Trajectory guidance for sport projectiles.

Abstract

An apparatus (1) comprising: means for acquiring (1301) information indicative of local environmental (e.g., atmospheric) conditions; means for predicting (1500) a trajectory of a sports projectile in response to the information including the information indicative of the local environmental conditions; and means for rendering (1600) guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wind-responsive trajectory guidance for a sports projectile, and some embodiments relate to wind-responsive trajectory guidance for a golf ball. [Background technology]

[0002] Outdoor sports using projectiles, such as golf, archery, and throwing, are subject to local atmospheric conditions and the environment. Wind is a significant factor. Wind can significantly change the trajectory of a shot and therefore significantly affect the score obtained.

[0003] Some golf players throw blades of grass into the air to observe how the trees, golf flags, and other things around them move. The player then attempts to counteract the effect of the wind on the projected trajectory of his shot. Although such wind observations are helpful, these strategies only provide a general feel for wind behavior and make it difficult to counteract the wind precisely.

[0004] If a player brings a wind gauge, the indications on the wind gauge are not very useful because the wind gauge does not take into account the intended trajectory. For example, long-distance shots will deviate more than short-distance shots. In addition, the effect of the wind on one player's shot may be different from the effect it has on another player's shot. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention is defined in the independent claims.

[0006] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, an apparatus is provided that includes a handheld portable anemometer configured to provide information indicative of local wind conditions. The apparatus includes: means for obtaining information indicative of local wind conditions; means for predicting the trajectory of the sports flying object in response to information including information indicative of local wind conditions; means for rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; It further comprises:

[0007] In at least some examples, the environmental conditions include atmospheric conditions. In some examples, the predicted trajectory is dependent on the user and / or the selected sports equipment.

[0008] The device may be an electronic device.The device may be a sports projectile trajectory guidance device.

[0009] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: means for obtaining information indicative of local environmental conditions; - means for predicting a trajectory of the sports air vehicle or sports watercraft in response to information including information indicative of local environmental conditions; means for rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; Equipped with.

[0010] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a method is provided, the method comprising: obtaining information indicative of local wind conditions from a handheld portable anemometer; predicting the trajectory of the sports flying object in response to information including information indicative of local wind conditions; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; Includes.

[0011] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a computer program is provided that, when executed on a computer, acquiring information indicative of local wind conditions from a handheld anemometer; predicting a trajectory of the sports flying object in response to information including information indicative of local wind conditions; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; The following will be implemented.

[0012] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a method is provided, the method comprising: obtaining base trajectory information for the sports projectile, the base trajectory information being dependent on a characteristic of a sports equipment instructed for launching the sports projectile, the characteristic being a variable, the obtaining of the base trajectory information including a sub-step of determining a launch angle based on the instructed characteristic of the sports equipment, the base trajectory information being further dependent on an instructed user ability, the instructed user ability being a variable, the instructed user ability including a landing distance associated with the user, the obtaining of the base trajectory information including a sub-step of determining a launch speed based on the instructed user ability; obtaining information indicative of local environmental conditions; predicting a trajectory of the sports projectile in response to information including information indicative of local environmental conditions, the predicted trajectory being dependent on base trajectory information; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory, the guidance being dependent on an influence of local environmental conditions on the predicted trajectory; According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, an apparatus is provided having means for carrying out the above method. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a computer program is provided which, when executed on a computer, causes the above method to be carried out.

[0013] Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A] An example of the device is shown. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. [Diagram 2] An example of the device is shown. [Diagram 3] An example of the device is shown. [Figure 4] 1 shows an example of a user interface for indicating user capabilities. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates an example of a user interface for indicating a distance to a spatial object. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an example of a user interface for commanding sports equipment. [Figure 7] An example of aiming an anemometer at a spatial target is given. [Figure 8] An example of a wind sensing trigger is shown. [Figure 9] An example is given that allows sensing of wind angle. [Figure 10] 1 shows an example of a golf ball trajectory depending on a predicted wind. [Figure 11A] 1 illustrates an example of a user interface for rendering guidance. [Figure 11B] 1 illustrates an example of a user interface for rendering guidance. [Figure 12] An example of a golfer hitting a shot is shown. [Figure 13] An example of a method for acquiring information indicating local wind conditions will be described. [Figure 14] An example of a method for determining launch velocity is shown. [Figure 15] 1 illustrates an example of a method for predicting a trajectory and having guidance at least partially rendered. [Figure 16A] 1 shows an example of an anemometer equipped with an input means and a non-contact sensor for the input means. [Figure 16B] 1 shows an example of an anemometer equipped with an input means and a non-contact sensor for the input means. [Figure 17A] 1 shows an example of an anemometer with an azimuth actuator. [Figure 17B] 1 shows an example of an anemometer with an azimuth actuator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1A shows an example of a device 1 with means for controlling one or more of the methods described herein. The means may comprise a control device (e.g. a chipset) with at least one processor 10 and at least one memory 12 containing computer program code 14. The at least one memory 12 and the computer program code 14 are controlled by the at least one processor 10 to at least: obtaining information indicative of local environmental conditions; - predicting a trajectory of the sports projectile in response to information including information indicative of local environmental conditions; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; The apparatus 1 is configured to perform the following:

[0016] FIG. 1B shows a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 16 having a computer program 14 thereon.

[0017] 2 shows one non-limiting example in which the apparatus 1 is a system 2 comprising a first device 20 and a second device 30. The above means can reside in one or both of the devices 20, 30.

[0018] The first device 20 may comprise any suitable device with convenient human-machine interface and / or computational resources. In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the first device 20 comprises a handheld portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Some methods described herein may be controlled, for example, by a software application executable by the first device 20.

[0019] The second device 30 may comprise an anemometer configured to exchange signals 40 with the first device 20, including transmitting information indicative of local wind conditions ("wind information"). The anemometer 30 may be a hand-held portable anemometer.

[0020] In another embodiment, all functionality resides in the anemometer 30. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises the first device 20 and does not comprise the anemometer 30.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic example of the functionality of the device 1 of FIG.

[0022] In FIG. 3, a first device 20 comprises the control devices 10 , 12 , 14 and a communication interface 22 configured to enable communication with an anemometer 30 .

[0023] The communication interface 22 may comprise a wired or wireless interface. The communication interface 22 may comprise a wireless interface, such as a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver. The communication interface 22 may be configured to communicate using a wireless protocol, such as a wireless personal area network protocol (e.g., Bluetooth™ based, ZigBee™, etc.), a wireless local area network protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi), or a cellular network (e.g., CDMA, GSM, LTE, etc.).

[0024] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the memory 12 of the control device includes a database to enable determination of one or more of a number of parameters, i.e., information indicative of the target the user is aiming at, the distance of the target to the player, or the direction of the target from the player. The database may be stored in the local memory 12 of the device 1. Alternatively, the database is stored on a remote server accessible to the device 1. If the sport is golf, the database may be a golf course database indicating one or more of hole locations, teeing area locations and / or boundaries, green locations and / or boundaries, rough locations and / or boundaries, or fairway locations and / or boundaries.

[0025] The first device 20 may include any suitable human machine interface (HMI) 24 for enabling control of the functionality described herein. The HMI 24 may include one or more input means 28 and one or more output means 26.

[0026] The output means 26 (output device) of the HMI 24 may comprise a display configured to render a graphical user interface, an audio output transducer, a haptic feedback transducer, and / or the like.

[0027] The input means 28 (input devices) of the HMI 24 may include touch sensors, buttons, dials or sliders, and / or the like. In some examples, the HMI 24 includes a touch-sensitive display that provides input and output capabilities.

[0028] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the first device 20 may include a location sensor 29. The location sensor 29 may include a Global Positioning System sensor or the like.

[0029] 3 also shows an exemplary function of an anemometer 30. The anemometer 30 comprises a communication interface 22 which corresponds to the communication interface 22 of the first device 20.

[0030] The anemometer 30 may optionally include a controller (not shown) in addition to or instead of the controller of the first device 20 .

[0031] The anemometer 30 may comprise one or more sensors, including a wind sensor 36. In at least some examples, the wind sensor 36 comprises an anemometer specifically adapted for measuring wind speed. In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the anemometer comprises a hot wire anemometer, because such sensors can be miniaturized and can accurately detect wind gusts over short length scales. This allows for accurate statistical characterization of local wind conditions, if desired.

[0032] In other examples, the wind sensor 36 may comprise different technologies, such as a mechanical / rotary anemometer, an ultrasonic anemometer, or the like.

[0033] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the anemometer 30 includes an orientation sensor configured to enable determination of the wind angle (wind direction). One example of an orientation sensor is an inertial motion sensor configured to provide directional information that enables determination of the wind angle. The inertial motion sensor may include an accelerometer 32 and / or a gyroscope 34. The inertial motion sensor may be configured as a 3-axis, 6-axis, or 9-axis sensor depending on the accuracy, resolution, or error required. Other examples of orientation sensors include magnetic, optical, or mechanical sensors. In some, but not necessarily all, examples, a magnetometer is included with the inertial motion sensor to reduce drift.

[0034] The controller may correlate the wind information with the directional information to determine the direction of maximum wind speed.

[0035] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the anemometer 30 includes an HMI 24B, such as an input means (e.g., a button) configured to provide functionality such as triggering sensing by one or more sensors when activated by a user. In other examples, the anemometer 30 may have a more advanced HMI 24 that has features of the HMI 24 (e.g., a touch screen) of the first device 20.

[0036] 4-12 illustrate one non-limiting use case to contextualize the various features. This use case relates to golf, but aspects are applicable to other outdoor projectile sports except where such features are incompatible.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4-12, in some, but not all, instances wind information is advantageously combined with user-specific and / or sports equipment-specific information to more accurately predict trajectory and provide accurate guidance.

[0038] Knowledge of base trajectory information (e.g., launch angle, launch velocity) and trajectory deviation information (e.g., wind speed, wind angle, expected / measured spin) allows for accurate estimation of trajectory. The user may not know what the launch angle or velocity is, since these may be difficult to measure. Figures 4 and 6 provide example user interfaces (UIs) 40, 60 for the user to input information that the user is likely to know (e.g., the type of sports equipment the user is using and / or the user's capabilities, such as distance) to allow for estimation of base trajectory information. Next, Figures 7-9 show how the anemometer 30 operates to indicate local wind conditions. If actual measurements are not available, spin can be assumed. Finally, Figures 10, 11A, and 11B show the predicted trajectory and how to appropriately present guidance to the user. These UIs are controllable by an application running on the device 1.

[0039] In summary, trajectory prediction can be divided into 1) obtaining base trajectory information (e.g., launch angle and launch speed) before taking into account environmental information such as wind, and 2) determining the final predicted trajectory depending on information indicative of local environmental conditions (e.g., nominal wind speed and its angle). More details on this prediction are provided below.

[0040] 4 provides an example of a UI 40 configured to allow a user to input user-specific information that at least partially enables a determination of base trajectory information, such as launch velocity. In this example, the user-specific information is indicative of user performance, which may be a variable, such as a performance metric.

[0041] In the golf example, user performance may include a ball landing distance associated with the user, i.e., how far downrange the user can send a projectile. Many golf players spend time practicing at driving ranges and therefore likely know their ball landing distances. Driving ranges typically have distances marked so users can gather statistics about their ball landing distances, such as average ball landing distance. For other sports, this variable may be different.

[0042] The UI 40 may comprise a graphical user interface (GUI). The UI 40 of Figure 4 may comprise any suitable input means 46, such as a physical or rendered numeric keypad or numeric scroller. In this example, the numeric keypad is rendered on a touch screen.

[0043] The UI 40 may have any suitable output, such as a rendered value 44 of the indicated user capability. In this example, a bullet impact distance of 90 yards (or meters) is displayed.

[0044] The UI 40 may include an input means (not shown) for selecting units of measurement that may be provided (eg, meters or yards).

[0045] Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the user's performance can be defined qualitatively, such as by a score, or skill level, or the like, which the device 1 can convert into processable quantitative data, such as shot distance. Additionally, the user's performance can also be indirectly quantified, for example, based on accelerometer data from a wrist-mounted wearable device (e.g., smart watch, smart band, etc.).

[0046] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the UI 40 may also allow the indicated user ability to be associated with another variable, such as a type of sports equipment having a particular characteristic. In this example, the UI 40 includes an input 42 that allows for selection of a golf club type. In this exemplary use case, the user selects the iron "3i" and then inputs the landing distance, so that the inputted landing distance is stored as the landing distance for the iron 3i. The UI 40 renders the selected golf club type.

[0047] Such correspondence with sports equipment is advantageous because a user's ball landing distance may not necessarily be applicable to different sports equipment types for the same sport. For example, different types of golf clubs have different lofts. Loft refers to the angle of the face of the golf club with respect to the ground. Golf clubs with low lofts have a face that is nearly vertical. On the other hand, clubs with high lofts have a greater deviation from the vertical to give the golf ball a higher and shorter trajectory. Thus, a user's ball landing distance will depend on the loft. Other features of golf clubs include various shaft lengths and / or weights.

[0048] In some instances, different manufacturers have different loft angles within the same club type, for example, a 7 iron from one manufacturer may have a loft angle of 28.5 degrees and a 7 iron from another manufacturer may have a loft angle of 29.5 degrees.

[0049] Once user performance has been indicated, the indication may be stored in local and / or remote non-volatile memory 12 for later retrieval and use in determining base trajectory information, e.g., launch velocity. One exemplary method 1400 is described below in connection with FIG.

[0050] The GUI 40 of FIG. 4 may be rendered by the HMI 24, 24B of one of the devices 20, 30 shown in FIGS. 2-3, or by another device.

[0051] When a user visits a golf course, or comparable venue for playing a sport, the user may navigate to one or more additional UIs, such as those shown in FIG. 5 and subsequent figures.

[0052] 5 illustrates an optional exemplary UI 50 (e.g., GUI) configured to render a display 54 of landing distance to a spatial target, such as a golf green, or hole / flagged hole, or a waypoint in between. The UI may display the landing distance as a driving distance. The UI provides useful guidance to the user to aid in preparing the user for a shot and selecting sports equipment with appropriate characteristics, such as a golf club with an appropriate loft for the required landing distance.

[0053] In some cases, if the spatial target is a waypoint, Figure 5 can simultaneously show a first shot distance to the waypoint and a second shot distance from the waypoint to the next spatial target (e.g., a hole). Figure 5 shows a sequence of two shots.

[0054] In this example, but not necessarily in all examples, the landing distance display 54 of Figure 5 is overlaid on or displayed in conjunction with a graphical representation 52 (e.g., satellite imagery, geographic information system maps, etc.) of one or more of the location features, i.e., teeing area, fairway, rough, green, hole, etc., to facilitate providing more contextual information to the user.

[0055] Information from the position sensor 29 can be used to determine the user's location to enable generation of the UI 50 of Figure 5. For example, the device 1 may use the user's location to generate a query to a local / remote database, such as a golf course database, to enable determination of one or more parameters, i.e., the "hole" the user is playing, the distance of the player from the hole, or information indicative of the direction of the hole from the player.

[0056] The landing distance to the spatial target in FIG. 5 may be the landing distance from the user's position as sensed by position sensor 29 or from a known teeing area location known from a golf course database.

[0057] In some examples, the impact distance to the spatial target can be an input to a trajectory model, described below. In other embodiments, predicting the trajectory does not require knowledge of the user's spatial target.

[0058] In some examples, the landing distance to the spatial target can be used to provide a selection of suggested sports equipment (e.g., golf club suggestions) to the user from the device 1. The device 1 can be configured to access stored data where each piece of sports equipment is associated with a respective landing distance. The sports equipment having the landing distance closest to the actual landing distance can be suggested, such as via the HMI 24.

[0059] Rendering of the GUI 50 of FIG. 5 may be performed by the HMI 24 or 24B of one of the devices 20, 30 shown in FIGS. 2-3, or by another device.

[0060] Once the user has determined their sporting equipment (eg, a golf club), the user may then navigate to another UI, such as UI 60 shown in FIG.

[0061] The UI 60 (e.g., GUI) is configured to allow a user to input sports equipment specific information that at least partially enables the determination of the base trajectory information. In this example, the UI 60 provides an input means 64 that allows a user to indicate the type of sports equipment that the user has decided to use.

[0062] In the golf example, the sports equipment type may include a golf club type. As noted above, various golf club types have different characteristics, such as different lofts. For other sports, the characteristics may vary.

[0063] 6 may include any suitable input mechanism 64 for selecting a sports equipment type, such as a number of physical or rendered selectable indicia or a scroller. In this example, the input mechanism 64 includes a scroller having "plus" and "minus" indicia for scrolling through a list of golf club types.

[0064] The UI 60 includes an output means 62 for rendering the currently selected sports equipment type, in FIG. 6 a pitching wedge (Pw).

[0065] FIG. 6 is accompanied by a key listing 14 selectable golf club types that may be present in a player's bag. a) Woods such as Dr (1 wood / driver), 3w (3 wood), 5w (5 wood), etc. Woods can generally range from 1 wood to 9 wood. b) Irons, including 3i (3 iron), 4i (4 iron), 5i (5 iron), 6i (6 iron), 7i (7 iron), 8i (8 iron), 9i (9 iron). Irons may generally range from a 1 iron to a 9 iron. c) Wedges including Pw (pitching wedge), Sw (sand wedge), Lw (lob wedge), and Gw (gap wedge).

[0066] It will be understood that any number of golf club types may be selected from any number of the three categories a)-c) above, and / or golf club types not listed above. A further golf club category not shown above is hybrids. Hybrids generally range from a 1 hybrid to a 9 hybrid. Although the rules generally allow a player to bring a maximum of 14 golf clubs to a match, it will be understood that there may be more than 14 selectable golf club types.

[0067] In some examples, when a sports equipment type is selected, the device 1 may be configured to obtain a user performance (e.g., ball landing distance) that is instructed to be associated with that sports equipment type, for example, by retrieving the instructed from the memory 12. For example, when a golf club type Pw is selected, the device 1 may be configured to obtain a ball landing distance previously input by the user for that golf club type.

[0068] If the user capabilities for the selected sports equipment type are missing, the device 1 may obtain the user capabilities for the closest sports equipment type for which the user capabilities are known, or may interpolate or extrapolate from the known capabilities for other sports equipment types. For example, the interpolation may be performed between the capabilities for larger loft golf clubs and the capabilities for smaller loft golf clubs. If the landing distance for a 3i club is 180m and the landing distance for a 5i club is 160m, the landing distance for a 4i between these values, such as 170m, may be predicted by interpolation. Extrapolation is an extension of the quantified trend / correlation. Additionally or alternatively, the device 1 may render a prompt to input the missing information.

[0069] Prior to receiving sufficient user performance information about a user, the device 1 may utilize default values, such as default landing distances, for at least some club types. The default values ​​may also be based on typical players.

[0070] In one example, a user can input a single representative value to provide their user performance information. In another example, a user can input shot-by-shot data. The device 1 can use this data to update statistical metrics (e.g., average / median) for the selected sports equipment.

[0071] Once a golf club type is selected, the loft is known so that base trajectory information, such as launch angle, can be determined. In some examples, trajectory deviation information, such as a predefined (e.g., default) spin value associated with the selected golf club, can be obtained.

[0072] In another embodiment, the user directly inputs trajectory model input parameters such as launch angle or inputs qualitative information, however, the selection of golf club type as shown is more intuitive to the user.

[0073] The GUI of FIG. 6 can be rendered by the HMI 24 or 24B of one of the devices 20, 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or by another device.

[0074] The user may then wish to obtain information indicating local wind conditions. In at least some examples, the user has an anemometer 30 as described with respect to Figures 2-3. In other examples, this information may be obtained from user input, from another anemometer 30, or from a remote server. In some examples, multiple anemometers 30 may be provided at different locations between the users / teeing areas.

[0075] 7 shows the first step for measuring local wind conditions by anemometer 30. Before initiating sensing, the user points the anemometer 30 towards a spatial target T. This allows for the setting of an accurate reference direction.

[0076] To facilitate accurate aiming of the anemometer 30 at the spatial target T, the anemometer 30 may include a guide 70, such as a viewfinder. The viewfinder of FIG. 7 may include an aperture through the housing of the anemometer 30 through which the user can see. When the user can see the spatial target T (e.g., a flag) through the viewfinder / aperture 70, the anemometer 30 is aligned. The anemometer 36 may be positioned within the aperture 70 such that the anemometer 36 is protectively covered and incoming wind is constrained to a direction approximately coaxial with the aperture 70.

[0077] In other examples, the viewfinder is separable from the aperture and / or no aperture is provided (eg, the anemometer is not covered).

[0078] 8, the user may actuate the HMI 24B of the anemometer 30 (or the HMI 24 of the first device 20) to trigger sensing and / or (if necessary) to set the reference direction of the anemometer 30 (to zero). The user may still continue to point the anemometer 30 in the direction shown in FIG.

[0079] Setting the reference direction to the direction of the spatial target T has the advantage that it is more intuitive for the user to use the device than other reference directions such as magnetic north. The user does not need to find magnetic north every time they use the device. Instead, the user simply points it at the target. This is also more intuitive for users who have linked their reference wind frame to the target direction rather than the Earth's magnetic field.

[0080] As shown in Figure 9, the user may optionally rotate the anemometer 30 to sweep through 360 circular degrees while continuously measuring (sampling) wind speed and anemometer orientation. This allows for sensing of nominal (e.g., maximum) wind speed and angle. One exemplary method 1300 is described below in connection with Figure 13.

[0081] Although not necessarily in all cases, in the example of FIG. 9, the device includes a first rotatable portion 90 and a second portion 92 configured to be gripped with one hand. While gripping the second portion 92 with one hand, the rotatable portion 90 is rotated with the other hand or other fingers of the same hand. The orientation sensors 32, 34 can include a gyroscope or another suitable sensor configured to measure an angle based on the angle between the rotatable portion 90 and the second portion 92 when the rotatable portion 90 is being rotated.

[0082] Alternatively, with the orientation sensors 32, 34, the user can perform a sweep by physically rotating while keeping the anemometer 30 stationary without rotating the anemometer 30 with that hand.

[0083] In some examples, this rotation can be slowed down to obtain time-averaged wind speeds for various orientations and / or this rotation can be repeated to obtain ensemble-averaged wind speeds for various orientations.

[0084] Once information for predicting the trajectory has been collected, a trajectory prediction can be performed. A specific example will be described later in connection with FIG. 15.

[0085] FIG. 10 graphically shows what the predicted trajectory looks like after considering the wind, the user, and the user's implement. Let the landing distances of the user for a given launch angle and launch speed before considering the wind be x1 and y1, and the flight distances of the user after considering the wind be x2 and y2. In the example of FIG. 10, x2 < x1 indicates a headwind, and y2 being to the left of y1 indicates a crosswind from the right of the user.

[0086] In the above example, x1, y1 can represent the position of an estimated spatial target without knowledge of the position of an actual spatial target (e.g., a hole). The estimated spatial target indicates the position where the projectile would first hit the ground (without wind) if a specified user launched the projectile with the selected sports implement type.

[0087] In this example, the trajectory model only considers the initial impact point and does not model the subsequent bouncing / rolling behavior. In another example, the trajectory model also takes into account subsequent bouncing / rolling behavior.

[0088] Alternatively, x1, y1 may represent the location of a set spatial target. As described with respect to Figure 5, the hole / waypoint identity, distance, and / or direction may be known based on a response from a golf course database.

[0089] Because the graph in FIG. 10 may not be the most intuitive way to present guidance, guidance may instead be more intuitively presented as shown in UI 110A, 110B in FIG. 11A or FIG. 11B.

[0090] The UI 110A (e.g., GUI) of Figure 11A is configured to provide one or more indications 112, 114 of the offset direction required to offset the wind to hit the spatial target x1, y1, while the UI 110B of Figure 11B is configured to provide an indication 116 of the location where the projectile will land so the user knows the amount of offset required. In some examples, both indications 110A, 110B can be presented.

[0091] The UI 110A of FIG. 11A presents the guidance as a lateral offset 114 and a separate landing distance offset 112. Alternatively, a diagonal offset is rendered. In some examples, the direction of the guidance can be presented according to a measured orientation (e.g., inertial measurement) of the rendering device (e.g., first device 20). When the device 20 is rotated (e.g., the direction the user is facing), the rendered offset indicator (e.g., arrow) can also realign itself to the required offset output by the trajectory model.

[0092] In the illustrated example, an arrow or similar directional indicator (symbol or text) indicates the offset direction required to counteract the wind.

[0093] The lateral offset 114 points / indicates left or right. Left indicates that the shot should be aimed left to offset a right-hand crosswind relative to the reference direction. Right indicates that the shot should be aimed right to offset a left-hand crosswind.

[0094] The landing distance offset 112 can point / indicate up or down, with up indicating that the shot should be shot downrange of the spatial target T to compensate for a headwind, and down indicating that the shot should be shot uprange of the spatial target T to compensate for a tailwind.

[0095] In some examples, the guidance in Figure 11A may include numbers or other quantifiers (e.g., meters, yards, etc.) to indicate the distance of the offset. Figure 11A indicates that the shot should be aimed 7 meters ahead of the spatial target T and 3 meters to the left of the spatial target.

[0096] 11B provides a display of spatial target T and a display 116A of the projected landing location of the projectile if the user aimed at spatial target T without compensating for wind. Display 116A indicates that the projectile will land short and too far to the right. Alternatively, or in addition, display 116B may be shown indicating where the user should aim instead of spatial target T so that the projectile will land at spatial target T after taking wind into account.

[0097] Although a flag is shown in FIG. 11B, the spatial target can also represent an estimated spatial target as described above. The relative position between the projectile landing point and the spatial target serves as an offset that is displayed so the user knows how to correct the shot. In FIG. 11B, the user would hit a more powerful shot (or select a longer club) and aim slightly left.

[0098] As shown, UI 110B of FIG. 11B can provide an indication 118 of a spatial offset of how far the projectile will land from the spatial target, in some cases. The indication 118 can include distance markers, such as concentric circles centered on the spatial target. The distance markers 118 can be colloquially referred to as dartboard rings or bullseye rings. The distance from the spatial target T to each distance marker can be displayed (e.g., 5m, 10m, 15m, ...). Alternatively, UI 110B can display numbers / arrows of the same type as those displayed in UI 110A, arranged with other indications (T, 116).

[0099] The GUI 110A / 110B of FIGS. 11A / 11B may also be rendered by the HMI 24 or 24B of one of the devices 20, 30 shown in FIGS. 2-3, or by another device.

[0100] 12 illustrates a golfer hitting a golf ball 122 with a selected golf club 120 through the steps of FIGS. 4-9 in the order described (or in a different order). Although the steps can be performed in a different order, it is at least useful to sense wind after use of the associated UI 40, 50, 60 so that wind knowledge is not outdated when hitting a shot. In some examples, if a user attempts to trigger wind sensing before selecting a sports equipment and / or user capability, the device 1 may not initiate or discard a wind measurement and render a prompt to provide the missing selection. Alternatively, the user may attempt to measure the wind first and then select the sports equipment.

[0101] 13 shows an exemplary computer-implemented method 1300 for measuring local environmental conditions including wind speed and wind angle. To enable measurements, the anemometer 30 may be moved (e.g., rotated).

[0102] The method 1300 includes, at block 1301, obtaining sensor inputs related to anemometer orientation and wind speed.

[0103] The step of obtaining a sensor input related to anemometer orientation includes: - in sub-block 1302, acquiring orientation sensor data, such as gyroscope and accelerometer sensor data; - in sub-block 1306, processing the orientation sensor data to determine the orientation of the anemometer 30; - in sub-block 1310, providing the azimuth angle of the anemometer 30 for subsequent calculations to enable the determination of the prevailing wind direction; may include.

[0104] The step of obtaining a sensor input related to wind speed includes: - in sub-block 1304, obtaining wind sensor data, for example from the wind sensor 36 of the anemometer 30; - in sub-block 1308, processing the wind sensor data to determine a current wind speed; - in sub-block 1312, providing the current wind speed for further calculations; may include.

[0105] In one non-limiting implementation, a user activates the HMI 24, 24B (e.g., a scan button) to initiate the method 1300. The user then rotates the anemometer 30 so that the wind sensor 36 sweeps a range of directions. Based on this sweep, the maximum wind speed measured may be output as the "current wind speed." The orientation of the anemometer 30 relative to the maximum wind speed measured may be used to determine the prevailing wind direction. The wind sensor 36 may be quasi-directional to distinguish between wind blowing in a forward direction and wind blowing in an opposite direction past the wind sensor 36. The prevailing wind direction may correspond to the direction of the anemometer 30. Subtract 180 degrees to get the direction the wind is blowing from.

[0106] In some instances, activating the same or a different HMI 24, 24B during a measurement will stop the measurement.

[0107] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, block 1301 includes obtaining sensor inputs related to local environmental conditions other than wind. This step includes: - in sub-block 13030, obtaining temperature data indicative of the local air temperature, for example from a temperature sensor of the device 1 or from a weather server lookup based on the sensed location of the user; and / or - in sub-block 13032, obtaining pressure data indicative of the local atmospheric pressure, for example from a pressure sensor in device 1 or from a weather server lookup; and / or - in sub-block 13034, obtaining humidity data indicative of local atmospheric humidity, for example from a humidity sensor of device 1 or from a weather server lookup; - in sub-block 13036, the sub-step of processing the temperature / pressure / humidity data to determine local atmospheric condition information; and - in sub-block 13038, providing local atmospheric condition information for subsequent calculations; This information may be treated as a scalar rather than a vector and therefore may be orientation dependent, however these measurements may be taken in response to a scan initiation (e.g., pressing a scan button) and thus during a wind sensor rotation.

[0108] 14 illustrates an exemplary computer-implemented method 1400 for determining base trajectory information, such as launch velocity, of a sports projectile based on user-specific and equipment-specific information. Method 1400 may be implemented under the control of device 1. Functions of method 1400 may be centralized, decentralized, or distributed.

[0109] The method 1400 includes, at block 1402, obtaining a user performance indication for a prescribed (e.g., selected) sporting equipment. For example, a landing distance for a golfer's personal club can be obtained. Or, a predetermined (e.g., user-overridable default) landing distance for the selected sporting equipment can be used. Based on the prescribed sporting equipment, a loft can be obtained. In one use case, the landing distance is based on the user input shown in FIG. 4. The prescribed sporting equipment is based on the user input shown in FIG. 6. For example, a landing distance of 90 meters can be obtained for the selected Pw club.

[0110] Then, the method 1400 - in block 1404, determining one or more initial launch variables, such as launch speed and launch angle, depending on the sports equipment (e.g. default landing distance, loft) and user capabilities (e.g. user's landing distance for the selected club); - in block 1406, outputting the initial launch variables; Includes.

[0111] This landing distance may be considered as the average ball flight distance in no wind conditions. The step of determining the initial launch velocity includes a suitable back-calculation technique. In at least some examples, an optimization function, such as a search algorithm, is used to perform this back-calculation. One example of a suitable search algorithm is a golden section search algorithm, although other optimization and search algorithms may be used. Other algorithms may include gradient methods, global methods, or any other suitable method.

[0112] The search algorithm may run the trajectory model multiple times until a launch velocity that matches the user specified landing distance is identified. Wind may be ignored during this stage of the search algorithm.

[0113] As discussed above in connection with Figure 6, the launch angle may be a predefined value specific to one or more selectable sports equipment types. The launch angle and launch velocity provide base trajectory information for a trajectory that has not been wind corrected.

[0114] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the method 1400 further outputs trajectory deviation information, such as spin information regarding the spin of the projectile, since spin is an initial launch variable as it may affect its trajectory. In golf, the spin information may include backspin information and / or side spin information that may cause the golf ball in flight to deviate from a straight parabolic trajectory. In some examples, the spin information may be a predefined value specific to one or more selectable golf clubs. The trajectory model may process the spin information in determining the trajectory to more accurately set the launch speed.

[0115] Spin information can be both user-specific and instrument-specific. A predetermined (e.g., user-overridable default) value of spin can also be determined based on the selected instrument. In some examples, user-specific spin information can be input by the user. The user may know his or her spin because some golf driving ranges have a sensor that allows an estimation of the initial launch spin (backspin and / or side spin). This sensor can be a camera pointed at the ground at the teeing area. The device 1 can be configured to allow the user to input and store user-specific spin information as a single value for multiple selectable golf clubs and / or as values ​​specific to individual golf clubs.

[0116] The driving range cameras described above may also allow direct measurement of launch speed and / or launch angle. The device 1 may be configured to allow the user to provide the speed / angle directly, rather than providing the landing distance, which would require back-calculation involving assumptions.

[0117] 15 illustrates an exemplary computer-implemented method 1500 for predicting the trajectory of a sports projectile. The method 1500 may be implemented under the control of the device 1. The functions of the method 1500 may be centralized, decentralized, or distributed.

[0118] The method 1500 includes obtaining an indication of the sports equipment (projectile launcher) to be used in blocks 1501 and 1502. In one use case, the sports equipment indicated is based on the user input shown in Figure 6. This obtains the initial launch variables (launch speed / launch angle / spin) in block 1406.

[0119] Method 1500 includes obtaining local environmental conditions. In Fig. 15, this includes obtaining wind speed and direction in sub-blocks 1312 and 1310, respectively, so that the impact of local wind conditions on the predicted trajectory can be quantified. In Fig. 15, this can include obtaining other atmospheric conditions, such as temperature / pressure / humidity, from sub-block 13038.

[0120] Thereafter, the method 1500 includes, at block 1506, running a trajectory model based on the inputs 1310, 1312, 1406, 13038. In some examples, spin information is also used.

[0121] In at least some instances, the trajectory model is further tailored to the sport by taking into account vehicle-specific calibration / information, such as one or more of spin, calibrated constants, or experimentally derived constants for effects such as turbulence.

[0122] Thereafter, the method 1500 includes, at blocks 1508, 1510, providing an output of the trajectory model, such as at least one spatial offset (e.g., a range offset "range forward" and a lateral offset "range across").

[0123] Thereafter, the method 1500 includes causing guidance to be rendered at least in part based on the output of the trajectory model at block 1600. In one use case, the guidance may be as shown in Figures 11A and / or 11B, or a different form of guidance. The guidance may be visual guidance, audible guidance, and / or tactile guidance, as described above.

[0124] One example trajectory model for block 1506, with golf ball specific optimizations (eg, spin, constants) is shown below: Ball acceleration in the x, y, and z directions can be defined as follows:

[0125]

number

[0126] In the formula, u = (u x ,u y ,u z ) is the resulting air velocity for the golf ball, composed of its x, y, and z components. x is the positive direction from the player to the flag, y is the positive direction of the player's right (or left) arm, z is positive upwards, and C D is the resistance coefficient, and C L is the lift coefficient, α is the angle between the vertical and the axis of rotation, which represents the effect of spin on the aerodynamic coefficient, g is the acceleration due to gravity, ρ is the air density, which can also be a variable if temperature / pressure / humidity are measured, and A is the frontal area of ​​the ball (e.g., for a regulation size ball with a radius of approximately 4.3×10 -4 m circle), where m is the mass of the golf ball.

[0127] wind speed field

[0128]

number

[0129] The velocity component is the ball velocity component v = (v x ,v y ,v z ) is always imposed.

[0130]

number

[0131] During the ceremony,

[0132]

number

[0133] Furthermore,

[0134]

number

[0135] In the case of golf, ω s and ω b are the sidespin and backspin, respectively, and constant1 can be approximately 14 and constant2 can be approximately 10. These constants may be different for other similar sports. Different wind models can be used for multiple sports (e.g., Mach effect for bullets, spin stabilization for bullets / arrows). Balls without dimples may have different constants and spin characteristics. For sports with elongated / fin-guided projectiles, such as archery or javelins, spin about one or more axes may also be neglected.

[0136] In Equation 13 below, the initial ball velocity and wind speed can be applied to an iterative function, such as a first order Euler explicit numerical method, a Runge-Kutta method, or any other suitable function. Such a function can approximate the position, velocity, and acceleration of the ball at any point in time, and output the final landing distance as soon as the ball reaches zero height. f([v wind ],θ wind ,φ wind ,|v0|,θ launch ,φ launch ) Equation 13

[0137] where θ is the azimuthal angle relative to the horizontal axis of the spherical coordinate system, φ is the polar angle relative to the vertical axis, and φ wind and θ launch may be set to zero in the trajectory model. Figure 10 provides an example of a wind-corrected trajectory calculated by Equations 1-3.

[0138] A coordinate transformation can be employed to convert the obtained velocities and angles for both wind speed and launch velocity into their respective Cartesian components. This can be done in the following format: V xy =|V|cosφ Equation 14 V x =V xy cosθ Equation 15 V y =V xy sinθ Equation 16 V z =|V|sinφ Equation 17

[0139] In the formula, V xy is the velocity component in the horizontal plane.

[0140] The trajectory model can assume a constant wind field if a single anemometer 30 is used, or a single wind field can be derived by integrating measurements from multiple spatially distributed anemometers.

[0141] The wind field in Equations 4-6 is three-dimensional, but in simpler implementations the wind field may have fewer dimensions, such as omitting the z-axis.

[0142] To avoid the need for computationally expensive numerical turbulence models, turbulence effects can be assumed to be constant in this trajectory model.

[0143] A variation of the orbital model can include a variable wind field based on an atmospheric boundary layer approximation such as a log-law model. In one variation, temperature, ambient pressure, and / or humidity can be taken into account if available from a server or local sensors.

[0144] The methods 1300, 1400, 1500 may be performed under the control of the device 1. Depending on the implementation, the functions of the methods may be centralized, decentralized or distributed.

[0145] The controller may be implemented as a control circuit. The controller may be embodied solely in hardware, or may have some software-only aspects including firmware, or may be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

[0146] 1B, the control device 1 may be embodied using a number of instructions that enable hardware functions, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 14 on a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 10. The instructions executed by such a processor 10 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (disk, memory, etc.).

[0147] The processor 10 is configured to read from and write to the memory 12. The processor 10 may further include an output interface and an input interface. Data and / or commands output by the processor 10 are output via the output interface, and data and / or commands input to the processor 10 are input via the input interface.

[0148] The memory 12 stores a computer program 14 including computer program instructions (computer program code). The computer program 14, when loaded into the processor 10, controls the operation of the device 1. The computer program instructions of the computer program 14 provide the logic and routines that cause the device 1 to perform the illustrated method. The processor 10 is able to load and execute the computer program 14 by reading it from the memory 12.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 1B, the computer program 14 may reach the device 1 via any suitable delivery mechanism 16. The delivery mechanism 16 may be, for example, a machine-readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a recording medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a solid-state memory, an article of manufacture that includes or tangibly embodies the computer program 14, or the computer program 14 may be delivered, for example, over the air (OTA) via a wireless connection, or directly via a physical connection (e.g., a cable, a docking station, etc.). The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 14. The device 1 may propagate or transmit the computer program 14 as a computer data signal.

[0150] The computer program instructions may be included in a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, or a machine readable medium. In some, but not necessarily all, examples, computer program instructions may be distributed across multiple computer programs.

[0151] Although memory 12 is illustrated as a single component / circuit, it may be embodied as one or more separate components / circuits, or some or all of these may be integrated / removable and / or provide permanent / semi-permanent / dynamic / cache storage.

[0152] Although the processor 10 is illustrated as a single component / circuit, it may be implemented as one or more separate components / circuits, some or all of which may be integrated / removable. The processor 10 may be a single-core or multi-core processor.

[0153] References to a "computer-readable storage medium," "computer program product," "tangibly embodied computer program," etc., or to a "controller," "computer," "processor," etc., should be understood to include computers having a variety of architectures, such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequential (von Neumann) / parallel architectures, as well as specialized circuitry, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuitry. References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc., should be understood to include software for programmable processors or firmware, e.g., the programmable content of a hardware device, whether instructions for a processor or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array, or programmable logic device, etc.

[0154] The blocks illustrated in Figures 3, 13-15 may represent steps of a method and / or code sections of the computer program 14. The description of a particular order for the blocks does not necessarily imply a required or preferred order for the blocks, and the order and arrangement of the blocks may vary. Additionally, some blocks may be omitted.

[0155] Although a structural feature has been described, the feature may be replaced by a means for performing the structural function(s), whether the description of one or more functions of the structural feature is explicit or implicit.

[0156] The term "comprise" is used in this document in an inclusive rather than exclusive sense, i.e., a reference to X with Y indicates that X may comprise a single Y or may comprise multiple Ys. If the exclusive sense of "comprise" is intended, this will be made clear in the context by reference to "comprising only one" or by using "consisting of."

[0157] Various examples are referred to herein. A description of features or functions with respect to an example indicates that the features or functions are present in that example. Use of the terms "example" or "for example" or "can" or "may" in this text, whether or not explicitly described, indicates that such feature or function is present in at least the example being described, and may, but not necessarily, be present in all or some of the other examples. Thus, an "example," "for example," "can," or "may" refers to a particular instance of examples of a class. A property of the instance may be a property of only that instance, or a property of the class, or a property of a subclass of that class that includes some, but not all, instances within that class. Thus, it is implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but without reference to another example can, where possible, be used as part of an effective combination in other examples, but need not necessarily be used in the other examples.

[0158] Although several examples are described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that these examples can be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the local environmental conditions can be other than local wind conditions, such as local temperature / pressure / humidity conditions.

[0159] Aspects of the present disclosure are also applicable to other sports where players aim at a particular target. Some examples are given below:

[0160] An example of a sport is shooting (e.g., archery, gun shooting sports). The trajectory model can be configured to model the aerodynamic properties of the projectile (arrow / bullet). The target can be a stationary target or a moving target. The target can be a bull's-eye target, a clay target, a silhouette target, or the like. Guidance based on the predicted trajectory can include target corrections and / or sight settings.

[0161] For shooting, the selectable sports equipment types can include gun types. Gun types can have individual muzzle velocities and / or projectile spins associated with them for use as inputs to the trajectory model. The trajectory model can be configured to model the projectile types that the selected gun type is configured to fire. If wind deflection is modeled, aerodynamic properties such as projectile shape and / or weight can be taken into account. Projectile types can be separately selectable or automatically determined based on the selection of the gun type. For gun shooting, user performance information (landing distance) cannot be considered since muzzle velocity is typically independent of the user.

[0162] In the case of archery, the selectable sporting equipment types may distinguish between a number of different bows and / or a number of different arrows. The various selectable bows may include recurve bows, long bows, compound bows, and / or crossbows. The selectable bows may have individual arrow speeds and / or sight types associated therewith for use as inputs to the trajectory model. The trajectory model may be configured to model the arrow types that the selected bow type is configured to shoot. If wind deflection is being modeled, aerodynamic properties such as arrow shape and / or weight and / or spin may be taken into account. The arrow types may be separately selectable or may be automatically determined based on the selection of the bow type.

[0163] Archery has sights that aid in firing accuracy. The sight settings provide reference points on the vertical and horizontal axes, allowing calibration for various landing distances and wind settings. The launch speed can be estimated and fixed directly from the type of bow used (a selectable sporting equipment) and the selected pull force (a type of user performance information). This can be done by an elastic potential energy to kinetic energy conversion calculation. The arrow selection will affect the mass and aerodynamic properties of the projectile. The initial launch height can be directly approximated from the user's shoulder height (which can be input by the user) or from further measurements of its inherent reference launch height. This initial launch angle can then be back-calculated using a search algorithm that relates a particular vertical sight setting to the landing distance achieved. The vertical sight setting and the landing distance achieved can also be input by the user. After calibration for various flight distances in no wind conditions, estimates for a particular sight setting can be interpolated depending on the desired landing distance. Different sights have different units of measurement, which can be taken into account. The above launch angles and launch rates provide an initial condition for the trajectory model in the wind and allow for guidance under various conditions for sight settings. This guidance can include target corrections (e.g., similar to FIGS. 11A-11B) and / or recommended sight settings.

[0164] Another sport example is sailing. Rather than the trajectory of a flying object, the trajectory of a sports vessel (boat) can be planned. A trajectory model can be configured to model the hydrodynamic and / or aerodynamic properties of the vessel for various wind directions. Targets can include buoys or similar markers. Guidance based on the predicted trajectory can include recommended sail angle adjustments and / or recommended rudder angle adjustments.

[0165] The features described above may be used in combinations other than those explicitly stated above.

[0166] Although functions have been described with reference to particular features, those functions can be performed with other features, whether or not described.

[0167] Although features have been described with reference to particular examples, those features may be present in other examples whether or not described.

[0168] In this document, the terms "a" or "the" are used in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense. That is, a reference to "X with one / the Y" indicates that X may have a single Y or may have multiple Y, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. If the article "a" or "the" is intended to be used in an exclusive sense, the context will make this clear. In some circumstances, "at least one" or "one or more" may be used to emphasize an inclusive sense, but the absence of these expressions should not be interpreted as implying any exclusive sense.

[0169] The presence of a feature (or a combination of features) in a claim is a reference to the feature (or combination of features) per se, and also to features which achieve substantially the same technical effect (corresponding features). Corresponding features include, for example, variations of a feature that achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. Corresponding features include, for example, features which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

[0170] References made herein to various examples are made using adjectives or adjectival phrases that describe characteristics of those examples. Such description of a feature with respect to an example indicates that the feature is present in some examples exactly as described, and also in other examples substantially as described.

[0171] Although the foregoing specification has attempted to draw attention to what are considered to be the key features, applicants should understand that they may seek protection in the following claims with respect to any patentable feature or combination of features referred to above and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not emphasized.

[0172] 16A-17B show a cross section of an exemplary anemometer 30. FIG.

[0173] In these figures, but not necessarily in all examples, the bottom of the rotatable part 90 is an inner housing and the second part 92 is an outer housing. The rotatable part 90 is within the second part 92. The outer diameter of the rotatable part 90 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second part 92. The rotatable part 90 is cylindrical and the second part 92 is also cylindrical. Thus, when the second part 92 is held in one hand, the rotatable part 90 can rotate within the second part 92. This results in the rotation of the wind sensor. At the top of the rotatable part 90 is the wind sensor. This top protrudes above the top of the second part 92.

[0174] This configuration allows for the addition of an azimuth actuator 1700 to rotate the rotatable portion 90 relative to the second portion 92. This automatic rotation allows for more reliable wind measurements than relying on manual rotation.

[0175] The azimuth actuator 1700 is housed within and supported by the rotatable portion 90. The azimuth actuator 1700 may comprise an electric motor, such as a DC motor.

[0176] An output means 1702 of the azimuth actuator 1700 engages the second portion 92 such that the azimuth actuator 1700 can rotate the rotatable portion 90 relative to the second portion 92. This engagement may be via a gear mechanism, as shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 17A-17B.

[0177] As shown, the illustrated gear mechanism can include an internal gear 1704 in the second portion 92. The output means 1702 of the azimuth actuator 1700 is a toothed wheel that runs along the internal gear 1704 as the output means 1702 of the azimuth actuator 1700 rotates, thereby causing the rotatable portion 90 to rotate.

[0178] Various electronic components may be housed within the rotatable portion 90, including at least an azimuth actuator 1700 and circuitry connecting the sensor(s) to the interface 22. The circuitry may be configured to trigger the acquisition of information indicative of local environmental conditions. Additionally, temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors may be housed within the anemometer 30, such as within the rotatable portion 90.

[0179] 16A-17B includes an input means 24B (e.g., a sliding button, a spring button, other button, trigger, touch screen button, among others) for triggering the acquisition of information indicative of local environmental conditions, the input means 24B may be supported by the second portion 92 of the anemometer 30. FIGS. 16A-16B show a non-contact sensor 1600 housed within the rotatable portion 90 for operatively coupling the input means 24B to a circuit housed within the rotatable portion 90. The use of a non-contact sensor 1600 means that no wired / conductive connection is required, as a wired connection would prevent rotation of the rotatable portion 90 relative to the second portion 92. The illustrated non-contact sensor 1600 may include a Hall effect sensor. The Hall effect sensor 1600 may be configured to detect proximity to a magnet 1602 connected to the input means 24B such that when the input means 24B is actuated, the magnet 1602 detectably moves toward (or away from) the Hall effect sensor 1600. In the illustrated embodiment, the Hall effect sensor 1600 is connected to the rotatable portion 90 and the magnet 1602 is connected to the second portion 92. In an alternative embodiment, the magnet 1602 is connected to the second portion 92 and the Hall effect sensor 1600 is connected to the rotatable portion 90.

[0180] In some examples, the apparatus is configured to initiate rotation of the device via the orientation actuator 1700 and further initiate acquisition of information indicative of local environmental conditions in response to the Hall effect sensor 1600 stopping (or starting) detecting the magnetic field from the magnet 1602 (when the user slides the input means 24B).

[0181] In some examples, the device's controller is configured to control the azimuth actuator 1700 to rotate the rotatable portion 90 relative to the second portion 92 from a start angle to a terminal angle, which may be the same as or different from the start angle, through one or more intermediate rest angles therebetween. At each intermediate rest angle, the rotation is stopped (or slowed down) and the device begins capturing samples of information indicative of local wind conditions. In some examples, there are multiple intermediate rest angles. In some examples, there are at least three intermediate rest angles. In some examples, the azimuth actuator 1700 is configured to stop at least four times (in increments of 90 degrees or less) during a 360 degree rotation. Four samples allows for accurate wind direction determination. In some examples, the number of intermediate rest angles can be increased to increase accuracy, but at the expense of longer scan times.

[0182] In some examples, the orientation sensor of the anemometer 30 comprises a non-contact sensor. The non-contact sensor may comprise the non-contact sensor 1600 described above or a different non-contact sensor. In one implementation, a Hall effect sensor is connected to the rotatable portion 90 and one or more magnets (e.g., 1602) are connected to the second portion 92. Alternatively, the Hall effect sensor is connected to the second portion 92 and the magnet(s) are connected to the rotatable portion 90. The Hall effect sensor can detect when the rotatable portion 90 has rotated a known angle in response to detecting the proximity of a magnet.

[0183] In some examples, the azimuth actuator 1700 is controlled by an open-loop control device to control the rotation of the anemometer 30, but the azimuth sensor 1600 is configured to detect when the rotatable portion 90 reaches a required terminal angle (e.g., 360 degrees) at which the control device stops the azimuth actuator 1700.

Claims

1. 1. An electronic device comprising a handheld portable anemometer configured to provide information indicative of local wind conditions, the handheld portable anemometer comprising a first rotatable portion comprising a wind sensor, the handheld portable anemometer comprising a second portion configured to be held in a first hand, the rotatable portion being rotated by one of the second hand, another finger of the first hand, or an orientation actuator when the second portion is held in the first hand; The electronic device further comprises a controller having at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being adapted to be executed by the at least one processor to at least: acquiring information indicative of the local wind conditions; predicting a trajectory of the sports flying object in response to information including the information indicative of local wind conditions; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; and The electronic device is configured to perform the steps of:

2. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the at least one processor to perform at least the step of obtaining base trajectory information for the sports projectile; The base trajectory information includes at least one variable; the predicted trajectory depends on the base trajectory information; the guidance is dependent on the influence of local wind conditions on the predicted trajectory.

2. The electronic device of claim 1.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the base trajectory information depends on characteristics of a sports equipment designated for launching the sports projectile, the characteristics being variables.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the indicated sports equipment includes a golf club, and the electronic device is configured to obtain the characteristics based on a user selection of a golf club type.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the base trajectory information is dependent on an indicated user capability, the indicated user capability being a variable.

6. The base trajectory information depends on an indicated user capability, the indicated user capability is a variable; The step of acquiring base trajectory information includes: a launch angle based on the characteristics of the indicated sports equipment; and a launch velocity based on said indicated user ability; The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 4, further comprising the sub-step of determining at least one of:

7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the sub-step of determining the launch speed as a function of the indicated user capability is based on a search algorithm.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the electronic device, using the at least one processor, to perform at least the step of controlling the azimuth actuator to rotate the rotatable portion relative to the second portion from a start angle to a terminal angle, the terminal angle being the same as or different from the start angle, and wherein there are one or more intermediate rest angles between the start angle and the terminal angle, and the electronic device is configured to initiate capture of samples of the information indicative of the local wind conditions for each of the one or more intermediate rest angles.

9. 9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the azimuth actuator is supported by the rotatable portion, and an output means of the azimuth actuator engages the second portion to rotate the rotatable portion relative to the second portion.

10. 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the handheld portable anemometer comprises a direction sensor to enable determination of wind angle.

11. 5. An electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device comprises input means arranged to trigger the sensing of the information indicative of local wind conditions.

12. 12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the handheld portable anemometer comprises the input means and further comprises a non-contact sensor configured to detect user actuation of the input means.

13. 1. A method comprising: obtaining information indicative of local wind conditions from a hand-held portable anemometer, the hand-held portable anemometer comprising a first rotatable portion comprising a wind sensor, the hand-held portable anemometer comprising a second portion configured to be held in a first hand, the rotatable portion being rotated by one of the second hand, another finger of the first hand, or an orientation actuator when the second portion is held in the first hand; predicting a trajectory of the sports flying object in response to information including the information indicative of local wind conditions; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; and The method includes:

14. A computer program which, when executed on a computer, obtaining information indicative of local wind conditions from a hand-held portable anemometer, the hand-held portable anemometer comprising a first rotatable portion comprising a wind sensor, the hand-held portable anemometer comprising a second portion configured to be held by a first hand, the rotatable portion being rotated by one of the second hand, another finger of the first hand, or an orientation actuator when the second portion is held by the first hand; predicting a trajectory of the sports flying object in response to information including the information indicative of the local wind conditions; rendering guidance to a user based at least in part on the predicted trajectory; and A computer program that performs the above.

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