a time measurement device. The time measurement device
would time the movement of the apparatus from the time when the
movement begins to the time the movement ends.
[0017] With either the multiple acceleration measurements or the
single acceleration measurement and the time measurement, the
deceleration experienced by the apparatus as a result of rolling
resistance can be calculated. In the embodiment of a golf ball, the
deceleration of the golf ball may be related to the "stimp"
measurement through physics. The "stimp" measurement is also known
as the speed of the green and is quite useful for understanding the
characteristics of a putting green.
[0018] In another embodiment, the sensor element could comprise a
transmitter that is read by one or more receiver elements at
locations outside the apparatus. The measurements regarding the
relationship between the receiver elements and the transmitter, if
taken several times during the movement of the apparatus, could be
used to calculate the locations by triangulation. Then, the several
locations along with their intermediate time intervals could be
used to calculate the stimp.
[0019] Also using a form of triangulation calculation in another
embodiment, the sensor element could be a GPS receiver. The
measurements of location by the GPS receiver by accessing the GPS
satellites at several times during the movement of the apparatus
could be used to calculate the stimp.
[0020] The power storage element is connected to the processor
element and/or the sensor element in such a way to store and
transfer power to other elements. The power storage element may
comprise a battery, capacitor, coils, some combination thereof, or
other. The power storage element may also be rechargeable.
[0021] The housing element can be any structure sufficient to
contain and protect the sensor element, the power storage element,
and possibly some other elements in that embodiment. In one
embodiment, the housing element would be a golf ball. In this
embodiment, the golf ball could be the same size, shape, weight,
and have the same surface elasticity and other properties as a golf
ball commonly used by golfers.
[0022] Of course, the present invention can be used for various
functions relating to other sports and industries. As such, in
alternative embodiments, the housing element could be, for example,
a basketball, baseball, baseball bat, football, tennis ball, tennis
racket, racket ball, volleyball, tennis racket, croquet ball,
badminton shuttlecock, cricket ball, cricket bat, soccer ball,
bowling ball, lacrosse ball, billiards ball, billiards cue, water
polo ball, or others.
[0023] The invention may optionally comprise additional elements.
One such optional addition is the processor element, which would be
connected to or in communication with the sensor element in such a
manner that allows it to receive the velocity, location, time,
and/or acceleration information from the sensor element. The
processor element would be programmed to convert the raw
measurements from the sensor element into deceleration,
acceleration, stimp, another calculation, and/or another
output.
[0024] For example, by comparing the location of the apparatus at
three or more times, the deceleration of the apparatus can be
calculated. Alternatively, by comparing the speed imparted by the
initial impact and the time it took to stop, the deceleration of
the apparatus can be calculated. Further, in the case of a golf
ball embodiment, the deceleration of the apparatus can be used to
calculate the green speed on the golf course, or stimp.
[0025] The base element would be an element of the apparatus
outside of the housing element. The base element could comprise
some of the other elements (e.g. display element, speaker element,
output element, input element), a power supply (e.g. batteries, AC
wall unit, both, or other), inductive coils for non-contact power
transfer or other method of transferring power to the power storage
element within the housing element, and other characteristics
useful to the practice of this invention. Further, the apparatus
may be configured to be taken apart to replace batteries or to
accept a connection for charging.
[0026] A display element could visually represent the calculated
stimp, measurement or other data to the user. Other embodiments may
provide navigation prompts for the golfer to program the apparatus.
Alternative embodiments may present other information to the user
through the display element.
[0027] Similarly, a speaker element would audibly convey the
calculated stimp, measurement or other calculated figure to the
user. The speaker element could also audibly convey navigation
prompts or other information as well.
[0028] An input element would provide a way for the user to enter
information or commands into the apparatus. For example, the input
element might detect a pattern of pressure on the housing of the
apparatus to turn the apparatus "on" or "off" or another command.
Also, the input element might comprise a microphone to detect
speech patterns or another way of inputting the information.
[0029] An output element would convey measurement, stimp, or other
information to the user. For example, the output element might send
a signal to an external unit (e.g. the base element, an external
communication protocol like a Bluetooth, Zigby, modulation of a
non-contact inductive charging circuit or other). In another
embodiment, the output element might vibrate, change color, change
shape, or in some other way convey a message to the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings
where:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the golf
ball in accordance with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the golf
ball and base unit in accordance with the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the golf
ball and base unit in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the golf ball and charging and
display base unit in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The present invention is an apparatus 10 for measuring
various characteristics of a section of turf. The apparatus can be
used by both greens keepers and golfers to determine the speed of a
golf green without a cumbersome set of equipment, without inputting
the distance the ball traveled, and calculating the green speed
over a smaller or larger distance than a Stimpmeter requires.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the apparatus 10. The
illustrated embodiment comprises a sensor element 12, power storage
element 14, and housing element 16.
[0037] The sensor element 12 measures the acceleration or
deceleration of the apparatus as defined by the housing element 16,
or takes other measurements from which the acceleration or
deceleration can be calculated. The sensor element 12 may be an
accelerometer. The accelerometer may take a measurement of
acceleration by detection of the movement of a'gas bubble, the
relationship of a cantilever or other type of beam to a proof mass,
another type of micro electromechanical system (commonly known as,
MEMS), or another type of acceleration detection. The acceleration
detection may be continuous during the movement of the apparatus as
defined by the housing element 16, or the acceleration may be taken
at discrete points during the movement of the apparatus as defined
by the housing element 16.
[0038] Alternatively, the sensor element 12 may measure the
velocity and time of the apparatus as defined by the housing
element 16 in order to determine the acceleration. The velocity and
time could be measured with a sensor element comprising a
speedometer and a timer.
[0039] Yet another alternative is that the sensor element 12
measures the location of the apparatus as defined by the housing
element 16 at several times. The location and time of the apparatus
as defined by the housing element 16 can be used to calculate the
acceleration also. The location may be detected in several ways,
including but not limited to a sensor element that comprises a unit
that transmits, a unit that receives, or a transceiver that does
both. The sensor element 12 as a location transmitter could be read
by receivers outside the apparatus, could be read by processor
element 22 when it is a part of the base element 24, as shown in
FIG. 2, or another element capable of receiving the transmission.
The location of the apparatus 10 could be determined with
triangulation calculations with the measurements. The sensor
element 12 as a location receiver could receive GPS information
from outside the apparatus 10 to determine the location by
triangulation. Then, the several locations could be used to
calculate the deceleration due to rolling resistance and then the
stimp of the green. The calculations could be done by the processor
element 22, or outside of the apparatus 10.
[0040] The power storage element 14 is the source of power for the
rest of the elements within the housing element 16. The power
storage element 14 may be a battery, capacitor, or any other
suitable power storage unit now known or later developed. The power
storage element 14 may be a power supply itself without need for
deriving power from an outside source (e.g., a battery), or it may
be capable of gaining more power or recharging by induction, an AC
wall unit or another method. The power storage element 14 may be
entirely inside the housing unit 16, or it may have some way of
connecting to the outside of the housing unit (e.g., a socket with
a corresponding plug, where the socket is a break in the outer wall
of the housing element 16, and where there may be some method of
covering the socket, not shown in any figures). Further, the
apparatus 10 may be configured such that the housing element 16
opens up or can be disassembled so the power storage element 14 can
be recharged or replaced.
[0041] The power storage element 14 may be connected to the sensor
element 12 in such a way that power can be transferred from one to
the other. In an embodiment with a processor element 22 (as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3), the power storage element 14 is connected to the
processor element 22 in such a way that power can be transferred
from one to another. In an embodiment with additional elements in
the housing element 16, the power storage element 14 may also be
connected to the other elements (e.g., display element 28, speaker
element 30, output element 32, input element 34) in such a way that
power can be transferred from one element to another (elements
shown in housing element 16 in FIG. 3, connections not shown).
[0042] The housing element 16 can be any structure sufficient to
contain and protect the sensor element and the power storage
element, as shown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment with additional
elements, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the additional elements may be
contained in the housing element 16 also. In the preferred
embodiment, the housing element 16 would be a golf ball. In this
embodiment, the housing element 16 would be the same size, shape,
weight, and have the same surface properties as a golf ball
commonly used by golfers. The housing element 16 may be translucent
in its entirety or over certain sections such that certain elements
inside the housing element 16 can be viewed by the user, possibly
to observe a display within the housing element 16. The housing
element 16 may be constructed from any suitable material. Such
materials include but are not limited to metal, plastic,
fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, glass, or any of their
combinations.
[0043] In alternative embodiments that are not shown, the housing
element 16 could be in the shape of, for example, a basketball,
baseball, baseball bat, football, tennis ball, tennis racket,
racket ball, volleyball, tennis racket, croquet ball, badminton
shuttlecock, cricket ball, cricket bat, soccer ball, bowling ball,
la cross ball, billiards ball, billiards cue, water polo ball, or
others.
[0044] FIGS. 2 and 3, show embodiments of the apparatus 20 and 40,
which show the various elements in different locations: either in
the housing element 16 or in the base element 24. Most of the
elements may be placed within either the housing element 16 or in
the base element 24 in any combination, as useful to implement the
invention. The placement of the elements should not limit the
placement or combination of placement of the elements into the
housing element 16 or the base element 24.
[0045] A processor element 22 could be a microprocessor, or other
mechanism capable of completing the necessary functions in the
invention. A processor element 22 may be present or it may be
absent altogether. A processor element 22, if present, may be in
the housing element 16 or in the base element 24. A processor
element 22 may be required to receive data, complete calculations
to determine stimp or other calculations, transmit data, or other
functions. For example, data may be sent to the display element 28
in such a manner that the processor element 22 is driving the
display element 28 directly or may be sent to the display element
28 which uses its own controller to prepare the data for
display.
[0046] The base element 24 could be configured to reside outside of
the housing element 16. A base element 24 may be present as in
embodiments 20 and 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or it may be
absent, as shown in FIG. 1 without departing from the scope of the
present invention. The base element could comprise some of the
other elements (e.g. display element 28, speaker element 30,
processor element 22, output element 32, input element 34, or
others), a power source element 26 (e.g. batteries, AC wall unit,
both, or other), non-contact inductive charging coils or other
method of transferring power to the power storage element 14 within
the housing element 16, and any other characteristic useful to the
practice of this invention.
[0047] A power source element 26 may be present in the base element
24 as an additional source of power for the elements in the base
element 24, in the housing element 16, and may be a source of power
for the power storage element 14, as well. The power source element
26 may include inductive coils for non-contact power transfer,
battery (s), a computer via a USB connection, AC wall unit, some
possible combination, or any other suitable power supply.
[0048] A display element 28 may be present in the invention and, if
present, may be in the housing element 16 or in the base element
24. The display element 28 might be connected to the processor
element 22, power storage element 14 if in the housing element 16,
the power source element 26 if it is in the base element 24, or
another element. The display element 28 may be any technology
suitable for conveying the data. Such technology includes but is
not limited to, seven-segment displays and pixel based displays.
The display may be a projection type technology. The display may
also represent data points without using traditional alphanumeric
characters. For example, the display may use symbols, different
colors, or temperatures to represent the data.
[0049] In other embodiments, the display element 28 may provide
navigation prompts for the user to learn about or program the
apparatus 10. Alternative embodiments may present other information
to the user through the display element 28.
[0050] Similarly, a speaker element 30 would audibly convey data,
like calculated stimp, measurement or other figures, to the user.
The speaker element 30 might also audibly convey navigation prompts
or other information as well. A speaker element 30 may be present
in the invention and, if present, may be in the housing element 16
or in the base element 24. The speaker element 30 might be
connected to the processor element 22, power storage element 14 if
in the housing element 16, the power source element 26 if it is in
the base element 24, or another element.
[0051] An output element 32 would convey measurement, stimp, or
other information to the user in some way other than the display
element 28 or the speaker element 30. For example, the output
element might send data over wireless communication such as radio
or infrared frequency waves to a processor element 22, a device
outside of the apparatus 10, such as an external communications
protocol like a Bluetooth, a computer, radio, cell phone, or
another element capable of reading the data sent by the output
element 32. In another embodiment, the output element might
vibrate, change color, change shape, change temperature, or in some
other way convey a message to the user.
[0052] The presence of a display element 28 and/or a speaker
element 30 does not preclude the possibility of including an
additional output element 32 in a particular embodiment. An output
element 32, if present, may be in the housing element 16 or in the
base element 24. The output element 32 might be connected to the
processor element 22, power storage element 14 if in the housing
element 16, the power source element 26 if it is in the base
element 24, or another element.
[0053] An input element 34 could provide a way for the user to
enter information or commands into the apparatus. For example, the
input element 34 might detect a pattern of pressure on the housing
of the apparatus to turn the apparatus "on" or "off" or another
command. Also, the input element might comprise a microphone to
detect speech patterns or another way of inputting the information.
The input element 34 might also be a more elaborate input method
such as a keyboard, number panel or other input method, especially
where the input element 34 is a part of the base element 24. The
input element 34 might be connected to the processor element 22,
power storage element 14 if in the housing element 16, the power
source element 26 if it is in the base element 24, or another
element. An input element 34 may be present in the invention and,
if present, may be in the housing element 16 or in the base element
24. The input element 34 might be connected to the processor
element 22, power storage element 14 if in the housing element 16,
the power source element 26 if it is in the base element 24, or
another element.
[0054] In an embodiment where the housing element 16 is a golf ball
and the desired data by the user is the stimp of a golf green, the
golfer can use the apparatus in several ways. The user could hit
the housing element 16 with a putter (not shown) or other golf club
(not shown). The golfer could roll the housing element 16 by hand,
or simply, nudge the housing element 16 with the golfer's foot. The
golfer only need to exert minimal effort compared to a traditional
stimpmeter.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention that
includes some or all of the elements described above, including a
golf ball 50 along with a base unit 60. The golf ball 50 is made up
of the inertial golf ball 52, an electronics package 54, an
inductive charging coil 56 and the different resilient layers 58 of
the golf ball 50. As described herein, the electronics package 54
includes such elements as the inertial sensing system, the charge
control system and the communications system.
[0056] The base unit 60 also shown in FIG. 4 is made up of the
charge and display base unit 62 for charging the golf ball 50 and
displaying information pertinent to the functions of the present
invention and described herein. The base unit 60 is also made up of
the golf ball receptacle 64, the digital display 66, and the
battery compartment 68. Alternatively, the base unit 60 can be
configured to be plugged into a standard wall outlet for power.
[0057] In use for example, the golf ball 50 is placed into the base
unit 60 in the golf ball receptacle 64 in order to charge the golf
ball 50. Other methods can be used to charge the golf ball 50,
including connectors as are standard on most electronic equipment.
Once charged, the user can putt the golf ball 50 on a particular
green, and the electronics 54 will determine the green speed or
stimp. The user then places the golf ball 50 back into the base
unit 60 in the golf ball receptacle 64 where the communications
system in the golf ball 50 can communicate with the base unit 60.
Again, the connection between the golf ball 50 and the base unit 60
does not have to be wireless and a standard connector may provide
the communication link instead. The display 66 then can indicate
the green speed or stimp to the user as described herein. Further,
as described herein, the golf ball 50 can communicate to the base
unit 60 (or to some other receiver) without the need to be placed
back into the base unit 60.
[0058] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and
scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
description of the preferred embodiment or alternative embodiments
contained herein.
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