Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Projectile addressing surface and target – or distance marker
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-24
2001-10-16
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Projectile addressing surface and target, or distance marker
C473S152000, C473S155000, C473S198000, C473S199000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302802
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to golf training devices. More specifically, the invention is directed to portable golf training systems with optical sensor nets that capture and process dynamic spatial information for a golf ball and/or a golf club.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a variety of apparatus and methods in the golf industry that provide limited information relating to golf ball trajectory and speed. Because a golf ball in flight generally adheres to the same basic principles of physics as other projectile objects, available systems today attempt to provide calculated information such as estimated carry and flight path based on numerous ball measurements obtained by a host of detectors and other related equipment.
Many systems have been proposed in the past to measure spatial positioning and information for a golf ball, a tennis ball or any other spherical projectile. These systems generally include numerous detectors and switches located along an expected flight path for the object. The spherical object may thus impinge upon particular detectors to thereby actuate corresponding electrical switches. Many transmission type or reflection type photoelectric switches may be also placed along an expected flight path, and may be actuated when a ray input for particular switches are blocked off by the object. Scanning laser beams have been also proposed that are paralleled across an expected flight path of a spherical object by using a concave mirror and lens system. The spherical object may pass through a scanning plane to thereby measure beam cut-off timing to determine launch positioning and angles for the spherical object in flight. At the same time, visual systems have also been provided that provide video camera images of the projectiles to provide relevant spatial information.
There are many disadvantages to these present day training systems which have been adapted for golf ball and club swing analysis. For example, some systems affect the intended path of the projectile or fail to obtain careful measurements which provides inaccurate flight information. Most apparatus also require a large number of switches, sensors or detectors to cover a relatively wide flight path area for the spherical projectile. In order to overcome some of the foregoing disadvantages or problems of the conventional measuring methods, systems has been proposed for determining the position of a flying spherical object with a parallel light band generated and projected onto a screen to form a linear image region. When a spherical object in flight crosses the parallel light band, it creates a silhouette on the screen within the image region. The position of this silhouette is detected by using sensors to thereby determine an instantaneous spatial position of the flying spherical object. The disadvantages for this system have been further overcome with measuring apparatus that purportedly determines instantaneous positioning of the object in flight without coming into contact therewith. The flight information may include speed, position and launch angle. Despite the foregoing efforts, golf training systems today still require excessive instrumentation and equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention described herein provides methods and apparatus for golf training systems with optical sensor nets. In accordance with the principles of the invention, dynamic spatial information may be provided based upon either or both a golf ball and club information. A compact, single planar optical net is thus capable of capturing this information relating to a golf ball and/or a golf swing. Relevant ball information may be measured and derived with the systems described herein that includes ball speed, ball take-off and azimuth angles, which may in turn provide relevant calculated ball information such as ball spin, carry distance, trajectory, flight time and height. Golf club information may be also measured and derived to provide club swing path, head speed (before and after impact) head twist and club face angle throughout the swing.
Various aspects of the invention provide ball flight and club swing information with an optical sensor net formed with non-parallel rays of light. Ball speed and club speed information maybe detected with non-parallel rays of light. Another aspect of the invention provides ball speed and direction with either parallel or non-parallel rays of light. In yet another variation of the invention, club path information may be provided based on either parallel or non-parallel rays of light. It shall be understood that particular features of the described embodiments in the following specification may be considered individually or in combination with other variations and aspects of the invention.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon further consideration of the specification and drawings. While the following description may contain many specific details describing particular embodiments of the invention, this should not be construed as limitations to the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferable embodiments. For each aspect of the invention, many variations are possible as suggested herein that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
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Focaltron Corporation
Harrison Jessica J.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
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