U.S. patent application number 14/136772 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for golf stroke information.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kiwi Golf, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Kiwi Golf, LLC. Invention is credited to Glen B. Bowen, Robert C. Rolnik.
Application Number | 20150174465 14/136772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53398973 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150174465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowen; Glen B. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2015 |
GOLF STROKE INFORMATION
Abstract
A scorekeeper may detect swing candidate and obtains a
confirmation from a golfer that the swing candidate contributes to
a golf score, provided that a sufficient gap in time or distance
occurs after the last swing candidate is received. Next, the
scorekeeper may receive a first feedback from the golfer indicating
at least one stroke, and in response, update a score to reflect at
the least one stroke, and storing the first location. The
scorekeeper may repeat these steps to obtain at least a second
swing candidate that is verified by the golfer as contributing to
the score. In response to these verified swing candidates, the
scorekeeper updates the score to reflect at the least one stroke,
and store the second location.
Inventors: |
Bowen; Glen B.; (Baytown,
TX) ; Rolnik; Robert C.; (Kingwood, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kiwi Golf, LLC |
Baytown |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Kiwi Golf, LLC
Baytown
TX
|
Family ID: |
53398973 |
Appl. No.: |
14/136772 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/54 20130101;
A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2071/0663
20130101; A63B 2071/0655 20130101; A63B 2220/16 20130101; A63B
2225/20 20130101; G06Q 10/0639 20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101;
G01S 19/19 20130101; A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 2220/20 20130101;
A63B 71/0669 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 71/06 20060101 A63B071/06; A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. A method for collecting golf stroke information, the method
comprising: detecting a first swing candidate, the first swing
candidate having a first location associated therewith, and in
response determining whether secondary swing candidates fail to be
received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the
first location; in response to a determination of no swing
candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance
from the first location, storing the first location, first
prompting a golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes
are to be associated with a last received swing candidate;
receiving a first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one
stroke, and in response, updating a score to reflect at the least
one stroke, and storing the first location; detecting a second
swing candidate, the second swing candidate having a second
location associated therewith, and in response, determining whether
no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the second location; in response to a
determination of no secondary swing candidates being received for a
predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location
storing the second location, second prompting the golfer to
indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated
with a last received swing candidate; and receiving a second
feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in
response, updating the score to reflect at the least one stroke,
and storing the second location.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein first prompting and second
prompting further comprises signaling a vibration generator.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to a
determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the first location, obtaining a club
identity used to produce at least one stroke; and collecting
distance information associated with the club identity to form a
statistical distribution concerning golf ball distances associated
with the club identity to a golfer, and displaying a statistic
related to the club identity.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of obtaining the club
identity is by receiving a signal from a radio transponder
connected to the club.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the radio transponder is designed
to emit detectable signals up to 10 centimeters from the radio
transponder.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying each
location in a map showing relative locations of each of the first
location and the second location with respect to features of a golf
course, wherein the features comprise at least two selected from
the group consisting of a location of the tee; a location of the
green; a location of the pin; a location of a hazard and a location
of a fairway.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying a distance
of the golfer, wherein the distance is to the second location or to
a current hole.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: uploading at least
the first location and the second location, each with a respective
score cumulative up to each respective location to a server,
wherein the cumulative score is one selected from the group
consisting of strokes recorded by the golfer since beginning a
round of golf, and strokes recorded by the golfer since teeing
off.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the
golfer is located on a green, and in response determining whether a
location of the hole corresponding to the green is available from a
public source; in response to a determination that the green is not
available from a public source, determining that hole coordinates
are unavailable, and in response, soliciting the golfer to walk to
the hole; and receiving a signal that golfer is at the hole, and in
response, storing the hole location.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prompting the golfer
to confirm a stroke count, including any penalties, from a
corresponding tee to the hole.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of prompting the
golfer to confirm a stroke count further comprises, displaying the
first location and the second location stored since a last tee-off,
on a display to the golfer.
12. A computer program product for collecting golf stroke
information, the computer program product comprising: one or more
computer-readable storage devices and program instructions, stored
thereon the program instructions comprising: computer usable
program code configured to detect a first swing candidate, the
first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith;
computer usable program code configured to determine whether
secondary swing candidates fail to be received for a predetermined
time thereafter or distance from the first location, in response to
detecting a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having
a first location associated therewith; computer usable program code
configured to store the first location, first prompting a golfer to
indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated
with a last received swing candidate, in response to a
determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the first location; computer usable
program code configured to receive a first feedback from the golfer
indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code
configured to update a score to reflect at the least one stroke,
and storing the first location, in response to receiving the first
feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer
usable program code configured to detect a second swing candidate,
the second swing candidate having a second location associated
therewith; computer usable program code configured to determine
whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a
predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location,
in response to detecting the second swing candidate; computer
usable program code configured to second prompt the golfer to
indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated
with a last received swing candidate, in response to detecting no
secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the second location; and computer
usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from
the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program
code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one
stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving
the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one
stroke.
13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein first
prompting and second prompting further comprises signaling a
vibration generator.
14. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising:
computer usable program code configured to store the second
location, in response to a determination of no secondary swing
candidates being received for a predetermined time thereafter or
distance from the second location; computer usable program code
configured to second prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero,
one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing
candidate; and computer usable program code configured to receive a
second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke;
computer usable program code configured to update the score to
reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the second location,
in response to receiving the second feedback from the golfer
indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code
configured to obtain a club identity used to produce at least one
stroke by receiving a signal from a radio transponder connected to
the club, in response to the determination of no swing candidates
being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the
first location; and computer usable program code configured to
collect distance information associated with the club identity to
form a statistical distribution concerning golf ball distances
associated with the club identity to a golfer, and display a
statistic related to the club identity.
15. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising:
computer usable program code configured to display each location in
a map showing relative locations of each of the first location and
the second location with respect to features of a golf course,
wherein the features comprise at least two selected from the group
consisting of a location of the tee; a location of the green; a
location of the pin; a location of a hazard and a location of a
fairway.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising
displaying a distance of the golfer, wherein the distance is to the
second location or to a current hole.
17. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising:
computer usable program code configured to upload at least the
first location and the second location, each with a respective
score cumulative up to each respective location to a server,
wherein the cumulative score is one selected from the group
consisting of strokes recorded by the golfer since beginning a
round of golf, and strokes recorded by the golfer since teeing
off.
18. A computer system for collecting golf stroke information, the
computer system comprising: one or more processors, one or more
computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable storage
devices and program instructions, stored on the one or more storage
devices for execution by the one or more processors via the one or
more memories, the program instructions comprising: computer usable
program code configured to detect a first swing candidate, the
first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith;
computer usable program code configured to determine whether
secondary swing candidates fail to be received for a predetermined
time thereafter or distance from the first location, in response to
detecting a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having
a first location associated therewith; computer usable program code
configured to store the first location, first prompting a golfer to
indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated
with a last received swing candidate, in response to a
determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the first location; computer usable
program code configured to receive a first feedback from the golfer
indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code
configured to update a score to reflect at the least one stroke,
and storing the first location, in response to receiving the first
feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer
usable program code configured to detect a second swing candidate,
the second swing candidate having a second location associated
therewith; computer usable program code configured to determine
whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a
predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location,
in response to detecting the second swing candidate; computer
usable program code configured to second prompt the golfer to
indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated
with a last received swing candidate, in response to detecting no
secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the second location; and computer
usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from
the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program
code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one
stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving
the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one
stroke.
19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein first prompting and
second prompting further comprises signaling a vibration
generator.
20. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising: computer
usable program code configured to store the second location, in
response to a determination of no secondary swing candidates being
received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the
second location; computer usable program code configured to second
prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are
to be associated with a last received swing candidate; and computer
usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from
the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program
code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one
stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving
the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke;
computer usable program code configured to obtain a club identity
used to produce at least one stroke by receiving a signal from a
radio transponder connected to the club, in response to the
determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the first location; and computer usable
program code configured to collect distance information associated
with the club identity to form a statistical distribution
concerning golf ball distances associated with the club identity to
a golfer, and display a statistic related to the club identity.
21. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising: computer
usable program code configured to display each location in a map
showing relative locations of each of the first location and the
second location with respect to features of a golf course, wherein
the features comprise at least two selected from the group
consisting of a location of the tee; a location of the green; a
location of the pin; a location of a hazard and a location of a
fairway.
22. The computer system of claim 21, further comprising displaying
a distance of the golfer, wherein the distance is to the second
location or to a current hole.
23. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising: computer
usable program code configured to upload at least the first
location and the second location, each with a respective score
cumulative up to each respective location to a server, wherein the
cumulative score is one selected from the group consisting of
strokes recorded by the golfer since beginning a round of golf, and
strokes recorded by the golfer since teeing off.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a computer implemented
method, data processing system, and computer program product for
tracking golf statistics and correlating those to geographic
features.
[0002] Modern golf swing analyzers provide details of a golfer's
swing while in a test environment that is remote from the golf
course. While providing an abundance of detail concerning the
orientation, placement and velocities of a golfer's limbs, they are
unusable while on a golf course.
[0003] Other inventions determine when there is a ball-club
contact, and rely on that information to assess scoring for a
particular golfer. In every case, the prior art fails to assess
whether an apparent golf club swing is actually to be used in
scoring, or, rather, should be treated as a practice swing.
Further, the prior art fails, in a timely fashion, prompt a golfer
to indicate a penalty stroke.
[0004] These and other deficiencies are remedied by the invention
to be disclosed.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention a
method, apparatus and computer program product for collecting golf
stroke information is shown. A scorekeeper may detect a first swing
candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location
associated therewith, and in response determining whether no
secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the first location. The scorekeeper, in
response to a determination of no swing candidates being for a
predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location,
may store the first location, first prompting a golfer to indicate
whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last
received swing candidate. Next, the scorekeeper may receive a first
feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in
response, update a score to reflect at the least one stroke, and
storing the first location. The scorekeeper may detect a second
swing candidate, the second swing candidate having a second
location associated therewith, and response, determine whether no
secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time
thereafter or distance from the second location and, in response to
a determination of no secondary swing candidates being received for
a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second
location storing the second location, the scorekeeper can further
prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are
to be associated with a last received swing candidate. Next, the
scorekeeper may receive a second feedback from the golfer
indicating at least one stroke, and in response, update the score
to reflect the at least one stroke, and store the second
location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a golfer's arm wearing an illustrated
embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a data structure for storing golfing statistics in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of steps to collect golfing statistics
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps to store statistics of a golf
game to a separate device in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for displaying golf map information
together with strokes previously struck shown by their relative
position therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for interactive showing of golfing
statistics connected with a specific golf club in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention; and
[0013] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for collecting the hole location in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] With reference now to the figures and in particular with
reference to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a data processing system is
shown in which aspects of an illustrative embodiment may be
implemented. Data processing system 100 is an example of a
computer, in which code or instructions implementing the processes
of the present invention may be located. In the depicted example,
data processing system 100 employs a hub architecture including a
north bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 102 and a south
bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 104.
Processor 106, main memory 108, and graphics processor 110 connect
to north bridge and memory controller hub 102. Graphics processor
110 may connect to the NB/MCH through an accelerated graphics port
(AGP), for example.
[0015] In the depicted example, Global Position Service (GPS)
transceiver 112 connects to south bridge and I/O controller hub 104
and audio adapter 116, user interface 120, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth
transceiver 122, read only memory (ROM) 124, hard disk drive (HDD)
126, near field communicator unit 130, universal serial bus (USB)
ports and other communications ports 132, and
accelerometer/inclinometer 134 connect to south bridge and I/O
controller hub 104 through bus 138 and bus 140. An accelerometer is
a device that measures acceleration in three dimensions. As an
accelerometer/inclinometer, the device may also detect the relative
orientation of the data processing system relative to a constant
force of acceleration, such as the force of gravity, that is,
downward. PCI/PCIe devices may include, for example, Ethernet
adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI
uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. ROM 124 may be,
for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk
drive 126 may use, for example, an integrated drive electronics
(IDE) or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. A
super I/O (SIO) device 136 may be connected to south bridge and I/O
controller hub 104. Additionally, a vibration generator 137 may be
addressable on bus 138.
[0016] An operating system runs on processor 106, and coordinates
and provides control of various components within data processing
system 100 in FIG. 1. The operating system may be a commercially
available operating system such as Microsoft.RTM. Windows.RTM. XP.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States, other countries, or both. An object oriented
programming system, such as the Java.TM. programming system, may
run in conjunction with the operating system and provides calls to
the operating system from Java.TM. programs or applications
executing on data processing system 100. Java.TM. is a trademark of
Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or
both.
[0017] Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented
programming system, and applications or programs are located on
computer readable tangible storage devices, such as hard disk drive
126, and may be loaded into main memory 108 for execution by
processor 106. The processes of the embodiments can be performed by
processor 106 using computer implemented instructions, which may be
located in a memory such as, for example, main memory 108, read
only memory 124, or in one or more peripheral devices.
[0018] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
hardware in FIG. 1 may vary depending on the implementation. Other
internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash memory,
equivalent non-volatile memory, and the like, may be used in
addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 1. In
addition, the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be
applied to a multiprocessor data processing system.
[0019] In some illustrative examples, data processing system 100
may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is configured with
flash memory to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating
system files and/or user-generated data. A bus system may be
comprised of one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus,
and a PCI bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using
any type of communications fabric or architecture that provides for
a transfer of data between different components or devices attached
to the fabric or architecture. A communication unit may include one
or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a WiFi
transceiver, modem or a network adapter. A memory may be, for
example, main memory 108 or a cache such as found in north bridge
and memory controller hub 102. A processing unit may include one or
more processors or CPUs. The depicted example in FIG. 1 is not
meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data
processing system 100 also may be a tablet computer, laptop
computer, or telephone device in addition to taking the form of a
PDA.
[0020] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0021] The description of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0022] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or
computer program product. Accordingly, one or more embodiments may
take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely
software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,
micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware
aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, embodiments may take
the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more
computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code
embodied thereon.
[0023] Any combination of one or more computer readable storage
device(s) may be utilized. A computer readable storage device may
be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,
optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,
apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer
readable storage device would include the following: a portable
computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a
read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory
(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this
document, a computer readable storage device may be any tangible
device that can store a program for use by or in connection with an
instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The term
"computer-readable storage device" does not encompass a signal
propagation media such as a copper cable, optical fiber or wireless
transmission media.
[0024] Computer program code for carrying out operations for
aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination
of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and
conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The program
code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the
user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the
user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the
remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0025] Aspects of the present invention are described below with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0026] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0027] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0028] The illustrative embodiments permits a golfer to track his
score, movements, penalties and even distances that a ball is
struck. At least one embodiment allows a golfer to eliminate
practice swings from being counted as a stroke by a device that
relies on arm movements to detect swings. At least one embodiment
relies on a device capable of being arm worn, otherwise called a
scorekeeper, to detect the relative motions of the arm to at least
develop sensible swing candidates for use adding to the golfer's
current golf score. An arm worn device or scorekeeper is any data
processing system that at least has the inclinometer/accelerometer
134 of FIG. 1 and can filter out movements unlikely to be a golf
stroke. Accordingly, the scorekeeper, together with any peripheral
devices, can develop and report scores, with the collaboration of
the golfer, and provide statistical information to help a golfer
become aware of his performance using specified clubs. A GPS
feature, in the scorekeeper or peripheral device can enhance data
detected on the golfer's arm via the inclinometer/accelerometer. As
such, the inclinometer/accelerometer data and the GPS data can be
combined to show distances a golf ball is struck and other
statistics related to a golfer's performance golfing.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a golfer's arm wearing an illustrated
embodiment of the invention. On the golfer's arm, the golfer can
wear a scorekeeping device or scorekeeper illustrative embodiment
of the invention. Scorekeeper 200 can include the features of data
processing system of FIG. 1 above. The scorekeeper, as shown, can
be worn at wrist 203. However, it is appreciated, that the
scorekeeper may be attached and/or worn through the use of gloves,
sleeves or any form of strap at other parts of the golfer's arm,
for example, forearm 201 or hand 205. In such positions, the
scorekeeper can detect the golfer's swings, and discriminate
between those swings where the club actually strikes the ball, from
those that do not. The features of a modern smart phone may suffice
to produce the inclinometer/accelerometer data, provided the smart
phone is attached with suitable straps, Velcro.TM., spandex or
other materials designed to keep the device in contact with the
golfer's arm sufficient to detect golfer movements. Nevertheless,
the operation of a smart phone is merely one among several
illustrative embodiments.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a data structure for storing golfing statistics in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A scorekeeper can
store records or rows where each row contains at least the stroke
count for the hole or the position of the golf hole. For example,
rows 321-326 show a golf score progressing through normal gameplay,
while row 327 shows the data structure recording the final position
of the ball in the hole. Accordingly, the data structure can store
stroke count 301, the club used 303, any penalties or added strokes
305, latitude 307, longitude 308, elevation 309, and presence of
the ball in the hole 311.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of steps to collect golfing statistics
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the
scorekeeper may receive a signal to initiate measurements and score
(step 401). Next, the scorekeeper may detect a swing candidate
(step 403). The swing candidate is selected from motions on the
basis that a recent motion that fits a criteria for a golf swing,
is selected as a candidate swing. The scorekeeper can also receive
a location corresponding to the swing candidate, which may be a
triplet of latitude, longitude and elevation. A swing candidate can
be any movement that detects a downward movement followed by an
upward movement. Further discrimination may occur by detecting a
relative pause at each of the top-most points in the curve of the
swing candidate. Such a pause need not leave the sensor stationary,
but can have a feature of reaching the peak, and immediately
accelerate into a down-stroke. In other words, movements that
either halt the upward swings or pause to a level the human eye
would perceive as motionless are sufficient to mark the tops of the
down-stroke and the subsequent follow-through. However, many such
movements are indistinguishable from practice swings. Each curve is
detected by use of an accelerometer/inclinometer, for example,
accelerometer/inclinometer 134 of FIG. 1. Additional screening out
of candidate swings can occur on the basis of GPS locations being
detected that place the golfer outside the regions of in-bounds
fair play of a golf ball, as might occur in the roofed structures
of a country club, or on a paved surface. Necessarily, the
scorekeeper would obtain or be made containing the boundaries of
fair play for the golf course or courses at which a golfer would
play.
[0032] Accordingly, movements that meet the criteria, stated above,
start a time-out clock running, for example, up to 20 seconds,
which is a period that for most golfers, is never exceeded between
practice strokes or other addressing of the golf ball as it lies on
the course. Such a time-out could be adjustable to suit the
preferences of the golfer, through, for example, a user interface
that asks for the golfer's preferences. Accordingly, a candidate
swing, followed by a lapse of swinging motions longer than this
predetermined period of a time-out, can indicate that the golfer
has completed his stroke, and is now returning to a golf cart,
moving to wait alongside the tee, or is otherwise no longer
aligning with the fairway or stretching his arms to better prepare
for the actual strike. Thus, next, the scorekeeper may determine
whether the time-out is reached (step 405). If not, the scorekeeper
may determine if the golfer has moved a sufficient distance from a
previously recorded swing candidate (step 407). The distance, can
be 15 feet, or some other predetermined distance, that at least is
larger than any predicted error in the GPS received location and/or
a distance between the tee markers. A negative determination at
step 407 returns the scorekeeper to step 403 where it may
repeatedly detects swing candidates.
[0033] A positive determination, at ether of steps 405 or 407,
causes the scorekeeper to prompt the golfer for a number of strokes
(step 409). The prompt can be a message, displayed to a display on
the scorekeeper, that a number of strokes is requested. The
scorekeeper, in addition, may discreetly vibrate the data
processing device to additionally get the attention of the golfer
that a stroke count is required, for example, by signaling a
vibration generator such as, for example, vibration generator 137
of FIG. 1. In any case, the vibration generator is on the person of
the golfer such that the sensation of vibrating is apparent to the
golfer. Thus, at this time, the golfer can add a stroke for hitting
the golf ball into the water, out of bounds, and the like as
feedback (step 411). The golfer may enter zero--in which case, the
scorekeeper, having detected entry of zero (step 412) returns to
step 403. In contrast, if the scorekeeper detects anything other
than zero at step 412, processing can continue. Thus, in response
to a negative result at step 412 the scorekeeper can use the
feedback to tally the current stroke count and add the details to
its data structure (step 413). At this time, the swing candidate,
rather than being temporarily stored, is more permanently recorded
within the data structure--and as such, is considered a recorded
swing candidate. The data structure is, for example, at columns 301
and 305 in data structure 300 of FIG. 3. Moreover, latitude and
longitude data, which may initially be temporarily recorded with
the swing candidate at step 403 may now be more permanently
recorded to data structure 300 along with elevation data. The
latitude, longitude and elevation data may be derived from GPS
signals received either directly at an arm-worn device, or
indirectly, through a peripheral device. Latitude and longitude
data, once stored to the data structure, can form a kind of anchor,
that the scorekeeper uses as a reference to determine a relative
distance the golfer from the position of the golf stroke, in
real-time, as a golfer moves about the golf course.
[0034] Next, the scorekeeper may obtain the club identity for the
recorded swing candidate (step 415). A recorded swing candidate is
a swing that is confirmed by the golfer to contribute to the
golfer's score. The club identity can be obtained by one of at
least two ways. First, the scorekeeper may prompt the golfer to
pick from a list, which club was used, for example, by using the
user interface 120 to collect the selection from the golfer.
Second, the scorekeeper may use a radio signal interrogation and
response to detect, from a radio transponder embedded in the club,
which is the identity of the club the golfer is holding. As such,
near field communication (NFC) protocol and standard can be used to
collect such information. Further prompting of the golfer can be
made, such as via the first method, if the scorekeeper is unable to
resolve which club is nearby--as may occur if the golfer dropped
the club or handed it off in some way. As may be appreciated, the
interrogation using NFC, may occur much earlier in the steps of
method 400, for example, contemporaneously with step 403. A club
identity can include the numeric indication of the amount of pitch
the club face has. The club identity can indicate whether the club
is a wood or an iron. The club identity can include a brand and/or
model name. A near field communication protocol may have a nominal
transmission range of up to 10 centimeters--which, in practice, may
vary based on the placement of interfering objects between
transmitter and radio transponder or based on other radio
interference.
[0035] Next, the scorekeeper may display a distance of the golfer
from the previously recorded swing candidate (step 417). In other
words, the locations that correspond to the last two recorded swing
candidates are used as end points to determine the linear distance
the ball travelled for the stroke recorded immediately prior to the
last recorded swing candidate. The distance can be a pure lateral
distance, or the distance can include any relative change in
elevation that the golf ball experienced when comparing the end
points. Additionally, if the position of the green and/or
corresponding hole is known by the scorekeeper, the GPS feature may
periodically update a distance the golfer/scorekeeper is from the
current hole. As such, the distance displayed can be a) from the
last stroke taken; and/or b) to the current hole.
[0036] The scorekeeper may perform statistical analysis of the
distance and the club used for the stroke recorded immediately
prior to the last recorded swing candidate. In other words, the
club may have a list of distances associated with it, that can
include the distance just measured. Such a list can be used to
compute averages, medians, standard deviations, average for the
club for the current day, among other statistical measures. A
golfer, may periodically consult these statistical measures by
switching a mode of display in the scorekeeper to display a
preferred statistic for the golfer. Similarly, when the golfer has
the desired statistic, he may return the scorekeeper to the normal
steps of process 400.
[0037] Next, the scorekeeper may prompt the golfer to indicate if
the ball is in the hole (step 419). The golfer may respond either
`yes` or `no`. The scorekeeper can optionally receive the golfer
indication that the ball is in the hole (step 421). If the golfer
fails to answer or otherwise ignores the question, the scorekeeper
may, by default, store to column 311 of data structure 300 data
representative of `no`.
[0038] The scorekeeper, may, through information publicly recorded
about the golf hole's location, available, for example, via an
internet query, establish a final line corresponding to play at the
current hole, such as row 327 in data structure 300 of FIG. 1. FIG.
8, below, is a flowchart showing the manner in which a hole
location can be determined. Accordingly, row 327 does not increment
the stroke-count from the previous row, and similarly, does not
record a club, since the hole is the end point of strokes that link
ball positions across the fairway and green for the hole. The hole
location, obtained via the internet or other sources, can then be
recorded, with reference to FIG. 3 as latitude, longitude 332 and
elevation 333.
[0039] If the scorekeeper does not receive an indication that the
ball is in the hole, processing resumes at step 403. However, a
positive determination at step 423 can cause the scorekeeper to
prompt the golfer to further refine the nature of the strokes made
to take as a final score on a hole (step 425). Thus, at step 425,
the golfer may confirm the strokes from tee to hole and/or
subdivide the strokes already recorded to those made to get the
ball on the green, and those while on the green. Thus, for example,
the seven strokes recorded at FIG. 3 may be divided among the
strokes to get on to the green; the strokes the golfer made while
on the green. The number of fairway shots and the number of green
shots can be stored accordingly.
[0040] Next, the scorekeeper can determine if 18 holes are
completed, or alternatively, sufficient time has lapsed between
either the first hole played, or the last recording of a swing
candidate to determine that the game is finished or interrupted
(step 427). If the game is not finished or interrupted, the
scorekeeper resumes at step 403. Otherwise, processing may
terminate thereafter.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a flowchart to display map details in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. At the command of the golfer,
the scorekeeper may store statistics of the golf game to a separate
device. Alternatively, the scorekeeper, may routinely, as scores
and other data are received in FIG. 4, store statistics of the golf
game to a separate device (step 501). The separate device can be a
device that has a larger screen than the scorekeeper, and thereby
show better detail. Such better detail can include, for example,
maps of a course layout with ball play diagramed as a
connect-the-dots arrangement of drives and putts, statistical
distribution of ball distances produced by a particular club or
other information. Such a separate device can be a tablet device,
or a desktop computer, for example. The separate device can be a
server, which is accessed through a tablet device or desktop
computer.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for displaying golf map information
and locations of each stroke. As such, the scorekeeper displays
strokes together with map details (step 601). When the scorekeeper
displays each location, it may do so in a map showing relative
locations of each of the locations corresponding to recorded swing
candidates with respect to features of a golf course. The features
can be a location of the tee; a location of the green; a location
of the pin; a location of a hazard; a location of a fairway, and
the like.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for interactive showing of golfing
statistics connected with a specific golf club in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the scorekeeper may
receive a query for statistics concerning a specified golf club
(step 701). If the scorekeeper makes a negative determination, the
scorekeeper continues with whatever activity it was previously
tasked with. However, if the scorekeeper obtains a positive
determination at step 701, the scorekeeper may interrupt other
activities of the scorekeeper, for example, receiving and
distinguishing swing candidates from actual golf strokes, as is
done in FIG. 4. In response to a positive determination, the
scorekeeper may display statistics for a golf club, selected by the
golfer (step 705).
[0044] The golfer, after reading the information, may resume other
activities, such as that of FIG. 4, by indicating to the
scorekeeper to quit displaying the statistics. Alternatively, the
scorekeeper may simultaneously display statistics, together with
data and/or prompts of FIG. 4, in a segment of the user interface
screen devoted to statistical information.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for collecting the hole location in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the
scorekeeper may determine whether the golfer is located on a green
(step 801). This determination can be made with reference to GPS
signals periodically received. Step 801 is repeated until the
golfer is determined to be present on a green. Next, the
scorekeeper may determine if a location of a hole is available from
a public source (step 803). This step can be performed by making a
query, for example, to websites on the internet. Despite a location
being reported via an internet query, if the information is
sufficiently outdated, the determination can be that the location
of the information is not available.
[0046] Next, in response to a negative determination at step 803,
the scorekeeper may prompt the golfer to step over the hole (step
805). In response to a negative determination, the scorekeeper may
repeatedly execute step 807, namely, at step 807 the golfer may
signal that he is at the hole (step 807).
[0047] After a positive determination at either step 803 or 807,
the scorekeeper may store the hole location (step 809). The
scorekeeper may add the hole location, for example, to row 327 of
FIG. 3, including, at least, latitude 331 and longitude 332.
Processing may terminate thereafter.
[0048] It is appreciated, that the data processing system, that
supports the flowcharts of FIG. 4-8 can be entirely contained to an
arm-worn device shown in FIG. 2. However, for purposes of keeping
sizing to a minimum, some features, such as the display and/or
input devices can be placed in a second device, that communicates
wireless to the first device, worn on the arm, thereby creating a
division of labor for each of the devices to permit them to be
sized appropriately for the task at hand. Accordingly, the arm-worn
device may have fewer than all the parts described at FIG. 1, so
long as the corresponding parts are elsewhere in the wireless
system of devices. As such, the second device, can operate as a
user interface and/or display, to present and receive information
in a more direct and overt manner from the golfer, while the
arm-worn device can be used to collect motion data connected with
arm swings.
[0049] As such, the arm-worn device may repeatedly perform step 403
of FIG. 4, above, and with respect to its results, transmit them
out to the second device for further processing. Similarly, the
second device, may initiate and terminate the arm-worn device to,
respectively, begin and end a loop for detecting swing candidates
and correspondingly transmitting results to another unit in the
system. Thus, some measure of battery use may be conserved in the
arm-worn device. It is appreciated, that when describing an
arm-worn device, above, that the device merely be amenable to being
worn on the arm. Accordingly, the device merely be light enough to
be placed on an arm without discomfort or perceptible ill-effect on
a golf swing.
[0050] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more
executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of
the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions
or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
[0051] The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware
embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment
containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred
embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which
includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,
microcode, etc.
[0052] Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer
program product accessible from a computer-usable or
computer-readable storage device providing program code for use by
or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution
system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or
computer readable storage device can be any tangible apparatus that
can store the program for use by or in connection with the
instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0053] The computer-readable storage device can be an electronic,
magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system (or
apparatus or device). Examples of a computer-readable storage
device include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic
tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM),
a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical
disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read
only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD
[0054] Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the
system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
[0055] Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable
the data processing system to become coupled to other data
processing systems or remote printers or computer readable tangible
storage devices through intervening private or public networks.
Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the
currently available types of network adapters.
[0056] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
* * * * *