Smart system for display of dynamic movement parameters in sports and training

• US 10,960,283 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Issued: 03/30/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip A. Williams, Wilbert Q. Murdock
• Original Assignee: Murdock Wilbert Quinc
• Inventors: Murdock, Wilbert Quinc, Williams, Philip Alister
• Primary Examiner(s): McCulloch, Jr., William H
• Application Number:
  US12/799,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20110281621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,991 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/745 using a holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 : Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 : Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 : Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• 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 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 : Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 : for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 : Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/405 : Cups with automatic ball ejector means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 : Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 : Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 : using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/362 : electrical or electronic
• 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 69/3655 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 : for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3688 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 : characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 : using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 : specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 : Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 : by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 : involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 : involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 : using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 : involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 : for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 : Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 : Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 : Music games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/26 : involving a sensor measurement for aiding acquisition or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 : Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A system that wirelessly integrates actual game equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive real or simulated game of golf. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing techniques. The system includes smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle, and a golf club motion sensing devices, all containing circuits, contact and or noncontact motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer displays player information and visually simulates and controls a game between one or more local players or via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. Standard golf clubs may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such clubs into “smart clubs” for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information and dynamic motion parameters.

Claims

1. A competitive play system, comprising:

a computer with a wireless receiver, the computer to receive digitally coded radio frequency transmissions from a plurality of golfers; and

a golf club, comprising;

a club head;

a shaft;

a microcontroller, pre-programmed with identification information corresponding to the golf club;

a wireless communication transmitter, in communication with the wireless receiver of the computer;

an electrical contact sensor, electrically coupled to the microcontroller and attached to the club head; and

a power source,

wherein the microcontroller is further programmed to receive one-stroke impact data from the electrical contact sensor, and transmit to the computer, the one-stroke impact data of at least one of a game projectile and/or a sports equipment item during a swing of a user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication transmitter transmits via a wireless radio frequency communications protocol.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of contact and/or noncontact sensors.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a motion detector.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a proximity detector.

6. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

an accelerometer, configured to derive spatial acceleration motion data of the golf club.

7. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a gyro meter, configured to derive spatial orientation motion data of the golf club.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact sensor comprises piezoelectric and/or piezoresistive sensors.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact sensor measures one-stroke data from impact by at least one of a golf ball and a sports equipment item.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to determine if impact occurs between the golf club and the sports equipment item comprising a golf ball.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller indicates a location of impact on a clubface of the golf club head of the golf ball.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication receiver to receive communications data.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact sensor is configured to transmit force data indicative of a force of impact between the golf ball and the golf club, and a time.

14. The golf club system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller, the wireless communication transmitter, the electrical contact sensor, and the power source are retrofitted on a standard golf club comprising the club head and the shaft.

15. A computer-implemented system, comprising:

a sports implement, configured to be manipulated by a player during a game;

a display screen;

an electrical contact sensor, disposed on the sports implement;

a wireless communication interface to communicatively coupled the sports implement and the display screen;

a first computer;

a second computer; and

a game server,

wherein the wireless communication interface is configured to transmit sensor data to the first computer, the first computer configured to receive sensor data from the electrical contact sensor, the first computer is further configured to process the electrical contact sensor data and transmit the electrical contact sensor data to the second computer, and the second computer is configured to transmit the electrical contact sensor data received from the first computer to the game server via a data communication network.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second computer is operatively coupled to the display screen, and the second computer creating an animated first visual event simulation from the electrical contact data acquired from the first computer for display on the display screen.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless communication link interface uses a radio frequency communication protocol.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising

a proximity detector.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

an accelerometer, configured to derive spatial acceleration motion data of the sports implement.

20. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

a gyro meter, configured to derive spatial orientation motion data of the sports implement.