Systems and methods for measuring and/or analyzing swing information

• US 9,566,495 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGESSE, NINI F
• Application Number:
  US14/338,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20140335978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/219, 473221-226, 473/233, 473/234
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• 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 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 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• 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 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 : using movement velocity, acceleration information

Abstract

In a first aspect, a system for monitoring a swing is provided that includes a wireless device adapted to couple to a swinging object and to provide information indicative of a characteristic of the swinging object. The wireless device is a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a golf swing comprising:

a mobile communications device coupled to a wrist strap or band configured to securely attach to a wrist of a user, the mobile communications device having a display and one or more accelerometers that monitor acceleration of the mobile communications device as the mobile communications device swings so as to generate acceleration information, the mobile communications device having a program that allows the mobile communications device to;

monitor acceleration of the mobile communications device as the mobile communications device swings while the user swings a golf club;

collect acceleration information based on the monitored acceleration of the mobile communications device as the mobile communications device swings;

effectuate analysis of the collected acceleration information to determine one or more characteristics of the golf swing based on the collected acceleration information;

store, in a user swing database in the mobile communications device, data representative of the user golf swing based on the determined characteristics of the golf swing;

compare data representative of an ideal golf swing retrieved from a reference swing database in the mobile communications device with the data representative of the user golf swing;

retrieve golf course map information from a course database;

receive location information from a GPS module in the mobile communications device indicating a location of the user;

determine a position of the user relative to a golf hole based on the location of the user and the golf course map information;

determine a recommended golf shot based on the position of the user relative to the golf hole and the comparison of the stored data representative of the user golf swing and the retrieved data representative of an ideal golf swing; and

output information regarding the the recommended golf shot to the display.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is configured to effectuate communications of swing information to a remotely-located server.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is configured to:

effectuate storing of swing information for multiple golf swings; and

effectuate analysis of swing information regarding previous golf swings to determine a recommended golf shot for the user.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is configured to:

effectuate storing of swing information for multiple golf swings;

effectuate analysis of swing information regarding previous golf swings to determine a recommended golf club for a user; and

recommend a golf club for the user based on the analyzed swing information.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that effectuates determination of one or more of acceleration of the golf club, velocity of the golf club, and speed of the golf club.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that effectuates determination of one or more of ball-club contact, ball-club contact timing and ball-club contact force.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that effectuates determination of one or more of number of strokes of the golf club, number of strokes of a golfer swinging the golf club, and golf handicap.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that effectuates determination of one or more of predicted ball travel distance and predicted ball position.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that effectuates detection of wirelessly transmitted signals from multiple golfers.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that effectuates tracking the golf score of multiple golfers.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that converts acceleration information into an audio signal and provides an audio signal indicative of swing tempo.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that compares a current swing to an ideal swing and outputs a cue if the current golf swing varies from an ideal swing in real time.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that causes the mobile communications device to effectuate sending of a message to one or more persons regarding a quality of the golf swing.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device includes a program that differentiates between practice swings and strokes.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is configured to receive telephone calls.

16. A method comprising:

providing a mobile communications device coupled to a wrist strap or band configured to securely attach to a wrist of a user, the mobile communications device having a display and one or more accelerometers that monitor acceleration of the mobile communications device as the mobile communications device swings so as to generate acceleration information, the mobile communications device having a program that allows the mobile communications device to;

monitor acceleration of the mobile communications device as the mobile communications device swings while the user swings a golf club;

collect acceleration information based on the monitored acceleration of the mobile communications device as the mobile communications device swings;

effectuate analysis of the collected acceleration information to determine one or more characteristics of the golf swing based on the collected acceleration information;

store, in a user swing database in the mobile communications device, data representative of the user golf swing based on the determined characteristics of the golf swing;

compare data representative of an ideal golf swing retrieved from a reference swing database in the mobile communications device with the data representative of the user golf swing;

retrieve golf course map information from a course database;

receive location information from a GPS module in the mobile communications device indicating a location of the user;

determine a position of the user relative to a golf hole based on the location of the user and the golf course map information;

determine a recommended golf shot based on the position of the user relative to the golf hole and the comparison of the stored data representative of the user golf swing and the retrieved data representative of an ideal golf swing; and

output information regarding the the recommended golf shot to the display;

employing the mobile communications device to monitor a golf swing of the user during a golf swing; and

outputting a golf shot recommendation.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising employing the mobile communications device to:

effectuate storing of swing information for multiple golf swings; and

effectuate analysis of swing information regarding previous golf swings to determine the recommended golf shot for the user.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising employing the mobile communications device to:

effectuate storing of swing information for multiple golf swings;

effectuate analysis of swing information regarding previous golf swings to determine a recommended golf club for a user; and

recommend a golf club for the user based on the analyzed swing information.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising employing the mobile communications device to effectuate sending of a message to one or more persons regarding a quality of the golf swing.