Launch monitor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining golf club and golf ball kinematics, comprising:
- a RFID reader operatively connected to a housing;
a golf club including a RFID tag;
wherein the RFID reader is capable of communicating with the RFID tag to automatically identify the golf club.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A launch monitor that includes substantially all of its functional components on or within a housing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the launch monitor is capable of being transported and used in any desired location. One or more camera'"'"'s, flashes, and triggers may be used to acquire images of a golf club and golf ball. The launch monitor is preferably capable of receiving and transmitting data over a wireless network. Acquired images and other data may be analyzed by a processor, and then displayed using an LED, LCD or other type of display or printer. The launch monitor may “recognize” a plurality of golf clubs and golf balls based on an optical fingerprint. The optical fingerprints, which are preferably stored in a memory, allow the launch monitor to identify a golf club and/or ball substantially soon after they are placed in the field of view of the monitor Optical fingerprinting enables automatic record keeping, and storing performance data and equipment used simultaneously. This feature eliminates tedious record keeping, eliminates data entry errors, and enables rapid equipment optimization.
265 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining golf club and golf ball kinematics, comprising:
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a RFID reader operatively connected to a housing;
a golf club including a RFID tag;
wherein the RFID reader is capable of communicating with the RFID tag to automatically identify the golf club. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining the kinematics of a golf object, comprising:
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storing unique identifiers for a plurality of golf objects;
communicating with a RFID tag included with a golf object;
receiving a unique identifier from the RFID tag; and
automatically identifying the golf object based on the received unique identifier. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for determining the kinematics of one or more golf objects, comprising:
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including a RFID tag with a golf ball;
transmitting information between the RFID tag and a RFID reader;
determining when the golf ball is in motion based on the information transmitted between the RFID tag and the RFID reader. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification