Methods and systems for identifying the launch positions of descending golf balls
First Claim
1. A method for identifying in respect of a descending golf ball a position from among a plurality of launch positions from which the descending golf ball was launched, the method being performed by a computer and comprising the steps of:
- measuring, via sensors, descent parameters of the descending golf ball to derive at least a time of descent of the descending golf ball, within a last 10% of a carry trajectory of the descending golf ball, and a measure dependent on angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball;
calculating, via the computer, a calculated estimate of flight duration of the descending golf ball as a function of the measure dependent on the angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball;
measuring, via sensors, in respect of each launch position a measured interval of time between launch of a golf ball from an individual launch position of the plurality of launch positions and the time of descent of the descending golf ball;
comparing, via the computer, the measured interval of time measured in respect of each launch position with the calculated estimate of flight duration of the descending golf ball to determine for which of the launch positions, of the plurality of launch positions, the respective measured interval of time is a close match with the calculated estimate; and
identifying, via the computer, the launch position from which the descending golf ball was launched with the launch position for which the close match exists.
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Abstract
Identification of the tee-off bay (52;53) from which a golf ball landing on a golf-range target (51) originated, is made by calculating an estimate of flight duration (Edurk) of the descending ball as a function of the measured angle (β) of descent in elevation, and, in respect of each ball launched from the bays (52,53), comparing this estimate for a match with a measured interval between the launch of the respective ball and descent of the descending ball. The originating bay (52;53) of the launched ball for which there is the closest match is identified as the origin of the descending ball, and ambiguity or uncertainty between which bay (52,53) is identified is resolved through comparison of the measured angle (αdes) of descent in azimuth of the descending ball with estimates (Edirk) of it calculated for each launched ball, and through similar comparison in respect of a calculated decelaration ratio (Edeck) and flight duration (Durk).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for identifying in respect of a descending golf ball a position from among a plurality of launch positions from which the descending golf ball was launched, the method being performed by a computer and comprising the steps of:
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measuring, via sensors, descent parameters of the descending golf ball to derive at least a time of descent of the descending golf ball, within a last 10% of a carry trajectory of the descending golf ball, and a measure dependent on angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball; calculating, via the computer, a calculated estimate of flight duration of the descending golf ball as a function of the measure dependent on the angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball; measuring, via sensors, in respect of each launch position a measured interval of time between launch of a golf ball from an individual launch position of the plurality of launch positions and the time of descent of the descending golf ball; comparing, via the computer, the measured interval of time measured in respect of each launch position with the calculated estimate of flight duration of the descending golf ball to determine for which of the launch positions, of the plurality of launch positions, the respective measured interval of time is a close match with the calculated estimate; and identifying, via the computer, the launch position from which the descending golf ball was launched with the launch position for which the close match exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for a golf facility for identifying in respect of a descending golf ball a position from among a plurality of launch positions from which the descending golf ball was launched, the system comprising:
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sensor means for measuring descent parameters of the descending golf ball, within a last 10% of a carry trajectory of the descending golf ball, and the descent parameters comprising a time of descent of the descending golf ball and a measure dependent on an angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball; sensor means for measuring launch parameters of golf balls launched from the plurality of launch positions, and the launch parameters comprising, in respect of each of the launch positions, a time of golf-ball launch therefrom; computer means responsive to the measure dependent on the angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball for calculating an for calculating a calculated estimate of flight duration of the descending golf ball as a function of the measure dependent on the angle of descent in elevation of the descending golf ball; the computer means being responsive to the time of golf-ball launch from each of the launch positions and the time of descent of the descending golf ball to calculate, in respect of each of the plurality of launch positions, a calculated interval of time between golf-ball launch from that position and the time of descent of the descending golf ball; the computer means being operative to compare the calculated estimate of flight duration of the descending golf ball, with the calculated interval of time in respect of each of the plurality of launch positions, to determine which launch position, of the plurality of launch positions, the calculated interval of time is a close match with the calculated estimate of flight duration; and the computer means identifying the launch position, from which the descending golf ball was launched, with the launch position for which the close match exists. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification