Sports applications for wind profile systems

• US 8,864,606 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US12/215,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20100184534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,307 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/407
• 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 for use on a golf hole, comprising:

a wind profile sensor detecting wind profile information for a plurality of locations above the golf hole and remote from the wind profile sensor, wherein the wind profile sensor utilizes at least one of RADAR, LIDAR, SODAR, Doppler RADAR, and laser Doppler velocimetry, wherein the plurality of locations are along an estimated golf ball trajectory originating from a reference location, wherein the wind profile sensor measures wind speed and direction at two or more positions above the golf hole;

a computer simulation system generating an estimated ball destination resulting from a golf swing to be performed by a user at the reference location and in the presence of the detected wind profile information from the wind profile sensor;

a user interface device providing information based on the estimated ball destination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the reference location is associated with a tee.

12. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the reference location is associated with a golfer'"'"'s apparel.

13. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the reference location is associated with a golfer'"'"'s equipment.

14. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the reference location is associated with golfer deployed equipment.

15. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the reference location is associated with site deployed equipment.

16. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the reference location is associated with a predetermined site.

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

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

19. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information is based on an anticipated ball trajectory.

20. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the information is based on an anticipated ball parameters.

21. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is deployed at a golf site.

22. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is coupled to a golf club.

23. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is coupled to a golf cart.

24. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is coupled to a golfer'"'"'s apparel.

25. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is coupled to a golfer'"'"'s body.

26. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device comprises a handheld device.

27. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the wind profile sensor provides the wind profile information extrapolated in time.

28. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the wind profile sensor provides the wind profile information interpolated in time.

29. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the wind profile sensor provides the wind profile information extrapolated in space.

30. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the wind profile sensor provides the wind profile information interpolated in space.

31. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the wind profile sensor provides the wind profile information evaluated along an anticipated trajectory.

32. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device provides information to a golfer.

33. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device provides information to a caddy.

34. The golf system of claim 1, wherein the user interface device provides information to an observer.