DEVICE FOR SHOT TRACKING

• US 20110263345A1
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Inventors: BALARDETA, JOSEPH, DENTON, SCOTT
• Granted Patent: US 8,210,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/150
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• 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 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations

Abstract

The present invention relates to shot tracking. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for tracking shots of a golfer during a round of golf. One aspect of the present invention is a system for automatically tracking a golf club swung by a golfer. The system comprises a plurality of golf clubs. Each of the plurality of golf clubs comprises a device attached to a grip which is attached to a shaft which is attached to a golf club head. The device comprises a power source, a shock switch and a RFID component.

Claims

1. A device for tracking a golfer'"'"'s shot during a round of golfer, the device comprising:

a housing;

a battery positioned within the housing; and

a circuit board positioned within the housing, the circuit board comprising

a microprocessor positioned within the housing, the microprocessor in electrical communication with the battery,

a resistor,

a capacitor,

a shock switch

a radiofrequency component positioned within the housing, the radiofrequency component in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the radiofrequency component transmitting a signal;

wherein the device has a 2 milliamps limit for transmission of the signal, wherein after impact with a golf ball, the shock switch is closed allowing power to flow from the capacitor to the radiofrequency component for transmission of the signal, and wherein the resistor minimizes an electrical current flow to the capacitor to allow the capacitor to be charged at a controlled rate from the battery.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the housing has a main body and a projection body.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the battery is a battery having at least 75 milliamp hours of power.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the capacitor is a 1 microFarad capacitor.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the radiofrequency component is a 2.4 giga Hertz transceiver.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is configured to deactivate transmissions of the signal from the radiofrequency component when a threshold number of signals are transmitted by the device and a receipt signal is not received by the device.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 5 to 50.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the battery is a 3-volts battery.

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the shock switch is a single channel slew rate controlled load switch.

10. A system for tracking a golfer'"'"'s shot during a round of golfer, the system comprising:

a receiver;

a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices positioned within a grip of a golf club of a set of golf clubs, each of the plurality of devices comprising

a microprocessor positioned within the housing, the microprocessor in electrical communication with the battery,

a resistor,

a capacitor,

a shock switch

a radiofrequency component positioned within the housing, the radiofrequency component in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the radiofrequency component transmitting a signal;

wherein the device has a 2 milliamps limit for transmission of the signal, wherein after impact with a golf ball, the shock switch is closed allowing power to flow from the capacitor to the radiofrequency component for transmission of the signal, and wherein the resistor minimizes an electrical current flow to the capacitor to allow the capacitor to be charged at a controlled rate from the battery.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein the receiver is a GPS device.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein the golf clubs in the set comprises woods, irons and a putter.

13. The system according to claim 10 wherein the receiver is one of a personal digital assistant, a smart phone or mobile phone.

14. The system according to claim 10 wherein the battery of each device of the plurality of devices is a 3-volts battery.

15. The system according to claim 10 wherein the capacitor of each device of the plurality of devices is a 1 microFarad capacitor.

16. The system according to claim 10 wherein the radiofrequency component of each device of the plurality of devices is a 2.4 gigaHertz transceiver.

17. The system according to claim 10 wherein the microprocessor of each device of the plurality of devices is configured to deactivate transmissions of the signal from the radiofrequency component when a threshold number of signals are transmitted by the device and a receipt signal is not received by the device.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the threshold number of signals ranges from 5 to 50.

19. The system according to claim 10 wherein the shock switch of each device of the plurality of devices is a single channel slew rate controlled load switch.

20. The system according to claim 10 wherein the receiver operates on a communication protocol that is similar to the device.