Method of determining a flight trajectory and extracting flight data for a trackable golf ball

Abstract

A method for determining a shot trajectory of a trackable golf ball is disclosed, wherein substantially real-time position information transmitted by the ball for a time period is received and processed to determine a shot trajectory for a golf shot, wherein a velocity value and an acceleration value is determined, and wherein an initial and final location of the shot trajectory is determined based on at least one of the acceleration and velocity values. Also disclosed is a method for determining a spin rate of a trackable golf ball, wherein the shot trajectory and a profile of the shot trajectory are determined, wherein at least one of an initial velocity, a maximum height, an initial shot angle, a curvature of the trajectory, and an in-air shot distance are calculated using the shot trajectory, and wherein the spin rate is determined based on the calculated values.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to a method of determining a flight trajectory and extracting certain flight data, such as spin rate, for a trackable golf ball using in real-time or substantially real time position information. Substantially real-time weather information can also be accounted for when determining the flight trajectory and extracting flight data. Additionally, the flight trajectory and flight data can be stored in a memory for later access and viewing by a user, including access from a remote location. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various types of systems for obtaining substantially real-time information on sporting equipment are presently known in the art. Real-time information includes information that is obtained from the sporting equipment, such as a golf ball, itself. Importantly, this information does not immediately need to be used, and can be stored in a memory for later use, and still be considered real-time information....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While some of the prior art systems have been used to track somewhat analogous equipment, such as soccer balls or footballs, none of the systems have been used to provide real-time information on the flight a golf ball.

Also, all present systems suffer from various limitations that make them impractical or unduly limiting for use by golfers.

Moreover, none of them have been used to determine a spin rate of the sporting equipment based on the determined flight trajectory.

However, this system is not known to be used to determine flight trajectories or spin rates of the soccer ball based on the flight trajectories.

However, once again, neither of these systems are used to determine flight trajectories or spin rates based on the flight trajectories.

In fact, there would be no reason to obtain any of this data in connection with a hockey puck.

Moreover, this system does not use the flight trajectory of the ball to determine a spin rate of the ball.

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