Golf Round Data System Golf Club Telemetry

• US 20070135237A1
• Filed: 10/11/2006
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Appalachian Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Appalachian Technology LLC
• Inventors: Reeves, Goodwyn
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/407
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/50 Force related parameters
• 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 69/36 for golf
• 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 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• 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: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

Golf club telemetry equipment sends signals to a receiver in a golf round data system. The signals uniquely identify the particular club a player has selected for a stroke and the fact that a stroke has been taken. The club identification can occur either before or during a stroke. Automatic detection of clubs and strokes simplifies round data collection for the player. Club identification before a stroke permits a forecast of the result of the stroke to be presented to the player prior to the stroke. The signals can be either acoustic or electromagnetic.

Claims

1. A telemetry equipped golf club comprising:

(a) a golf club; and

(b) an emitter adapted to emit a signal that identifies said golf club from other clubs prior to a player taking a stroke.

2. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 1 wherein said emitter is adapted to emit a second signal when said club strikes a golf ball.

3. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 1 wherein said signal is acoustic.

4. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 1 wherein said signal is electromagnetic radiation.

5. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 2 wherein said second signal is acoustic.

6. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 2 wherein said second signal is electromagnetic radiation.

7. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 1 wherein said emitter is a transmitter adapted to emit said signal when said club is lifted from its storage position in a club bag.

8. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 7 further adapted to turn off said transmitter when the shaft of said club is approximately horizontal.

9. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 1 wherein said emitter is a transmitter adapted to increase transmitted power automatically when a user manipulates said club to make a stroke.

10. A golf round data system comprising:

(a) data storage for recording strokes taken by the user and the particular club used for each stroke;

(b) a stroke detection module adapted to detect a stroke taken by a user without direct user input based on signals emitted by said golf club;

(c) a location means to determine the location on the course where said stroke is taken.

11. The golf round data system of claim 10 wherein said detection module is adapted to receive acoustic signals.

12. The golf round data system of claim 10 wherein said detection module is adapted to receive electromagnetic signals.

13. The telemetry equipped golf club of claim 10 where in said emitter consists at least one cavity in said club with said cavity configured to emit a sound when said club is swung to make a stroke.

14. The golf round data system of claim 10 wherein said signals emitted and detection module are further adapted to determine the particular golf club from a player'"'"'s set which is used for said stroke.

15. A telemetry equipped golf club comprising:

a) a golf club,

b) a battery powered transmitter affixed to said club, and

c) a switch adapted to increase battery power to said transmitter automatically when a user manipulates said club to make a stroke.

16. A golf club bag adapted to emit a signal indicative of the particular club a player has selected.