Smart system for display of dynamic movement parameters in sports and training

• US 20110281621A1
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip A. Williams, Wilbert Q. Murdock
• Original Assignee: Philip A. Williams, Wilbert Q. Murdock
• Inventors: Murdock, Wilbert Quinc, Williams, Philip Alister
• Granted Patent: US 10,960,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/745 using a holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 : Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 : Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 : Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• 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 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 : Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 : for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 : Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/405 : Cups with automatic ball ejector means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 : Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 : Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 : using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/362 : electrical or electronic
• 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 69/3655 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 : for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3688 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 : characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 : using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 : specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 : Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 : by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 : involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 : involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 : using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 : involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 : for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 : Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 : Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 : Music games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/26 : involving a sensor measurement for aiding acquisition or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 : Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A system that wirelessly integrates actual golf equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive real or simulated game of golf. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing techniques. The system includes smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing devices, all containing circuits and contact and or noncontact motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer displays player information and visually simulates and controls a golf game between one or more local players or via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. Standard golf clubs may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such clubs into “smart clubs” for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations and display player performance information and dynamic motion parameters.

Claims

8. A sports implement motion sensing spatial orientation device and ball receptacle system comprising:

a plurality of motion sensors uniformity distributed upon or proximate to a device surface area; and

a communications circuit connected with a plurality of sensors to transmit an electromagnetic signal upon one or more of the sensors detecting club motion over the device;

means for acquiring information of a ball-club contact event from a first array of sensors and transmitting these data via a first communications link wirelessly to a receiver for analysis by a first computer;

a means for detecting digitally coded wireless transmissions from data derived from data acquired from said first communications link and said first and second contact sensor arrays encompassing a golf ball receptacle, golf club spatial orientation device, or a golf club motion sensing plate, remotely connected to said means for acquiring information of a ball-club contact event from a first array of sensors and transmitting these data via a first communications link wirelessly to a receiver for analysis by a first computer; and

a means for detecting a golf ball receptacle, golf club spatial orientation device, or a golf club motion sensing plate comprises a computer, wireless signal receiver, smart golf club, golf ball receptacle, golf club motion sensor plate, microprocessor wireless signal receiver and computer.

9. The sports implement motion sensing spatial orientation device and ball receptacle system as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

a top motion plate, bottom motion plate, homogenous electrically conductive interior surface, capacitive platelet, golf club motion plate capacitive network, capacitive components of the motion sensor plate, network of electrical comparator amplifiers, multiplexer, transmitter, antenna, spatial orientation device golf club motion sensor, for sensing varying characteristics of capacitance representing the velocity, angle, and proximity of a golf club relative to the surface of the device and or spatial orientation devices to detect the rotational orientation, translational path, and directional orientation of said club-head, remotely connected to said wireless signal receiver and computer.

10. A self-recording golf club and receptacle system comprising:

a. a golf club-head or shaft having an inner core surrounded by an outer cover;

b. said golf club having a microprocessor pre-programmed with identification information corresponding to said club, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and piezo sensors electrically connected and located on the face of said golf club-head;

c. said microprocessor is further pre-programmed (i) to record data corresponding to one stroke upon activation of said microprocessor by said piezo sensor, (ii) to record a magnitude of force of said one stroke, and (iii) to subsequently ignore signals transmitted by said piezo sensor after said one stroke is received by said ball for a period of time thereafter correlative to said magnitude of force of said one stroke;

d. said microprocessor further programmed to record subsequent stroke data upon activation by said piezo sensor until later activated to erase said subsequent stroke data; and

e. a golf ball receptacle for receiving said golf ball when said golf ball is struck therein, said receptacle having a microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and mounted on or within said receptacle, such that when said ball strikes said receptacle piezo sensor upon entering said receptacle, said receptacle sensor activates said receptacle microprocessor, wherein said receptacle microprocessor is programmed to receive data from said golf club microprocessor and subsequently transmit said data to a remote computer for display or storage therein.

1. A method of computer implemented sport play including:

(a) sensing with a sensor associated with a sport gear a sport game event;

(b) electromagnetically communicating the event to the computer; and

(c) displaying on a visual display information relating to the event.

2. The method of computer implemented sport play according to claim 1, wherein displaying information comprises displaying a simulation of the event.

3. The method of computer implemented sport play according to either claim 1 wherein sensing with a sensor of comprises sensing at least one of the impact of a golf club on a golf ball, the swing of the golf club, and the entry of a golf ball into a target receptacle.

4. The method of computer implemented sport play according to either claim 1, wherein sensing with a sensor includes sensing the engagement of a ball with a sport implement.

5. The method of computer implemented sport play according to claim 4, wherein the sport implement is a golf club and the sensor is one or a plurality of sensors arranged at the face of the head of the golf club, the method further comprising indicating the location on the face of the head of the golf club where the club face impacts the golf ball by signaling which sensor or sensors were impacted.

6. The method of computer implemented sport play according to claim 1, wherein electromagnetically communicating comprises wireless radio frequency communication.

7. The method of computer implemented sport play according to claim 4, further comprising generating an electrical signal indicative of the engagement of the ball with the sports implement, and integrating the electrical signal to produce an indication of the impulse and energy of the engagement of the ball and the implement.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said golf club microprocessor is further programmed such that upon transmission of data to said first computer, said data correlating to said direction, club face position, and magnitude of force of said strokes impacted by said ball is erased from said receptacle microprocessor.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said golf club microprocessor is programmed to remain in a low power sleep mode prior to activation by said golf club piezo sensor.

13. The smart golf club multiplayer system as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a contact sensor pad, ball return mechanism, internal electronic circuitry, wireless radio frequency transmitter, piezo-electric sensor, amplifier, microprocessor, internal antenna, ball entry opening wireless target receptacle, for wirelessly transmitting the result of a golf ball entering a sensor based target receptacle via a second array of sensors mounted to said target receptacle and transmitting said results via a second communications link, remotely connected to said wireless signal receiver and computer.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coil.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said power source of said ball receptacle is rechargeable.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein said golf club microprocessor and target receptacle is pre-programmed with object identification data including, but is not limited to a golf ball.

18. The method of computer implemented sport play as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a standalone game via a computer or multiplayer game via a sports competition server, operably connected to said smart golf club and target receptacle.

19. The method of computer implemented sport play as recited in claim 5, wherein said spatial orientation devices further comprise a digital compass and accelerometer housed inside or mounted to said golf club or sports implement.

20. The system of claim 5, wherein said microprocessor and telemetry system is used with but not limited to said target receptacle, said golf club, and said motion sensor device.

14-1. The system of claim 10, wherein said remote computer is operatively connected to a score terminal to display said data.