Methods and Apparatus for Detecting Motion Associated with Sports Equipment.

• US 20080079626A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Swartz, Gregory J., Hayouna, Mustapha
• Application Number:
  US11/865,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080079626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/28
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/402 Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
• 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 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/75 using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders , or using passive reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and apparatus for detecting motion associated with sports equipment based on phased array radar are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first signal associated with a first wavelength from a transmitter of a radar system to detect motion associated with sports equipment; and

transmitting a second signal associated with a second wavelength to a receiver of the radar system, the second wavelength being proportional to the first wavelength,

wherein the receiver comprises two or more antennas to receive the second signal.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein transmitting the second signal comprises transmitting a signal including at least one of position information or orientation information associated with the sports equipment.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second wavelength comprises at least one of one-half of the first wavelength or one-quarter of the first wavelength.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises at least one of an infrared signal, a microwave signal, or a radio frequency signal.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second signal comprises at least one of an infrared signal, a microwave signal, or a radio frequency signal.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sports equipment comprises a golf club.

7. A method comprising:

transmitting a first signal associated with a first wavelength via a transmitter of a radar system to detect motion associated with sports equipment; and

receiving a second signal associated with a second wavelength via a receiver of the radar system, the second signal including at least one of position information or orientation information associated with the sports equipment,

wherein the second wavelength being proportional to the first wavelength, and

wherein the receiver comprises two or more antennas to receive the second signal.

8. A method as defined in claim 7 further comprising processing at least one of position information or orientation information associated with the second signal.

9. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein transmitting the first signal comprises transmitting the first signal to a transponder coupled to a portion of the sports equipment.

10. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein receiving the second signal comprises receiving the second signal from a transponder coupled to a portion of the sports equipment.

11. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the second wavelength comprises at least one of one-half of the first wavelength or one-quarter of the first wavelength.

12. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the first signal comprises at least one of an infrared signal, a microwave signal, or a radio frequency signal.

13. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the second signal comprises at least one of an infrared signal, a microwave signal, or a radio frequency signal.

14. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the sports equipment comprises a golf club.

15. A system comprising:

a transmitter to transmit a first signal associated with a first wavelength to detect motion associated with sports equipment; and

a receiver having two or more antennas to receive a second signal associated with a second wavelength, the second signal including at least one of position information or orientation information associated with the sports equipment,

wherein the second wavelength being proportional to the first wavelength.

16. A system as defined in claim 15 further comprising a processing device to process at least one of position information or orientation information associated with the sports equipment.

17. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the receiver is operatively coupled to the transmitter to monitor for second signal based on the first signal.

18. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the second wavelength comprises at least one of one-half of the first wavelength or one-quarter of the first wavelength.

19. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the first signal comprises at least one of an infrared signal, a microwave signal, or a radio frequency signal.

20. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the second signal comprises at least one of an infrared signal, a microwave signal, or a radio frequency signal.