U.S. patent application number 12/838656 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-03 for method and system for shot tracking.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. Invention is credited to JOSEPH BALARDETA, SCOTT DENTON.
Application Number | 20110028230 12/838656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43527538 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110028230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BALARDETA; JOSEPH ; et
al. |
February 3, 2011 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHOT TRACKING
Abstract
A system and method for shot tracking disclosed herein. The
system preferably includes a golf club, a receiver and a device.
The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a
power source, a switch and an accelerometer. Each golf shot is
recorded on the device including the type of club and club swing
speed.
Inventors: |
BALARDETA; JOSEPH;
(ENCINITAS, CA) ; DENTON; SCOTT; (CARLSBAD,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALLAWAY GOLF C0MPANY
2180 RUTHERFORD ROAD
CARLSBAD
CA
92008-7328
US
|
Assignee: |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
CARLSBAD
CA
|
Family ID: |
43527538 |
Appl. No.: |
12/838656 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61230465 |
Jul 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/222 ;
473/407; 473/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0021 20130101;
A63B 2220/14 20130101; A63B 2225/54 20130101; A63B 2024/0031
20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A63B 69/3658 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/222 ;
473/409; 473/407 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 57/00 20060101 A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A system for automatically tracking a golf club swung by a
golfer, the system comprising: a golf club comprising a shaft and a
golf club head, the golf club having a an accelerometer in
electrical communication with an active RFID transponder, the
accelerometer temporarily closing a switch during impact with a
golf ball to provide power from a power source to the RFID
transponder for transmission of a signal, the signal containing
data for the specific golf club comprising the type of club and
club speed; and a receiver for receiving the signal from the RFID
transponder.
2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a device for
receiving a second signal from the receiver.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the receiver stores data
for each shot by the golfer for a round of golf.
4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the device is a GPS
unit.
5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the type of club is
selected from wedge, 9-iron, 8-iron, 7-iron, 6-iron, 5-iron,
4-iron, 3-iron, 2-iron, 9-wood, 7-wood, 5-wood, 3-wood, driver,
putter, 1-hybird, 2-hybrid, 3-hybrid, 4-hybrid, 5-hybrid and
6-hybrid.
6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the accelerometer is a
50 G accelerometer.
7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the accelerometer, the
active RFID transponder, the switch and the power source are
located within the shaft of the golf club.
8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the accelerometer, the
active RFID transponder, the switch and the power source are
located within the golf club head of the golf club.
9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the accelerometer, the
active RFID transponder, the switch and the power source are
located are the exterior of the shaft of the golf club.
10. A method for shot tracking, the method comprising: swinging at
a golf ball with a golf club; measuring the club speed of the
swing; impacting the golf ball with the golf club; activating an
accelerometer positioned on the golf club; closing a switch for a
set time period, the switch positioned between a power source and
an active RFID transponder; powering the active RFID transponder
with power from the power source; transmitting a signal from the
active RFID transponder, the signal comprising golf club data
comprising the type of golf club and club speed of the swing; and
receiving the signal at a receiver.
11. The method according to claim 10 automatically transmitting the
golf club data from the receiver to a device.
12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the receiver stores
data for each shot by the golfer for a round of golf.
13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the device is a GPS
unit and records the geographical position of the shot.
14. The method according to claim 10 wherein the type of club is
selected from wedge, 9-iron, 8-iron, 7-iron, 6-iron, 5-iron,
4-iron, 3-iron, 2-iron, 9-wood, 7-wood, 5-wood, 3-wood, driver,
putter, 1-hybird, 2-hybrid, 3-hybrid, 4-hybrid, 5-hybrid and
6-hybrid.
15. The method according to claim 10 wherein the accelerometer is a
500 G accelerometer.
16. The method according to claim 10 wherein the accelerometer, the
active RFID transponder, the switch and the power source are
located within the shaft of the golf club.
17. The method according to claim 10 wherein the accelerometer, the
active RFID transponder, the switch and the power source are
located within the golf club head of the golf club.
18. The method according to claim 10 wherein the accelerometer, the
active RFID transponder, the switch and the power source are
located are the exterior of the shaft of the golf club.
19. The method according to claim 10 further comprising storing the
data at the receiver.
20. A system for automatically tracking a golf club swung by a
golfer, the system comprising: a golf club comprising a shaft and a
golf club head, the golf club having a an accelerometer switch in
electrical communication with an active RFID transponder, the
accelerometer switch temporarily closing during impact with a golf
ball to provide power from a power source to the RFID transponder
for transmission of a signal, the signal containing data for the
specific golf club comprising the type of club and club speed; a
receiver for receiving the signal from the RFID transponder; and a
device for receiving the data from the receiver, the device capable
of determining a geographical position of the golfer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The Present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/230,465 filed on Jul. 31, 2009.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to shot tracking. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system
for tracking shots of a golfer during a round of golf.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Golf clubs combine with the players swing to propel a ball
toward a favored location and through a favored path. The
orientation and speed of the club head at impact largely determines
the ball path including carry distance and roll.
[0007] Various data measuring and collecting devices and methods
are used for analyzing a golf club during a golf swing. In a
similar manner, the effectiveness of a golf ball impact with the
golf club during the golf swing can be measured in terms of initial
launch conditions. Such launch conditions include the initial
velocity, launch angle, spin rate and spin axis of the golf ball.
These launch conditions are determined principally by the velocity
of a club head at impact and the loft and angle of a club face
relative to the intended trajectory of the golf ball's flight.
There are two general methods for analyzing the golf club during a
golf swing: visual analysis and quantitative variable analysis.
[0008] The method of analyzing a golf club during a golf swing
using visual analysis typically is conducted by a golf instructor
capable of visually discerning golf swing variables, and suggesting
corrections in the golfer's swing to provide improvement. However,
not every golfer has ready access to professional golf instruction.
The golfer also can diagnose certain swing faults using visual
analysis methodology employing one or more cameras to record the
golfer's swing and comparing it to a model swing. Using various
camera angles and slow motion play back, the actual swing motion
can be reviewed and altered in subsequent swings.
[0009] On the other hand, quantitative variable analysis employs
sensors to directly measure various mechanical or physical
properties of the golf club during the swing motion. Sensors, such
as strain gauges or accelerometers, typically are attached to the
shaft or the golf club head. Data collected from these strain
gauges then may be transferred to a signal processor via wires or
radio waves, and can be presented in various graphical formats,
including graphical and tabular charts. A significant drawback
associated with the use of wires in an instrumented golf club is
that the wires can be very cumbersome, and can become obtrusive to
the golfer when the golfer attempts to swing the golf club. Several
different approaches to analyzing a golf club or baseball bat
during a baseball or golf swing using quantitative variable
analysis are discussed in the patents listed below.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,219, issued to Cobb et al., the
specification discloses a baseball bat with a self-contained
measuring device and display. A spring potentiometer is used to
measure centrifugal force, and an LED or LCD displays the measured
force. However, this bat does not contain any data storage
capability.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,544, issued to Kobayashi, discloses a
golf club having multiple sensors, and a cable for transmitting
data to a computer for data processing. This arrangement can
accommodate up to 5 sensors in a cartridge located in the handle
region of the golf club.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,508, issued to Varju, discloses the use
of a strain gauge in the bottom of a golf club, and a wire for
connecting the sensor to a data processing means located separate
from the golf club.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,340, issued to Kim, discloses the use of
multiple sensors for measuring the acceleration of a golf club, and
uses either a cable or radio transmissions to transfer data from
the sensors to an external data processing means.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,850, issued to Wilhelm, discloses the
use of a sensor for measuring the applied force of a golf swing.
The sensor data can be displayed on a wrist-mounted arrangement or
be downloaded to a computer via cable or radio transmission.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,863, issued to Evans, discloses the use
of multiple sensors, including an accelerometer and strain gauges,
to measure torque and flex. Data is transferred from the golf club
to a data analysis station via FM radio signals, with each sensor
having its own data transfer frequency.
[0016] The prior art is lacking in a method and system for shot
tracking.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention provides a solution for automatic shot
tracking.
[0018] Having briefly described the present invention, the above
and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of a system for
shot tracking.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a graph of a binary result of acceleration
switches during different club events.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a graph of acceleration levels during different
club events.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a portion of a golf club
illustrating the components.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of shot tracking.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of components of a system for shot
tracking with the switch open.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of a system for shot
tracking with the switch closed.
[0026] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a system for shot tracking.
[0027] FIG. 9 is an isolated perspective view of a golf club
utilized for shot tracking.
[0028] FIG. 10 is an isolated perspective view of a golf club head
utilized for shot tracking.
[0029] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club
utilized for shot tracking.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view of a segment of a shaft, and shows two
strain gauge of the rosette group on a front surface and a strain
gauge of the rosette group in phantom on a back surface.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a view of the triplet strain gauge elements as
arranged about the exterior circumference of the shaft of the
instrumented golf club in tip and butt ends.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, components of the system can be attached
to a golf club. Alternatively, the components can be integrated
into a golf club.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows that different levels of acceleration switches
can be effectively used to detect that a golf club has been used
during by a golfer. A 50 g switch, a 125 g switch and a 500 g
switch were used for this testing.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the levels detected during a golf club impact
with a golf ball.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a golf club 50. The
components of the system 20 within the golf club 50 preferably
include an active RFID transponder 51, a power source 52, a switch
53 and an accelerometer 54. Those skilled in the pertinent art will
recognize that the accelerometer and switch may be a single
device.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method 1000 for shot tracking.
At block 1001, a golfer swings a club and impacts a golf ball. At
block 1002, diagnostics and an accelerometer are activated by the
swing and impact of the golf club with the golf ball. The
diagnostics of the golf club measure at least golf club speed. At
block 1003, a switch located between a power source and an active
RFID transponder is temporarily closed due to the activation of the
accelerometer. At block 1004, the active RFID transponder is
powered by the power source. At block 1005, the active RFID
transponder transmits at least one signal containing data about the
golf club which includes the type of club and the club speed. At
block 1006, the signal is received at a receiver. The signal is
then stored at the receiver or transmitted to another device.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates components of the system located within a
golf club prior to impact of a golf club with a golf ball.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates components of the system located within a
golf club subsequent to impact of a golf club with a golf ball.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates the system 20. A transponder in a golf
club 50 swung by a golfer sends a signal 62 to a receiver 60 which
sends a second signal 63 to a device 65. The device 65 is attached
to a golf bag 61, however, those skilled within the pertinent art
will recognize that the device 65 may be attached to any pertinent
device including the golfer, or may stand alone.
[0040] The receiver 60 is capable of wireless transmission using
BLUETOOTH communications or a similar communication protocol. The
receiver 60 may also be capable of storing the data for later
transmission.
[0041] The device 65 is preferably a GPS device such as disclosed
in Balardeta et al., U.S. Patent Publication Number 20090075761 for
a Golf GPS Device And System, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the device 65 is a
personal digital assistant (PDA), "smart phone", mobile phone, or
other similar device. However, those skilled in the pertinent art
will recognize that the receiver may be any device capable of
receiving and storing signals from the RFID tag.
[0042] Gibbs, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,468 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0043] Galloway, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,470 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0044] Williams, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,038 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0045] Desmukh U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,143 is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0046] Murphy, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,600 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0047] Gibbs, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,626 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0048] Galloway, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,631 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0049] Evans, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,273,419 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0050] Hocknell, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,250 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0051] The measurements may be inputted into an impact code such as
the rigid body code disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,209, entitled
Method for Predicting a Golfer's Ball Striking Performance, which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0052] The swing properties are preferably determined using an
acquisition system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,990,
entitled System and Method for Measuring a Golfer's Ball Striking
Parameters, assigned to Callaway Golf Company, the assignee of the
present application, and hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will
recognize that other acquisition systems may be used to determine
the swing properties.
[0053] Other methods that are useful in obtaining a golfer's swing
characteristics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,175, for a
Diagnostic Golf Club System, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,634, for an
Instrumented Golf Club System And Method Of Use, and U.S. Pat. No.
6,224,493, for an Instrumented Golf Club System And Method Of Use,
all of which are assigned to Callaway Golf Company, the assignee of
the present application, and all of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entireties.
[0054] The shaft 114 may be anywhere from 35 inches for a wedge to
50 inches for a driver, and is preferably composed of a graphite
material. However, the shaft may also be composed of steel
titanium, or a bi-material. The shaft 114 has a wall 122 that
defines a hollow interior 123. The shaft 114 has an interior
surface 124 and an exterior surface 125. The shaft 114 has a tip
end 126 in proximity to the club head 116 and a butt end 127,
opposite the tip end 126. The shaft 114 also having an opening 131
to the hollow interior 124 located at the butt end 127. The shaft
114 generally tapers in its diameter from the butt end 127 to the
tip end 126.
[0055] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the club head 116,
comprising a top 130, a heel region 132, a face 134, a toe region
136, a rear region 138 and a ribbon 140. A right-hand coordinate
system is used, and is illustrated by the designation of the X, Y
and Z axes. The X axis is oriented vertically (at address position)
from a soleplate 154 to the top 130 of the club head 116. The Y
axis is oriented horizontally (at address position) from the toe
region 136 to the heel region 132. The Z axis is oriented
horizontally (at address position) from the face 134 to the rear
region 138.
[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates the golf club shaft 114 comprising a
first plurality of strain gauges 120 consisting of a set of three
rosette groups 20a, 20b, 20c (in phantom) located on an exterior
125 butt end 127 of the shaft 114 for providing axial and strain
measurements during a golf swing. Additionally, a second plurality
of strain gauges 21 consisting of a set of three rosette groups
121a, 121b and 121c (not shown) are shown located on the tip end
126 of the shaft 114 for providing axial and strain measurements
during a golf swing.
[0057] A circuit board 146 is located within the hollow interior
124 of the shaft and is comprised of a memory circuit 148 for
storing strain measurements, a power control circuit 150, a first
signal conditioning circuit 152 for the first plurality of strain
gauges 120, a second signal conditioning circuit 154 for the second
plurality of strain gauges 121, and a serial communication circuit
156. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit board 46 is located
approximately 10 inches down the shaft. However, one skilled in the
art would understand that the location of the circuit board 146 is
not critical and that placement could be varied to accommodate
weight adjustments in different club types. Locating the
electronics within the shaft helps to further protect the
instrumentation from shock loadings that electronics mounted on the
club head typically experience upon impact of the golf club with a
golf ball.
[0058] An internal power source 158 is also positioned within the
shaft to provide power supply to the circuit board 146 as well as
to the first and second plurality of strain gauges 120 and 121
respectively. An LED 160 is located on the exterior 125 of the
shaft 114 to notify the user that t golf club is powered up and to
signal upon each successive hit that a triggering event has
occurred.
[0059] FIG. 12 illustrates a first plurality of strain gauges are
located on the exterior circumference of the shaft at a position
proximate the butt end and comprising a set of three rosette
groups. The first strain gauge group 120a, the second strain gauge
group 120b, and the third strain gauge group 120c (in phantom).
Individual strain gauges are comprised of a triple element having a
central axial gauge and right and left crossing shear gauges such
that when grouped the nine strain gauges from six Wheatstone
bridges.
[0060] A first plurality of wires 162 is used to connect the first
plurality of strain gauges 120 to the circuit board 146. At a
triggering event, such as the golfer's swing, each strain gauge
input receives a signal referred to by a channel numbered (0-11).
Each channel number references a recorded variable, such as butt
bend, butt shear, tip bend and tip shear for each strain gauge. The
first plurality of wires 162 connect the individual strain gauge
groups 120a, 120b and 120c to the circuit board 146 by first
connecting to the circuit board 146 and then running along the
interior portion 124 of the golf club shaft 114, exiting the shaft
114 via an exit hole 110 located below the butt end 126 of the
shaft 114 and connecting with the individual sets of strain gauge
groups 120a, 120b and 120c located on the exterior 125 butt end 127
of the shaft 114. The shaft 114 has an opening 164 at the butt end
127. The shaft 114 has a hollow compartment for placement of a
power supply therein, electronic circuitry, sensors, and necessary
wiring. A cap 176 is used to cover the hollow compartment of the
shaft 114. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply is a battery
tube 178 containing at least a first battery 180. The battery 180
provides internal power for the golf club 50. Preferably, a
protective casing is located within the shaft 114 for placement of
the battery 180.
[0061] The shaft electronic circuitry board 146, which may be one
or two boards, includes the internal memory device 134, a
non-volatile buffer memory, a main microprocessor 136, power
control circuitry 120, signal conditioning circuitry 121 for the
strain gauges in the butt end 127 of the shaft 114, signal
conditioning circuitry 122 for the strain gauges in the tip end 126
of the shaft 114, serial communication circuitry 124, filter
circuitry 126 for the strain gauges, and an analog to digital
converter circuitry 128. The shaft electronic circuitry board 146
is a typical power circuitry board. The placement of all of the
electronics in the shaft 114, as opposed to the club head 116,
allows for the use of multiple club heads 116 in order to analyze a
golfer's swing for different clubs. Further, the components in the
shaft 114 are modular, and thus are easily replaceable if damaged.
Such replacement is performed via the opening.
[0062] A second plurality of strain gauges is also located at the
tip end 126 of the golf club shaft 114. This second plurality of
strain gauges 121 are located on the exterior circumference of the
tip end of the shaft comprised of a set of three rosette groups
being a mirror image of the strain gauges located at the butt end
of the shaft. The first strain gauge group 121a, the second strain
gauge group 121b and the third strain gauge group 121c. The
individual strain gauges are comprised of a triple element having a
central axial gauge and right and left crossing shear gauges such
that the rosette groups from six Wheatstone bridges.
[0063] A second plurality of wires 163 is used to connect this
second plurality of strain gauges 121 to the circuit board 146. At
a triggering event, such as a golfer's swing, individual strain
gauge inputs receive a signal referred to by a channel numbered
(0-11). Each channel number references a recorded variable, such as
butt bend, butt shear, tip bend and tip shear for each strain gauge
pair.
[0064] A second plurality of wires 163 connects the strain gauge
groups 121a, 121b and 121c to the circuit board 146 by first
connecting to the circuit board 146 and then running along the
interior 124 portion of the golf club shaft 114, exiting the
interior 124 of the shaft 114 via a second exit hole located below
the butt end 126 of the shaft 114 and running along the length of
the exterior 125 of the shaft 114 to connect with the second
plurality of strain gauge sets 121a, 121b and 121c located on the
tip end 126 of the shaft. This second plurality of wires 163
connecting the second plurality of strain gauges 121 from the tip
end 126 of the golf club shaft 114 are preferably glued to the
exterior of the golf club shaft 114, however, the second plurality
of wires 163 may also be affixed to the shaft 114 by any other
means including mechanical, that are commonly used in the art.
[0065] From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this
invention and will readily understand that while the present
invention has been described in association with a preferred
embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and
substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following
appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in
which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *