Accelerometer-based golf distancing apparatus

Details Accelerometer-based golf distancing apparatus Accelerometer-based golf distancing apparatus

1995-05-23

1999-05-18

Zanelli, Michael

Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location

Navigation

Employing position determining equipment

701300, G01S5/14

Patent

active

059047267

ABSTRACT:
A portable distance tracking device calculates the distance to a flag from a first position on a hole of a golf course. An initialization means initializes the device at the start of play. The device includes two rotational accelerometers, to measure acceleration along pitch and roll axes, and a translational accelerometer, to measure acceleration along a surge axis. A microprocessor, including an A-D converter, (i) converts the accelerations to digital data and (ii) integrates the data twice, over time, to determine distance traveled on the hole. The microprocessor further compensates the data for forces due to at least one of gravity, centripetal acceleration, and a rotation of earth, and thereafter determines the distance to the flag as a function of the distance traveled. A keypad input device provides for selecting the initialization and for selecting the hole in play. A memory element stores a digital representation of the hole; and a display unit displays the distance to the flag.

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