Systems and methods for storing and analyzing golf data, including community and individual golf data collection and storage at a central hub

• US 10,350,453 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2017
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Niegowski, James A., Lafortune, Mario A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S.
• Application Number:
  US15/587,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20170232296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0027 Measuring instruments, e.g. watch, thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/001 Golf shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/16 Skating boots
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 : Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 : Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/83 : characterised by the position of the sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 : Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 : Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 : Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/00 : Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 : Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/362 : electrical or electronic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/146 : Golf gloves

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.

Claims

1. A golf swing evaluation system, comprising:

a foot pressure sensing system that detects forces exerted by a first foot and a second foot of a user during one or more golf swings;

a sensor system incorporated into a golf club;

a ball flight sensor system; and

an output system that provides at least one of;

(a) coaching or training information or

(b) golf equipment fitting information for the user based on

(i) data relating to the detected forces exerted by the first foot and the second foot of the user determining user weight shift over the course of a golf swing or

(ii) data from the sensor system incorporated into the golf club head and the ball flight sensor,

wherein the foot pressure sensing system is at least partially provided with a first shoe worn by the user throughout the course of a golf swing;

wherein the shoe worn by the user has both forefoot sensors and heel sensors, so that the force applied by the user'"'"'s foot in various different areas of the foot can be determined;

wherein the foot pressure sensing system includes a mat on which the user stands during one or more golf swings,

wherein the mat includes one or more sensors that determine user weight shift over the course of the one or more golf swings;

wherein the sensor system incorporate in the golf club comprises one or more accelerometers.

2. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the golf swing evaluation system includes the ball flight sensor.

3. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 2, wherein the ball flight sensor is a launch monitor system.

4. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the output system includes a cellular telephone.

5. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the output system includes a golf GPS device.

6. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the output system includes a portable electronic device.

7. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transmission system that transmits data to a swing analysis system,

the data transmitted by the transmission system corresponding to or being derived from;

(a) the data relating to the detected forces exerted by the first foot and the second foot of the user determining user weight shift over the course of a golf swing, and

(b) the data from the at least one of the sensor system incorporated into the golf club head or the ball flight sensor.

8. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 7, wherein the transmission system includes one of:

a cellular telephone, a golf GPS device, or a portable electronic device.

9. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the output system provides golf club parameter adjustment or change information.

10. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the output system provides golf equipment recommendation information.

11. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1,

wherein the output system provides golf club lie angle information,

golf club loft angle information, or

golf club face angle information.

12. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 1,

wherein the output system includes:

a television,

a computer monitor,

a cellular telephone, or

a portable electronic device, and

wherein the output system produces audio, video, and/or, textual information.

13. A golf swing analysis system, comprising:

an input device that receives;

(a) foot pressure data including data relating to forces exerted by a first foot and a second foot of a user during one or more golf swings and

(b) at least one of golf swing dynamics data from a sensor mounted on a golf club or golf ball flight data;

a transmission system that transmits data received by the input device to a golf swing analysis system; and

an output system that provides output to a user,

wherein the output includes at least one of;

(a) coaching or training information or

(b) golf equipment fitting information for the user,

wherein the output is generated based on information received from the golf swing analysis system and is based on one or more of

(i) data relating to the forces exerted by the first foot and the second foot of the user determining user weight shift over the course of a golf swing, or

(ii) at least one of the golf swing dynamics data or the ball flight data;

wherein the foot pressure sensing system is at least partially provided with a first shoe worn by the user throughout the course of a golf swing;

wherein the shoe worn by the user has both forefoot sensors and heel sensors, so that the force applied by user'"'"'s foot in various different areas of the foot can be determined;

wherein the foot pressure sensing system includes a mat on which the user stands during one or more golf swing,

wherein the mat includes one or more sensors that determine user weight shift over the course of the one or more golf swings.

14. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 13, wherein the input device, the transmission system, and the output system are provided in a cellular telephone.

15. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 13, wherein the input device, the transmission system, and the output system are provided in a portable electronic device.

16. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 13, wherein the transmission system includes a wireless transmission system.

17. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 13,

wherein the output system includes:

a television,

a computer monitor,

a cellular telephone, or

a portable electronic device, and

wherein the output system produces audio, video, and/or textual information.

18. The golf swing evaluation system according to claim 13,

wherein the output system provides golf club lie angle information,

golf club loft angle information, or

golf club face angle information.