Multiple sensor tracking system and method

• US 9,901,804 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FlyingTee Tech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Origin Pty Limited (Origin Energy Limited)
• Inventors: Vollbrecht, James, Vollbrecht, John, Tawwater, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US15/420,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20170136336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 473168, 473150-156
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3691 Golf courses; Golf practising terrains having a plurality of driving areas, fairways, greens special golf games, e.g. miniature golf, A63B67/02; mats for simulating golf greens A63B69/3661
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3694 for driving only
• 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: G01S 13/58 : Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/72 : for two-dimensional tracking, e.g. combination of angle and range tracking, track-while-scan radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 : Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 : Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00

Abstract

A system and method for tracking the flight of golf balls at driving range. The invention includes a plurality of hitting stations, a plurality of sensors, a computer, and a range surface. Each hitting station in the plurality of hitting stations includes a golf ball, a golf club, a monitor, and a sensor. At least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors is placed outside the hitting station. The flight path of the golf ball is calculated by the computer using parameters by the plurality of sensors. The method includes steps for determining whether a first sensor detected a first parameter and a second parameter, whether a second sensor detected a first and a second parameter, whether a third sensor detected a third parameter, and depicting the flight path of the golf balls using the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.

Claims

1. A multiple sensor system for tracking a golf ball, said system comprising:

a first sensor having a first sensor type;

said first sensor configured to detect a first plurality of parameters comprising a moment of impact with said golf ball;

a second sensor having a second sensor type;

said second sensor type being different from said first sensor type;

said second sensor configured to detect a second plurality of parameters comprising a flight path of said golf ball;

a computer in electronic communication with said first sensor and said second sensor;

said computer configured to evaluate both said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters to determine whether to use said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, or both to calculate a travel path of said golf ball when said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters are available; and

a display in electronic communication with said computer;

said display configured to display said calculated travel path of said golf ball.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of parameters further comprises an origination position of said golf ball, a launch angle of said golf ball;

a side spin of said golf ball, a vertical spin of said golf ball, an initial location of said golf ball, an impact point on said golf ball, a launch speed of said golf ball, a launch velocity of said golf ball, or a combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said first plurality of parameters further comprises a golf club head path, a club head speed, a golf club head velocity, or a combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said second plurality of parameters further comprises three-dimensional coordinates of said flight path, a launch angle of said golf ball;

a side spin of said golf ball, a vertical spin of said golf ball, an initial location of said golf ball, an impact point on said golf ball, a launch speed of said golf ball, a launch velocity of said golf ball, or a combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a third sensor having a third sensor type;

said third sensor type being different from said first sensor type and from said second sensor type;

said third sensor configured to detect a third plurality of parameters comprising a ground path of said golf ball.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said third plurality of parameters further comprises three-dimensional coordinates of said ground path, a resting point of said golf ball, or a combination thereof.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said computer is configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball using said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, and said third plurality of parameters.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said first sensor type is an infrared sensor, a radar sensor, a pressure sensors, a sound sensor, a laser sensor, an infrared camera, a visible light camera, or a combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said first sensor type is an infrared directional trip sensor.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said first sensor type further comprises an infrared light beam emitter and an infrared light beam detector.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said second sensor type is an infrared sensor, a radar sensor, a pressure sensors, a sound sensor, a laser sensor, an infrared camera, a visible light camera, or a combination thereof.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said second sensor type is a radar sensor.

13. The system of claim 5 wherein said third sensor type is a narrow-angle camera to detect three-dimensional coordinates of said ground path.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

said first sensor configured to detect said first plurality of parameters associated with a first field of detection of said moment of impact of said golf ball;

said first field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of said moment of impact of said golf ball; and

said second sensor configured to detect said second plurality of parameters associated with a second field of detection of said flight path of said golf ball;

said second field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of said flight path of said golf ball.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection do not have overlapping fields of detection.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection have overlapping fields of detection.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a third sensor having a third sensor type;

said third sensor type being different from said first sensor type and from said second sensor type;

said third sensor configured to detect a third plurality of parameters associated with a third field of detection;

said third field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of a ground path of said golf ball.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection provide for an unobstructed view of said travel path of said golf ball.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection have overlapping fields of detection.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection do not have overlapping fields of detection.

21. A multiple sensor system for tracking a golf ball, said system comprising:

a first sensor having a first sensor type;

said first sensor configured to detect a first plurality of parameters associated with a first field of detection comprising a moment of impact with said golf ball, said first field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of said moment of impact of said golf ball;

a second sensor having a second sensor type;

said second sensor type being different from said first sensor type;

said second sensor configured to detect a second plurality of parameters associated with a second field of detection comprising a flight path of said golf ball, said second field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of said flight path of said golf ball;

a computer in electronic communication with said first sensor and said second sensor;

said computer configured to evaluate both said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters to determine whether to use said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, or both to calculate a travel path of said golf ball when both said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters are available; and

a display in electronic communication with said computer;

said display configured to display said calculated travel path of said golf ball.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said first plurality of parameters further comprises an origination position of said golf ball, a launch angle of said golf ball;

a side spin of said golf ball, a vertical spin of said golf ball, an initial location of said golf ball, an impact point on said golf ball, a launch speed of said golf ball, a launch velocity of said golf ball, a golf club head path, a club head speed, a golf club head velocity or a combination thereof.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein said second plurality of parameters further comprises three-dimensional coordinates of said flight path, a launch angle of said golf ball;

a side spin of said golf ball, a vertical spin of said golf ball, an initial location of said golf ball, an impact point on said golf ball, a launch speed of said golf ball, a launch velocity of said golf ball, or a combination thereof.

24. The system of claim 21 further comprising a third sensor having a third sensor type;

said third sensor type being different from said first sensor type and from said second sensor type;

said third sensor configured to detect a third plurality of parameters comprising a ground path of said golf ball.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said third plurality of parameters further comprises three-dimensional coordinates of said ground path, a resting point of said golf ball, or a combination thereof.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein said computer is configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball using said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, and said third plurality of parameters.

27. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

said first sensor configured to detect said first plurality of parameters associated with a first field of detection;

said first field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of a moment of impact of said golf ball; and

said second sensor configured to detect said second plurality of parameters associated with a second field of detection;

said second field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of a flight path of said golf ball.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection do not have overlapping fields of detection.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection have overlapping fields of detection.

30. The system of claim 27 further comprising a third sensor having a third sensor type;

said third sensor type being different from said first sensor type and from said second sensor type;

said third sensor configured to detect a third plurality of parameters associated with a third field of detection;

said third field of detection having a substantially unobstructed view of a ground path of said golf ball.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection provide for an unobstructed view of said travel path of said golf ball.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection have overlapping fields of detection.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection do not have overlapping fields of detection.

34. A golf ball driving range having a range surface and at least one hitting station, said driving range comprising:

a first sensor positioned in said hitting station;

said first sensor having a first sensor type and a first field of detection;

said first sensor configured to detect a first plurality of parameters associated with a travel path of a golf ball;

a second sensor positioned adjacent to said range surface;

said second sensor having a second sensor type and a second field of detection;

said second sensor type being different from said first sensor type;

said second field of detection being different from said first field of detection;

said second sensor configured to detect a second plurality of parameters associated with said travel path of said golf ball;

a computer in electronic communication with said first sensor and said second sensor;

said computer configured to evaluate both said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters to determine whether to use said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, or both when both said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters are available;

said computer further configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball from said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, or both; and

a display in electronic communication with said computer;

said display configured to display said calculated travel path of said golf ball.

35. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said computer is further configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball using said first plurality of parameters when said second plurality of parameters is unavailable.

36. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said computer is further configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball using said second plurality of parameters when said first plurality of parameters is unavailable.

37. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said computer is configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball from said first plurality of parameters and said second plurality of parameters.

38. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said first plurality of parameters comprises a moment of impact of said golf ball and wherein said second plurality of parameters comprises a flight path of said golf ball.

39. The driving range of claim 34 further comprising a third sensor having a third sensor type and a third field of detection;

said third sensor type being different from said first sensor type and from said second sensor type;

said third field of detection being different from said first field of detection and said second field of detection;

said third sensor configured to detect a third plurality of parameters associated with said travel path of said golf ball.

40. The driving range of claim 39 wherein said third plurality of parameters comprises a ground path of said golf ball.

41. The driving range of claim 39 wherein said computer is configured to calculate said travel path of said golf ball using said first plurality of parameters, said second plurality of parameters, and said third plurality of parameters.

42. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection do not have overlapping fields of detection.

43. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection have overlapping fields of detection.

44. The driving range of claim 34 wherein said first field of detection and said second field of detection provide for an unobstructed view of said travel path of said golf ball.

45. The driving range of claim 39 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection provide for an unobstructed view of said travel path of said golf ball.

46. The driving range of claim 45 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection have overlapping fields of detection.

47. The driving range of claim 45 wherein said first field of detection, said second field of detection, said third field of detection do not have overlapping fields of detection.