| Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing -> Monitor Keywords |
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Rangefinding devices and methods for golfingRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Club Selection, Ball Direction, Or Distance Indicating AidRangefinding devices and methods for golfing description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070197314, Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/772,016, filed Feb. 9, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND INFORMATION [0002] This disclosure relates generally to the sport of golf and more particularly, but not exclusively, to rangefinding in the context of golfing. [0003] It is known to utilize rangefinding instruments while golfing to inform a golfer of the distance to a target, such a hole or pin, on a golf course. Several laser-based rangefinders targeted to the golf market are commercially available. Such rangefinders with a club selection or club suggestion feature are also known. For example, such a rangefinder is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/02211905 of Dunne et al. The rangefinder described in Dunne et al. collects data about a golfer's hitting distances for various clubs and recommends a club based on that data and a distance to target as measured on the course. Dunne et al. discloses that various other sensors, such as a tilt sensor, can be incorporated into the rangefinder and purports to take tilt into account when recommending a club to the user. However, the only tilt-based adjustments mentioned in Dunne et al. are using a higher or lower numbered club in the case of a downward or upward tilt, respectively. Furthermore, the rangefinder described in Dunne et al. does not make any suggestion to the user other than the club to use. [0004] Another rangefinder is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0077375 of Vermillion et al. The rangefinder described in Vermillion et al. determines a second range to a target based on a first range to the target and an angle to the target such that the parabolic trajectory of a golf ball is accounted for in determining the second range. The rangefinder described in Vermillion et al. includes a range sensor for determining a first range to a target, a tilt sensor for determining an angle to the target, and a computing element for determining a second range to the target based on the first range and the determined angle. While Vermillion et al. may recommend a desired change in golf club selection, it does not does not make any other suggestion, such as a recommended swing speed. In addition, Vermillion et al. does not select one or more recommended clubs based on a hitter ability. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0005] According to one embodiment, a device for use while golfing comprises a rangefinder, a memory, a display, an input device, and a processor. The rangefinder determines a distance between a user and a target on a golf course. The memory stores data concerning a plurality of golf clubs, the data including a hitting distance for each of the golf clubs. The display can be viewed by the golfer. The input device receives from the user an indication of a selected hitter ability from at least two different hitter abilities. The processor is in communication with the rangefinder, the memory, the display, and the input device. The processor is configured to select, based on the distance, the hitter ability, and the data, a recommended golf club from of the plurality of golf clubs. The processor is further configured to cause the display to indicate the recommended golf club. [0006] According to another embodiment, a method uses an electronic device in aid of golfing. The method determines a distance between a user and a target on a golf course and accesses data concerning a plurality of golf clubs, the data including a hitting distance for each of the golf clubs. The electronic device identifies, based on the distance, the data, and a hitter ability selected by a user from at least two different hitter abilities, a recommended golf club from the plurality of golf clubs. The electronic device displays the recommended golf club for viewing by the user. [0007] According to yet another embodiment, a device for use while golfing comprises a rangefinder, a memory, a display, and a processor. The rangefinder can determine a distance between a user and a target on a golf course. The memory stores data concerning a plurality of golf clubs, the data including a hitting distance for each of the golf clubs. The display can be viewed by the user. The processor is connected to the rangefinder, the memory, and the display. The processor is configured to identify, based on the distance and the data, a recommended golf club from the plurality of golf clubs and to determine a recommended swing speed for a golfer to hit a golf ball with the recommended golf club. The processor is further configured to cause the display to indicate the recommended golf club and the recommended swing speed. [0008] According to yet another embodiment, a method uses an electronic device in aid of golfing. The method receives an input from a user including a first hitting distance of a first golf club in a set of golf clubs. The method calculates a hitting distance for one or more of the other golf clubs in the set based on the first hitting distance and stores the first hitting distance and the one or more calculated hitting distances in memory. The method determines a target distance between the user and a target on a golf course. The method identifies, based on the target distance and the stored hitting distances, a recommended golf club from the set of golf clubs and displays the recommended golf club for viewing by the user. [0009] Details concerning the construction and operation of particular embodiments are set forth in the following sections with reference to the below-listed drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a device according to one embodiment. [0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an electronic display as may be viewed through the eyepiece of the device of FIG. 1. [0012] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E are illustrations of various reticles for use on the display of FIG. 2. [0013] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of one illustrative architecture of the device of FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment. [0015] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a trajectory of a golf ball. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0016] With reference to the above-listed drawings, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, certain embodiments may be capable of achieving certain advantages over the known prior art, including some or all of the following: (1) aiding golfers to a greater extent; (2) providing golfers with swing speed guidance in addition to club selection guidance; and (3) providing more accurate ranging by more accurately taking account of the effects of inclination. These and other advantages of various embodiments will be apparent upon reading the following. [0017] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a device 50 according to one embodiment. The device 50 is a portable handheld rangefinder with special features and capabilities for use when golfing. In this version, the device 50 comprises a rangefinder 54, which is a machine that measures the distance to a target. The rangefinder 54 may operate according to any principle, such as, for example, sonar, radar, or laser reflectometry. Presently, use of a laser-based rangefinder is preferred for the rangefinder 54. A laser-based rangefinder typically emits laser pulses to the target and detects reflections of those pulses through a lens 56. By measuring the time between emission and detection of the reflection, a range can be calculated. The shape of the laser beam may be elongated in the vertical direction by use of beam-shaping optics, a scanning beam, etc., to enable better ranging to a pin or flag in a golf hole, although a spot laser beam or other beam shapes may be used. The rangefinder 54 may be targeted using an integrated optical targeting sight 60 including an objective lens 62 and an eyepiece 64, through which a user views the distant target. Objective lens 62 focuses an image of the target at a first (front) focal plane (not shown) located medially of objective lens 62 and eyepiece 64. An erector lens assembly (not shown) may be interposed between objective lens 62 and eyepiece 64 to invert the image and refocus it at a second (rear) focal plane (not shown) between the erector lens assembly and eyepiece 64. A part of the erector lens assembly may be movable in response to an optical power selector mechanism to adjust the optical power within a predetermined range of magnification. [0018] A power button 66, when depressed, turns on certain electronics of the device 50 and causes the rangefinder 54 to emit laser pulses and acquire range readings. The device 50 also has a pair of menu interface buttons 68 for operating menus for inputting setup information and enabling functions of the rangefinder 54, as described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/265,546, entitled "Rotary Menu Display and Targeting Reticles for Laser Rangefinders and the Like," filed Nov. 1, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. [0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an electronic display 100 as may be viewed through the eyepiece 64 of the device 50. The display 100 is preferably placed in the field of view of the targeting sight 60 of the device 50. The display 100 is preferably formed by a transmissive LCD display panel placed between the objective lens 62 and the eyepiece 64 so as to not obscure the field of view. For example, the LCD panel may include transmissive electrodes formed of indium tin oxide (ITO). The visual elements on the display 100 (e.g., reticle 110, line-of-sight distance readout 120) may be reflective or opaque, or both, when active. A source of illumination (not shown) may optionally be provided for illuminating the active display elements to enhance their visibility in low ambient light conditions. The illumination source may be integrated in device 50 in such a manner so as to prevent illumination from being projected out of objective lens 62 toward the target. In other embodiments (not shown), display 100 may comprise any of a variety of visual display devices other than or in addition to an LCD display. For example, display 100 may comprise fiber optic displays, light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD) and others. Moreover, the display need not be located in the optical path. For example, a display such as an LCD, DLP, or another display outside of the optical path may project an image of the visual elements onto a prism or reversed beam splitter located in the optical path. Continue reading about Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing... Full patent description for Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing 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 Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf ball Next Patent Application: Balance plate intelligent game apparatus Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Rangefinding devices and methods for golfing patent info. 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