METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHOT TRACKING

• US 20110143852A1
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: BALARDETA, JOSEPH, DENTON, SCOTT
• Granted Patent: US 8,430,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/283
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• 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 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for conserving power for a shot tracking device for attachment to a golf club. The method involves transmitting a plurality of signals from a shot tracking device attached to a golf club. The shot tracking device is enabled to determine that a threshold number of signals has been transmitted by the shot tracking device and a receipt signal has not been received by the shot tracking device, which in turn deactivates the shot tracking device until a predetermined event occurs.

Claims

1. A shot tracking device for attachment to a grip of a golf club, the shot tracking device comprising:

a housing;

a battery disposed within the housing;

a circuit board disposed within the housing, the circuit board having a first side and a second side;

a sensor disposed on the circuit board; and

a plurality of board components disposed on the first side and the second side of the circuit board, the plurality of board components comprising a microprocessor;

wherein the shot tracking device transmits a signal when the golf club strikes an object, the signal comprising an identification of the golf club, the microprocessor configured to deactivate transmissions of the signal when a threshold number of signals are transmitted by the shot tracking device and a receipt signal is not received by the shot tracking device, the threshold number of signals ranging from 5 to 50.

2. The shot tracking device according to claim 1 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 10 to 40.

3. The shot tracking device according to claim 1 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 15 to 30.

4. The shot tracking device according to claim 1 wherein threshold number of signals is 20.

5. The shot tracking device according to claim 1 wherein each signal consumes 2 milliamps of power.

6. The shot tracking device according to claim 1 wherein the battery is a CR1620 having at least 75 milliamps of power.

7. The shot tracking device according to claim 1 wherein the signal comprises a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz.

8. A shot tracking device for attachment to a grip of a golf club, the shot tracking device comprising:

a housing having a main body and a projection body extending downward from the main body;

a battery disposed within the housing;

a circuit board disposed within the housing and below the battery, the circuit board having a first side and a second side;

a shock switch disposed on the second side of the circuit board; and

a plurality of board components disposed on the first side and the second side of the circuit board, the plurality of board components comprises a microprocessor, an RFID chip, a capacitor, a resistor and an enabler;

wherein the shot tracking device transmits a signal when the golf club strikes an object, the signal comprising an identification of the golf club, the microprocessor configured to deactivate transmissions of the signal when a threshold number of signals are transmitted by the shot tracking device and a receipt signal is not received by the shot tracking device, the threshold number of signals ranging from 5 to 50.

9. The shot tracking device according to claim 8 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 10 to 40.

10. The shot tracking device according to claim 8 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 15 to 30.

11. The shot tracking device according to claim 8 wherein the threshold number of signals is 20.

12. The shot tracking device according to claim 8 wherein the signal comprises a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

13. The shot tracking device according to claim 8 wherein the battery is a CR1620 having at least 75 milliamps of power.

14. A method for conserving power for a shot tracking device for attachment to a golf club, the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of signals from a shot tracking device attached to a golf club, the shot tracking device comprising a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, a sensor, and a plurality of board components disposed a circuit board including a microprocessor;

determining that a threshold number of signals have been transmitted by the shot tracking device and a receipt signal has not been received by the shot tracking device, the threshold number of signals ranging from 5 to 50; and

deactivating the shot tracking device until a predetermined event occurs.

15. The shot tracking device according to claim 14 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 10 to 40.

16. The shot tracking device according to claim 14 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 15 to 30.

17. The shot tracking device according to claim 14 wherein the threshold number of signals is 20.

18. The shot tracking device according to claim 14 wherein the predetermined event comprises a receipt signal being received by the shot tracking device.

19. The shot tracking device according to claim 14 wherein the predetermined event comprises a period of time passing.

20. The shot tracking device according to claim 19 wherein the period of time passing is one hour.