Device and system for obtaining, analyzing, and displaying information related to a golfer's game play in real-time

• US 20100144455A1
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innoventions Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Innoventions Partners LLC
• Inventors: Ahern, Frank
• Application Number:
  US12/653,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20100144455A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• 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 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

The present invention achieves technical advantages as a device and system utilizable during actual golf game play configured to obtain information related to a player'"'"'s golf swing and game performance. This information may include information generated by a sensor(s) located on or within a golf club or worn by the golfer, which information is configured to be sent to a golf appliance, such as a golf glove, an automatic scoring and game statistics apparatus worn by the golfer, or a remotely located monitoring/display unit. These sensors provide data to facilitate assessing a player'"'"'s swing, to determine a ball strike, determine swing velocity, identify the club used, and other data usable during actual game play. An additional aspect of the invention provides for a golf glove appliance and club grip system for detecting correct hand position as the golfer grips the club during a swing.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a module configured to be coupled to a golf club, the module configured to ascertain a golf parameter during game play on a golf course, the module having an module interface configured to communicate a signal indicative of the parameter; and

a golf appliance having an appliance interface configured to receive the signal indicative of the golf parameter from the module.

2. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the golf appliance is configured to be worn by a golfer.

3. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module includes a sensor.

4. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module interface is configured to communicate the signal when the golf appliance is in close proximity to the module.

5. The system as specified in claim 4 wherein the module is configured to detect when the golf appliance is in close proximity to the module and responsively communicate the signal to the golf appliance.

6. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module is configured to be coupled to the golf club proximate a grip of the golf club.

7. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of the type of club.

8. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of a swing of the golf club.

9. The system as specified in claim 8 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of the velocity of a swing of the golf club.

10. The system as specified in claim 8 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of the acceleration of the golf club.

11. The system as specified in claim 8 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of the de-acceleration of the golf club.

12. The system as specified in claim 8 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of the change in acceleration of the golf club.

13. The system as specified in claim 12 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of the direction of change in the acceleration of the golf club.

14. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the golf parameter is indicative of a golf ball strike by the golf club.

15. The system as specified in claim 6 further including a golf club grip, wherein the module interface is integral to the grip.

16. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module is configured to receive power from the golf appliance across the interface.

17. The system as specified in claim 16 wherein the device is configured to transition from a reduced power state to a higher power state when the module is in close proximity to the golf appliance.

18. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a battery configured to power the module.

19. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises an RFID device.

20. The system as specified in claim 19 wherein the RFID device is configured to couple the signal indicative of the golf parameter to the module interface.

21. The system as specified in claim 19 wherein the RFID device has an indicator indicative a type of golf club.

22. The system as specified in claim 2 wherein the golf appliance is a golf glove comprising at least one electrical contact configured to make an electrical path with a golf club grip when gripped.

23. The system as specified in claim 22 wherein the module interface comprises a club grip including a plurality of electrical contacts.

24. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a processor configured to generate the signal.

25. The system as specified in claim 24 wherein the processor is configured to derive power from the golf appliance.

26. The system as specified in claim 24 wherein the module comprises an RFID device configured to couple the signal indicative of the parameter across the module interface to golf appliance.

27. The system as specified in claim 24 wherein the module further comprises a sensor configured to interface with the processor.

28. The system as specified in claim 24 wherein the module comprises an RFID device configured to couple the signal indicative of the parameter from the processor to the golf appliance.

29. The system as specified in claim 28 wherein the golf parameter is selected from the set comprising:

a ball strike, swing velocity, club acceleration, club de-acceleration, and a change of direction of a club'"'"'s acceleration.

30. The system as specified in claim 3 wherein the golf appliance is configured to couple power sufficient to power the sensor.

31. The system as specified in claim 3 wherein the sensor is configured to be disposed proximate a golf club hosel.

32. The system as specified in claim 3 wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

33. The system as specified in claim 3 wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.

34. The system as specified in claim 2 wherein the golf appliance is a scoring system configured to process the signal.

35. The system as specified in claim 34 wherein the scoring system includes a display.