| Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the likeRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, GolfMethod and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070021226, Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] None BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A. Field of Invention [0003] This invention is related to the field of sports, and especially to sports wherein it is desirable to track the motion of an object such as a ball. Such sports include golf, football, baseball, tennis, hockey and so on. In the present invention the tracked object is provided with an electronic module that determines the instantaneous position of the ball and transmits or downloads it to a ground station for processing and display. [0004] B. Description of the Prior Art [0005] In many sports, it is desirable to track the path of a ball or other object in motion. This tracking may be useful for training purposes, for providing statistical information to players and spectators, for finding the object, and so on. To date devices were made that were able to provide some rudimentary information, such as the top speed of a baseball or a tennis ball after it has been hit. [0006] While this information may some use, more complete data is sometimes needed. For example, like any other activity, golf is a sport in which a person can become proficient only after intensive practice coupled with proactive review of the person's performance. To this end, many training devices have been proposed to assist a person in his training. For example, video cameras are frequently used to record a person's performance. After a practice session, a person can review the recording by himself, with another player or a trainer and try to determine his performance. However, in many instances, all one can see on these recordings are the motions of the person. The ball itself moves too fast to be actually seen and therefore it is difficult to determine how high and how far the ball flew. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In accordance with this invention, an apparatus is provided for monitoring the motion of a ball or other object during a sports activity. The apparatus includes an electronic module with a GPS signal receiver disposed in the ball. In one embodiment, the GPS signals are stored in the ball and then downloaded into a display device at a later time. Data from one or more players can be collected and displayed either numerically or graphically. The data is then used by players, trainers, and others to review a single shot from a single player, all the shots of the player during a game, the shots from several players, and so on. [0008] In another embodiment, several ground stations are provided on a golf course that receive data from one or more balls and transmit the data to a server and/or other offsite equipment such as a PC. In this arrangement, the flights of the balls can be reviewed live (real time) or at a later time. [0009] In another embodiment, information downloaded from the ball is also used to locate the ball. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 shows a somewhat diagrammatic depiction of a ball in flight, collecting data and being monitored in accordance with this invention; [0011] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically the equipment used to download data from the ball during its flight; [0012] FIG. 3 shows a display illustrating simultaneously, the flights of several balls; [0013] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional display of the hits or strokes of a player for a particular hole; and [0014] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an invention in which the system includes a ball associated with a base station disposed on the golf course, or incorporated into a portable device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 for ball tracking. The various elements are show to facilitate the description of the invention and obviously they are not to scale. According to this invention, a person P hits ball 12 with a golf club 14. The ball follows a trajectory so that after some time it is in flight at position 12' and finally it falls to the ground as shown at 12''. The ball 12 includes an electronic module 18 that performs certain measurements and interchanges data with other elements of the apparatus as described below. The module 18 is preferably imbedded inside the ball 12. The module 18 receives signals from a satellite 20. (Preferably the ball 12 receives signals from several satellites, so that its position can be pinpointed accurately, using GPS technology, however in FIG. 1 a single satellite is shown for the sake of clarity). [0016] In one embodiment, as the ball 12' is flying, it sends data to a plurality of ground stations 16. Depending on the size of the golf course, and various other factors, the golf course can have a single ground station 16, or several ground stations may be deployed around the golf course and positioned so that they can receive data from either one ball 12 or several such balls, during the course of a day. Each of the ground stations 16 transmits data to a data collection server 22. Communications between server 22 and ground stations 16 can be wired or wireless. [0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic module 18 includes a satellite interface 102, a position processor 104, a memory 106 and a base interface 108. Optionally, the module 18 also includes a ball accelerometer 110 that could be a a MEMS device and generates signals indicative of acceleration along two or three orthogonal directions. [0018] Returning to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the data from one or more balls 12 is either saved by the server 22 or immediately transmitted to a PC 24. The PC 24 is associated with a screen 26 for displaying various information, as discussed in more details below. In another embodiment, the server 22 stores the information in a data base 28 and one or more players can access the data base 28 at will and receive the information. The server 22 and/or PC 24 can be on the golf course, in the club house or offsite. For example, the PC 24 may be located in a player's house or office. The purpose of the system 10 is to provide the player, trainer, or interested parties (for example, the manufacturers of golf clubs, golf balls, golf course managers, etc.) detailed information describing how many strokes were taken at each hole by one or more players, the path of the ball 12 after each stroke, etc. [0019] Referring again to FIG. 2, the ground station 16 includes a ball interface 112 receiving or exchanging signals with the base interface 108 of the module 18. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Half pipe harness safety system Next Patent Application: Golf swing practice and training towel Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.10826 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
