Method in connection with a wristop computer and a wristop-computer system

• US 20050282650A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lindman, Erik, Puuri, Heikki, Ruotsalainen, Sami, Miettinen, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,489,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system in connection with a wristop computer (20). In the method, the wristop computer (20) is used to determine at least one of the following data in a game of golf: position, time, height, distance travelled, or club used. According to the invention, the club striking the ball is determined with the aid of a measurement and at least one datum of the game of golf is recorded, in such a way that the recording is triggered from the measurement of the club (3) striking the ball (4).

Claims

1. A method in connection with a wristop computer (20), in which

the wristop computer (20) is used to determine at least one of the following data in a game of golf:

position,

time,

height,

distance travelled, or

club used,

characterized in that

the strike event is detected in the wristop computer (20) with the aid of a measurement, and

at least one datum of the game of golf is recorded, in such a way that the recording is triggered from the measurement of the club (3) striking the ball (4).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the club (3) used is defined with the aid of RFID technology, by using the wristop computer'"'"'s (20) reading device (1) to read the RFID identifier (2) of the club, in such a way that the reading event is triggered by the club (3) striking the ball (4).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the club (3) striking the ball (4) is determined by using a pressure sensor.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the club (3) striking the ball (4) is determined by using an acceleration sensor.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the value of the derivative of the acceleration signal is monitored and, if it exceeds a predefined threshold value, then from that moment a specific number of samples of the original signal are summed and, if the value of the sum thus obtained exceeds a threshold value, the stroke and hit are interpreted as having taken place and the necessary operations are performed to read at least the position and the stroke and possibly the code of the club and to record the information.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the club (3) striking the ball (4) is determined by using a mechanical switch.

7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the duration of the reading event (Δ

t) is predefined.

8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the reading event (Δ

t) terminates when one RFID sign (2) is successfully read.

9. A wristop computer system (20), which includes

a wristop computer (20) that is able to determine at least one of the following data in a game of golf:

position,

time,

height,

distance travelled, or

club used,

characterized in that

the system includes measuring means in the wristop computer (20) for detecting a strike event, and

means for recording at least one datum of the game of golf, in such a way that the recording is triggered from the measurement of the club (3) striking the ball (4).

10. A system according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the system, at least some of the clubs (3) are equipped with an RFID identifier (2), the wristop computer (20) includes an RFID reading device (1) and means (21) for triggering the RFID reading event by the club (3) striking the ball (4).

11. A system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the means for determining the club (3) striking the ball (4) is a pressure sensor.

12. A system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the means for determining the club (3) striking the ball (4) is an acceleration sensor.

13. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes means for monitoring a value derived from the acceleration signal in such a way that, if the acceleration exceeds a predefined threshold value, then from that moment a specific number of samples of the original signal are summed and, if the value of the sum thus obtained exceeds a threshold value, the stroke and hit are interpreted as having taken place and the necessary operations are performed to read at least the position and the stroke and possibly the code of the club and to record the information.

14. A system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the means for determining the club (3) striking the ball (4) is a mechanical switch.

15. A system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the duration of the reading event (Δ

t) is predefined.

16. A system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the reading event (Δ

t) terminates when one RFID sign (2) is successfully read.