Instrumented sports apparatus and feedback method
First Claim
1. A method of providing feedback to a user of a sports apparatus having a surface for impacting an object the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring an impact of the object at a plurality of discrete points on the surface of the apparatus using a high density point sensor array transducer for generating a plurality of respective output signals corresponding to primary and secondary points of contact with the object, each output signal having a magnitude and a duration, resulting in a force distribution pattern;
processing the respective output signals; and
displaying a parameter of interest corresponding to the respective output signals based at least in part on stored data related to expected force distribution patterns.
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Abstract
An instrumented sports apparatus includes a closely spaced array of discrete sensor elements coupled to a contact surface thereof for converting a contact force between the contact surface and an object into a plurality of discrete output signals. The signals are processed and information based thereon generated, which is representative of one or more parameters of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, as instrumented golf club displays information such as club head speed, club head angle, and club head elevation upon impact with a golf ball, permitting the golfer to adjust his swing on the next stroke. Since the instrumentation and display are entirely self-contained in the club, a golfer is not constrained in the use of the club and may enjoy the benefits thereof during play on a golf course.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of providing feedback to a user of a sports apparatus having a surface for impacting an object the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an impact of the object at a plurality of discrete points on the surface of the apparatus using a high density point sensor array transducer for generating a plurality of respective output signals corresponding to primary and secondary points of contact with the object, each output signal having a magnitude and a duration, resulting in a force distribution pattern;
processing the respective output signals; and
displaying a parameter of interest corresponding to the respective output signals based at least in part on stored data related to expected force distribution patterns. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9)
multiplexing the respective output signals;
converting the multiplexed signals to digital data; and
generating information representative of a parameter of interest based upon the digital data.
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3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the processing step further comprises the step of amplifying the respective output signals.
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4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the information generating step comprises the steps of:
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sampling the digital data corresponding to each signal;
averaging the sampled data corresponding to each signal; and
comparing a distribution of the averaged data to the stored data.
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5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the parameter of interest is impact angle.
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8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the parameter of interest is displayed graphically.
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9. A method according to claim 1 wherein:
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the sports apparatus comprises a golf club having a club head;
the transducer comprises a piezoelectric film;
the surface comprises a face of the club head;
the object comprises a golf ball; and
the parameter of interest is selected from the group consisting of club head speed, club head angle, and club head elevation.
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6. A method of providing feedback to a user of a sports apparatus having a surface for impacting an object, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an impact of the object at a plurality of discrete points on the surface of the apparatus using a high density point sensor array transducer for generating a plurality of respective output signals corresponding to primary and secondary points of contact with the object, each output signal having a magnitude and a duration, resulting in a force distribution pattern;
processing the respective output signals by;
multiplexing the respective output signals;
converting the multiplexed signals to digital data; and
generating information representative of a parameter of interest based upon the digital data, wherein the information generating step comprises the steps of;
sampling the digital data corresponding to each signal; and
determining a maximum value of all of the sample data; and
displaying a parameter of interest corresponding to the respective output signals. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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10. A sports apparatus comprising:
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a surface for impacting an object;
a transducer coupled to the surface, the transducer comprising a high density array of discrete point sensors, wherein each of a plurality of neighboring point sensors generates a respective output signal having a magnitude and a duration corresponding to a local impact of the surface by the object corresponding either to a primary or a secondary point contact, resulting in a force distribution pattern;
a circuit for processing the respective output signals, the circuit including memory for storing data related to expected force distribution patterns; and
a display for displaying a parameter of interest corresponding to the respective output signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
an analog multiplexer for multiplexing the respective output signals;
an analog to digital converter for converting the multiplexed signals to digital data; and
a processor for processing the digital data and generating information representative of a parameter of interest.
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12. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising an amplifier for amplifying the respective output signals.
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13. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the parameter of interest is selected from the group consisting of impact speed, impact angle, and impact location.
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14. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a battery for powering the circuit.
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15. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the parameter of interest is displayed graphically.
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16. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:
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the sports apparatus comprises a golf club having a club head;
the transducer further comprises a piezoelectric film;
the surface comprises a face of the club head;
the object comprises a golf ball; and
the parameter of interest is selected from the group consisting of club head speed, club head angle, and club head elevation.
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17. A method of instrumenting a surface of a sports apparatus the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a transducer comprising a high density array of discrete point sensors; and
integrating the transducer into the sports apparatus such that;
the transducer is coupled to the surface; and
the transducer is protected from direct impact of an object to be impacted by the surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification