U.S. patent application number 15/004080 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for golf swing sensor assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Steven Friedlander, David Young.
Application Number | 20170209741 15/004080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59350485 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170209741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedlander; Steven ; et
al. |
July 27, 2017 |
GOLF SWING SENSOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
Each club in the bag has a small sensor mount on its shaft with
indicia indicating what club (9-iron, 7-iron, fairway 5-wood, etc.)
the mount is attached to. A swing sensor can then engage the mount
and read the indicia, sending both sensed swing information and
club type to an app on the golfer's mobile phone. In this way, the
app knows not only the swing information but also the type of club
that was used to generate that swing information.
Inventors: |
Friedlander; Steven;
(Escondido, CA) ; Young; David; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
59350485 |
Appl. No.: |
15/004080 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0062 20130101;
A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101; A63B 2220/808
20130101; A63B 2220/807 20130101; A63B 69/3632 20130101; A63B
2225/50 20130101; A63B 69/36 20130101; A63B 2220/806 20130101; A63B
2225/54 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101;
A63B 2071/065 20130101; A63B 2071/0694 20130101; A63B 2220/803
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 69/36 20060101 A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. At least one apparatus comprising: at least a first sensor mount
configured for engaging a golf club of a first type of iron or
wood, the first sensor mount including first indicia indicating the
first type, the first sensor mount comprising a channel configured
to closely receive a golf club shaft within the channel of the
first sensor mount, the first sensor mount not containing any
energizable components; at least a second sensor mount configured
for engaging a golf club of a second type of iron or wood, the
second type being different from the first type, the sensor mount
including second indicia indicating the second type, the second
indicia being different from the first indicia, the second sensor
mount comprising a channel configured to closely receive a golf
club shaft within the channel of the second sensor mount, the
second sensor mount not containing any energizable components; and
at least one sensor assembly including structure configured for
removably engaging the first sensor mount and for detecting the
first indicia, the sensor assembly including at least one motion
sensor and at least one wireless transceiver for wirelessly sending
a signal to a receiver representing motion of the golf club of the
first type, and the first type, the sensor assembly being
disengageable from the first sensor mount and engageable with the
second sensor mount on the golf club of the second type for
wirelessly sending a signal to the receiver representing motion of
the golf club of the second type, and the second type.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising respective sensor mounts
for each of three or more clubs in a golfer's bag and one and only
one sensor assembly.
5. (canceled)
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly detects
the indicia magnetically.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly detects
the indicia physically.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first indicia includes
plural index elements spaced from each other.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the index elements include
pins.
10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the index elements are flat
against the sensor mount.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the index elements match
index element sensing elements on the sensor assembly.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sensor mount is made
of rubber and/or plastic.
13. A method comprising: using a sensor physically engaged with a
golf club of a first type, sensing motion of the golf club; sensing
the first type of the golf club; wirelessly transmitting
information representing the motion and the first type;
subsequently using the sensor to physically engage a golf club of a
second type; sensing the second type; and wirelessly transmitting
information representing motion of the golf club of the second
type, and the second type.
14. The method of claim 13, comprising executing the sensing using
a sensor assembly engaged with a sensor mount on the golf club.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor assembly senses
first indicia on the sensor mount.
16. The method of claim 15, comprising facilitating removal of the
sensor assembly from the sensor mount and facilitating the
engagement of the sensor assembly with a different sensor mount
having second indicia different from the first indicia and engaged
with a different golf club, and wirelessly transmitting information
representing motion and type of the different golf club.
17. (canceled)
18. An assembly comprising: a first sensor mount with a channel
configured to receive a shaft of a first golf club having a first
type, the first sensor mount including first index elements in a
first arrangement indicating the first type; a second sensor mount
with a channel configured to receive a shaft of a second golf club
having a second type, the second sensor mount including second
index elements in a second arrangement indicating the second type,
the second type being different from the first type, the second
arrangement being different from the first arrangement; and a
sensor assembly removably engageable with the first sensor mount to
transmit a signal representing motion of the first golf club and
the first type, the sensor assembly being disengageable with the
first sensor mount and being engageable with the second sensor
mount to transmit a signal representing motion of the second golf
club and the second type.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the channel of the first
sensor mount snugly receives the shaft of the first golf club.
20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the first sensor mount
comprises a hinged closure that is hinged along an edge to the
channel of the first sensor mount to snappingly engage a clip edge
that is opposed to the edge.
21. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the hinged closure is formed
with a central opening through which the shaft of the first golf
club is visible.
22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein opposite the hinged closure,
an outer surface of channel portion of the first sensor mount is
formed with a recessed flat receptacle, the index elements being
located in the recessed flat receptacle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The application relates generally to golf swing sensor
assemblies.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Swing sensors have been provided to measure various swing
dynamics, which can be presented to a golfer to help him improve
his game.
SUMMARY
[0003] As understood herein, it would be advantageous not to force
the golfer to inform an analysis application (executing on, e.g.,
the golfer's mobile phone) which golf club was used to generate the
swing data received wirelessly from a swing sensor on the club. As
also understood herein, providing respective sensors on each and
every club is less than optimum because multiple independent
battery-powered sensor assemblies are required.
[0004] Accordingly, at least one apparatus includes at least one
sensor mount configured for engaging a golf club of a first type.
The sensor mount includes indicia indicating the first type. At
least one sensor assembly is configured for removably engaging the
sensor mount and for detecting the indicia. The sensor assembly
includes at least one motion sensor and at least one wireless
transceiver for wirelessly sending a signal to a receiver
representing motion of the golf club, and the first type.
[0005] In examples, the sensor mount defines a channel for closely
receiving a shaft of a golf club therein. The sensor mount can be a
first sensor mount and the apparatus can include a second sensor
mount configured for engaging a golf club of a second type. The
second sensor mount can include indicia indicating the second type.
The sensor assembly may be configured for removably engaging the
second sensor mount and for detecting the indicia of the second
sensor mount for wirelessly sending a signal to a receiver
representing motion of the golf club, and the second type.
Consequently, the sensor assembly can be engaged with the golf club
of the first type to transmit swing information and information
indicating the first type, removed from the first sensor mount, and
engaged with the second sensor mount to transmit swing information
and information indicating the second type. Indeed, the apparatus
may include respective sensor mounts for each of three or more
clubs in a golfer's bag, but can have one and only one sensor
assembly.
[0006] In some implementations, the sensor mount, which can be made
of plastic and/or rubber, contains no energizable components
requiring a battery. The sensor assembly may detect the indicia
magnetically or physically or using, e.g., near field communication
(NFC) such as radiofrequency identification (RFID). The example
indicia can includes plural index elements spaced from each other.
The index elements can include pins that may lay flat against the
sensor mount. The index elements can be registered with index
element sensing elements on the sensor assembly.
[0007] In another aspect, a method includes sensing motion of a
golf club, and also sensing a type of the golf club. The method
includes wirelessly transmitting information representing the
motion and the type.
[0008] In another aspect, a device includes at least one computer
memory that is not a transitory signal and that comprises
instructions executable by at least one processor to receive at
least one wireless transmission from a sensor assembly on a golf
club, and present on a display an indication of motion of the golf
club, and an indication of a type of the golf club.
[0009] This indicia system can also be used for sensors that might
be used for different sports. The mount can tell the sensor which
sport it should configure for.
[0010] The details of the present application, both as to its
structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system including an
example in accordance with present principles;
[0012] FIGS. 2-7 are perspective views of the sensor assembly
engaging the shaft of a golf club, with certain views showing the
sensor itself in an exploded relationship with the mount and with
portions of the shaft broken away for clarity; and
[0013] FIG. 8 is a screen shot on a mobile device that may be
generated by an example application receiving information from the
sensor assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems
including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device networks. A
system herein may include server and client components, connected
over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client
and server components. The client components may include one or
more computing devices including portable wireless golf club swing
sensors and wireless phones receiving information from the swing
sensors. The client components may also include portable
televisions (e.g. smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable
computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile
devices including smart phones and additional examples discussed
below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating
environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ,
as examples, operating systems from Microsoft, or a Unix operating
system, or operating systems produced by Apple Computer or Google.
These operating environments may be used to execute one or more
browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or
Mozilla or other browser program that can access web applications
hosted by the Internet servers discussed below.
[0015] Servers and/or gateways may include one or more processors
executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and
transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Or, a client and
server can be connected over a local intranet or a virtual private
network. A server or controller may be instantiated by a game
console such as a Sony Playstation (trademarked), a personal
computer, etc.
[0016] Information may be exchanged over a network between the
clients and servers. To this end and for security, servers and/or
clients can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages,
and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and
security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implement
methods of providing a secure community such as an online social
website to network members.
[0017] As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented
steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be
implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type
of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.
[0018] A processor may be any conventional general purpose single-
or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various
lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and
registers and shift registers.
[0019] Software modules described by way of the flow charts and
user interfaces herein can include various sub-routines,
procedures, etc. Without limiting the disclosure, logic stated to
be executed by a particular module can be redistributed to other
software modules and/or combined together in a single module and/or
made available in a shareable library. The methods may be
implemented as software instructions executed by a processor,
including suitably configured application specific integrated
circuits (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) modules, or
any other convenient manner as would be appreciated by those
skilled in those art. Where employed, the software instructions may
be embodied in a device such as a CD Rom or Flash drive or any of
the above non-limiting examples of computer memories that are not
transitory signals. The software code instructions may
alternatively be embodied in a transitory arrangement such as a
radio or optical signal, or via a download over the internet.
[0020] Present principles described herein can be implemented as
hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof; hence,
illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are
set forth in terms of their functionality.
[0021] Further to what has been alluded to above, logical blocks,
modules, and circuits described below can be implemented or
performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device such as an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A processor can be
implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination of
computing devices.
[0022] The functions and methods described below, when implemented
in software, can be written in an appropriate language such as but
not limited to C# or C++, and can be stored on a computer-readable
storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical
disk storage such as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk
storage or other magnetic storage devices including removable thumb
drives, etc. A connection may establish a computer-readable medium.
Such connections can include, as examples, hard-wired cables
including fiber optics and coaxial wires and digital subscriber
line (DSL) and twisted pair wires.
[0023] Components included in one embodiment can be used in other
embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the
various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures
may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other
embodiments.
[0024] "A system having at least one of A, B, and C" (likewise "a
system having at least one of A, B, or C" and "a system having at
least one of A, B, C") includes systems that have A alone, B alone,
C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.
[0025] Now specifically referring to FIG. 1, an example ecosystem
10 is shown, which may include one or more of the example devices
mentioned above and described further below in accordance with
present principles. The first of the example devices included in
the system 10 is a consumer electronics (CE) device configured as
an example primary display device, and in the embodiment shown is
an audio video display device (AVDD) 12 such as but not limited to
an Internet-enabled TV with a TV tuner (equivalently, set top box
controlling a TV). However, the AVDD 12 alternatively may be an
appliance or household item, e.g. computerized Internet enabled
refrigerator, washer, or dryer. The AVDD 12 alternatively may also
be a computerized Internet enabled ("smart") telephone, a tablet
computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computerized device such
as e.g. computerized Internet-enabled watch, a computerized
Internet-enabled bracelet, other computerized Internet-enabled
devices, a computerized Internet-enabled music player, computerized
Internet-enabled head phones, a computerized Internet-enabled
implantable device such as an implantable skin device, game
console, etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the AVDD 12
may be configured to undertake present principles (e.g. communicate
with other CE devices to undertake present principles, execute the
logic described herein, and perform any other functions and/or
operations described herein).
[0026] Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVDD 12 can be
established by some or all of the components shown in FIG. 1. For
example, the AVDD 12 can include one or more displays 14 that may
be implemented by a high definition or ultra-high definition "4K"
or higher flat screen and that may be touch-enabled for receiving
user input signals via touches on the display. The AVDD 12 may
include one or more speakers 16 for outputting audio in accordance
with present principles, and at least one additional input device
18 such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering
audible commands to the AVDD 12 to control the AVDD 12. The example
AVDD 12 may also include one or more network interfaces 20 for
communication over at least one network 22 such as the Internet, an
WAN, an LAN, etc. under control of one or more processors 24. Thus,
the interface 20 may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver,
which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, such
as but not limited to a mesh network transceiver. It is to be
understood that the processor 24 controls the AVDD 12 to undertake
present principles, including the other elements of the AVDD 12
described herein such as e.g. controlling the display 14 to present
images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the
network interface 20 may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or
router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless
telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above,
etc.
[0027] In addition to the foregoing, the AVDD 12 may also include
one or more input ports 26 such as, e.g., a high definition
multimedia interface (HDMI) port or a USB port to physically
connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or
a headphone port to connect headphones to the AVDD 12 for
presentation of audio from the AVDD 12 to a user through the
headphones. For example, the input port 26 may be connected via
wire or wirelessly to a cable or satellite source 26a of audio
video content. Thus, the source 26a may be, e.g., a separate or
integrated set top box, or a satellite receiver. Or, the source 26a
may be a game console or disk player containing content that might
be regarded by a user as a favorite for channel assignation
purposes described further below.
[0028] The AVDD 12 may further include one or more computer
memories 28 such as disk-based or solid state storage that are not
transitory signals, in some cases embodied in the chassis of the
AVDD as standalone devices or as a personal video recording device
(PVR) or video disk player either internal or external to the
chassis of the AVDD for playing back AV programs or as removable
memory media. Also in some embodiments, the AVDD 12 can include a
position or location receiver such as but not limited to a
cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter 30 that is
configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at
least one satellite or cellphone tower and provide the information
to the processor 24 and/or determine an altitude at which the AVDD
12 is disposed in conjunction with the processor 24. However, it is
to be understood that that another suitable position receiver other
than a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be
used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the
location of the AVDD 12 in e.g. all three dimensions.
[0029] Continuing the description of the AVDD 12, in some
embodiments the AVDD 12 may include one or more cameras 32 that may
be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a
webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the AVDD 12 and
controllable by the processor 24 to gather pictures/images and/or
video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the
AVDD 12 may be a Bluetooth transceiver 34 and other Near Field
Communication (NFC) element 36 for communication with other devices
using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC
element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.
[0030] Further still, the AVDD 12 may include one or more auxiliary
sensors 37 (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer,
gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR)
sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture
sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command), etc.) providing input to
the processor 24. The AVDD 12 may include an over-the-air TV
broadcast port 38 for receiving OTH TV broadcasts providing input
to the processor 24. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that
the AVDD 12 may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR
receiver and/or IR transceiver 42 such as an IR data association
(IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering
the AVDD 12.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 1, in addition to the AVDD 12, the
system 10 may include one or more other CE device types. When the
system 10 is a home network, communication between components may
be according to the digital living network alliance (DLNA)
protocol.
[0032] In one example, a first CE device 44, which may be a golf
swing sensor assembly, and second CE device 46, which may be a
mobile phone, may each include suitable components such as one or
more of the components contained in the AVDD 12. In the example
shown, only two CE devices 44, 46 are shown, it being understood
that fewer or greater devices may be used.
[0033] Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server
80, it includes at least one server processor 82, at least one
tangible computer readable storage medium 84 such as disk-based or
solid state storage, and at least one network interface 86 that,
under control of the server processor 82, allows for communication
with the other devices of FIG. 1 over the network 22, and indeed
may facilitate communication between servers and client devices in
accordance with present principles. Note that the network interface
86 may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router. Wi-Fi
transceiver, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a
wireless telephony transceiver.
[0034] Accordingly, in some embodiments the server 80 may be an
Internet server, and may include and perform "cloud" functions such
that the devices of the system 10 may access a "cloud" environment
via the server 80 in example embodiments. Or, the server 80 may be
implemented by a game console or other computer in the same room as
the other devices shown in FIG. 1 or nearby.
[0035] In the description below, "golf club type" means the generic
type of club, e.g., what number iron or wood, and not the
manufacturer, for instance. It is to be understood that the indicia
on the sensor mount may include, in addition to golf club type, the
manufacturer and other information such as left-handed club or
right-handed club or ladies club or shaft stiffness, etc.
[0036] Accordingly, FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example sensor mount 200
made of rubber and/or plastic. The mount may be resilient and if
desired slightly deformable to facilitate engaging the mount 200
with a golf club, in the example shown, with the shaft 202 of a
golf club.
[0037] In the embodiment depicted, the mount 200 is formed with a
channel 204 that snugly receives the shaft 202 of the club. If
desired, the tackiness of material from which the mount 200 is made
and the tight fit with the shaft 202 may be all that is desired to
hold the mount 200 onto the shaft 202. In other embodiments,
however, and as best shown in FIG. 3, a hinged closure 206 may be
provided that is hinged along an edge 208 to the channel portion
210 of the mount 200 and may snappingly engage a clip edge 212 that
is opposed to the hinge edge 208 with the channel portion 210,
spanning the opening in the channel portion 210 as shown. The
hinged closure 206 may be formed if desired with a central opening
214 through which the shaft 202 of the club is visible.
[0038] As perhaps best shown in FIG. 2, opposite the hinged closure
206, the outer surface of the channel portion 210 of the sensor
mount 200 may be formed with a slightly recessed (from the edges as
shown) rectilinear flat receptacle 216. Indicia formed in a size
and/or shape and/or pattern and/or number of elements may be formed
in the receptacle 216 in a configuration unique to the particular
golf type, such that each golf club type is fitted with a sensor
mount bearing indicia indicating the type of club.
[0039] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate. In FIG. 4, the type-indicating
indicia of a mount 200A includes first and second closely spaced
index elements 218, 220. One index element 218 is located near the
center of the receptacle and the other index element 220 is located
just below (looking down on FIG. 3) the center index element 218.
In contrast, in FIG. 5, the type-indicating indicia of a mount 200B
includes first and second index elements 222, 224. One index
element 222 is located near the center of the receptacle and the
other index element 224 is located above (looking down on FIG. 4)
the center index element 222. The spacing between the index
elements 222, 224 in FIG. 5 is greater than the spacing between the
index elements 218, 220 in FIG. 4. Owing to the different spacing
and locations of the index elements in FIG. 4 compared to FIG. 5,
the indicia in FIG. 4 may be correlated to, e.g., an 8-iron while
the indicia in FIG. 5 can be correlated to, e.g., a 3-wood.
[0040] It may now be appreciated that various spacings,
arrangements, numbers, shapes, sizes, etc. of the index elements
can be used to establish indicia within the sensor mount receptacle
that is unique to the type of club with which the sensor mount has
been engaged. In examples embodiments, four (4) index elements may
be used, or only two used with three different possible spacings or
relative angles or other distance/location quanta providing for,
e.g., up to sixteen (16) unique indications.
[0041] In the example shown, the index elements are dot-like
circles that in some implementations may lay flush against the
surface of the receptacle or may extend slightly about the surface
of the receptacle in the configuration of posts or domes. The index
elements may be magnetic or ferrous beads or RFID tags implanted in
the sensor mount body for being magnetically sensed or sensed by
RFID by the sensor described below, or they may be plastic or even
made integrally with the sensor mount for physical sensing by the
sensor. No energizable components requiring a battery need be
included in the sensor mounts shown herein.
[0042] While each one of multiple clubs in the golfer's bag (and
indeed, if desired all of the clubs in the golfer's bag) can have
respective sensor mounts engaged as described, with each sensor
mount bearing indicia unique to the respective club type, FIGS. 5-7
show that only a single sensor assembly 500 need be provided for
removable or detachable engagement with the sensor mount of
whichever club is being swung. As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor
assembly 500, which may include a lightweight hollow plastic or
metal housing that is generally parallelepiped-shaped as shown, may
be positioned by hand in the receptacle of the sensor mount in an
interference snap fit therewith to hold the sensor assembly 500 in
the receptacle. On the surface of the sensor assembly 500 that
faces the receptacle of the sensor mount, one or more index sensing
elements 502 may be arranged. In the example shown, a longitudinal
row of sensing elements 502 are arranged on the sensor assembly
500, one sensing element 502 for each possible location of an index
element of one of the sensor mounts. By having more sensing
elements 502 than any one sensor mount has index elements in the
non-limiting example shown, it is assured that every index element
of any of the sensor mounts is registered with at least one of the
sensing elements 502 of the sensor assembly 500. The sensing
elements 502 may be, without limitation, magnetic sensing elements
such as Hall effect sensors, or physical contact sensors such
chemical or electrical sensors, or RFID readers, or movable detents
that are moved when in contact with a corresponding index element
of a sensor mount.
[0043] Accordingly, it may now be appreciated that the sensor
assembly 500 can be engaged with the sensor mount of a golf club to
be swung. The processor described above that is within the sensor
assembly 500 receives the signals from the sensing elements 502 to
determine the indicia of the sensor mount with which the assembly
is engaged. The club can be swung and the sensor assembly can
transmit, through its wireless transmitter, a signal carrying
information not only related to the swing as sensed by one of the
above-described motion sensors within the sensor assembly, but also
an identification of the type of club being swung as determined
from the indicia of the sensor mount.
[0044] If desired, a handle extension 504 may be formed as part of
the sensor assembly 500 and can extend past both the rectilinear
portion of the body of the sensor assembly and the sensor mount 200
when the sensor assembly 500 is engaged with the sensor mount 500.
The edge of the handle extension 504 may be curved as shown. A
golfer can grasp the handle extension 504 and pull it to remove the
sensor assembly 500 from the sensor mount 200 of one club and
engage the sensor assembly 500 with the sensor mount 200 of another
club intended to be swung.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows that display 800 of the CE device 46 for
example, when configured as the golfer's mobile phone executing a
downloadable application that is configured to receive information
from the sensor 500, can present a user interface (UI) 802. The UI
802 may present not only swing-related information 804, but also
golf club type information 806, based on the information from the
sensor assembly 500. It will be appreciated that the information
804, 806 is typically expert-derived, meaning that an expert can
correlate the efficacy of particular swing data to particular golf
club types, with the correlations being programmed into the
app.
[0046] It will be appreciated that whilst present principals have
been described with reference to some example embodiments, these
are not intended to be limiting, and that various alternative
arrangements may be used to implement the subject matter claimed
herein.
* * * * *