LASER RANGE FINDER FOR USE ON A GOLF COURSE

• US 20100177298A1
• Filed: 03/17/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Inventors: CACKETT, MATTHEW T., VINCENT, BRANDON T., HOCKNELL, ALAN, STEVENS, DANIEL M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,279,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/4.10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/58 slideably retracted in a housing when not in use
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• 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 55/408 Releasably mounted accessories fitted outside the bag, e.g. straps or holders A63B55/20 and A63B55/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/08 for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section

Abstract

An improved range finder for use on a golf course. The improved range finder includes means for identifying the closest target in a field of view during a sweep operation of the field of view and means for presenting the distance of the closest target at the conclusion of the sweep operation of the field of view. The improved range finder preferably uses infrared light to detect a flagstick.

Claims

1. A method for determining a distance to a flagstick on a golf course, the method comprising:

identifying a closest target in a field of view of a range finder during a sweep operation of the field of view;

presenting the distance of the closest target at the conclusion of the sweep operation of the field of view on a display of the range finder;

recognizing an infrared signature of a flagstick;

alerting a user of the range finder of an acquisition of the flagstick;

magnifying an optical viewing of a display of the flagstick using an integrated camera disposed within the range finder, the integrated camera having variable magnification to acquire the flagstick;

emitting a laser beam to the flagstick to be measured, the laser beam emitted from a laser generator of a range finder;

detecting a reflected laser beam from the flagstick at a detector of the range finder;

calculating a distance to the flagstick on the basis of the reflected laser beam detected by the detector; and

displaying the flagstick and the distance to the flagstick on the display of the range finder.