Methods and systems for putting analysis
First Claim
1. A method for putting analysis using sensors comprising accumulating a plurality of sets of historical data from respective putts of a ball towards a target of a putting surface, each set of data comprising measurements relating to the initial speed and direction of the ball as putted and measurements relating to the target-approach speed and target-approach direction of the ball in approaching the target together with representation of outcome of the putt, deriving in relation to a golfer'"'"'s putting stroke signal-representations of resultant initial putted-ball speed and direction, providing an analysis-result by determining from the signal-representations of resultant initial putted-ball speed and direction and the sets of historical data an estimate of the initial putted-ball speed and direction which in combination are most consistent with achieving a successful putt on the putting surface, and providing indication dependent on the analysis-result, wherein the estimate of initial putted-ball speed and direction is derived in dependence upon the measurements relating to the target-approach speed and target-approach direction together with the outcome of each of a plurality of the sets of historical data.
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Abstract
Analysis of a golfer'"'"'s putting stroke towards a target-hole (2) is derived by an analyzer (12;50) from sensor-signals representative of initial ball-speed and direction, using accumulated sets of historical putting-data, each set of historical data including initial putted ball-speed and direction and the resultant ball-speed and direction in approach to the target-hole (2), together with representation of whether the putt was successful. Initial ball-speed and direction is sensed by opto-electronic sensors (45) responding to back-reflection of infrared beams (13) from retro-reflectors (22-26) on the putted ball (1;20;52), or, is using retro-reflectors (71-73; 77,75) on the putter (3;51;70;74). Resultant ball-speed and direction in approach to the target-hole (2), and whether the putt is successful, is sensed by a monitor (7) from infrared beams (8-10).
30 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A method for putting analysis using sensors comprising accumulating a plurality of sets of historical data from respective putts of a ball towards a target of a putting surface, each set of data comprising measurements relating to the initial speed and direction of the ball as putted and measurements relating to the target-approach speed and target-approach direction of the ball in approaching the target together with representation of outcome of the putt, deriving in relation to a golfer'"'"'s putting stroke signal-representations of resultant initial putted-ball speed and direction, providing an analysis-result by determining from the signal-representations of resultant initial putted-ball speed and direction and the sets of historical data an estimate of the initial putted-ball speed and direction which in combination are most consistent with achieving a successful putt on the putting surface, and providing indication dependent on the analysis-result, wherein the estimate of initial putted-ball speed and direction is derived in dependence upon the measurements relating to the target-approach speed and target-approach direction together with the outcome of each of a plurality of the sets of historical data.
- 12. A system for putting analysis comprising monitor means for responding to a ball putted to approach a target of a putting surface, the monitor means providing signals related to target-approach speed and target-approach direction of the ball, means responsive to the signals provided by the monitor means for accumulating a plurality of sets of historical data from respective putts of a ball towards the target of the putting surface, each set of data comprising data relating to the initial speed and direction of the ball as putted and measurements relating to the target-approach speed and target-approach direction of the ball in approaching the target together with representation of outcome of the putt, sensor means for deriving in relation to a golfer'"'"'s putting stroke signal-representations of resultant initial putted-ball speed and direction, means for providing an analysis-result from the signal-representations of resultant initial putted-ball speed and direction and the sets of historical data an estimate of the initial putted-ball speed and direction which in combination are most consistent with achieving a successful putt on the putting surface, and means for providing indication dependent on the analysis-result, wherein the means for providing the analysis-result includes means for deriving the estimate of initial putted-ball speed and direction in dependence upon the measurements relating to the target-approach speed and target-approach direction together with the outcome of each of a plurality of the sets of historical data.
Specification