System and method for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game

• US 20020173365A1
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bogie Boscha
• Original Assignee: Bogie Boscha
• Inventors: Boscha, Bogie
• Application Number:
  US09/920,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173365A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/131
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to system and method for measuring speed of a golf ball in putting as a part of a golf game, as well as other characteristics of the game. The system consists of a group of optical light emitting and receiving devices built into the putter head and exposed to the light reflected from the golf ball during rolling on the putter green. The putter head also contains force sensor for measuring a force applied from the club head to the golf ball and a gyro sensor which measures angular deviation of the actual direction of hit from a reference direction which has been preliminarily entered into the system. A microprocessor that receives and processed the information from the optical, force, and gyro components is built into the putter grip. The latter also contains a IR receiving/transmitting device which transmits the processed data to a remotely located microprocessor and display. The method and system of the invention are based on a principle of measuring the speed of rolling of the golf ball by measuring the number of revolutions of the ball during rolling. For this purpose the ball is provided with at least one equatorial mark detectable by the light receiving optical sensors. The ball is irradiated by the light emitted from the aforementioned light emitting devices, and each revolution of the ball is sensed as a light signal produced by the light reflected from the equatorial mark of the ball. The system produced a modulated light signal having a frequency of modulation corresponding to the frequency of rotation of the ball during rolling. The results of measurements of the angles and speed can be selectively shown to the golfer in a real time of the game.

Claims

1. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising:

a golf ball and a golf club having a club head, a club grip, a shaft interconnecting said club head and a club grip;

light emitting means for emitting light from said club head toward said golf ball during the game;

light receiving means capable of receiving light reflected from said golf ball;

marking means on said golf ball capable of producing light signals on said light receiving means corresponding to a number of revolutions of said golf ball during rolling thereof over said surface;

a gyro sensor means built into said club head for determining the angular direction of impact transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;

a microprocessor built into said golf club and capable of receiving and processing signals transmitted thereto from said light receiving means and said gyro sensor means;

first signal receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for receiving signals from said microprocessor; and

a remote data processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said marking means comprises at least one mark formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible by said light receiving means.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said light emitting means comprises at least one laser diode.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said first signal receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal receiver/transmitter.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said club head has a flat face on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said light emitting means and said light receiving means are built into said golf club and exposed through said face towards said golf ball.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote data processing and displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a laptop and a palm top.

9. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising:

a golf ball and a putter having a putter head, a putter grip, a shaft interconnecting said putter club head and a putter grip, said golf ball having means for selectively reflecting signals sent to said golf ball;

signal emitting means for emitting signals from said putter head toward said golf ball during the game;

signal receiving means capable of receiving signals reflected from said golf ball, said signals selectively reflected from said golf ball corresponding to a number of revolutions of said golf ball during rolling thereof over said surface;

a gyro sensor means built into said club head for determining the angular direction of impact transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;

a microprocessor built into said golf club and capable of receiving and processing signals transmitted thereto from said signal receiving means and said gyro sensor means;

first signal receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for receiving signals from said microprocessor; and

a remote data processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said signal transmitting means comprises light emitting means and said means for selectively reflecting signals from said golf ball comprises at least one mark formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible by said light emitting means.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said light emitting means comprises at least one laser diode.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said first signal receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal receiver/transmitter.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said putter head has a flat face on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built into said putter head and exposed through said face towards said golf ball.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein said remote data processing and displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a laptop and a palm top.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a force sensor rigidly connected to said golf club for measuring a force with which said golf club hits said golf ball.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising with a signal transmitting means for transmitting signal from said club head toward said golf club, said golf ball having marking means which can be sensed by said signal receiving means.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising with a signal transmitting means for transmitting signal from said club head toward said golf club, said golf ball having marking means which can be sensed by said signal receiving means, said forced sensor, signal receiving means, said gyro sensor means, and said first signal receiving/transmitting means being connected to said microprocessor.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said marking means comprises at least one mark formed on said golf ball and sensible by said signal receiving means.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein said marking means comprises at least one mark formed on said golf ball and sensible by said signal receiving means.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said signal emitting means comprises at least one laser diode.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein said first signal receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal receiver/transmitter.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein said club head has a flat face on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built into said golf club and exposed through said face towards said golf ball.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said club head has a flat face on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built into said golf club and exposed through said face towards said golf ball.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said signal emitting means comprises at least one laser diode.

28. The system of claim 17, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

29. The system of claim 27, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

30. The system of claim 17, wherein said remote data processing and displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a laptop and a palm top.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein said remote data processing and displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a laptop and a palm top.

17. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising:

a golf ball and a golf club having a club head, a club grip, a shaft interconnecting said club head and a club grip;

light receiving means capable of receiving light reflected from said golf ball;

a gyro sensor means built into said club head for determining the angular direction of impact transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;

a microprocessor built into said golf club and capable of receiving and processing signals transmitted thereto from said light receiving means and said gyro sensor means;

first signal receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for receiving signals from said microprocessor; and

a remote data processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.

32. A system for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball by rolling over the surface of a golf field to a selected hole, comprising:

a golf ball and a putter having a putter head, a putter grip, a shaft interconnecting said putter club head and a putter grip, said golf ball having means for selectively reflecting signals sent to said golf ball;

light emitting means for emitting signals from said putter head toward said golf ball during the game;

light receiving means capable of receiving light signals reflected from said golf ball, said light signals selectively reflected from said golf ball corresponding to a number of revolutions of said golf ball during rolling thereof over said surface;

a gyro sensor means built into said club head for determining the angular direction of impact transmitted from said club head to said golf ball during said game;

at least one force sensor for measuring a force applied from said putter head to said ball during hit;

a microprocessor built into said golf club and capable of receiving and processing signals transmitted thereto from said light signal receiving means, said gyro sensor means, and said force sensor;

first signal receiving/transmitting means installed on said golf club for receiving signals from said microprocessor; and

a remote data processing and displaying unit which is located remotely from said golf club and has means for processing and displaying data received from said first signal receiving/transmitting means.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said light transmitting means comprises light emitting means and said means for selectively reflecting signals from said golf ball comprises at least one mark formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible by said light emitting means.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said light emitting means comprises at least one laser diode.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein said first signal receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal receiver/transmitter.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein said putter head has a flat face on the side which is intended for striking said golf ball, and said signal emitting means and said signal receiving means are built into said putter head and exposed through said face towards said golf ball.

37. The system of claim 32, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

38. The system of claim 36, further comprising second signal receiving/transmitting means located in said remote data processing and displaying unit.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein said remote data processing and displaying unit comprises a personal computer selected from a laptop and a palm top.

40. A method for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball to a selected hole by rolling over the surface of a golf field, comprising:

providing a system that comprises;

a golf ball with means for reflecting selected signals;

a golf putter with signal transmitting means and signal receiving means;

a microprocessor capable of receiving and processing signals obtained from said signal receiving means, and first signal receiving/transmitting means; and

a signal processing and displaying means having second signal receiving/transmitting means;

sending signals from said signal transmitting means toward said golf ball;

hitting said golf ball with said putter for accomplishing said putting by rolling said golf ball toward said selected hole;

receiving at said signal receiving means said selected signals reflected from said golf ball by said means for reflecting selected signals;

generating on said signal receiving means a first output signal corresponding to number of revolutions of said golf ball during said rolling;

transmitting said first output signal to said microprocessor;

processing said first output signal in said microprocessor and generating on said microprocessor a second output signal with information about said number of revolutions;

sending said second output signal to said first signal receiving/transmitting means;

processing said second output signal in said first signal receiving/transmitting means, and transmitting thereof to said second signal receiving/transmitting means;

processing signals received by said second signal receiving/transmitting means in said data processing and displaying means for generating a displayable output signal with information about said number of revolutions; and

displaying said displayable output signal on said data processing and displaying means.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

additionally providing said golf putter with a at least one force sensor and at least one gyro sensor for measuring a force applied to said golf ball from said golf putter and a direction of hit by said golf putter on said golf ball;

measuring said force with said force sensor and said direction of hit with said gyro sensor and producing on said gyro sensor an output signal with information about said force and said angle;

sending said output signal with information about said force and said angle of hit to said microprocessor;

processing said output signal with information about said force and said angle of hit in said microprocessor and generating in said microprocessor a third output signal with information about said force and said angle of hit;

sending said third output signal to said first signal receiving/transmitting means;

processing said third output signal in said first signal receiving/transmitting means, and transmitting thereof to said second signal receiving/transmitting means;

processing signals with information about said force and said angle of hit received by said second signal receiving/transmitting means in said data processing and displaying means for generating an additional displayable output signal with information about said force and said angle of hit; and

displaying said additional displayable output signal on said data processing and displaying means.

42. A method for controlling conditions in putting as a part of a golf game consisting in delivering a golf ball to a selected hole by rolling over the surface of a golf field, comprising:

providing a system that comprises;

a golf ball with means for reflecting selected signals;

a golf putter with signal transmitting means, signal receiving means, gyro sensor means for measuring an angle of hit by said putter on said golf ball, a force sensor for measuring a force applied from said golf putter to said golf ball at the moment of said hit, a microprocessor capable of receiving and processing signals obtained from said gyro sensor means, said force sensor, and from said signal receiving means;

a first signal receiving/transmitting means located in said golf putter; and

a signal processing and displaying means having second signal receiving/transmitting means;

sending signals from said signal transmitting means toward said golf ball;

hitting said golf ball with said putter for accomplishing said putting by rolling said golf ball toward said selected hole;

measuring said force applied from said golf putter to said golf ball and sending the results of measurement to said microprocessor;

receiving at said signal receiving means said selected signals reflected from said golf ball by said means for reflecting selected signals;

generating on said signal receiving means a first output signal corresponding to number of revolutions of said golf ball during said rolling;

generating on said gyro sensor means a second output signal corresponding to said angle of hit;

transmitting said first output signal and said second output signal to said microprocessor;

processing said results of measurement of said force, said first output signal, and said second output signal in said microprocessor and generating on said microprocessor a third output signal with information about said force and said number of revolutions and a fourth output signal about said angle of hit;

sending said third output signal and said fourth output signal to said first signal receiving/transmitting means;

processing said third output signal and said fourth output signal in said first signal receiving/transmitting means, and transmitting them to said second signal receiving/transmitting means;

processing signals received by said second signal receiving/transmitting means in said data processing and displaying means for generating a first displayable output signal, with information about said force and said number of revolutions, and a second displayable signal with information about said angle of hit; and

displaying said first displayable output signal and said second displayable output signal on said data processing and displaying means.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein means for reflecting selected signals comprises at least one mark formed on the equator of said golf ball and sensible by said light receiving means.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said signal transmitting means comprises at least one laser diode.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said first signal receiving/transmitting means comprises an infrared signal receiver/transmitter.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said second displayable signal is displayed In the form of a first image which contains concentric circles with the center of the circles corresponding to the center of said selected hole with a black mark corresponding to an actual direction of said hit and wherein said additional displayable signal is displayed in the form of a range of speeds of said golf ball required for putting said ball into said selected hole, said range being shown as a first mark that corresponds to a minimal speed and a second mark that corresponds to a maximal speed.

47. The method of claim 46, further provided with a step of indicating change in speed of said golf ball versus time during said rolling.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein said first displayable signal and said second displayable signal are shown as a three-dimensional picture which shows a part of said surface, said selected hole, and a position of said golf ball after said hit.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein said putter has a putter head with a face on a side facing said golf ball, said gyro sensor means are two gyro sensors, said second displayable signal being shown in digital and graphic forms of angles of tilt of said face in a vertical plane and a horizontal plane.