Sports applications for wind profile systems

• US 20100184534A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,864,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/407
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09

Abstract

A system is generally described which includes a sports system. The sports system includes a wind profile detector, a reference location, and a user interface device. Among other information the user interface device may provide information based on the wind profile from the wind profile detector and the reference location.

Claims

1. A golf system, comprising:

a wind profile detector generating wind profile information;

a reference location associated with a golf site;

a user interface device providing information based on the wind profile information from the wind profile detector and the reference location.

8. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides a suggested club selection.

9. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides a suggested shot strength.

10. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides a suggested shot direction.

11. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides a suggested lateral ball deviation from a predetermined path.

12. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides a suggested longitudinal ball deviation from a predetermined path.

13. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides a suggested desired ball hook or slice information.

14. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information provides recommended ball loft information.

15. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information is based on an anticipated club.

16. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information is based on an anticipated shot strength.

2-7. -7. (canceled)

17-42. -42. (canceled)

43. A football system, comprising:

a wind profile detector generating wind profile information; and

an interface device providing information based on the wind profile information from the wind profile detector and a reference location associated with a football field.

67. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector measures wind speed at two or more positions.

68. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector measures wind speed and direction at two or more positions.

69. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector provides the wind profile information extrapolated in time.

70. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector provides the wind profile information extrapolated in time.

71. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector provides the wind profile information extrapolated in space.

72. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector provides the wind profile information interpolated in space.

73. The football system of claim 43, wherein the wind profile detector provides the wind profile information evaluated along an anticipated trajectory.

74. The football system of claim 43, wherein the interface device provides information to a football player.

75. The football system of claim 43, wherein the interface device provides information to an observer.

44-66. -66. (canceled)

76-77. -77. (canceled)

78. A sailing system, comprising:

a sailing vessel;

a wind profile detector generating wind profile information;

a reference location;

a user interface device providing information based on the wind profile information from the wind profile detector and the reference location.

79. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the wind profile detector is configured to detect the wind profile information at locations along a potential route.

80. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the user interface device provides sail configuration suggestions.

81. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the user interface device provides rudder configuration suggestions.

82. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the user interface device provides tacking suggestions.

83. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the user interface device provides route planning suggestions.

84. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the user interface device provides sail trimming suggestions.

85. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the user interface device is coupled to an automatic sail configuration system.

94. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the wind profile detector measures wind speed at two or more positions.

95. The sailing system of claim 78, wherein the wind profile detector measures wind speed and direction at two or more positions.

86-93. -93. (canceled)

96-104. -104. (canceled)

105. A baseball system, comprising:

a wind profile detector generating wind profile information;

a reference location;

a user interface device providing information based on the wind profile information from the wind profile detector and the reference location.

111. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides a suggested bat selection.

112. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides a suggested swing speed.

113. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides suggested ball throw direction.

114. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides lateral ball deviation from a predetermined path.

115. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides longitudinal ball deviation from a predetermined path.

116. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides desired ball hit information.

117. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information provides ball loft information.

118. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information is based on an anticipated bat.

119. The baseball system of claim 105, wherein the information is based on an anticipated swing speed.

106-110. -110. (canceled)

120-152. -152. (canceled)

153. A racing system, comprising:

a wind profile detector generating wind profile information;

a reference location;

a user interface device providing information based on the wind profile information from the wind profile detector and the reference location.

154. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the wind profile detector is configured to detect the wind profile information at locations along a potential route.

155. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the user interface device provides vehicle configuration suggestions.

156. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the user interface device provides suggestions relating to tracking a specified route.

157. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the user interface device provides route planning suggestions.

158. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the user interface device provides fuel usage suggestions.

159. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the user interface device is coupled to an automatic fuel system.

169. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the wind profile detector measures wind speed at two or more positions.

170. The racing system of claim 153, wherein the wind profile detector measures wind speed and direction at two or more positions.

160-168. -168. (canceled)

171-179. -179. (canceled)