Golf clubs providing for real-time collection, correlation, and analysis of data obtained during actural golf gaming

• US 20100113174A1
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innoventions Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Innoventions Partners LLC
• Inventors: Ahern, Frank
• Application Number:
  US12/589,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20100113174A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• 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 2225/20 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 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 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• 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 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

A device and system utilizable during actual golf game play configured to obtain information related to a player'"'"'s golf swing. This information may include information generated by a sensor(s) located on or within a golf club, which information is configured to be sent to a golf appliance, such as a golf glove, or other appliances used during play. These sensors provide data to facilitate assessing a player'"'"'s swing, to determine a ball strike, determine swing velocity, identify the club used, or other such data obtainable during actual game play. One aspect of the invention allows for sensor(s) to be an integral part of a newly manufactured club. Another aspect of the invention allows for existing golf clubs to be retrofitted by an individual with a sensor(s). An additional aspect of the invention provides for power coupling across the sensor(s) golf appliance interface.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a module configured to be coupled to a golf club, the module configured to ascertain a golf parameter indicative of an actual golf shot during game play on a golf course, the module having an interface configured to communicate a signal indicative of the parameter to a golf appliance physically remote from the golf club.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the interface is configured to communicate the signal when the golf appliance is in close proximity to the module.

3. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the module is configured to detect when the golf appliance is in close proximity to the module and responsively communicate the signal to the golf appliance.

4. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module is configured to be coupled to the golf club proximate a grip of the golf club.

5. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module interface is configured to be coupled to a grip of the golf club.

6. The device as specified in claim 1 further including a golf club grip, wherein the module interface is integral to the grip.

7. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module is configured to communicate power across the module interface.

8. The device as specified in claim 7 wherein the device is configured to transition from a reduced power state to a higher power state when the module is in close proximity to the golf appliance.

9. The device as specified in claim 7 wherein the module further comprises an inductive component configured to couple power across the interface.

10. The device as specified in claim 7 wherein the module further comprises a capacitive component configured to couple power across the interface.

11. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the golf parameter is selected from the set comprising:

an actual golf swing, a ball strike, and swing velocity.

12. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a battery.

13. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a super capacitor.

14. The device as specified in claim 12 wherein the module is configured to charge the battery.

15. The device as specified in claim 13 wherein the module is configured to charge the super capacitor.

16. The device as specified in claim 7 wherein the module further comprises a battery.

17. The device as specified in claim 8 wherein the module further comprises a super capacitor.

18. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises an RFID device.

19. The device as specified in claim 18 wherein the RFID device has a parameter indicative a type of golf club.

20. The device as specified in claim 19 wherein the RFID device is configured to couple a signal indicative of the parameter across the interface.

21. The device as specified in claim 11 wherein the module further comprises an RFID device configured to couple a signal indicative of the parameter across the interface.

22. The device as specified in claim 21 wherein the module further comprises a microprocessor configured to interface with the RFID device.

23. The device as specified in claim 22 wherein the microprocessor is configured to derive power from the RFID device.

24. The device as specified in claim 22 wherein the RFID device is configured to couple a signal indicative of the parameter across the interface the microprocessor.

25. The device as specified in claim 21 wherein the module further comprises a sensor configured to interface with the RFID device.

26. The device as specified in claim 25 wherein the sensor is configured to derive power from the RFID device.

27. The device as specified in claim 26 wherein the sensor is configured to couple a signal across the interface the RFID device.

28. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the interface is configured to couple a data signal to a microprocessor.

29. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the interface comprises at least one electrically conductive portion configured to couple the signal to a golf glove.

30. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a sensor.

31. The device as specified in claim 30 further comprising a golf club shaft, further comprising the sensor being integral to the golf club shaft.

32. The device as specified in claim 30 wherein the sensor configured to be disposed proximate a golf club hosel.

33. The device as specified in claim 30 wherein the interface is configured to couple power to the sensor.

34. The device as specified in claim 30 wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

35. The device as specified in claim 30 wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.

36. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the interface is configured to communicate the signal to a golf appliance proximal a golf glove.