Systems and Methods for Storing and Analyzing Golf Data, Including Community and Individual Golf Data Collection and Storage at a Central Hub

• US 20110230273A1
• Filed: 04/05/2011
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Niegowski, James A., Lafortune, Mario A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,661,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0027 Measuring instruments, e.g. watch, thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/001 Golf shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/16 Skating boots
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 : Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 : Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/83 : characterised by the position of the sensor
• 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 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• 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 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 : Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 : Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/00 : Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
• 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 69/362 : 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/146 : Golf gloves

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.

Claims

1. A golf swing evaluation system, comprising:

a first sensor system for detecting golf swing dynamics information generated by a first user during one or more golf swings;

a second sensor system for detecting ball flight information when one or more golf balls are hit by the first user;

a transmission system for transmitting data to a swing analysis system, the data transmitted by the transmission system corresponding to or being derived from the information collected by the first and second sensor systems; and

an output system for providing coaching or training information for the first user, wherein at least some of the coaching or training information provided for the first user is generated by the swing analysis system or derived from data generated by the swing analysis system.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an alignment system for providing information to assure that at least one of the first sensor system or the second sensor system is properly positioned with respect to at least one of a first user stance position or a ball launch location.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor system includes a first foot pressure sensing system.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the first foot pressure sensing system is provided at least partially with a shoe worn by the first user when hitting golf balls.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor system is incorporated into a golf club used by the first user when hitting golf balls.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the first sensor system determines club head speed at a ball contact time.

12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the first sensor system determines club head movement path direction at a ball contact time.

20. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor system is engaged with a golf cart or with a golf bag.

22. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor system includes a force sensing system for determining forces exerted by a first foot of the first user over a course of an individual golf swing.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the force sensing system is at least partially provided with a first shoe worn by the first user during the individual golf swing.

25. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor system includes a force sensing system for determining forces exerted by a first foot and a second foot of the first user over a course of an individual golf swing.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein a first part of the force sensing system is provided with a first shoe worn by the first user during the individual golf swing and a second part of the force sensing system is provided with a second shoe worn by the first user during the individual golf swing.

28. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor system includes a force sensing system for determining:

(a) forces exerted by a first foot of the first user at a plurality of areas on the first foot over a course of an individual golf swing and (b) forces exerted by a second foot of the first user at a plurality of areas on the second foot over the course of the individual golf swing.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein a first part of the force sensing system is provided with a first shoe worn by the first user during the individual golf swing and a second part of the force sensing system is provided with a second shoe worn by the first user during the individual golf swing.

31. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least some data generated by the first sensor system in detecting the golf swing dynamics information is time stamped.

33. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second sensor system determines at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

an initial ball launch angle, an initial ball launch speed, and one or more characteristics of an initial ball launch spin.

37. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second sensor system determines at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

a club head speed at a ball contact time and a club head movement path direction at a ball contact time.

39. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second sensor system determines at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

a ball carry distance for a golf swing, a ball roll distance for a golf swing, an overall ball travel distance for a golf swing, and a ball flight deviation from center for a golf swing.

43. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sensor system or the second sensor system records a sound generated when the first user strikes a golf ball during a golf swing.

44. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least some data generated by the second sensor system in detecting the ball flight information is time stamped.

45. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the transmission system includes a wireless transmission system.

46. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the transmission system transmits information collected by the first and second sensor systems to the swing analysis system over a network.

47. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the transmission system is provided with a first shoe worn by the first user when hitting golf balls.

49. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the transmission system is incorporated into a golf club used by the first user when hitting golf balls.

52. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the transmission system is engaged with a golf cart or with a golf bag.

54. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the transmission system is provided with a portable electronic device.

55. A system according to claim 54, wherein the portable electronic device includes a cellular telephone or a golf GPS device.

59. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the output system includes a display screen for providing the coaching or training information to the first user, wherein the coaching or training information includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

textual information displayed on the display screen and video information displayed on the display screen.

63. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the output system includes an audio and/or video output device for providing the coaching or training information to the first user in an audibly and/or visually perceptible form.

72. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an alignment system for providing alignment information to the first user.

73. A system according to claim 72, wherein the alignment system includes at least one light generating device that projects light to provide at least a portion of the alignment information.

74. A system according to claim 72, wherein the alignment system includes at least one laser generating device that projects a laser beam to provide at least a portion of the alignment information.

78. A system according to claim 72, wherein at least a portion of the alignment system is engaged with a golf cart.

79. A system according to claim 72, wherein at least a portion of the alignment system is engaged with a golf bag.

81. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least some portions of the first sensor system, the second sensor system, the transmission system, and the output system are portable so as to allow use during play of a round of golf.

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82. A golf equipment fitting system, comprising:

a first sensor system for detecting golf swing dynamics information generated by a first user during one or more golf swings;

a second sensor system for detecting ball flight information when one or more golf balls are hit by the first user;

a transmission system for transmitting data to a swing analysis system, the data transmitted by the transmission system corresponding to or being derived from the information collected by the first and second sensor systems; and

an output system for providing golf equipment fitting information for the first user, wherein at least some of the golf equipment fitting information is generated by the swing analysis system or derived from data generated by the swing analysis system,

wherein at least some portions of the first sensor system, the second sensor system, the transmission system, and the output system are portable so as to allow use during play of a round of golf.

83. A system according to claim 82, wherein the golf equipment fitting information includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

golf club lie angle information;

golf club face angle information;

shaft flex information;

golf ball selection information;

iron club selection information;

wood club selection information;

shaft model information;

shaft kick point location information;

information indicating a different golf club or a different golf club parameter to use for a subsequent golf swing; and

golf club loft angle information.

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