Inductive sensing system for sports performance improvement

Abstract

A measurement device may include one or more inductive structures coupled to a signal processor that measures changes in inductance. As the inductive structure moves in relation to an external conducting object, inductance changes may occur in the inductive structure. By analyzing the changes in inductance, the system may determine spatial relationships concerning the measurement device. Additionally, at least one inductive structure may be placed behind a conductive impact surface, allowing for measurement of impact characteristics without disturbing the impact surface. The measurement device may be used in or on sports equipment, such as a golf club.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 14 / 530,851, filed Nov. 3, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 14 / 477,902, filed Sep. 5, 2014, which is a continuation-in part of patent application Ser. No. 13 / 868,078, filed Apr. 22, 2013, entitled “Golf Free Swing Measurement and Analysis system,” which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13 / 290,124, filed Nov. 6, 2011 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,425,340 on Mar. 23, 2013), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13 / 225,433, filed Sep. 3, 2011 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,257 on Jun. 17, 2012). application Ser. No. 14 / 477,902 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 352,313 (“Golf Swing Measurement and Analysis System”), filed Jan. 17, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 273,216 filed Oct. 13, 2011, entitled “Golf ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a golf club head that has integrated electronics to measure the golfer's swing and impact. This allows for reliable training and performance analysis over a longer period of time. The weight of the electronics system is similar to a regulation head of the same type, and the center of gravity is positioned correctly for good performance.

Problems solved by technology

The system in U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,242 does not teach or suggest an integrated electronic system golf club head that integrates impact sensors into the club head face in combination with acceleration measurement sensors located in the club head and further does not teach an antenna system that utilizes the electrical properties and shape of the club head as an integral component element of the antenna system design to increase power efficiency and further operating time duration based on storage capacity of energy device.

The system does not provide for a method of free swing analysis with the ability to relate a measurement time line to a predetermined spatial reference location.

Plutt's device does not provide for an imbedded impact sensor array in the clubface that functions in conjunction with internal three dimensional g-force sensors to provide a superset of time varying spatial force impact contours of the clubface with club head acceleration force parameters that can be calibrated for highly accurate spatial and force measurement.

Plutt's device is susceptible to location inaccuracy due to the removable constraint of the sensors and is susceptible to sensor damage since the sensors come in direct contact with the ball.

Churchill fails to contemplate using RSSI measurements without the use of directional sectorized antennas in combination with acceleration measurements analysis applied to a movable object with non-linear travel.

However, these systems fail to teach or suggest a self-contained device or integrated electronic system golf club head comprising the functions and methods of measuring a the entire free swing with the ability to relate the free swing metrics time line to a predetermined spatial location through the use of inductive sensing and other measurements, such as measuring three orthogonal acceleration axes across time with accelerometer(s) from within the club head and measuring a spatial relationship variable to a predetermined spatial location near or on the swing path by means of receiver signal strength measurements.

Further, they do not provide free swing analysis capabilities with impact analysis capabilities facilitated with inductive sensing and / or impact sensors integrated within the club face in a single integrated electronic club head.

They also do not provide a convenient recharging mechanism.

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