Putting practice aid

Abstract

A putting practice aid device (110) having a frame (111) with a passageway (Wu1) and imaging electronics including one or more cameras (150, 151, 152) that capture video of a putt and a ball, and with embodiments including one or more of a downward facing camera imaging the passageway and a rear facing camera imaging an area between the device and a golf hole or other target. Processing circuitry and software is used to generate video and provide other information and metrics about the putting stroke and ball movement. Detectors (166, 169) in the passageway identify when a ball is present in the passageway. The device optionally may include alignment mechanisms, such as a laser that produces a centerline to align the ball start location, and / or a laser on the rear of the device to align the device to the hole or target.

Description

PUTTING PRACTICE AID1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to systems, methods and devices for facilitating alignment of a user and a user's club in the game of golf but more generally in any game or activity where a stick or other object is used to strike a ball in a specific direction, and more particularly as an aid for a user to practice and improve putting skills in the sport of golf.2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] The sport of golf involves striking a ball, and typically, the ball is directed to a particular target, which may be the hole, or an area on the course or a practice location. A golfer typically carries a set of clubs, which most regulations limit to 14 in total. The clubs are different and have different lofts which, when striking a golf ball, will impart different spins and trajectories on the ball, and make the ball fly higher or lower, longer or shorter. The so-called "long game" in golf involves striking the ball to move the ball a long distance, e.g., down the fairway or onto the green. The green is a closely mowed and rolled grass surface. The so-called "short game" typically involves shots to, or on, the green, and, once the ball is on the green, the player uses a putter to roll the ball along the putting surface with the object of having the ball drop into the hole. One of the most often used clubs is a putter. Typically, about half of a player's strokes between the tee-off point and the ultimate last strike to put the ball into the cup involve so-called "putts". The putter is used on the green, and may be used just off the green, on closely mown grass areas adjacent to the green.

[0003] The putter is a club that has a shaft with a grip end or handle at one end, and a head at the lower shaft end. The putter head has a face designed to contact the golf ball when a golfer makes a putting stroke. The putter head is designed to deliver a strike to the golf ball and set the ball in motion along a path that will eventually lead to the intended target, which is the golf hole (or may be another target if the user is practicing). If a user accurately lines up the putter and strikes the ball on the putter face at an appropriate speed, and the ball is sent on a proper path, the ball will reach the hole and drop into the hole. Because a user must hold the putter in the user's hands, and not anchor the putter to the user's body or other object, there is much skill required to strike the ball in the proper location on the putter face, and also to move the putter so that the putter head is moving in a desired direction to set the ball in motion on a proper path leading to the hole.

[0004] Users may employ many different styles of putting strokes, and even variations in the way a user holds or grips the putter. Basic to all putting is that the putter must move in a forward direction to strike the ball to set the ball in motion. The putter typically is aligned behind the ball, moved rearwardly away from the ball, and then moved forward toward the ball, where the putter head impacts the ball.Because of the momentum of the putter head, the putter head strikes the ball, transferring momentum thereto, and continues to move forward even after the ball has left the putter surface.

[0005] Users, both professional golfers, amateur and recreational golfers alike, face the challenge of aligning the putter and ball, as well as delivering a strike with the appropriate power to deliver the ball to the hole, and not send the ball far beyond the hole. While most professional golfers are more skilled than recreational golfers, any golfer may have difficulty in ensuring that their body, hands, and putter are aligned properly when putting. Putting alignment involves a number of things, including setting up one's body next to the ball and placing the putter in a position near the ball, which when struck, will move along the intended path. This involves the user's eyesight and body alignment, as well as the position of the putter.

[0006] In some instances, the user may hit the ball too hard or, in other instances, not hard enough. In other instances, or at the same time, the user may hit the putt what is called "offline", meaning the ball is struck but travels on the line that does not move the ball on a proper path toward the hole. The user also must determine the proper path to the hole to send the golf ball along, which involves the skill of the user to evaluate the green's putting surface between the user's ball and the hole or target. Golfers typically practice putting, and it is not uncommon for professional golfers to spend hours per week or day, to ensure they can have proper alignment and strokes that will strike the ball in the intended direction.

[0007] There have been several aids to facilitate putting. Apart from customizing the putter to the build of the golfer user, alignment aids have been devised to aid a golfer in aligning their body and putter to make a proper strike. One example of a golf training aid is a putting gate. A typical putting gate is like a wicket and has a pair of spaced apart uprights that define a width, and which are connected together so as to maintain a space between the uprights for a ball to pass. The width of the spaced uprights can be different, to make it easier or more difficult for a golfer to putt through. Typically, the putting gate is set up proximate to where the user will strike the ball and in a location between the ball position and the hole. The user therefore attempts to direct the ball through the gate. The gate will reveal mis-directed hits or poor alignments, which become evident when the ball hits one of the uprights (or misses the upright entirely on the outside of the gate uprights). One example of a putting gate is shown in DE202016103600U1, which discloses a training device having two vertical columns, each of which has a base body and an arcuate connecting rod extending from the upper end of each base body. The base has pins or may receive pins in a slot of the base to secure the device to a surface.

[0008] Another gate type device is a product from Eyeline Golf Corporation, which provides a set of plastic gates each having different widths to provide a different degree of difficulty or skill level being tested. Each upright has an end that is designed to be inserted into the putting green surface, and theuprights are connected with a transverse member. The gates may be used individually or arranged sequentially on a putting green, between the user's ball and the hole, to aid a user in developing a skill by putting the ball through the gates. US D273,803 discloses a "Putting Aid for Golfers" that has side rails and a central arch for the passage of a golf ball. Laser alignment devices have been used to aid a golfer's alignment for putting. One example is US Patent 5,776,007 for a "Putting Practice Device" which discloses a series of two stands or arches with a sighting member attached to the top of each stand, and a shaft guide between each stand and connecting each stand. A laser pointer is affixed to the top of a stand to direct a beam toward the target to provide a sightline to the target, which can be turned off when the user wants to test alignment without the laser sightline. Another similar laser product is a laser that is designed to be situated on a tripod to provide an alignment line, or which can be placed on the face of the putter and directed at a board with markings on it to aid a user in determining the degrees of error in the putting alignment based on where the laser hits the board. GB 2614030A discloses a training apparatus for putting which includes an arch or gate, and a support structure that supports a post. The device is designed to be placed between a ball and a target so that the ball can move through the device open space and beneath the post. Another device is disclosed in US 2013 / 288828, which provides a putting gate with two upstanding posts, which relies on whether the golfer has aligned the posts of the device in an appropriate location relative to the hole. Another device involves a plastic guide that is set on the putting surface. The guide has a front surface arcuate in shape against which the user places an edge of the putter when making a stroke, to train the user on the motion.

[0009] Electronic devices have also been used in connection with putting aids. Some electronic devices involve a unit that is placed on the putting surface and a transmitter that is affixed to the putter shaft. These devices are designed for practice use, to show information about the golfer's putting stroke. However, placing a transmitter on the putter shaft can disrupt the natural balance of the putter, and can itself affect the operation of the putter and person using it. The devices are typically designed to measure when a user is on a flat putting surface with a straight line to the hole, and without any breaks or undulations.

[0010] US Patent ll,308,821B2 for a "Method and Device for Analysis of Movement of a Piece of Sports Equipment" discloses a reproduction of a trajectory model in a display device in a way that the first virtual trajectory model is displayed as a first line in superimposition with the view of the environment. The device is designed for teaching the user the location that the user needs to aim. The device provides a display of the putting surface for viewing by the user and seeks to provide a superimposed outline of a path that the ball needs to take from its resting spot to the hole. The device requires the user to wear a specially designed headset with viewing glasses attached that containselectronics that display the image on an augmented reality screen of the glasses. Typically, each user must transfer the headset to another user, or each user must have their own headset.

[0011] VISIO Putting creates putting aids and gates with purely mechanical and printed products that do not require batteries nor employ electronics or optical devices, but also suffer from being unable to record, save or analyze putting activities after-the-fact of the putt.

[0012] A need exists for a device, system and method that can assist a golfer in developing and improving skills by providing enhanced feedback and adaptability for variations in types and levels of skill that are desired for a practice session, which is easy to use, readily transportable and storable, and does not require alteration of the player, the player's equipment or the sports objects involved.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Systems, methods and devices for aiding the practice of a sports skill are provided. According to preferred embodiments, the systems, methods and devices of the invention are embodied in a "putting gate", which may have one or more physical attributes and / or virtual attributes, and in preferred embodiments, may feature both physical and virtual aids, and combinations of both. According to embodiments, the invention comprises practice aid devices which can be configured to function as a standalone specific teaching aid, or which may act in coordination with a larger set of measurement and teaching tools, whereby the systems, methods and devices of the invention may monitor, generate and share data and other processed information with other proximate or remote teaching or monitoring apparatus. The systems, methods and devices of the invention address the need for self-help and teaching aids for the game of golf, more specifically for putting. One of the major elements of the golf game is putting, where the player must direct the ball into the hole from typically 1 to 20 meters away. Unlike the large muscle motion required for driving the ball, the range for putting requires finer motor skills in the player. In addition to understanding the topography and characteristics of the green, the player must also precisely strike the ball with the putter, such that the face of the putter contacts the ball at a certain position, speed and lift appropriate to the situation. The inventive systems, methods and devices assist the player in understanding these and other factors associated with a specific putt, by providing relevant characteristics and a close-in guide for the player between the ball resting place and the hole. The inventive putting aid is positioned between the location where the ball is addressed and the hole, and the object is for the golfer to use the putting aid as an alignment and teaching mechanism to improve skill. The devices, methods and systems of the invention also aid in helping the player's learned green characteristics, which affect how the ball is likely to roll and thus require the putting activity to adjust appropriately, be properly applied to the physical putting action itself. For example, the systems and devices of the invention may monitor the velocity or speed of the ball when it is puttedand traveling to the hole or target. This can be useful for determining consistency, as well as how the player is striking the ball.

[0014] The putting aid devices, systems and methods of the invention provide an indication of the location on the face of the sports object, such as the putter or striking object, where the impact with the sports projectile (such as a golf ball), is taking place for a putt. This is carried out using the player's own equipment and ball (i.e., whatever the player desires to use), and does not require special adaptations of the player's equipment, such as the club or ball. The devices, systems and methods are configured to operate regardless of the player and the player's equipment that is being used.

[0015] The putting aid devices, systems and methods of the invention provide the player with the start location, or zero start line position, and facilitates identifying not only through the device, but also physically and visually to a user of the device, the ball position, including the zero start line position. The devices, systems and methods of the invention allow a user to clearly and precisely identify the zero start position, thereby taking a variable out of the metrics and analyses, which prior to the invention had been a potential source of error, but with an unknown gradient effect. Indicia on the ball itself (e.g., fiducial or alignment marking), or other ball characteristic may be used as a visual by the player to facilitate positioning the ball on a zero start line or start position that is indicated by the device.

[0016] Putting involves many styles and ways to strike the ball, although there may be some generally accepted or practiced motions or styles, there also is variation. One variable is the speed that the ball travels. This can be resultant from a number of factors, including, the location on the face of the clubhead where the ball is struck, the speed at which the putter impacts the ball (which is at rest when impacted), and the type of motion of the putter, for example, ascending, descending, open, closed, upright, flat. The device determines the ball speed of a putted ball as the ball leaves its initial location and approaches the putting aid device, during the ball's passage through or adjacent to the device, and as the ball travels beyond the device. The devices of the invention may be configured with a sensor such as an image sensor or camera that looks at the putting surface to capture the moving ball as it passes through the device or adjacent to it. Although embodiments of the devices of the invention may be configured to determine the ball speed from the capture of the ball movement in front of the device and after the device, situating a sensor such as the camera to provide a capture between a forward area and rearward area can identify potential information that otherwise would be unavailable with only the front and rear capture locations. For example, a ball mark or imperfection in the putting surface, a gust of wind affecting the ball may otherwise not be known. The devices of the invention configured with the optional downward facing capture element can provide more precision.

[0017] The inventive systems, methods and devices help train a golfer to improve the golfer's putting by understanding and recording ball speed, deviation, and other parameters related to the entire activity of putting a golf ball from a resting position into the golf hole, typically on a manicured grassregion called the "green". The parameters measured by the systems and devices of the invention, assist the player in fine tuning the player's putting stroke and equipment to achieve preferred or more optimal results. There is also a need to display guidelines and preferred paths for a ball from its resting location to the hole to assist golfers with reading the topography of the green. According to some embodiments of the invention, the putting practice systems and devices may be configured to generate and display indicia onto a putting surface, such as a path or paths, a grid, or other indications or information. According to some embodiments, a visible line is projected from the device to the location at which the ball at rest will be putted. This facilitates proper alignment of the ball to provide a start line, or zero start position.

[0018] According to preferred embodiments, the inventive systems and devices are configured with imaging electronics, which preferably comprise sensors and electronics such as processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers or other suitable circuitry with software or embedded logic containing instructions for capturing and processing information, to record and analyze many metrics of the putt so that the player can obtain feedback at the green during putting practice, to improve the player's abilities. The devices according to the invention may be utilized outdoors, such as on the natural putting surface (i.e., grass mowed and / or rolled, the green) or a synthetic surface, or may be used indoors on an indoor putting surface (typically a synthetic surface). In addition to analyzing the putt and ball movement after the ball has been struck by the player, some embodiments of the putting aid devices of the invention can provide alignment or targeting indicia, such as laser lines or a grid displayed on the putting surface or green to assist the player with alignment of the body and putter before the ball has been struck. The laser lines may provide additional information or guides, or in some embodiments, may provide a virtual "putting gate". According to some embodiments, the devices of the invention may have a physical structure that includes a defined path for a sports object, such as the golf ball to pass adjacent to or through, while according to other embodiments, the path is defined by projections from the device, e.g., from a laser or other suitable source onto the putting green. The projections are visible to the golfer making the putt, as well as any others such as coaches or spectators. In addition to the user practicing putting, on-lookers may view the practice regimen, such as the path and any adjustments being made for the user's training. This allows coaches, fans and other spectators to view the device and player performance or practice.

[0019] The putting practice aid devices and systems of the invention may be configured having a frame that includes a front-facing imaging element and a rear facing imaging element, which preferably are sensors, and in preferred embodiments comprises cameras, which, respectively, capture activity in the front of the device frame in a first zone. The device embodiments may include one or more optional cameras capturing one or more additional zones, such as a camera in the center of the frame facing downward to capture a zone that includes the passageway of the device, and a camera in the rear ofthe device frame facing in an opposite direction as the first or front camera to capture another zone, so that one, two or three zones may be captured. The first or front zone preferably is where the player addresses the sports object such as a golf ball and impacts the ball with another sports object, such as a putter. In making a stroke, the ball is sent toward the hole, with the putting aid device being positioned between the player and the hole (or other target, e.g., where a hole is not present). The device sensors and electronics are configured to capture the putter and ball, including the movement of the ball within the capture zones monitored by the device, and the motion of the putter at impact and, in some implementations, even during the putting stroke. According to some embodiments, the front camera captures a first or front zone and a second camera positioned to capture the passageway captures a second zone that captures the ball moving through the device legs or passageway (e.g., through the gate). According to some other embodiments, the front camera captures a first or front zone and a second camera is positioned rearward facing to capture a second zone that captures the ball traveling from the passageway to the target or hole. Some embodiments of the device may be configured with the front camera, the mid camera and the rear camera, where activity is captured that takes place in front of the device (e.g., the putting stroke and the ball travel), in the passageway, and behind the device (e.g., the ball traveling from the passageway to a target or hole) by the respective cameras.

[0020] In some embodiments, there is an optional feature where the device frame includes electronics that are configured to project a guide or gate onto the putting surface. The "gate" preferably is displayed on the putting surface adjacent to the device or a frame of the device, and provides a pair of lines or other indicia (such as a shaded area, thicker line, area of shapes, or other indicia) that denotes a path for the player to putt the ball through or over. In these embodiments, the virtual gate is provided, and a physical gate is optional. According to some embodiments, the virtual gate and physical gate may be combined in embodiments where the putting aid according to the invention includes a pair of uprights that provide a physical passageway through which a sports projectile, such as a golf ball may pass, and which also provide a virtual passageway, which is projected onto the putting surface and may be generated to have a different width or dimension than the physical gate. For example, the virtual gate may comprise lines or other indicia projected within the width of the physical gate passageway. Optionally, according to some embodiments, the virtual gate may be provided on one of the sides of the physical gate uprights (e.g., outside of the physical gate), and / or may be provided in front of or beyond the physical gate passageway thus providing a virtual series of gates (which can differ in their widths and content), and / or a combination of series of virtual gates and physical gate (e.g., where a virtual gate is shown in front of the device, the passageway through the device comprises a physical gate, and a virtual gate generated at the rear of the device (between the device and the hole or target)).Alternatively, some embodiments may be constructed to project a series of virtual gates in front of, or behind the physical gate structure, or both in front of and behind. The features increase the versatilityof the inventive device, and do not require a user to carry multiple gates, stands or other apparatus. The devices of the invention are designed to be readily transportable and may even fit in a number of golf bags for temporary storage.

[0021] Some alternate embodiments of the putting aid devices may provide a frame projecting a virtual gate on the putting surface, with the virtual gate serving as the putting gate, and not having the physical gate pair of uprights.

[0022] According to preferred implementations, the putting aid systems, methods and devices are used and employed by persons practicing a sport by placing the device at a location between the user position and a target. For example, according to preferred implementations, the device is positioned a distance from the user, and situated between the target and the user. The putting aid device may be used in conjunction with a user practicing putting, and the target is a location on the putting surface, such as a hole, or other location (e.g., practice disc or marker, tee or other object). Typically, the player using the device as a putting practice aid will place the device between the resting ball position and the hole, typically closer to the resting ball position than the hole. The player aligns the player's putter and body appropriately so that when the ball is struck with the putter, the ball rolls along a path that is adjacent to the putting aid device or passes through the device. According to some embodiments, the ball path will be in between structure of the device, such as the device frame or legs, and, alternatively, or in addition, with some embodiments, as well as aligned with guides which can optionally be displayed on the green or other putting surface by the device's laser pointing and / or grid system, and then on toward the hole. Subsequent to the ball's departure from its resting position, the device can then provide feedback to the player via many optional methods, depending on the needs and desires of the player, including via a connection to a display device (mobile digital device, such as a tablet or phone, or other computing device) that can sit adjacent to the resting ball position on the ground, for ease of viewing. In addition, the systems and devices may be configured to communicate information over a network or to other remote locations for data storage and analysis, contemporaneous with the usage, or for subsequent viewing and evaluation. For example, a player as well as an instructor, or even fans and spectators, may view the feedback on a remote device, such as a smartphone or display screen.

[0023] Embodiments of the system and devices also may be configured to generate images on the putting surface using a suitable light-generating mechanism that produces visible light that contrasts with the putting surface. According to some preferred implementations, in order to accommodate both direct physical barriers and gates for the player to direct the ball through, the device may generate indicia on the putting surface, for example, by deploying laser-based or alternately non-collimated light beams at angles from the putting gate suitable for accommodating the path and areas wider than the path. Some preferred embodiments may implement angles for the beams that may typically be at 90 degrees from the center of the gate, both toward and away from the player. The generated light, suchas, for example, the light beams or laser directed beams would not normally interfere with the ball movement, and thus provide for "virtual" guides to the player to align the putt as well as potentially the player's equipment, such as a putter. According to some embodiments, the device is configured with a path through the device, such as, for example, legs. According to some embodiments, the legs are adjustable to vary the gate width to make the putting attempt mechanically more difficult (or easier when the legs are spread wider). The legs can be infinitely variably placed or can be moved along a track with indentations to enable the player to determine exact physical spacing repeatedly. A range of widths may be accommodated. The virtual indicia generated and projected onto the putting surface may provide the pathway or "gate" for the ball passage. Optionally, the device legs can remain wider, and the adjustable laser virtual gate displayed for the player to target, as previously indicated. According to some embodiments, the putting aid devices may be configured as a "gate" constructed with a frame that houses or supports the electronics, and which projects a virtual gate onto the purring surface. According to some other embodiments, the putting aid devices may comprise a gate configured having frame with a pair of legs, where the path of the ball may be aligned to pass through the legs.

[0024] The devices of the invention preferably employ image electronics, including sensors. One or more image sensors preferably is provided. The image sensors preferably are provided on the frame, for example, on one or more, or combinations, of the frame upright or uprights, the raised portion or crossmember, or the frame upright or uprights and the crossmember. The devices can employ a plurality of image sensors, and according to some embodiments, for example, several image sensors are disposed on the device, configured to capture various activities from adjacent positions. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one image sensor, and, in some embodiments, a plurality of image sensors will be situated to face the location where the ball is to be struck, and at least one image sensor, and, in some embodiments, a plurality of image sensors will face away from the device toward the hole or target. For example, according to some alternate embodiments, a plurality of image sensors are arranged to face the player, and others are arranged to face the down range ball roll activity, facing the opposite side toward the hole. According to embodiments where the frame includes a raised portion, one or more of the sensors may be disposed on the raised portion. For example, according to some alternate embodiments, these image sensors can be placed on an upper portion of the frame such as the raised member or arch of the putting aid device, and preferably they are sufficiently spread apart so as to enable stereo vision and digital sub-pixel interpolation functions, in certain of the embodiments. Sensors of the device, including image sensors, can also optionally be placed on the uprights of the device. Devices may have sensors disposed on one or more of the uprights and / or the raised member. Some embodiments are configured with an optional sensor to capture movement of the ball below the raised member or adjacent to the device. In these embodiments, one or more image sensors may be positioned on the device to capture movement passing through or adjacent to theframe. For example, one or more image sensors, in addition to the one or more front and rear facing sensors, can also be placed on the underside of the arch crossmember of the gate facing downward toward the putting surface to capture ball characteristics as it passes under the gate (which may be referred to as a "belly sensor").

[0025] The image sensor or sensors facing the gate's player-side can record the various key parameters of the putt itself, including the strike location of the putt, putter face angles and other factors. For example, the system, methods and devices of the invention may be configured to measure alignment of the putter and more particularly the putter face, to determine whether the putter is square, open or closed, and the degree of deviation. The metrics provided may be used to confirm that the golfer is aligned in a proper or desired position, or to indicate the deviation and potential correction needed. The alignment may be measured at the setup, before the player has moved the club to make the stroke, and again during impact to determine the position of the putter head and / or face when the ball is struck. The alignment aid such as a laser line zero start position can establish the initial ball position. The putting aid devices also may capture and provide information about the putting stroke from takeaway, through impact and follow through to indicate the putting path (e.g., which could be straight, but more likely an arc form, typically arcing inward during the takeaway, outward when the club is returning to strike the ball, and, after the strike, to the right or left or on the target line of the initial address position, and inward but in a forward direction).

[0026] The putting aid devices also can identify the location on the putter face where the ball was struck. This location may be used to determine whether the initial position at address is the same position where the putter is striking the ball or has deviated and in what manner, and provides yet additional information useful to the player. According to some embodiments, the lean of the putter face, typically the angle of loft or openness or closure, may be measured during the set up and at impact. The front facing sensor or sensors of the device preferably are configured to ascertain this information, and preferably the imaging electronics in conjunction with the sensor or pair of image sensors provided to capture from different locations on the frame. The device circuitry is configured with instructions provided in software, firmware or embedded logic, with one or more processors, microprocessors, controllers, microcontrollers, memories or combinations thereof. Memories preferably may include volatile and non-volatile memories, and one or more suitable storage elements may be included, such as a flash drive or memory. The device also may determine the ball speed when the ball is rolling between the initial location and the target or hole location. As the ball approaches the putting aid device or gate as it is also referred to, the image sensor or sensors can also determine the rolling speed, and other ball factors related to the interaction of the ball and the green. As the putt rolls through the gate, the optional can likewise measure speed and dispersion from the center line of the gate. As the ball rolls through adjacent to (or possibly around) the device, it then comes into the view ofthe image sensors or sensors that are pointing toward the hole, and the departure speed, green rolling resistance, deviation and other factors can be recorded and determined for analysis and feedback to the player. The device may display the information on the device directly, such as on a screen display provided on the device, or may provide remote communications to a smart phone or other device (such as through a wireless connection, or wired, or other electronically coupled connection).

[0027] According to some preferred embodiments the device is outfitted with an internal digital level and / or accelerometer and gyrometer to measure the slope of the intended putting surface. The putting aid devices and systems of the invention thus can determine when the device is lifted and placed down as a series of gestures. Each time the internal electronics is then updated with the slope from the digital leveling determining device. In embodiments of the device configured with a projection mechanism to display visible indicia onto the putting surface, this series is shown on the green or other surface through a laser or other source, so that the user can understand how flat the area is for putting.

[0028] Some embodiments of the devices and systems of the invention can also optionally contain toward-player and toward-hole-pointing lasers which can be manipulated to provide a desired indicia or pattern at a desired location. This may be carried out via a suitable mechanism, such as, for example, a fixed device or any device which produces multiple beams either fixed in pattern or adjustable by any means known to those practiced, including but not limited to grating devices, interference pattern generation devices, rotating mirrors, masks, and the like. Some examples of pointing laser mechanisms that may be used in conjunction with the putting practice aids include motors or adjustable mirrors, or electronically adjustable grating devices (that contain no moving parts). The laser mechanisms can provide a grid or guidelines on the green for the player to visualize and understand the characteristics of the green, as well as to assist the player in visualizing and then guiding the ball more carefully up to and departing from the gate, and onward to the intended target, through the adjustment of strike speed, lift and spin factors at the time of impact of the ball.

[0029] The systems, methods and devices of the invention can operate and perform primary functions to assist in training the player to improve putting without additional (and optional) system components. Additional functions can be accessed and determined, along with options to upload data and measurement to more sophisticated computing and storage means, which are impractical to deploy or employ in the portable battery-powered device itself. The systems, methods and devices can with one or more associated components, also form part of a comprehensive or more encompassing integrated measurement and analytics system covering an entire player's game from tee-off to putting, and as such, integrate functionally and parametrically with the comprehensive or more encompassing system, via a wired or wireless communications network. The systems, devices and methods provide a putting gate with electronic circuitry and components, such as for example, transmitters, transceivers, antennas and processors, that is configured to communicate with and exchange information with other apparatusthat are designed to track a sports object, such as a golf ball and / or a golf club. For example, the putting practice aids of the invention may provide or exchange information with one or more other apparatus that measure and track a full swing or golf shot made that is not a putt or is made from a location other than the putting surface. The transmission circuitry and components may be the same transmission circuitry that allows the putting aid devices to communicate with a mobile digital device, or may be configured with separate circuitry and / or components that communicate or exchange communications between one or more associated monitoring or tracking apparatus that are used with or part of a comprehensive system.

[0030] As such, the devices and systems, such as the putting practice aids disclosed herein, can optionally be networked through any suitable communications link or protocol, such as for example, a so-called "WiFi" or "Bluetooth" or non-visible IR link to either a base computing means or to a so-called "cloud" computing means located away from the player's activities on the green with the devices. In this mode, the device is providing the raw data or raw video for real-time update-able analytic computing algorithms, which are based on the recording and immediate analysis of the video from the optional cameras within the device. This optional analytic functionality can also reside within the device, in embodiments of the device that include sufficient optional battery and computing packs which may be attachable to and detachable from the device itself, or can exist in a nearby "base station" with larger batteries and computing power than is practical to put inside the device itself, when such a base station is present close to the device and communicates with it via a local network.

[0031] Embodiments of the putting aid device may also optionally include a so-called "GNSS" locating electronic system, which enables locating the device on the face of the earth and therefor enabling software or processing algorithms to determine corresponding local weather, likely green location and other factors which the player may want recorded.

[0032] Embodiments of the device may also optionally include a magnetometer, which can determine the approximate orientation of the device with respect to magnetic north, which can then be compensated or adjusted based on published magnetic maps to obtain a more accurate orientation. The reference maps may be stored in a library that if not stored on the putting device itself, is otherwise accessible to or available to the device through an electronic communication or exchange.

[0033] The putting aid devices may be constructed to have one or more foldable portions, and are sized to fit in a majority of golf bags. For example, a base may be provided to be releasably connectable with an upright. The raised portion or crossmember may also be connectable with and disconnectable from other portions of the frame, such as the upright, or pair of uprights. Where the power supply comprises a battery or batteries, the connectable and disconnectable components, such as the base and uprights, may include an electronic connector that is connected to and released, respectively, when a base is attached to or disconnected from another component, such as the upright or leg. Similarly, thecrossmember or raised portion may also make electrical contact with the electronics contained within other portions of the frame, such as electronics within an upright or base, or the raised member may house electronics. The raised member may include a connecting mechanism such as a track that receives the upright connecting portions, and the track may be configured with an electronic contact at or along the location or locations where an upright is movable along the track. Alternatively, wire leads or other connectors may be used to connect the electronics that are provided on or within the device components.

[0034] These and other advantages of the putting practice aid systems, methods and devices of the invention may be provided. The device may include one or more or combinations of the features mentioned herein, and while some feature or features may be shown and described in connection with one or some embodiments, the features may be used in conjunction with other embodiments of the devices where advantageous.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] Fig. 1A is a schematic illustration shown in a perspective view looking from the front, of a first embodiment of a practice aid device according to the invention.

[0036] Fig. IB is a schematic illustration of an example of detection beams and a representation of a ball traveling through the passageway.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a right side elevation view of the device of Fig. 1A.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 1A shown in an exemplary environment on a putting surface, and with a schematic representation of a player.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1A taken within the circled area 4 of Fig. 1A, and looking at a sectional view of the portions of the upright and crossmember.

[0040] Fig. 5 is an exemplary embodiment showing the device of Fig. 1A and a putter in an alternate alignment usage.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 1A, shown in an exemplary environment on a putting surface with a schematic representation of a player, showing the optional feature of the grid lines emanating from the device.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a right side elevation view of a sports object shown comprising a golf club, and in particular a putter, along with a sports projectile, shown comprising a golf ball.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the putter and ball of Fig. 7.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a top plan view showing some different potential alignments / misalignments of the putter face in open and closed positions.

[0045] Fig. 10 is a rear elevation view showing some different potential alignments / misalignments of the lie of the putter head.

[0046] Fig. 11 is an alternate embodiment of a putting aid device according to the invention, configured with a virtual putting gate feature.

[0047] Fig. 12 is another alternate embodiment of a putting aid device according to the invention, configured as an electronic putting gate also referred to as a virtual putting gate.

[0048] Fig. 13 is a flow diagram of some examples of implementations of system and device operational modes.

[0049] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary circuitry for devices of the invention.

[0050] Fig. 15 is another alternate embodiment of a putting aid device according to the invention shown with an optional screen display for viewing indicia thereon.

[0051] Fig. 16 is a front elevation view showing an exemplary screen display of a mobile digital device, showing a putter graphic with representations of potential metrics or information that may be generated on remote devices using the putting aid devices of the invention.

[0052] Fig. 17 is another alternate embodiment of a putting practice aid according to the invention, shown having an alignment mechanism.

[0053] Fig. 18 is another alternate embodiment of a putting practice aid according to the invention, shown configured as a virtual putting gate.

[0054] Fig. 19 is another alternate embodiment of a putting practice aid according to the invention, shown having a monitoring component comprising a camera.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0056] A training aid for sports is provided, and preferably in the embodiments illustrated, is configured for use with golf, and more particularly as a putting practice aid. The invention provides systems, methods and devices which are embodied in the form of putting practice aids. The putting practice aids or devices also may be referred to as a putting gate or gate. The inventive systems, methods and devices, according to some embodiments, comprise a combination of mechanical devices, electronic processing functional devices, and optionally multiple visible and IR sensing focal plane arrays connected to the processing devices, and visible lasers or other similar opto-electronic display or line and grating and grid displays, and optional visible information displays which present human readable and visible indicia such as information and guidance to the human who is employing the practice aiddevice for the purpose of putting. The devices herein also contain batteries and / or power systems to supply power to the device sensors and electronics. The power may be though rechargeable batteries, solar cells (to power the device and / or charge batteries), and connection to a utility power source.

[0057] Referring to Figs. 1A-3, a sports practice aid device is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention configured as a putting practice aid device 110. The putting practice aid device 110 is shown having a construction of a putting gate. According to the embodiment illustrated, the device 110 is shown comprising a frame 111 having a pair of bases 112, 113 and upstanding legs or uprights 114, 115 each of which is shown connected to a respective base 112, 113. A connecting member, such as the raised member or crossmember 116 is provided connecting with the uprights 114, 115 at the ends opposite their respective base ends, and disposed at a height above the putting surface 1000 (when the device 110 is placed on the putting surface 1000). The putting gate device uprights 114, 115, preferably are each constructed having a larger and / or heavier stabilizing base 112,113, which may be part of the upright 114, 115 or separate therefrom. The device 110 also includes a power supply 127 to supply power to the electronic components. According to preferred embodiments, the power supply 127 preferably comprises one or more of a battery, solar cell or charger, or other suitable power source, with a preferred power supply comprising re-chargeable batteries. A removable power cord or adapter that supplies power from an electric utility also may be provided to deliver power to the device circuitry and / or to charge the batteries. The power supply, such as the batteries, may be housed within the frame 111 of the device, and preferably within the base 112, 113, and / or the frame legs or uprights 114, 115.

[0058] The uprights 114, 115 are designed to provide a physical path therebetween represented by the broken line Wul (Fig. 1). Preferably, the uprights 114, 115 are connected via the raised connecting member 116. In some embodiments, the uprights 114, 115 may be fixedly or detachably mounted to the connecting member 116 in fixed position. However, according to some alternate embodiments, the uprights 114, 115 preferably are mounted to the crossmember 116 to be slidably or otherwise movably mounted along the crossmember 116 to control and adjust the path width Wul through the device 110 and uprights 112, 113.

[0059] The putting aid devices also may be configured with a pair of upstanding uprights that form a gate or space therebetween, and may be situated on opposite sides of the gate width. In this alternate embodiment configuration, a raised member, such as the crossmember 116 is not utilized or provided. The device uprights may include an alignment or positioning mechanism, such as a beam, that facilitates placement of the upright pair in suitable proximity for the measurements to be obtained.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the connector crossmember 116 may be optionally configured having a structure that allows the uprights 114, 115 to slide on or within the connector 116 to change the span of the spacing between the uprights 114, 115. The span may include a range orranges of positions, and, according to some embodiments, may have stops to set the width to control the spacing between the uprights 114, 115. Although any spacing options can be provided, according to some alternate embodiments where the legs 114, 115 are movably adjustable, the spacing between the uprights 114, 115 may be adjusted from about approximately 50 mm in width between the uprights 114, 115 to as much as about 150 mm in width, to change the skill level required for the practice activity. The specific range or width does not cause any departure from the overall scope of the invention.

[0061] The uprights 112, 113 preferably may connect with the raised member 116 on a track or other arrangement where the uprights 112, 113 may be moved closer together or further apart, without affecting the sensor visibility. For example, the uprights 112, 113 may include a matingly configured structure, such as a dovetail or other shape or keyed arrangement, and the crossmember 116 may comprise a matingly configured connecting structure, such as a receiving structure that accommodates the upright structure, which for example may be a track or channel within which the upright may be held and slide along. According to alternate embodiments, an optional feature is provided, where one upright, or both uprights 114, 115, may be mounted to move along the crossmember 116. Referring to Fig. 4, an exemplary depiction of an optional movable configuration is shown, where fingers 115a' or other elements that slide along a track 116a' provided on the underside or within the lower portion of the crossmember 116' may be used to movably secure the upright 115' to the crossmember 116'. As a further option, the other upright 114', also may be movably mounted to the crossmember 116', and may be configured like the upright 115'. The track 116a' also may include one or more electrical contacts or contact surfaces such as the contact 116b', which may be disposed along the track 116a' to enable contact to be made with an electrical contact of the upright 115'. For example, the finger 115a' may include a contact surface 115b' which provides an electrical contact for the electronics of the device, including those in the uprights and in the crossmember 116' to electronically exchange signals or power with one another. Although the schematic shows contact surfaces 115b', 116b', a plurality of contacts or contact surfaces may be utilized (where separate channels or signals are desired, e.g., power versus data), or, according to some embodiments, continuous contact surfaces may be provided (which may be continuous separate contacts, or a single continuous contact surface on each respective upright or crossmember portion 115', 116'). Alternatively, as another option, the raised member 116' may be provided in one or more sections, at least one of which is movable to narrow and / or widen so as to decrease or increase the span between the uprights 114', 115'. In this latter embodiment, the sensors preferably remain unobstructed while the portion or portions of the raised member move.

[0062] Embodiments of the device comprise an arrangement of one or more cameras which capture information, which preferably is video of events taking place within the camera field of view. The one or more cameras are disposed on a frame, and preferably mounted thereon. According to someembodiments, the device 110 is configured with a single camera 150 facing a first direction, which is the layer and ball to be putted. According to some other embodiments, the device may include a plurality of cameras, and in addition to the first or front camera 150, may include a second camera, such as a rear facing camera (such as the camera 151 that faces the hole or target on the side of the device opposite the player side) or a mid-facing camera 152 facing the passageway of the device and looking downward at the putting surface from the frame. The device 110 is depicted with a plurality of cameras, and, in the embodiments illustrated, shows the front camera 150 and the optional mid camera 152 and optional rear camera 151. Although the device is described with three cameras (the front camera 152, rear camera 151 and mid camera 152), the device may be configured with a single camera (such as the front camera 150), or may include the front camera 150 and one or more of the mid camera 152 or rear camera 151 (either of which may serve as a second camera, or a third camera). The cameras capture video, which are frames of images stored to a memory of the device and / or communicated to a remote device such as a smartphone, computer or tablet through a wired or wireless connection and / or network.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the device 110 is configured having a first or front camera 150 that is directed toward the location from which the ball is putted. The device 110 is positioned in front of the ball address location (in the line or path where the ball is expected to travel after being struck by the club / putter). The device 110 may be placed between the ball address location and the target or hole (such as is shown in the exemplary illustration in Fig. 3). The front laser 155 which comprises an alignment laser may be used to aid as user in positioning the ball at a zero start location (a location from which the ball is to be putted) by projecting a reference beam comprising a line or plane of visible light. For example, the location may be a location in front of the gate and along the line or plane 156 (see e.g., Fig. 2) projected by the laser 155. The front laser 155 also may be used by the player to align the player's putter when setting up to the ball. In Fig. 2, an optional rear laser 157 is shown, which may project a beam comprising a line or plane 158 rearward of the device, and preferably along the line of the front laser line or plane 156, but continuing from the rear of the device. The rear beam 158 optionally may be used to align the device to a target or hole, e.g., to position the device on a line between the ball start position and the hole or target. The rear laser 157 may be optionally provided, whether the device embodiment includes or does not include a rear facing camera, such as the camera151. According to a preferred embodiment, the device includes the front camera 150 and mid camera152. The device first or front camera 150 records the information, which in this exemplary embodiment is captured video, and, as discussed herein, saves the captured video in accordance with a buffer mechanism and one or more storage components of the device. The device detection lasers, which in this embodiment comprise the first or front detection laser 165 and second or rear detection laser 168, are actuated and await the passage of a ball through the gate legs 114, 115 (preferably the lasers 165,168 are actuated on startup of the device, or placing the device in active mode). The ball is putted from its address location, and the first or front camera 150 captures the field of view, which preferably includes the ball, and also may include one or more of the putter and some or all of the player, and the stroke motion when the player moves the putter back and then forward striking the ball and moving past the strike location. The ball when struck travels forward toward the device 110. The ball, in this example, arrives at the device 110 and begins to enter the passageway Wul. (Not all putted balls may reach or enter the passageway, and the device may provide information to the extent the ball is within the field of view of any of the device cameras or sensors.) Preferably, the first or front detection laser 165 is positioned close to the forward end of the passageway (end closest to the player, e.g., player side). The associated first or front laser detector 166 detects the ball as the ball reaches the beam location and interrupts the transmission of the beam 167. The beam 167 therefore no longer reaches the detector 166, and the detector signal indicates the change (the ball presence). The ball continues traveling, and once it passes the location of the beam 167, it no longer interrupts the beam 167, and the detector signal from the first detector 166 now indicates the beam 167 being detected. In this exemplary embodiment, there is a second detection laser 168, and the associated second or rear detector 169 detects the second beam 170 until the ball interrupts the second laser beam 170. In this implementation, the second detection laser 168 preferably is provided at the rear of the device (end closer to the target or hole, e.g., target side), and is shown positioned at least greater than the length of a ball diameter from the first laser 165. Although the spacing between the first laser 165 and second laser 168 is shown having a separation greater than the diameter of a ball, the separation may be greater or lesser than the ball diameter. The spacing distance between the laser beams 167, 170 from the respective detection lasers 165, 168 in the exemplary embodiment, is depicted to be a distance greater than the ball diameter (the typical regulation ball diameter for a golf ball being 43mm). The ball speed may be determined using the time that the ball triggers the detection at the first laser 165, and the time that the ball triggers detection at the second laser 168. The distance between the lasers 165, 168 (e.g., their separation on the leg 114) and distance between detectors 166, 169 is known from their placement on the device, and the distance between the beams 167, 170 can be predetermined and is a fixed value. Preferably, the lasers 165, 168 and the respective detectors 166, 169 are disposed opposite each other, and preferably the beams 167, 170 are parallel to each other. The signal or change in signal of the first detector 166 from detecting the beam 167 to detecting when a beam is not present (i.e., ball interruption) may be used to trigger a buffer time, and is stored in a memory.

[0064] According to an exemplary implementation, the initial detection of the ball at the first beam 167 also marks a time tBAl, time of ball arrival. The ball (which typically is 43mm according to a standard, which could change or be different, but is known when ), is detected, and once the 43mm diameter of the ball passes the laser 165 and its corresponding beam 167, then the beam 167 reaches the detector166, and the detector signal signals a change at a time, tBDl, time of ball departure. The ball may still be in the passageway Wul of the device 110, when the ball passes the beam 167. In embodiments where a single detection laser is provided, the time of arrival (tBAl) and time of departure (tBDl) in connection with the ball diameter (e.g., 43mm) may be used to determine the ball speed as the ball passes the laser beam 167. In the implementation where more than one laser is provided, such as the two lasers shown comprising the first detection laser 165 and second detection laser 167, then the accuracy may be improved by providing a greater distance over which the ball speed determination is made, e.g., where one laser is used for detecting entry of the ball and the other for detecting the ball exit. According to some other implementations and configurations, the plurality of detection lasers may be configured to provide redundancy for ensuring a ball is detected within the passageway, and each detector may be used to provide a detection signal, and in the event one detector does not report the ball, the other detector may.

[0065] According to another implementation, where a plurality of lasers are used with detection, such as a respective plurality of detectors that detect each respective beam, ball movement through the passageway may be monitored. In this implementation, the plurality of respective lasers and detectors may be used to provide information such as the presence of absence of a ball in the respective beam path. In this exemplary implementation, the ball arrival at time of ball arrival at the first detector tBAl is detected by the first detector 166, and the arrival of the ball at the second beam 170 of the second laser 168, is detected by the second detector 169, at a time of arrival of the ball at the second detector tBA2 (time of arrival at the second detector). Conversely, according to some alternate implementations, the device may be configured to determine the time of departure of the ball from the beam path of the second beam 170 (tBD2), as the ball moves through the passageway Wul traveling away from the device 110. This provides a differential between the arrival time tBAl (of the ball arriving at the first detector 165) and the departure time tBD2 (of the ball leaving the second detector 169), which may be used to identify the time between signals, and the known distance between the laser beams 167, 170. The detection time differential and distance between the beams 167, 170 is used to determine the ball speed through the passageway. This may aid a user in determining differences between putts made, e.g., a higher speed will denote a putted ball that travels farther than a putted ball measured to have a slower speed (assuming the same putting surface or equivalent putting surface).

[0066] Embodiments and implementations of the laser detection are shown in Fig. 1A, and in Fig. IB, where a schematic depiction of the lasers and ball travel is illustrated. Referring to Fig. 1A, the device 110 is shown configured as a putting gate with the lasers disposed on one of the gate legs to face detectors located on an opposing leg. Although two lasers and two detectors are shown in the illustrated embodiment, alternatively, a single laser or more than two lasers and respective detectorsmay be used. Also, although the lasers are depicted on one leg and the detectors on the other leg, the associated laser / detector pairs may be disposed on either leg, so long as they are oppositely situated.

[0067] Referring to Fig. IB, there is a first laser beam 167 and second laser beam 170 represented. The ball 2012' is shown in a solid line depiction traveling along a surface toward the first beam 165 and in broken line format representing some depictions of the ball in different positions as it travels into, through and exits the passageway. The lasers and respective detectors are on one side or the other of the respective beams 167, 170. The time (t) is measured on the lower axis, and there are depicted times tBA-xl and tBA-x2 corresponding with the laser locations where each respective beam is projected and when the ball 2012' interrupts the first beam 167 of the first laser 165 and when the ball 2012' interrupts the second beam 170 of the second laser 168. The respective detector signals from the first detector 166 and second detector 169 correspond with the respective times, tBA-xl and tBA-x2, which respectively identify the time of the ball arrival at the first beam 167 and the time of the ball arrival at the second beam 170. The time differential (tBA-x2) - (tBA-xl) provides the time of ball travel (tBT) between the travel distance (DT), which in this example, the travel distance (DT) is the distance between the first and second laser beams 167 and 170. Ball speed therefore is the distance divided by the time of ball travel, or DT / tBT, and may be reported in any suitable format, such as metres / hr or kilometers / hour (or miles / hour), or other useful metric that allows for relative comparison.

[0068] Embodiments of the device, in addition to the front camera 150 may have one or more additional cameras. The device 110 is shown having a mid camera 152 disposed on the frame, and in particular on the cross member 116 facing the surface. The front camera 150 and mid camera 152 together provide information about the ball travel up to and through the passageway Wul, with the front camera 150 having a first field of view and capturing activity taking place in front of the device 110 (in its field of view) and the mid camera 152 having another or mid field of view capturing activity taking place in the passageway Wul, which in the embodiment illustrated is between the device legs 114, 115.

[0069] According to some embodiments, an optional camera, designated as the rear or second camera 151, provided on the device to face the target or hole, and having a second field of view that captures activity behind the device 110, may be provided. The optional rear or second camera 151 can track the ball movement as the ball moves behind the device 110, and typically, a ball that has passed through the passageway Wul and traveling to the target or hole.

[0070] In Fig. 3, the putting aid device 110 is shown in a top view situated in an arrangement on a putting surface 1000 and being located between the ball 2012 to be putted and the hole (or target) 1005. The putting aid device 110 is deployed to provide a path between the ball location and the hole 1005 (or other target on the opposite side of the device), and is shown in a preferred arrangement being located closer to the player 2011 and ball location than the hole 1005. The device 110 includes imaging electronics for capturing movements of the sports objects, such as the sports projectile or golfball 2012 shown in the exemplary implementations, and the striking object, shown as the putter 2000. The device 110 is shown according to a preferred embodiment, including imaging electronics that has at least one front facing sensor, shown in the preferred embodiment comprising an image sensor or camera 150. The front facing camera 150 captures movement of the golf ball as it travels to the device 110 and beyond the device 110 to the hole (or target). The device 110 imaging electronics includes circuitry programmed with software or other logic containing instructions for capturing and processing the information from the sensor, such as the camera 150. According to preferred embodiments, the device 110 preferably includes a capture component to capture activity taking place between the device 110 and the hole 1005. According to some embodiments, the front camera is used as a single device camera to capture the activity taking place in front of the device, such as the ball placement, putting stroke (club movement backstroke and follow through), and the ball travel from the putter face to the device passageway Wul, preferably, between the device legs 114, 115. According to some embodiments, the device 110 may include plurality of cameras. According to some embodiments, the device may be configured with the front or first camera 150 and one or more second and / or third cameras. According to an exemplary embodiment, the device is configured with the front or first camera 150, and a second camera that comprises a mid camera 152 that is downward facing to image the field of view of the passageway to capture the ball travel within and / or through the passageway. The first or front camera 150 and mid camera 152 (which is a second camera in this exemplary embodiment), capture video of the ball traveling from its address position and through the passageway. According to some other embodiments, the first or front camera 150 may be configured with a second camera that comprises the rear facing camera 151, where the front field of view and a rear field of view captures the ball traveling in front of and after the gate or device. According to another embodiment, the front or first camera 150 is provided with the mid camera 152 and the rear camera 151. Although the imaging electronics and processing circuitry may identify the path through the device based on the captures from the front and / or mid and / or rear sensors, such as the front facing camera 150, mid camera 152 and rear facing camera 151 (or pluralities of cameras / sensors or combinations thereof), the sensor, such as the camera 152, may be disposed on the device 110 to face downward and capture movement of the golf ball as it passes below the device frame raised member 116. This allows the device to record the actual path of the ball and identify the true movement. The mid camera 152 is useful in embodiments where the front capture mechanism (or front and rear capture mechanism when the optional rear capture mechanism is present) are not able to capture immediately below the device frame (e.g., immediately below the raised member 116). As shown in Fig. 1A, the imaging electronics are illustrated with the sensor or camera 152 disposed on the frame 111, which in the embodiment illustrated is located to capture movement below the crossmember 116. This sensor or mid camera 152is disposed on the crossmember 116 and situated to capture the ball movement below the crossmember 116.

[0071] According to some embodiments, an optional sensor, such as the rear camera 151 is shown provided on the rear of the device 110, captures movement of the sports object, such as a golf ball, between the device 110 and the hole or target (and preferably some distance beyond the target).

[0072] The player practices putting using the device 110 by setting the device 110 on the putting surface between the user and the hole or other target (typically setting the device closer to the user than the hole or target). The initial strike of a putt impacts the ball with the putter face 2003 and starts the ball 2012 moving forward. The device 110 is designed to capture and discern movements of the ball from the rest position and when the ball is moved from the initial strike to the hole or location where the ball stops moving. The ball may undergo different types of movement, and the device 110 aids in providing this information. The device 110 preferably is configured to measure and record attributes and metrics of the putted ball, and store this information locally on the device or remotely through a wired or wireless connection to a remote computing or storage device. The measurements take place using the device circuitry which includes one or more processing components, and software or other logic (such as, for example, embedded logic), that regulates the capture of the activities in the zones being imaged, and processes the captured information to generate metrics for the activity which is one or more of the putted ball and the movement of the putter, and in some configurations the movement or location of the player. The software or logic includes instructions for capturing, storing, handling and processing the information from the device electronics, including from the device sensors, including the image sensors or cameras 150, 151, 152 (or one or more of them depending on the number present and device configuration, e.g., single camera, plurality of cameras). On some alternate embodiments, some processing functions may be provided apart from the device, and the device may communicate information to a nearby or other remote device, such as for example, a mobile digital device. One of the attributes determined by the device is the velocity or ball speed. This is preferably measured along the path the ball travels. For example, the initial forward movement of the putted ball may take place with the ball traveling by sliding, skidding and / or rolling on the putting surface. The ball typically may move in a first instance where the ball rolls, but initially before rolling, the ball may experience some type of sliding or skidding movement, and once the friction of the putting surface is greater than the backward rotation, the ball will begin to rotate forward (and stop spinning backwards). The device also may monitor and determine whether a player is putting spin on the putted ball. For example, the putted ball may be imparted with sidespin as it leaves the putter or rolls forward. Examples of the spin can be sidespin, which can be cut spin or hook spin. The device may identify the spin type, and also the degree of the spin (e.g., in rpm). Typically, some amount of sidespin may not affect the path of the putt (e.g., below 10 rpm, or even below 20 rpm), where the putt is over a short distance, e.g., such as 5 to 20 feet.However, where the putt is greater than 10 or 20 feet, then the spin could have a greater effect on the ball path and the accuracy of the putt. The device 110 may be configured to display one or more graphics along with ball speed, as well as spin numbers either on the putting aid device itself, or via communication to a remote digital device such as a smartphone or tablet (which may be configured with software such as a software application) that receives the information from the putting aid device 110 and displays the information on the remote device display. Information may be displayed on the device 110 where the device has a screen (see e.g., Fig. 15), and also on a remote device (e.g., Fig. 16), or some metrics may be displayed on the putting aid device, while the remote device may display additional metrics as well. The putting aid device itself preferably processes the information with a processing component such as a processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller or other circuitry component, and the software or logic algorithms, and provides that information. For example, signals from the device sensors are processed by the device electronics to generate the metrics or information useful to the player or an instructor. The information may be displayed on a menu or display on the device 110 which can be a scrollable menu, graphic or combinations thereof. According to some other embodiments, the device 110 may communicate the information to a remote device and the remote device may process and display the information. The display, whether on the putting aid device 110 or the display of a remote device, also may include indicia or graphics that is provided to flag or otherwise highlight with colors or indicia when a metric is outside of a standard or a predetermined value or range (a preset value of the putting aid device, or value of the device parameters that a device user has set).

[0073] The putting gate device 110 preferably may be used as a physical training aid for a player to practice putting. Referring to Fig. 3, according to a preferred method for use, the spaced-apart uprights 114, 115 are positioned in a path of travel represented by lines 3001, 3002, between the golfer 2011 (represented by the shoes) and the target, which typically is a golf hole 3005, or could be some other designation (for example, if putting on a surface that does not have a hole). A first zone Z1 within the front field of view is shown to represent an exemplary zone where the front facing camera 150 of the device 110 tracks sports objects within the zone. The front zone Z1 extend from the device to the player 2011 and is shown encompassing the capture of the golf ball 2012 and the putter 2000, and tracking of the movement of the ball when it is struck by the putter. Preferably, one or more image sensors, such as the camera 150, is provided to capture the front zone Zl. The movements and position of the putter 2000, as well as the player 2011 and ball 2012 are captured by the one or more sensors located on the front of the device 110. According to embodiments of the putting aid device and system, the frame 111 has a sensor or camera 150 facing the front zone Zl, and optionally a sensor or camera 151 facing the rear zone Z2, and a sensor or camera 152 facing the mid zone Z3 (represented by the broken lined area below the cross member 116), and preferably the cameras 150, 151, 152 facing each respective zone Zl,Z2, Z3 may be configured to capture distance and depth of field of objects in the field of view. According to the embodiment of the device 110 illustrated, cameras 150, 151, 152 are provided, although device embodiments may have one or more of these cameras, e.g., such as the first camera 150 and mid camera 152; or the first camera 150 and second camera 151; or the first camera 150, second camera 151 and mid camera 152). According to some alternate embodiments, the systems and devices of the invention may be configured with one or more image sensors, such as cameras, and a plurality of cameras facing a zone may be provided, such as, for example, cameras configured as stereo cameras. For example, the front facing sensor arrangement could be two or more cameras, and in an alternate embodiment, the front capture mechanism can comprise two cameras which are spaced apart to provide a stereo capture of the front zone, e.g., Zl. In embodiments that include the rear camera, the rear facing camera can comprise a single camera, even though the front facing capture mechanism is configured as a stereo camera, or, alternatively, the rear facing capture mechanism may comprise stereo cameras as well. In addition, while the imaging electronics are shown and described comprising image sensors illustrated as the cameras 150, 151, 152 other sensors such as lidar, radar, or other detecting technology, or combinations thereof (with imaging sensors or with each other) may be utilized, in conjunction with obtaining images, or utilization of other technologies such as iToF, dTof.

[0074] The putting aid devices optionally may include one or more sensors, such as an accelerometer, that identifies when a sports object, such as a traveling golf ball, engages the device. This can be recorded as an event, and where the golf ball is being tracked from a putt, the detection of the golf ball striking the device may terminate the monitoring event (e.g., such as a putted ball), either immediately, or a time after (such as for example, to confirm the event, i.e., where no ball is tracked before or after the device frame, or to record the ball speed and / or direction after deflecting off of the device frame). According to some embodiments, the device therefore can identify whether the ball hit on the frame and where (e.g., right or left, in the case of the devices having the uprights). Even though this is visible to the user, it may be stored for evaluation or analysis of the practice session, since the metric as well as in combination with other information, such as the ball speed, can be a benefit to the user. An accelerometer may be part of the device leveling system, and the leveling system may be configured to provide feedback based on the accelerometer response (or a response from one or more of the components of the leveling system). The accelerometer may be configured to provide information separate from or as part of the leveling system.

[0075] According to preferred embodiments, an optional sensor is provided to capture sports objects, such as a golf ball, moving through or passing adjacent to the device 110. The electronic imaging components in the exemplary embodiments illustrated, therefore, capture motion of the sports object, such as the putter, as well as the sports projectile, the golf ball, from the area where the player putts the ball to the hole or target on the opposite side of the device 110 (and preferably a distance beyondthe hole, if desired). The device imaging electronics, such as the sensors comprising imaging sensors, radar, lidar, and / or combinations thereof, are employed in the device to track the movement of the ball from the putter face through to the hole or target, and within a zone having a width that is designed to cover the anticipated path and deviations thereof, of the ball as it travels to the hole (or target) after leaving the putter face. Although the front, rear and mid capture mechanisms are depicted as cameras, 150, 151, 152, the capture mechanisms may comprise an array of cameras (e.g., image sensors), and / or multiple cameras or camera pairs, such as spaced apart stereo cameras. For example, one or more of an array of front facing cameras, and / or an array of rear facing cameras, or an array of downward facing cameras may be employed.

[0076] The device 110 is shown comprising an optional alignment feature that facilitates alignment of a user's putter 2000 relative to a target point, such as a location on the device 110, or the hole 1005 (Fig. 3), or to another location within the putting gate device 110, such as the pathway through the putting device 110 or projected alignment line. According to a preferred embodiment, the device 110 includes a visible alignment feature, comprising a visible light output, which may be generated by an outputting mechanism such as a laser or other source of illumination, that is used to align the position of the putter 2000. The device 110 is shown with a laser 155 situated below the front facing imaging sensor or camera 150 (Fig. 1). The laser 155 preferably projects an image such as the laser line 156 (see Figs. 2 and 3) in front of the device 110 toward the location where the ball is positioned, or to show where to position a ball relative to the device 110. The laser projection 156 although depicted and referred to as a line, preferably represents a plane of visible light that reaches the putting surface. The laser line 156 may be projected onto the putting surface 1000 and may therefore replace a traditional chalk line, marker, string or other physical apparatus that is used to provide a line. Although the laser line may be provided as a line, according to some embodiments, the laser line 156 may be projected to have the width of a ball, or other desirable dimension. The light output generator shown comprising the laser 155 is situated on the device frame 111 at the front of the device 110, with output delivery in front of the device 110. The laser 155 may be located in line with the camera 150 and may be situated above, or preferably below the camera 150. The alignment feature also may include a rear laser 157 situated on the frame 111 and facing rearward toward the hole 1005. The rear laser 157 is shown projecting an output comprising a laser line 158. The laser projections are shown as broken lines 156, 158, and each preferably represents a plane normal to the putting surface. The laser indicia, instead of lines or planes of light, may comprise other indicia if desired (in addition thereto or alternatively). The laser preferably provides an output, such as a green line or dot that is visible under daylight conditions, for outdoor and indoor use. The laser line 156 may provide a start line for a practice putt and a player practicing putting may try to direct the putt to start out on the line 156. The laser line 156 may be used to position the golf ball at a zero start or start line aligned with the device. The laser line 156 provides a level of accuracythat can be relied on by the player, and is designed to eliminate or minimize the potential for the practice aid itself to be misaligned and therefore lead to practicing error prone putting methods.

[0077] Typically, the laser line projection onto the putting surface is suitable for alignment. However, some alternate usages of the laser feature of the devices may involve placing a mirror onto the surface of a putter to determine whether the alignment is proper. A depiction of the laser alignment is shown in Fig. 5, where the putter 2000' is shown and the laser alignment beam 156' from the laser 155' projecting from the device 110' onto the putter front surface or face 2003', and, shown with a mirror 1051 placed in front of the putter face 2003'. The device 110' represents the device 110 as shown and described, having the optional capability for the laser 155 to be adjustably configured (if desired for positioning or beam focusing). In some embodiments, the laser may be housed in a movable carriage, or may be movably mounted or variably projectable, so that the laser line may be adjusted in height (upward or downward) to be visible on the putting surface, on the putter face, or on an object such as the mirror 1051 attached to or placed in front of the putter face 2003'. Alternatively, a laser may be configured with a grating or electronic adjustment means (e.g., a non-moving part) for direction or adjustment. Similarly, a rear-facing laser, like the laser 157, also may be configured with similar adjustability, to adjust the projection of the beam 158. Alternatively, the laser or lasers may be configured to project in one or more of a predetermined height or angle. The device leveling mechanism described herein facilitates positioning of the laser line 156 at a device centric location to ensure proper alignment (that the laser line is the zero point, to provide consistent and repeatable positioning from use to use of the device, regardless of the topography).

[0078] According to another embodiment, the putting aid device 110 may be configured with an optional outputting mechanism configured to project indicia onto the putting surface. This embodiment may include the optional outputting mechanism separately or along with the laser 155 and laser projection 156 (and / or laser 157 and projection 158). Referring to Fig. 6, the device 110 is shown configured to provide the additional practice feature of indicia in the form of grid lines. The device 110 outputting mechanism may include an illumination source, such as a laser 160 that is situated on the frame 111 and disposed to project indicia such as a grid or lines that provide additional alignment or practice elements. The laser 160 depicted as a unit, may comprise a plurality of lasers or arranged units for delivery of one or more portions of indicia or a grid onto the surface. The grid or lines may be operated on the device 110 and may be actuated or deactivated, as desired by the user (using a control on the putting aid device or a remotely associated interface on another apparatus, e.g., mobile digital device). The device 110 is shown situated on the putting surface 1000, and indicia comprising a grid 300 is shown projected onto the putting surface 1000. The grid 300 is shown comprising a front grid 301 and rear grid 302, and the putting aid devices may be configured to generate and display a single grid, such as a front grid 301 or a rear grid 302, and / or may optionally actuate one, both, or neither of the grids. Inthis embodiment, the optional laser 160 is provided on the front of the device 110, and another laser 162 optionally may be provided on the rear of the device to project a grid or lines rearward of the device. A further option may include one or more lasers projecting indicia on the side or sides of the device 110, to provide additional grid indicia on the putting surface, if desired, or even display metrics. The outputting mechanism shown comprising a laser 160 may be configured with a plurality of lasers or illumination components 160a, 160b, arranged on the device frame 111 to project frontward or rearward (in the case of lasers or illumination components 162a, 162b) to provide the desired indicia. For example, the grid lines 301 may be generated by a plurality of outputting sources, such as one or more lasers 160a, 160b, that are forward facing and / or are provided on the front of the device 110. Similarly, the grid lines 302 may be generated by a one or more outputting sources, such as one or more lasers 162a, 162b, that are rearward facing and / or are provided on the rear of the device. According to preferred embodiments, the outputting sources are provided within or on the frame 111, and may be provided on one or more of the crossmember 116, the uprights 114, 115, or bases 112, 113. A front laser 160 and rear laser 162 may provide grids or other representations onto the putting surface using gratings or other elements that provide the desired patterning or markings, or alternatively one or more or pluralities of lasers or outputting sources may be disposed to provide gridlines or desired indica on the front zone ZF and on the rear zone ZR of the putting surface 1000. A single front facing laser and / or single rear facing laser may generate the indicia such as the respective grids 301, 302, with the use of a fixed device, such as for example, a grating or other suitable device which produces multiple beams either fixed in pattern or adjustable by any means known to those practiced, including but not limited to grating devices, interference pattern generation devices, rotating mirrors, masks, and the like. The grids 301, 302 while shown as a series of lines, may be displayed as other forms and indicia, such as squares or other shapes.

[0079] The device 110 preferably includes wiring or conductors disposed within the frame 111, and preferably within the upright mechanical system, such as the uprights 114, 115 that enable power to be drawn from the power supply 127, such as rechargeable batteries, placed in the base 114, 115 of each upright 112, 113 to the top crossbar 116. A charging port, such as a USB or other suitable power connection may be used to supply power to the device, and to charge the batteries. A connection to the charging port may be made and supply power through an external battery (e.g., via the USB port), or power adapter. According to preferred embodiments, the electronics and sensors may be located within the crossbar 116, or alternatively or additionally, electronics, including sensors, may be disposed on one or more other areas of the frame 111, such as the base 112, 113 or uprights 114, 115. The wiring or other connectors preferably electronically link the components together. One exemplary arrangement is depicted in Fig. 14.

[0080] Alternatively, or in addition, electronics may be located within the bases 112, 113. For example, processing functions and electronics may also be optionally located in the bases 112, 113 of the uprights 114,115 to position more mass lower down to facilitate balance and stability. The device 110 may be configured so that the frame 111 includes weights or more mass at the lower portion thereof, such as within the base 112, 113, or within the lower portion of the uprights 114, 115. For example, batteries may be provided in each base and / or each upright.

[0081] The device 110 is configured to comprise a vision system that captures events taking place in front of and, in preferred embodiments, also behind the device frame 111. For example, the vision system in one of the preferred embodiment combinations may include the visible wavelength camera 150, preferably located in the center of the crossmember 116 and pointing to capture a field of view in front of the device 110, e.g., toward the location of the ball at rest. Another visible wavelength camera 151 points 180 degrees opposite, away from the location of the ball-at-rest and on the other side of the crossmember 116. The optional sensor, shown comprising the mid camera 152 on the belly or underside of the crossmember 116, points straight down to the putting surface. The focal plane arrays of the cameras preferably are disposed within the device itself, such that the pointing directions of the focal plane arrays are accurately fixed, and capture the locations of interest from the address or ball start location to the target or hole.

[0082] The device 110 also is configured to measure and monitor the putter itself, preferably using the imaging electronics that capture the movement of the ball. As shown in Fig. 7, a putter 2000 is depicted having a shaft 2001, a putter head 2002 with a putter face 2003, and a flange 2004. The putter view in Fig. 7 is shown from the side of the putter 2000, although the device 110 is situated to view the putter looking at the putter face 2003. The putter face 2004, as is typical on most putters, has a small degree of loft, typically from about 1 to 4 degrees. The putter loft is represented by angle PL taken along a normal plane represented by the vertical broken line 2006. The device 110 preferably measures the ball location, as well as the ball height, which can indicate whether the ball has moved upward during or after the strike (or even whether the ball has hit something like an imperfection on the putting surface) when the ball is traveling along its path. The device 110 also is configured to monitor and measure the putter 2000 at address (such as in the rest position behind the ball before the strike), as well at impact, and according to some embodiments, may monitor and measure the putter path of travel rearward (during the takeaway or backstroke) and forward through and at impact and the forestroke, including after impact). The putter 2000 may be manipulated by a golfer during the swing, which in this example, is a putt. The takeaway may not and for most golfers, is not, a straight back movement, but rather is made along an arc that moves closer inward to the golfer, and conversely, for most golfers, is not a straight path back to the ball where impact is made, but is along an arc back to the ball. After impact, for most golfers, the putter will move forward along an arc that moves to the left (in the case of a righthanded golfer). Some golfers however may have a "straight" putting stroke, and little or no arc for putts. Regardless of the putting stroke type, it is valuable for the player and any instructors to know how the putter and putter face is aligned when the putter impacts the ball. For example, in Figs. 7 and 8, the putter 2000 is shown in a square position, where the putter face 2003 is not deviating right or left relative to the ball. In other words, there is no twisting of the putter face 2003. The device 110 provides an alignment mechanism, such as the laser line 156, that is used to position the golf ball and putter in a square or zero point alignment position at address (see Figs. 7 and 8). However, the device 110 is configured to identify when the putter face 2003 is closed or open, as is shown by the schematic illustrations in Fig. 9 where broken line representations of the putter head 2002 are illustrated, representing an open face 2003o, a closed face 2003c, and a neutral face 2003n. This determination may be made at one or more times, for example, including at address to provide one metric of the putter face position, and at impact to provide a second metric of the putter face (when the putter strikes the ball). The deviation of the putter face 2003 preferably is determined relative to the straight line position where the putter face 2003 is perpendicular to the laser line 156. Alternatively, where the putter face 2003 at address is not aligned, the device 110 may identify the misalignment, and degree of misalignment. Embodiments of the device may utilize parallax, stereo cameras, or other processing algorithm to determine the position of the putter face 2003 relative to the centerline 156. The device 110 preferably also may identify the lie angle of the putter 2000, to determine the putter position at address, and during the stroke.

[0083] Fig. 10 shows examples of the lie angle that the device 110 may detect and monitor. In addition, the attack angle of the putter also can be tracked with the device, which identifies when the face angle (see PL in Fig. 7) is itself negative (< PL) or positive (> PL). These determinations may be carried out using the detection and recording of the square putter face (when square) and deviations therefrom, and also could rely on stored and / or accessible libraries or putter geometries of pre-loaded putters, and determinations of similar to those made for the putter face position (e.g., open, square or closed). The device 110 may capture the information and / or suppress information, for example, if the player wants to focus on one attribute or metric. For example, the device 110 may monitor and determine the metrics, but the user may desire showing one or more metrics on the device or remote display, and optionally display other metrics when desired (or not at all). This may be done through a user interface provided on the putting aid device or on a mobile device configured to communicate with the putting aid device 110.

[0084] The device with the power supply preferably has sufficient weight to stay in place on the putting surface. However, because the device is susceptible to being contacted by a sports projectile, such as a putted golf ball, and could therefore move, a securing mechanism typically also is provided. The device 110 may be configured with an optional mounting or securing means, which is shown comprisingapertures 171, 172 in the frame 111, and in particular in the base 112, 113 of the device 110. The apertures 171, 172 are designed to receive a tee or other object therein to secure the device 110 to the putting surface without damaging the putting surface. (The device 110 can also have apertures in the base at other locations, including apertures 173, 174 disposed in the rear portion of the base 112, 113, e.g., Figs. 1A, 2 and 3.) According to some alternate configurations, where the putting surface is not receptive to a tee or other securing element, then the device 110 may be set on the surface or an alternate component, such as a removably detachable weighted bottom foot or base cover may be employed. The device 110 preferably includes the power supply 127, such as a battery in the base 112, 113, and / or the uprights 114, 115 so as to provide suitable weight to maintain the device in position on the putting surface.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 11, according to an alternate embodiment, a putting gate device 210 of the invention is illustrated comprising a plurality of sensors disposed on the device 210 to capture the movement of sports objects. The device 210 is configured similar to the device 110 shown and described herein, but includes an optional feature of a virtual putting gate. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 11, the device 210 is shown having a virtual gate feature, as well as the physical gate feature of the frame 211 and uprights 214, 215. The electronics of the device 210 are further configured with a projection feature that displays the width of a virtual gate VI, which is projected from the frame onto a putting surface. The virtual gate feature may be actuated as desired by a user. The putting aid device 210 is shown constructed similar to the device 110 shown and described herein, having a frame 211 with base elements 212, 213, and a pair of spaced apart uprights 214, 215, and a raised or crossmember 216 spanning between the uprights. The uprights 214, 215 may include the optional feature of being slidably mounted on the frame, and in particular on the crossmember 216, so that the width between the uprights may be varied (narrowed or widened). For example, the uprights 214, 215 may attach to the crossmember 216 in the manner that the uprights 114, 115 of the device 110 attach to crossmember 116 (see e.g., Fig. 4). In other embodiments, the uprights 214, 215 may be fixed to the crossmember 216, or may be connectable thereto and disconnectable therefrom, or foldable. The additional feature of the virtual gate allows a projection onto the putting surface of indicia that represents a "gate" or path, preferably, between the uprights 214, 215. The virtual gate may be narrower than the spacing between the uprights (represented by the broken line G1 in Fig, 11), or, according to some configurations, may display a path ("gate") that is closer to one of the uprights 214, 215. The location of the virtual gate projection, according to some implementations may be manipulated by a user not only to be wider or narrower, but also in location, e.g., in the center of the uprights, or more left or more right. This may provide further training capabilities, for example, for fine tuning the player's aim not only through the gate, but at one or more particular locations between the gate. Also, this allows the device to remain in a substantially correct location, without requiringrepositioning of the device, as the virtual gate position may be adjusted. The controls for the virtual gate display may be provided similar to those of the device 110, such as for example, on the device 210, or alternatively, or in addition, may be provided on a remote apparatus that connects with the putting aid device 210. For example, a mobile digital device such as a smartphone or tablet, or other computing device may be configured to control the putting aid device 210, and set parameters, such as powering the virtual gate on or off, setting the width and / or location of the virtual gate, and other options and features, such as turning on a laser line for alignment projected from the laser 255 (similar to the lines 156 and 158 shown in connection with the device 110), or activating or deactivating grid lines, or other indicia provided by the device 210. Similar to the device 110, the device 210 has a power supply 227 (e.g., rechargeable batteries and / or other power source), is configured with imaging electronics, and is shown having a front facing camera 250 and in preferred embodiments also has a rear facing camera (similar to the camera 151 of device 110) facing the opposite direction of the camera 250. The optional imaging component such as the downward camera 252 is shown provided between the uprights 214, 215 on the crossmember 216 to image the putting surface area to capture ball movement beneath the crossmember of the device 210. The camera 252 may also image the virtual gate indicia (such as WL1 and WL2, and WLx, WLy) and the ball to provide the user with further details of the ball path relative to the location of the virtual "gate".

[0086] The device 210 is shown having an outputting mechanism shown comprising a first projection element 265 and a second projection element 266. Preferably, the projection elements 265, 266 comprise lasers that are each situated to project a beam onto the putting surface which can be seen by the player from the putting location (which may be up to 20 feet or more away from the device). According to an exemplary depiction, the virtual gate VI is shown comprised of a first indicia represented by a line WL1 on the putting surface, and a second indicia represented by the line WL2 on the putting surface. The lines WL1 and WL2 are spaced apart from each other and, according to some preferred embodiments, are parallel to the base 212, 213 and / or uprights 214, 215. The virtual gate VI is defined by a width between WL1 and WL2. According to some embodiments, one or more of the widths WL1 and WL2 may be adjustably configurable, as represented by widths WLx, WLy, showing a narrower virtual gate projection V2. One or more of the lasers 265, 266 may be situated to be maneuvered either physically or electronically to vary the location of the indicia (such as the location of the lines WL1 and / or WL2) relative to the frame 211 or frame uprights 214, 215. Some alternate embodiments may include multiple paths or gates projected onto the putting surface by the device 210. For example, a series of virtual gates may be projected onto the green, representing a type of wicket arrangement to provide a further aid for practice. The secondary gate or gates may be along the same path line as the gates WL1, WL2, or could have a different width being narrower or wider. For example, an additional virtual gate may be provided in front of the virtual gate VI (e.g., closer to the player andball location), and may be wider than the virtual gate VI to serve as an additional guide. A series of successive virtual gates varying in width may be provided by the device 210. Although depicted as a pair of lasers 265, 266, the virtual gate may be projected using a single laser with a fixed device or suitable device that allows the laser to produce multiple beams either fixed in pattern or adjustable, including but not limited to grating devices, interference pattern generation devices, rotating mirrors, masks and other known devices.

[0087] According to another alternate embodiment, referring to Fig. 12, a schematic illustration of a device 310 is shown having a frame 311, which includes a base 312 comprising a base first portion 312a and base second potion 312b, which is designed to rest on the putting surface 5000. The frame 311 may include a single portion, or according to some embodiments, like the embodiment illustrated, may comprise multiple frame portions, such as the frame first portion 311a, and frame second portion 311b. According to some alternate embodiments, the frame may comprise a single portion with a base that supports the electronic components. The device 310 includes imaging electronics which preferably include one or more processors, and sensors including sensors that are configured to capture images and / or movement of a sports projectile passing in the vicinity of the device 310. The imaging electronics are schematically represented by the processing components 313 and circuitry 314 and plurality of sensors. One or more and preferably a plurality of sensors are provided, such as for example, the sensors 315, 316, 317, 318, 319 and 321. The sensors preferably are sensors that capture the field of view in the front of the device, and optionally, the rear of the device, and optionally, on the path side of the device 310, where lines 5001, 5002 representing a path on the putting surface 5000 are depicted for illustration purposes (and could be configured to detect movement on both sides of the device 310, or the front and rear of the device 310, or combinations thereof). In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the sensors 315, 316 are located facing the front (facing a location from which a player would putt a ball), while the sensors 318, 319 are shown located facing rearward (in the direction of the hole or target), and sensors 317, 321 are shown located on opposite sides of the device. The device 310 is shown also including a projecting mechanism that projects indicia onto the putting surface 5000. The projecting mechanism is configured to output visible illumination onto the putting surface 5000, and is represented by two lasers or laser units 324, 325, which may be a plurality of lasers or other suitable display mechanism, such as an opto-electronic display. The outputting mechanism, such as a laser or other outputting device may be similar to the virtual gate display provided in conjunction with the device 210 shown and described herein. The target lines 5001, 5002, which are for illustrative purposes in the figure, represent an expected path where a ball may travel from the address location to the hole 5005 (and typically the path would not be drawn or appear on the putting surface, though lines generated with the optional gridding mechanism described herein could appear on the putting surface, e.g., gridlines 301, 302 in Fig. 6). The path is arbitrarily depicted for purposes of illustration, and thedevice 210 may be configured to capture sports activity within the path, and even outside of the path (to account for monitoring misdirected or off line putts). The putting gate device 310 is positioned in a location that is on or adjacent to the path where the ball is expected to travel. Indicia comprising a pair of lines 5006, 5007, which preferably are parallel lines (but could be angled or displayed in another orientation, e.g., converging), are formed by the laser light output of the outputting elements, such as the respective lasers 324, 325. The gate lines 5006, 5007 represent a width Wxl for a ball traveling from the striking position to the hole 5005 to pass, and for a player to hone the player's skill by attempting to make a strike, namely a putt that will move the ball along and through the gate represented by the gate lines 5006, 5007. The device 310 and gate lines 5006, 5007 preferably are situated on the putting surface 5000 at a location that generates the gate indicia at a location along a path leading to the hole, so that when the ball passes through the virtual gate 5006, 5007 (at an appropriate speed), it will arrive at the hole 5005. A player preferably may make repeated attempts to putt the ball through the gate 5006, 5007 to develop the player's skill. Attempts made and their success or deviation and degree of deviation may be recorded and processed as part of the information metrics presented to or made available to the user. The device 310 is versatile and may be moved to a different location on the putting surface 5000. In addition, according to some preferred embodiments, the gate width Wxl may be adjustable to be wider or narrower, for example, as represented by the narrower width Wx2 in Fig. 12, the lasers 324, 325 may be manipulated, physically or electronically, to direct the indicia closer to or further from the device frame 311. The lasers 324, 325 are shown projecting lines 5006a, 5007a forming the narrower gate. The adjustability of the gate width may be accomplished by the positioning of the projection (e.g., 5006, 5007, 5006a, 5007a), such as activating one or more of a plurality of outputting devices or array of lasers, or mounting the outputting mechanism in a movable mount or carriage to manually or electronically set a width or position. Similar to the virtual gate shown and described in connection with the device 210, according to alternate configurations, a single laser may be used with a suitable beam splitting technology to generate both of the gate lines 5006, 5007.

[0088] According to some embodiments, the device 310, like the devices 110, 110" and 210, optionally may include as part of the imaging electronics or device circuitry 314 a communications component, such as transceiver, chipset or other electronic component that is configured to communicate with or exchange communications with a nearby or remote device, such as a smart phone or other computing device. The smart phone or computing device, for example, may be used to operate the functions of the putting gate device 310 (and 110, 110", 210) and / or to receive information and display metrics relating to the putting activity, such as the ball travel path and speed, the putter alignment, strike and path metrics, as well as other metrics and information measured by the device. According to some embodiments, controls are provided on the device 310 to adjust the virtual gate width, or the length of the virtual gate lines or boundaries, and / or may also include the capability to be operated using remotecontrols of remote devices. The device 310 may also project indicia relating to the putting activity directly on the putting surface. For example, the lasers 324, 325, or additional outputting elements, may be configured to provide metrics on the putting surface, and / or scroll through or provide a plurality of metrics. This may be a feature of the device 310, as well as the device 210, and the devices 110, 110" (in embodiments optionally featuring an outputting mechanism, such as a laser). Alternatively, one or more additional lasers or other projecting and / or outputting apparatus may be provided on a different location of the device 310, such as for example, a side opposite a path side, so the indicia (projected on the opposite device side as the side where the virtual gate is projected) may remain or flash a limited time display while the gate 5006, 5007 remains visible. Preferably, like the devices 110, 110", 210 shown and described herein, a power supply 327 is provided, and may include any suitable power source, such as solar power, or a battery. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 12, the power supply 327 is shown schematically representing a battery. The battery is designed to provide power for the functions of the device 310, and also serves to stabilize the device frame 311 and base 312 on the putting surface.

[0089] Although the device 310 is shown having an upright portion of the frame 311, the device also may be provided in different or alternate configurations. For example, a raised member may be provided and supported by the frame 311 and span outward from the upright portion of the frame 311, and over the putting path. The raised portion may optionally include one or more sensors designed to capture the rolling ball from above the putting surface. The device 310 also may be configured with a mounting or securing means, which may comprise apertures in the frame 311, such as the apertures 371, 372, 373 and in particular in the base of the device 310 to place a tee or other object therein to secure the device 310 to the putting surface without damaging the putting surface. Where the putting surface is not receptive to a tee or element, then the device may be set on the surface or an alternate component, such as a weighted bottom foot or base cover may be employed.

[0090] Devices according to some alternate embodiments, may be constructed similar to the devices 210, 310, but without an imaging component, and may be provided with the virtual gate feature that projects a virtual gate onto the putting surface. These alternate embodiments may be used similar to conventional physical putting gates, or may be provided, configured with a physical gate form, such as the uprights 214, 215 and crossmember 216 of the device 210. In these embodiments, the device is designed to provide a virtual gate. According to one alternate embodiment, the device is configured like the device 210 having a physical gate and virtual gate, while according to another alternate embodiment, the device provides a virtual gate without providing a physical gate along the path of trave, and according to yet another alternate embodiment, the device has a first option for use as a physical gate, and a second option for use as a virtual gate. The alternate embodiments may includeone or more other features may be included, such as one or more laser alignment lines or features, as well as a leveling feature, which may be provided in combination with the virtual gate function.

[0091] According to some alternate embodiments, putting gate devices are provided having the configuration similar to the devices 110, 110", 210, with uprights and a crossmember, and with a laser alignment mechanism, such as a centerline, and / or gridlines, and preferably a leveling feature, to provide putting practice aids with alignment features. These alternate embodiments may be configured without a camera or imaging sensors, and may be configured to accept an imaging module or components.

[0092] Although a single facing imaging sensor, such as the front and rear facing cameras 150, 151 of the device 110, and the front and rear facing cameras 250 of the device 210, the number of imaging sensors may be greater than what is shown. A plurality of front and / or rear facing sensors may be utilized in the devices of the invention. An example of this is depicted in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 12, where a plurality of front and rear facing sensors 315, 316 and 318, 319 are shown in connection with the device 310, which may comprise cameras or other sensors. One or more additional sensors, such as sensors on the sides of the devices may be provided, as well. One example are the sensors 317 and 321 disposed on the sides of the device 310. For example, the devices 110, 110", and 210 may be configured having a plurality of sensors, such as for example multiple cameras positioned to capture in the front zone, and a plurality of sensors, such as for example multiple cameras may be positioned to capture in the rear zone. According to some alternate embodiments, a camera may be configured as a stereo camera, or alternatively, a plurality of cameras may be disposed to face a direction and provided to capture from different points of view, providing stereo capture of the sports objects within the zones, such as the putter, ball and ball travel and club and ball metrics, and even the player. Likewise, the device 310 of Fig. 12, according to some alternate configurations, may be provided with a single front sensor and single rear sensor, instead of the plurality of sensors shown.

[0093] According to preferred embodiments, the devices 110, 110", 210, 310 preferably are configured with an optional feature that comprises an electronic leveling mechanism. The mechanism preferably is a self-leveling mechanism designed to be actuated when the device 110, 110", 210, 310 is placed on a putting surface and powered on. The self-leveling system comprises an electronic level or accelerometer sensor in coordination with sensing sensor processing electronics and software in the device that determines that the device has been placed on a surface. The devices 110, 210, 310 preferably may also include a GNSS sensor (or module) which determines the location on the face of the earth of the device. Some embodiments of the devices may also include tilt and magnetometer sensors, which are also provided on the devices and determine the angle of the putting gate to magnetic north. In addition, these sensors can also alert the electronic processing means to determine on which greenthe device has been placed, and approximately where on that green the device is located. This may be done using a global library.

[0094] The putting aid devices of the invention, such as the devices 110, 210, 310, preferably are used by situating the device on a putting surface, such as the putting green on a golf course, or other putting surface (e.g., indoor surface or synthetic putting surface). Typically, the player powers on the putting aid device 110, 210, 310 and places it between a resting ball location and a target, which is typically a golf hole, but can even just be a spot on the green designated by an alternate visible means. Embodiments of the devices may be configured with an automatic self-leveling system. An electronic level or accelerometer sensor in coordination with sensing sensor processing electronics and software in the device determines that the device has been placed on a surface. The device then uses the GNSS sensor to determine the location on the face of the earth of the device, and the tilt and magnetometer sensors determine the angle of the gate to magnetic north and can also alert the electronic processing means to determine on which green the device has been placed, and approximately where on that green, out of a global library. Optionally, in embodiments or implementations where the device is networked to other system sensors or a local reference, it can compute a differential GNSS location to obtain its location on the green to typically within centimeters or less.

[0095] Once the player strikes the ball, it may travel some distance, typically, within a maximum travel distance, and typically the golfer would cause the ball to travel adjacent to the frame 111 of the device 110, and preferably between the uprights 114, 115, or adjacent to the frame 211 or between the uprights 212, 213 of the device 210 (and / or a virtual gate that is actuated); or adjacent to the device 310, and preferably toward the virtual gate display provided by the device 310.

[0096] The device sensors preferably comprise a visible camera system that with the imaging electronics captures and provides a number of metrics. The visible camera system embodied within the devices 110, 110", 210, 310 enables a number of measurements, including, for example, (1) the capture of strike position, (2) the measurement of ball velocity, and (3) the dispersion of the ball from the center line, as well as spin and grass friction factors. The electronics and circuitry of the devices are electronically coupled so the sensors capture and collect information and the processor processes the information, which includes the activity where the player uses a sports object, such as a putter, to strike a ball, and also includes the movement of the ball after the strike up to and beyond the device and through to the target or hole, and preferably a distance beyond the hole or target. Grass or other surface friction factors may impart roll characteristics on the putted ball, as well as the method of strike the player makes with the putter (descending, ascending, inside out, outside in, straight, arcuate, sinuous, or other motion). In a preferred implementation, a cyclical buffer records video continuously from the sensors and then is tagged when an event occurs such as the strike of the ball, such that the electronics and associated memory and processing software, located either inside the device ornetworked to it from a base station or cloud location, can begin post-putt processing for informing the golfer as to the metrics of the putt. In addition, if the ball hits the legs or uprights and is not see-able by the camera system due to the location out-of-view, nevertheless the embodied accelerometer can detect that the putting gate device was struck by the ball and take appropriate action to, for example, reset its system to await for the next putt, and / or alert the golfer appropriately through the user interface. According to some embodiments, the tagging of the event may be made by the mid camera 152 detecting the ball in its field of view, e.g., under the crossmember 116 of the frame 111. Alternatively, another embodiment may have a beam detector, where when the ball interrupts a beam spanning the passageway between the legs, the detection signal is triggered to tag the event. The buffer therefore may include a capture of the video or other sensed information at a time prior to the detection of the ball in the passageway, to mark an event start time.

[0097] According to a preferred embodiment, the device 110 includes a trigger to designate the event that is to be captured, which preferably is a stroke or putt and the ball traveling from the impact or strike location to the target such as a hole. The device 110 preferably is configured with electronics that provide continuous capture when the device is actuated, e.g., powered on or in an active mode. The continuous capture may be stored in a storage component, such as a memory of the device. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may exchange communications with one or more other electronic products such as for example a tablet, computer or smartphone. The communications may be carried out through a wired or wireless communication link to provide the information captured with the device 110 to another electronic product. The device 110 preferably includes communications components, such as, for example, a transceiver that is configured to receive and transmit information (see, for example, the transceiver block 465 and information exchange 466 of Fig. 14). The information captured by the device 110 may be transmitted to another electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet or computer) and the device 110 may receive information from one or more other electronic devices, which for example, may include instructions, requests to view or retrieve information from other electronic products, or instructions to the device for device operations or set-up parameters.Information communicated from the device 110 to another electronic product (e.g., smartphone, tablet or computer) may be stored locally or may be stored in a network or cloud (see Fig. 14, block 467) and retrieved therefrom. The device may include one or more memories and the buffer is managed by a trigger that includes a monitoring mechanism to detect when there is activity to be included as part of an event. The monitoring mechanism comprise a beam producing element and detector to detect the beam produced. The beam producing element may generate a visible or a non-visible beam, such as, for example, infrared or focused light (laser), and a corresponding detector being provided to detect the beam of visible light or infrared light. The event can be captured from a designated start point, which takes place before the event trigger. In other words, the triggering event may be the ball being detectedas it passes between the gate legs. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame 111 includes a monitoring component, shown according to an exemplary embodiment comprising a plurality of lasers. Embodiments of the device 110 may include at least one laser 165 and detector 166, and, according to some preferred embodiments, the device includes at least one second laser 168 and associated detector 169. The plurality of lasers, such as the lasers 165, 168 allow for redundancy in triggering (e.g., such as for the buffer and ball detection), as well as measurement of the ball and putting metrics. The plurality of lasers allow for the detection and collection of metrics both together and / or separately, and may provide redundancies or may provide additive information where signals from both lasers are used. The lasers 165, 168 are shown disposed on the first leg 114 and located on the leg side 114a facing the leg side 115a of the second leg 115. The lasers 165, 168 preferably operate when the device is actuated or placed in an active mode, and each laser 165, 168, respectively, projects a beam of light 167, 170 across the passageway Wul (Fig. 1). According to preferred embodiments, the beams 167, 170 are continuous and respective detectors 166, 169 each of which may comprise a suitable sensor for detecting when the respective beam 167, 170 is interrupted (e.g., no longer is being detected). Alternatively, the beam 167, 170 may be provided having a projection frequency that also may be detected, by a gap in the frequency or pattern. Other suitable sensors for emitting and detecting the presence of the ball in the passageway may comprise a radar sensor and detector, a camera or the like. According to some alternate embodiments, the center camera 152 may be configured to provide detection of the ball presence in the passageway. The monitoring component such as the lasers 165, 168 and detectors 166, 169 in the embodiment illustrated, are configured in the device electronics to operate and also to generate a signal (e.g., detection signal) that is designed as a trigger to provide an indication when a ball is in the passageway Wul of the device 110, which according to the example depicted, is when the ball is between the legs 114, 115. The signal or trigger is generated by the detector 166, 169 when the respective beam 167, 170 is interrupted by the golf ball (being located between the beam and detector). The lasers 165, 168 independent of each other, or together, allow for the delivery of measurables such as the ball or object velocity , and the centerline. For example, the laser interruption typically will be detected by the first laser 165 where the first laser line 167 is interrupted by the ball as the ball first encounters the line 167. As the ball continues, the second laser line 170 is interrupted, and there may be a case where both laser beams 167, 170 are interrupted at the same time (depending on the spacing), and ultimately, the second laser line 170 being interrupted when the first beam 166 is not interrupted. According to some configurations, the first laser 165 may be an entrance laser to detect the ball entering the passageway (when the detector signal output changes from its base state to interrupted), and the second laser 168 may be exit laser to detect the ball exiting the passageway (when the detector signal changes from interrupted to no longer interrupted, e.g., a return to a base state.) The respective detectors 166, 169 record the laser sensing, when the beam ispresent, and when the beam is interrupted. The device processor and circuitry, of the device 110, or separate laser processor in some embodiments, records and times the laser sensor signals to determine the brake time (i.e., when the laser beam is interrupted), and the determination, e.g., for how long of a duration the laser beam has been interrupted. With the ball being a known diameter, the ball velocity through the gate, passing the lasers 165, 168 and beams 166, 170, can be measured. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the device 110 may also use the front camera and / or front laser to provide information for a start point, and alone or with the additional information provided by one or more of the laser detectors 166, 169, determine the ball velocity. The device 110 also may be configured to generate a beam of visible light in the area of the passageway Wul, preferably a vertical line or plane. According to some embodiments, the device 110 includes an optional mid laser 175 which is shown in Fig. 1A projecting a beam such as a plane or line 176 from the cross member 116, and downward to the surface 1000. According to some embodiments, the mid laser 175 preferably is disposed in the center of the cross member 116 and provides a vertical centerline between the cross member 116 and the putting surface 1000. The centerline 176 projected from the mid laser 175 provides an optional target for aiming that the player may use. The mid laser 175 may provide an indicator of the ball proximity to a centerline 176 between the gate passageway Wul or between the legs 114, 115. For example, when the ball is captured with the mid camera 152, the centerline 176 also may be captured in that view to provide an indication of the ball proximity to the centerline 176. Although a single laser 175 is depicted, according to some alternate embodiments, a plurality of downward facing lasers may be provided on the cross member 116, which may be spaced apart from each other along the underside of the cross member 116. Although not shown in the device embodiments, 210, 110", 510, 610, 710, a detection mechanism, such as the laser detection components shown and described in connection with the device 110, may be provided on the other devices depicted and described herein. For example, one or more lasers and detectors may be arranged to monitor the passageway, and used to provide an event trigger and / or determine the speed of a ball traveling through the gate.

[0098] As discussed, the device electronics preferably includes one or more memories (storage component), and information captured preferably by the first camera 150, and also according to some embodiments one or more of the second and / or third cameras, such as the rear camera 151 and / or mid camera 152, is stored in a buffer on at least one storage component. The monitoring mechanism generates a detection signal when the ball is detected within the passage space. The detection signal is processed by a processor of the device to designate a first trigger for the buffer to mark a capture point. The marking of the capture point and detection of the ball presence is designed to frame the beginning and end of an event (such as a putting stroke and putted ball traveling to a target and / or stopping at or near the target, or exiting the frame (e.g., of the rear facing second camera 151) by falling into the holeor traveling beyond the boundary of the second field of view. According to some preferred embodiments, device is configured to record continuously, and when a detection signal is generated, the device electronics mark a portion of the continuously captured information stored in the buffer at a time (t=tD-tP) prior to the detection of the object (t=tD) within the passage space. The detection time tD is when the ball is detected by the detector 166. The start time of the event tEs is prior to the detection time tD. So the event start time tEs is a time prior tP to the detection time tD. The time prior tP may be based on some designated time, such as for example 5 to 20 seconds (before the tD), or number of frames of video captured. This ensures capture of video and other information by at least the first camera 150 that includes the stroke and strike of the ball and ball travel from being struck up to and through the passageway Wul. The device electronics are also configured to designate a second trigger. The second trigger may be when the ball is no longer within the second field of view (e.g., in the hole or beyond the camera coverage) or when the ball stops moving. The capture that takes place between the time prior to detection and the second trigger is a time of event (tE). The captured information from the first camera 150, second camera 151 and third or center camera 152 includes video of the ball travel, and according to some preferred embodiments, the club movement such as the backstroke and forward stroke as well as the club position (open / closed club face, lie angle, arc movement and other metrics). The video preferably comprises information that can be mapped in x,y,z coordinate space to make the determinations of the club position and metrics, as well as the ball travel and speed.

[0099] According to preferred embodiments, the video of a putting event, such as the putting stroke and putt where the ball is struck and travels toward the hole or target is made available to a server, which for example, may be accessed through the cloud by an electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet or other device having access. According to some other embodiments, the putting aid devices, 110, 110", 210 and 310 may include an optional display provided on the device for direct viewing on the putting aid device itself).

[0100] As depicted in the views of Figs. 1A, 11, 12 and 15, the devices 110, 110", 210 and 310 are each seen as though the device is face on to the player, that is a player would naturally roll a putt in the direction of the putting gate and is able to easily see the impact location. This impact location is represented in a user interface so that the player can adjust their alignment to improve their putt (see e.g., Fig. 15 and Fig. 16).

[0101] The putting gate devices of the invention, such as the devices 110, 110", 210, 310, preferably may include one or more indicia projected from the device onto the putting surface. The electronics may include a light projecting mechanism, which may comprise a laser or other light outputting component. A laser line is optionally projected from the device that is square to the putting gate frame and also in line with the direction of travel. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, laser lines 156, 158 are illustratedprojecting from the device 110, in opposite directions from the frame 111. Although depicted as lines 156, 158, preferably the projection is a plane of visible light, and the lines 156, 158 represent a plane perpendicular to the putting surface. According to preferred embodiments, the laser or light generating component is situated within the device and the laser projection is made from the crossmember 116. The projected laser line 156 provides the player 2011 with a visible guide on the ground or green as to the alignment of the gate device 110 itself to the player's position, the ball position and potentially other factors such as foot placement.

[0102] The devices 110, 210, 310 preferably include an optional guiding system which involves indicia being displayed onto the putting surface. According to some embodiments, the indicia may comprise a plurality of grid lines, as shown and described herein in connection with the device 110 (see e.g., Fig. 6) shown configured with the optional mechanism for outputting indicia such as gridlines onto the surface. For example, optionally through an adjustment mechanism, such as one or more adjustable housings, motors or adjustable mirrors or electronically or manually adjustable grating devices (no moving parts) a gridline, grid, or guidelines may be projected onto the green for the player to visualize and understand the characteristics of the green, as well as to assist the player in visualizing and then guiding the ball more carefully up to and departing from the gate, and onward to the intended target, through the adjustment of strike speed, lift and spin factors at the time of impact of the ball. Referring to Fig. 6, showing an exemplary depiction of the grid 300, one or more of the grids, 301, 302 may be adjustably configurable to change the width or spacing of the gridlines. The devices 110, 110", 210, 310 also may be configured having the feature of projectable gridlines or other indicia. According to preferred embodiments, the gridlines and other indicia preferably are provided on the putting surface using a laser (e.g., such as a green line or dot) with a grating of other component that provides the desired projection configuration.

[0103] Optional embodiments in the gate, as shown in conjunction with the device embodiments 210 and 310, can also be employed to display directly on the ground some lines or regions to form a "virtual visual gate" for display on the playing surface, under and slightly ahead and behind of the device 210. The device can then track the ball through the virtually displayed laser gate and indicate to the player whether the ball went through the proper area (or not). Multiple "virtual visual gates" may be projected, according to some device embodiments and configurations.

[0104] The dispersion of the putts is an important measure, the speed at which the putted ball travels through the gate device 110, 110", 210, 310 and how close the ball was to the center are measured in one embodiment by a camera that points down towards the ground. For example, the sensor or camera 152 in the device shown in Fig. 1A captures the field below the raised member 116 and enables the device to determine the proximity of the putted ball to the centerline. In the embodiment of the device 210, the downward facing camera 252 may also identify the proximity to a centerline, or to one or morevirtual lines or indicia, such as a virtual gate. In another preferred embodiment, the optional downfacing camera is not required as the measurement functions are instead performed by the two cameras fore- and aft-facing. Because the fore-and-aft facing visible cameras are aligned in the crossbar of the device and have a known field of view, the speed and deviation of the ball as it transits through the gate can be easily computed from imagery only. The device 310 is configured to monitor the ball from an adjacent location, and may capture the front, and optionally the back as well as the side where the ball travels near the device, and optionally the other side of the device (where the ball typically would not travel, but could).

[0105] The devices 110, 210, 310 preferably are configured with imaging electronics, which comprises circuitry, sensors, one or more processors, and one or more memories, and includes software, firmware, or other embedded logic, containing instructions for operating the sensors, illumination or laser components of the device, and capturing information with the sensors, and processing, storing and reporting the information for sports object, such as a golf ball and / or putter, that is tracked and monitored with the device. The circuitry may include or be supported by one or more suitable software programs, which can be stored on or otherwise provided by any kind of data carrier, and which might be executed in or by any suitable data processing unit of the device, such as a processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, integrated circuit, embedded logic or other suitable technology. The device electronics may include hardware, or one or more programs stored in nonvolatile memory in controlling hardware, that may be in the form of embedded software, or in hybrid form, i.e. by means of combination of any of the above components. The device electronics may include instructions for carrying out the operations of the device electronics, and capturing, communicating, exchanging and processing the information about the sports objects, such as the ball and putter, through any implementation in software, firmware (embedded software) and / or hardware (for instance by an ASIC, application specific integrated circuit), or other means. Additionally, processing algorithms for the devices can be encoded in software, firmware, embedded within silicon-based logic devices, or combinations of such approaches. Processing can be performed locally on the putting aid devices themselves, or alternatively may be performed remotely, such as on a remotely associated device, or combinations of such approaches, including so-called "cloud computing."

[0106] Although preferred embodiments and exemplary depictions of the putting practice aid devices herein refer to image sensors and / or cameras, sensors that may be employed in the devices to capture the sports objects and sports activity are not limited to image sensors or cameras, but also may be one or more or combinations of sensors, such as for example, video, radar, LiDAR, ultrasonic, motion, imaging camera, or other sensors that monitor the motion of objects. The sensor information or data may comprise signals from the one or more sensors, and different modalities, such as motion (e.g., an accelerometer sensor) and an image sensor (e.g., a camera).

[0107] The recording or capture with the sensors, including but not limited to image sensors by the putting practice aid device can be stored in the device or stored remotely via a communications network such that the information can be later analyzed and replayed at the time of the practice session, or subsequently, for later retrieval or archival resort to the information. In addition, the information may be stored as unprocessed information, processed information, or combinations of both. For example, if a metric is deemed important for a player at some point in time in the future (versus at a time when the player is practicing), whether a few months, later in a season, or even longer, and that metric is desired to be reviewed at a prior point in time (to see how the performance was carried out based on the metric), the device data capture and storage (whether onboard the device or to a remote storage component), can be accessed. For example, according to an implementation, a metric that perhaps is not of interest at a point of time where, for example, a practice session is recorded, may be of interest at a later point in time, say several months later. The system may be used to generate and replay sports activity that is monitored and measured with the device. The information collected based on the player's practice session. The processing components, such as a processor and software or other embedded logic comprise algorithms for processing the signals from the sensors, and determining the movement of a sports object within the capture area or detection zone of the sensor. For example, where a user has determined that the user was putting cut spin on the user's putts, the user may desire to go back in time, through prior recorded practice sessions (information) to determine when this commenced. The user may therefore desire to load or call up a practice session, i.e., a previous putting recording or recordings, and select the application of the metrics to apply. Therefore, even where the user did not implement those metrics for display or reporting during the initial session or initial review, the user may at this later time have the system provide the information and desired metrics captured with the device at a prior time. According to some embodiments, the user may store information to a memory provided directly on the device, while in other instances, the device may use a wired or wireless connection to upload or exchange information with another storage component, such as storage media accessed through the cloud, or a remote server or computer, or even combinations thereof, where a user mobile digital device, such as a smart phone, may be used to call up information, and even display the metrics and / or with a graphic, or may display an actual image (separate or in combination therewith). For embodiments where the putting practice aid device contains a display, the metrics, graphic or actual image may be displayed on the practice aid display (via a stored data network link, such as for example, through a smart phone or other network accessible device. Embodiments of the putting aid devices herein also may be configured to communicate with a network through any suitable communication method, such as Wi-Fi, cellular, short-range wireless and other data exchange technologies.

[0108] While the devices may be configured to record an entire session (or for some set duration, or even until the device is powered off, according to preferred embodiments, the device is configured to record when there is an event of interest, such as the sports object or sports activity to be monitored and measured, and is configured to conserve or minimize power use, as well as storage, when no activity is taking place (that is at times when there is no sports object to be monitored). According to preferred embodiments, recording of the information may be done using an actuation method, such as processing one or more signal from one or more sensors to obtain a signature or signal change that indicate the potential for a sports object to be within the monitored area (or within one or more monitored areas). The device can then be triggered upon the detection signal to implement capture by activating the sensors, which may be the sensor or sensors whose response was used to detect the presence of the sports object in the capture area, or may be another sensor that is provided to capture the sports object and its activity. The capture may be ongoing and may therefore be configured to store a preselected span of data from the one or more sensors, and preferably those sensors whose data will be used for monitoring and providing metrics for the sports activity or sports object being monitored. A buffer may be employed in the circuitry and the processor may be instructed to keep and overwrite the buffer area, or maintain the buffer in a first memory, and then save it to a second memory when the object detection or event of interest is signaled.

[0109] Referring to Fig. 14, according to an exemplary implementation, a representative example of device circuitry 410 is illustrated showing the imaging electronics. A power supply comprising a battery 437 is depicted, and supplies power to the front sensors, block 450 and rear sensors, block 451, and optional mid sensor 452, which preferably is done through the controller or processor unit, block 415, or, in alternate arrangements, may be directly provided, or provided in a bus or other electronic component. The sensors, blocks 450, 451 capture the data and the data is available to the processor, block 415, and the processor may be configured with instructions provided by software or embedded logic on a storage component of or accessible to the processor, block 416, or may be stored in a storage memory such as flash memory for later retrieval, block 417. The processor, block 415 may be instructed to conduct captures when the user actuates the device (e.g., powers on the device), and when there is sensed motion taking place within the capture area or designated start zone. The capture with the sensors, block 450, 451 and optional sensor 452, may take place until the ball being tracked comes to rest, or is out of the capture zones of the sensors. Some embodiments may be configured with instructions to stop the capturing of the front sensor when the ball has been detected by the rear sensor, or the optional mid sensor, block 452. The device also may be set to actuate a leveling mechanism, block 460, which may include the components, such as a digital level, block 461, and / or accelerometer, block 462, and gyrometer, block 463 which provide information to the processor, block 415, which in turn may level the device relative to the surface on which it sits. As mentioned, theaccelerometer, block 462, although shown associated with the leveling system, block 460, may be used for other device functions, such as for example, disruptions and movements. The leveling mechanism, block 460, may be configured with its own processor, or controller, or may use the device controller / processor, block 415. The leveling mechanism, block 460, may utilize one or more of the components represented to provide the leveling function for the device, and the leveling system, block 460, preferably actuates a motor, gear and pinion or other mechanism to raise and / or lower one side of the device to level the device on the putting surface, block 470. The device leveling may be electronic, to adjust for any device determinations being made, or according to some embodiments may include one or more physical or mechanical leveling features, such as a movable foot or base that may provide the desired leveling. A GNSS chip or module, block 464. The GNSS, block 464 provides location information so that weather, radar, and other information is available for use in connection with the analysis of the sports activity being monitored and analyzed. The circuitry also operates the lasers for alignment. The laser outputting, block 425, may include one or more, or a plurality or pluralities of lasers, such as the lasers 427, 428, which provide the centerline, the detection lasers, 433, 434, and one or more mid lasers 435, and / or one or more other lasers or pluralities of lasers 429, 430, which may be configured to provide the optional gridlines, and one or more lasers or pluralities of lasers 431, 432 that provide the virtual gate. An outputting mechanism is shown comprising lasers which are represented by one or more front based lasers LF, one or more rear based lasers LR, one or more detection lasers LD1, LD2, one or more downward mid lasers, Lm, grid or indicia lasers GF, GR, and one or more lasers that generate a virtual gate VI, V2. The laser outputting, block 425 may include suitable electronics to provide the appropriate voltage and power to the lasers. The laser outputting, block 425 may include an optional laser processor, optional block 426, which may be provided to operate the functions of one or more laser features, such as the detectors, centerlines, mid line, gridlines, and / or virtual gate. The laser processor represented as block 426, may be provided as a single processor, or involve separate laser processors for the locations or utilizations of the laser type or task (e.g., grid lines, center lines, or other use). The detection laser or lasers and associated detectors, represented as LD1 and LD2, generate signals that the laser processor, block 426, and / or controller / processor, block 415, utilize to implement the buffer, triggers and capture sequencing for designating an event. Detectors associated with the lasers, represented by LD1 and LD2, provide the signals that may be processed and used alone or with other lasers, sensors and cameras of the putting aid device 110 to determine the velocity of a ball traveling through the gate passageway. The controller or processor unit, block 415, and / or optional laser processor, block 426, controls and manages the operations of the lasers, including the detection lasers and associated detectors. The mid laser Lm faces downward and can be used to provide a sight indicator of a visible centerline for a ball traveling through the passageway. According to some embodiments, the downward laser feature may be optionally actuated on the device. An interface forusers to control the putting aid device and the device features and options is provided, block 461. The interface preferably is electronically coupled with the processing components such as the processor or controller, block 415, and may also be directly or indirectly coupled with other components of the circuitry, such as the laser outputting mechanism, block 425, and / or laser processor, block 426, to actuate or control the functions and features of the optional centerline, grids, and virtual gate options. A communications mechanism, such as a transceiver or antenna or other communications mechanism, block 465, is shown preferably for receiving and transmitting instructions from the interface and / or for communicating and receiving data from the sensors of the device. The communications mechanism shown as a single block may be provided in multiple communications components, each being associated or electronically coupled with the interface, the processor, or one or more other device components that may be controlled. The transceiver, block 465, is shown exchanging information 466 via a suitable wireless communication method, block 467, which is designed to provided communications between a remote device, 468, 469 and the putting aid device circuitry 410. Although components of the imagine electronics and circuitry are depicted, they are provided in a representative arrangement and different arrangements, numbers and associations of the components may be made within the scope of the invention.

[0110] The putting practice aid devices of the invention, such as the devices 110, 110", 210, 310, may include an interface that has a power actuation feature, such as a power button, an auto-off circuity that turns off power to the device (or one or more device functions, e.g., screen display), if there has been no activity detected, or initiated through the user interface. The interface may include controls disposed on the device, such as on the device frame (base, uprights or crossmember), or even a touch screen display. Other embodiments may automate the device to begin a startup routine when the device is powered on. The startup routine, for example, may carry out self-leveling if the device is equipped with that feature, and may adjust the device for location, or capture any data from an interface of the device or remote interface, such as the player identification, or player preferences.

[0111] The cameras are engineered to preferably comprise image sensors which preferably are CMOS sensors. One example of a commercially available sensor is a CMOS sensor with a resolution of about 2MP, such as a format of about 1920 x 1080 (H x V). These types of sensors are appropriate to the preferred embodiments, and those practiced in the art of camera sensing technology will be familiar with a wide variety of potential camera solutions which taken a whole do not depart from the scope of the invention. According to other embodiments and implementations, high resolution cameras may be employed as the image sensors.

[0112] As previously described, in some preferred embodiments the putting gate devices according to the invention may have three camera imaging sensors, one facing forward, as in pointing towards the player, one facing downward, and the other pointed toward the intended target. The putting aiddevices then when suitably triggered will take video imagery of the ball as it is moving through impact and allow the player to see if the ball was being hit in the correct location. Optional embodiments employ two stereo imagers spaced apart facing the player, which permit more robust precision location and angle measurements of the putting face and ball impact, and according to preferred implementations, employ well known so-called sub-pixel image interpolated measurement methods.

[0113] Through the imaging of the strike of the ball, as well as the characteristics after its strike, processors and software enables to extract the club centeredness of strike and the consequent golf ball roll and deviation.

[0114] Instructions, or software containing instructions, is embodied in the device circuitry, including processing components, such as, for example, embedded logic, chips, microprocessors, microcontroller, boards, logic chips, or other software or components that process or instruct a processor to store the information captured from the image sensors, as well as to process the information to determine states and control the operations of the sensors of the sensor array. The information may be stored in a buffer, or other storage component, such as flash memory, a hard drive, or other storage media for use during the tracking, and for subsequent use and / or retrieval, including to generate a scene, track or path representation, data, or other graphical indicia corresponding to or displaying the ball flight, impact, swing, or other metric or related representation, including those metrics discussed herein. The display may be provided on the device, and may include options to display one or more of the featured tracking indicia of the ball or putter, or metric values and / or a graphic. According to some preferred embodiments, the putting aid devices of the invention are configured with transmission or communications circuitry, such as a transceiver, low power wireless signal, like Bluetooth, or other protocol, to transmit or exchange communications with another device, such as a mobile digital device, including for example, a smartphone or tablet, and / or even a computer.

[0115] Referring to Fig. 15, an exemplary embodiment of a putting practice aid device 110" is shown on a putting surface 1000', and is configured similar to the devices 110, 210, 310 shown herein, but includes an optional display 180. In the embodiment depicted, the display 180 is shown provided on the raised member 116" and facing the player (the location from where the player putts). In Fig. 15, for illustration purposes, reference numerals include a double prime indication, and may correspond with the numerals referenced for the device 110. The display 180 preferably is an electronic display and is configured to display indicia, including for example, information, graphics or combinations thereof. For example, the display 180 may show an example of indicia 181 thereon, such as for example a putter 182, ball 183 or other graphic, and may show alignment positions or metrics, e.g., speed, as is represented by an exemplary depiction 184 (numerical and / or graphic representations). The displayed indicia may be an actual image with an overlay or teaching graphics or numerical references, or may bea simulated image, such as a putter representation. Some options include the capability to show the actual visual image as well as a simulated visual representation, or switch between the two.

[0116] In Fig. 15 the device 110" is shown with a display that features a representation of a fictitious club head (the putter 182) with zero-degree face angle. One or more processing components are configured with instructions which may be provided in software or embedded logic, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller or other suitable programmable component. The processing component coupled with the known orientation of the imaging sensors enables a virtual coordinate system to map information from the image sensors to generate the relative 3D location of the club head based on the information resulting from the frame captures of the image sensors. This generation provides a putter graphic that represents the position of the putter at the capture time or state, such as, for example, at address, at impact, after impact (impact + time or + a distance), or even during the backswing. For the impact position, for example, the putter may be depicted in a graphic that shows the putter in a normal (square position, where the putter face is perpendicular to the ball or ball path), and shows the deviation in the graphic to represent the degree of the open or closed state of the putter when it is impacting the ball. Similarly, graphics showing the loft angle (closed or open) may also be captured and depicted on the graphic.

[0117] Devices shown herein without the optional screen display shown in Fig. 15, also may be configured with a screen display, as an option, if desired.

[0118] Referring to Fig. 16, a mobile device 550 is shown having a software application that generates indicia on a device screen display 180' from information exchanged with a putting practice aid device (e.g., 110, 110", 210, 310). The mobile device display 180' shows indicia 181' thereon comprising graphics and text which may be similar to the indicia shown in connection with the device 110" of Fig. 15, or may include different indicia and graphics options. In some embodiments, the putting practice aid devices may be configured with a display (such as the device 110" of Fig. 15), while other embodiments of the putting practice devices may not have a screen display. The devices, whether or not configured with the optional screen display, may exchange communications with a remote device such as the mobile digital device 550. The mobile digital device 550 shows a screen display with a putter graphic 182' and ball 183' and representations of potential metrics or information 184' that may be generated based on the capture of sports activity using the putting practice aid devices of the invention.

[0119] In reference to the laser alignment system, in an optional implementation, an additional mirror can be used to be placed in front of the putter to be able to see the laser reflection to see where the putter is facing at address. The mirror would have a machined back and the mirror mounted to the other side, when placed against the club, it will be able to show the user how well the club is aligned. (See e.g., Fig. 5)

[0120] The devices may be configured to handle impacts from contact with a ball or other object. If either of the legs 112, 113 or 212, 213 or bases 114, 115, 214, 215 of the respective devices 110, 210 is struck (or the frame 311 of the device 310 is struck), this can cause the device to be pushed out of the way and, although this will not create damage to the device, the system will need to be realigned. In the feet or base there is a position to lock the invention in place by place a securing pin, such as a golf tee, through a hole to secure it (see e.g., the apertures 171, 172, 271, 272, 371, 372). The use of this feature is at the discretion of the user, and may depend on the putting surface and conditions. Alternatively, the devices 110, 110", 210, 310 may include one or more mounting posts which may be concealed in the base when not in use, and may be released to point downward to allow the device to be secured by inserting the posts into the putting surface. The mounting posts preferably are designed so they do not damage the green, and for example, according to some embodiments, may be sized similar to the diameter and / or shape of a golf tee.

[0121] According to preferred implementations The putting aid devices of the invention preferably are paired with a tablet or other mobile digital device that provides either a wired or wireless connection to the putting aid device, in order to provide down-stream internet / cloud processing access if required, as well as provide for additional processing power to supplement that in the putting aid device itself, as well as provide a means for the player to view information about prior putts, statistics about putts over time and other metrics of interest to the golfer, some of which may be selected and / or optional to the golfer.

[0122] The putting aid devices of the invention are able to calculate putt metrics such as diversion from center-line through image processing means, embodied in the device's processing electronics and programs, and augmented by the system which may be networked to the device via wired or wireless means. In addition, the cameras in the putting aid devices can identify the center of the putter, as well as potentially identify the brand and make of the club itself. A library of putter data may be stored or linked for access, and may use a recognition engine to process the image captures to recognize the putter in use. Once an image is taken that shows the start center line from a back or top-down view, then subsequent image(s) obtained as the putt proceeds and the ball begins movement can be augmented onto displays that include history of putts, optimal predicted ball paths, and other useful training comparisons and differential calculations that are useful to the putt training activity. The devices preferably determine and measure the back stroke time, the forward stroke time, total time from takeaway to ball impact, tempo (which may be a ratio of back stroke time to forward stroke time), impact stroke speed, putter travel distances including back stroke length, back stroke and forward stroke rotations, as well as rotation change which typically is regarded as the difference, measured in degrees open or closed or none, in rotation of the putter face around the shaft between the start of the stroke and impact with the ball. Other metrics, including lie angle of the putter shaft and the puttingsurface, and loft of the putter face measured as the angle of the putter face relative to the vertical plane between the start of the stroke and impact with the ball (which preferably is at impact but also could be measured at set up or address). Other metrics also may be measured and monitored to show any unusual movements or deviations made by the golfer as exhibited by the player, the equipment and its movement, and the ball motion. The putting aid devices also may measure and evaluate the type of strike being made, for example, such as whether the putt was hit with an ascending or descending stroke, and the type or amount of spin imparted on the ball.

[0123] Fig. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary implementation of deployment and use of the putting practice aids according to the invention, such as the devices 110, 110", 210, 310 disclosed herein. The device 110, 110", 210, 310 is configured by setting the width between the uprights 110, 110", 210 (and / or the virtual gate width of the device, where the virtual gate width is an option, such as the devices 210 and 310), actuating the device power or "on" control (e.g., button or switch or voice command, or remote actuation from a connected wireless device or a wired device), and deploying the practice aid device 110, 110", 210, 310 on a putting surface. Deploying the device typically involves positioning the device at a location along a potential target line between a player and the target or hole, block 581. The putting gate device 110, 110", 210, 310 actuates and turns on, block 582, e.g., turned on by the user. According to some embodiments, the devices of the invention 110, 110", 210, 310 may be configured for use in conjunction with one or more other monitoring devices, or part of a larger or more comprehensive monitoring system. For some embodiments, the putting aid device or gate device determines its priority as a master or slave unit when used in conjunction with other associated devices (that monitor and measure putts and / or shots other than putts), block 583. Where the putting aid device is determined to operate as a "master" priority state, block 584, the device 110, 110", 210, 310 establishes its own grid and level, block 505. The device 110, 110", 210, 310 then establishes its own array or data path, block 586, and provides the output on its own display, block 587, and / or may exchange information and communications with one or more remote devices, such as via a smartphone application, block 508, and mobile base application or laptop, block 589. Where the device determines its priority as a master or slave unit, block 583, and determines it is a slave, for example, in a system where other monitoring devices are communicating with and / or using or exchanging information with the device 110, 110", 210, 310, then slave priority mode, is determined and set, block 591. The slave mode, block 591 therefore may also set parameters of the putting aid device to coordinate with other devices that may have priority, and therefore determine the putting aid device settings, block 592.

[0124] Reference is made to imaging sensor, which may comprise a camera (such as CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), radar, lidar, or other technology or component capable of detecting and providing the electronic output for making an image. According to preferred embodiments and implementations, the imaging sensor may comprise a camera, andfeature a sensor such as a CCD or CMOS sensor. Although reference to laser and non-collimated light is made as a preferred means for providing the virtual gate and other indicia displayed on the putting surface, other opto-electronic displays for displaying indicia on the putting surface, and / or other suitable light sources may be used. The devices 110, 110", and 210 are shown having a crossmember and a pair of uprights. According to some alternate configurations, the device may be configured as a pair of uprights or units that may comprise matched components having imaging electronics, circuitry, processing components and functions, and a power supply identical or similar to the devices 110, 110", 210. The upright pair may be spaced apart from each other to define a putting gate width. In this alternate embodiment, the putting gate upright components may be configured to associate the sensors so as to provide views based on the information captured from the sensors on each unit, which may include image sensors and other sensors, and where imaging sensors are provided on each unit to face a similar direction, then the units may generate a stereo capture of the imaged zone. Alternatively, each unit of the unit pair may be configured with a single sensor or camera, and one unit may be positioned to face forward, and the other unit to face rearward, so the units define a space or gate between them and capture the zone between the ball and the unit, and the hole and the unit. Sensors may be provided on the front for forward captures between the device and the player (where the ball is positioned during address), and to face rearward to capture the ball movement between the unit and the hole or target, and on the side of the unit to capture the ball as it moves through the pair of uprights, through the passageway between the uprights. The device circuitry of the devices shown and described herein may include one or more communications components or transmitters that permit one or more of the devices or units to exchange information with the other. Processing components and circuitry preferably are provided in both units, but alternatively, some embodiments may provide the processing features in one of the units, and configure the other of the units for sensing and reporting to the other unit. In addition, the device 310 illustrated in Fig. 12 may include as part of the frame or connectable thereto, an optional raised member that is supported on the frame and projects outward from the frame over the path or portion thereof that the ball is anticipated to pass. The raised portion may include electronic components, such as one or more sensors, and provides the capability to locate a sensor looking from above downward to the putting surface. According to some preferred embodiments, the putting aid devices preferably are weatherproof, and the imaging electronics and other circuitry and components preferably are sealed against water intrusion.

[0125] The putting practice aid devices according to the preferred embodiments herein, comprise electronic devices and are configured with electronics that are powered by a suitable power source, which preferably may be batteries, such as rechargeable batteries, solar power, utility power from a power cord or cable, or one or more combinations thereof. The putting aid device electronics preferably feature one or more electronic aids for facilitating putting practice when the device is employed on aputting surface. According to preferred embodiments, the devices are configured having a frame that supports the device electronics and is configured for placement on a putting surface. According to some alternate embodiments, the putting aid devices may be provided to be situated on a support, where the device itself does not already include a support or a suitably configured frame.

[0126] According to some alternate embodiments, the electronic putting practice aid devices of the invention include an alignment feature that may provide one or more or a number of functions, including for example, alignment of the putting practice aid with the spot or location from where the ball is to be putted to provide a zero line, displaying indicia on the putting surface for alignment, as a guide, which, for example, may be in any desired form such as for example, lines, grid or other visuals. The outputting mechanism includes a source that is configured to display the indicia, and according to preferred embodiments comprises one or more lasers. The laser indicia pattern and indicia may be generated or controlled by a fixed device or any device which produces multiple beams either fixed in pattern or adjustable by any means known to those practiced, including but not limited to grating devices, interference pattern generation devices, rotating mirrors, masks, or the like, or devices that have no moving parts, such as electronic gratings. A laser for example, may be configured with a grating or other physical or electronic control to spilt the beam to produce the desired indicia. Preferred embodiments may use suitable laser light that is visible on the putting surface during daylight conditions. According to some alternate embodiments, the electronic putting practice aid may be configured with the laser pattern or alignment feature. Fig. 17 shows an example of an alternate embodiment of a putting practice aid device 510 configured with an alignment feature comprising an outputting mechanism shown comprising a laser 555 situated to project indicia, such as one or more lines or a grid or other pattern onto the putting surface. The reference numerals in Fig. 17 show device components similar to the reference numerals of the device 110, but are 500 series numerals, and include bases 512, 513, uprights, 514, 515, a crossmember 516, apertures, 571, 572.

[0127] According to some other embodiments, the electronic putting aid devices according to the invention may be configured as a virtual putting gate. The virtual putting gate devices are configured to use an outputting mechanism to display visual indicia that comprises a virtual gate. The visual indica or virtual gate preferably may be a suitable shape, and can be a pair of spaced apart lines (parallel or skewed), or can be an area of visual light, such as a rectangle, pattern of dots, or some other designation. Fig. 18 shows an alternate embodiment of a putting practice aid device 610 according to the invention, configured as a virtual gate. The virtual gate device 610 is similar to the virtual gate of the embodiment of the device 210, and the device 610 is shown without cameras, and provides a physical gate via the uprights 614, 615 (providing a gate width Gl') and crossmember 616, and a virtual gate VI' which preferably is generated by the outputting mechanism, whose width is represented by projections WL1' and WL2', which may be adjustable (see e.g., WLx', WLy' and gate width V21). The outputtingmechanism, like the virtual gates shown and described herein may include a single laser with a suitable beam splitting mechanism, or may comprise a plurality of lasers, such as, for example, the lasers 665, 666 shown on the crossmember 616. An optional laser line or grid or other indicia may be projected, and one example of a laser 655 is shown to represent that feature, although the virtual gate device 610 may be configured to project the virtual gate (or gates) without other alignment features, or according to some other embodiments may also project the virtual gate (or gates) plus an alignment feature (e.g., line or lines, gridding or other indicia). The device 610 is shown with a frame 611 comprising bases 612, 613 and uprights 614, 615, and crossmember 616, with a plurality of apertures 671, 672. Electronics, such as for example, the processing components, software or other embedded logic, and a power supply may be provided as shown and described herein in connection with other embodiments or devices. According to some implementations, the outputting mechanism is configured to display a pair of spaced apart lines, which are projected along a path of travel between the starting location of the golf ball to be putted, and the hole or target. Examples of the virtual gate are shown and described herein in connection with the device embodiments, such as the devices 210, 310, and the alternate embodiment of the device 610 shown in Fig. 18. According to some embodiments, the putting practice aid is configured with a virtual gate. These embodiments include electronic components, such as circuitry and may include a laser as the outputting mechanism. The laser may be configured to split its beam to project the parallel lines onto the putting surface. According to some other embodiments, a plurality of lasers may be used to display the gate and / or other indicia on the putting surface.

[0128] According to some other embodiments, the electronic putting aid devices may be configured to include at least one sensor configured on the device to capture movement of the sports object, which may be a golf ball, the putter, or both. The electronic putting aid devices may be configured with one or more sensors that are disposed on the device so that when the device is located in a position between the ball start location and a target location (such as the hole), the device will capture the movement of the ball, the implement sending the ball in motion (e.g., the putter), or both. The captured information preferably is stored and processed, as described herein in connection with the embodiments of the devices. An alternate embodiment of an electronic putting aid device 710 having the sensors to detect and monitor a sports object, such as a golf ball, and putter making the strike and / or player, is shown in Fig. 19. The sensor or sensors provided on the device 710 may be similar to the sensors and device configurations shown and described herein and can include one or more image sensors, or other sensors that detect the movement of the sports object. A front sensor 750 is provided, and optionally one or more of a rear sensor and a mid-sensor 752 also may be provided. The reference numerals shown in Fig. 19 are similar to the components shown and described herein, e.g., the device 110, but are 700 series, and depict a frame 711, bases 712, 713, uprights 714, 715 defining a gate width Wul",and apertures 771, 772. The device electronics may be provided in device 710 similar to those shown and discussed herein in connection with the other embodiments.

[0129] According to certain embodiments, the devices, such as the devices 110, 110", 210, 310, 510, 610 and 710, include one or more processors and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause one or more components to perform operations including executing a software process. The software preferably is configured with instructions that provide instructions and / or algorithms for processing the signals captured from the sensors, and determining metrics for the putted ball, and may also provide metrics for the putter, and player, including any of the metrices discussed or described herein. The software preferably is also configured with instructions that provide operational settings for the device, such as actuating and controlling the laser or outputting mechanisms for on / off, position and placement (where that option is provided), e.g., virtual gates and grid or indicia projections, and other operations of the device. The information, including the signals captured by the device sensors and / or processed signals or values may be stored in any number of storage components. Some examples of the storage components may include a suitable storage medium or media and may comprise a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium or media, including one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (such, as for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or applicationspecific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical discs, optical disc drives (ODDs), magneto-optical discs, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM-drives, SECURE DIGITAL cards or drives, any other suitable computer-readable non-transitory storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these, where appropriate. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, where appropriate. The storage component may be provided directly on the putting aid devices, or may be accessible via a wired or wireless connection, including through a network or associated computing device.

[0130] While the term putting surface is used herein, and there are some references made to a putting green or green, the putting practice aid devices also may be used to monitor putting when a ball is putted from a location off of the green or from an area that may not be designated as a putting surface. Some non-limiting examples of other areas may include what is referred to as fringe or fairway or closely mown areas, from which a user also may putt a ball to a target or hole (the hole or target typically will be on the putting surface).

[0131] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the features of various implementingembodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure. Features disclosed in one embodiment may be implemented in one or more of the other embodiments, separately or in combination with other features. While the system, devices and methods of the invention have been disclosed in detail, and the preferred embodiments and best mode for practice of the invention have been similarly disclosed, the scope of exclusive rights to which the invention is entitled is defined by the claims appended hereto and by equivalents that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same result.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An electronic putting aid device, comprising: a) a frame having a front, a rear and a passage space; b) at least one first camera facing a first direction; c) the first camera being supported on the frame; d) the first camera being positioned to capture a first field of view in front of the frame; and e) electronics comprising at least one processor configured to process information captured by the first camera, and at least one storage component comprising a memory to receive and store information, wherein the information comprises video; f) wherein the processor is configured to generate information comprising video and / or metrics about an object that is present or moving within the first field of view.

2. The device of claim 1, including at least one second camera facing a second direction and being supported on the frame, the second camera being positioned to capture a second field of view, wherein the electronics comprising the at least one processor is configured to process information captured by the first camera and the second camera, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate information comprising video and / or metrics about the object that is present or moving within one or more of the first field of view and the second field of view.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one second camera is positioned to face the second direction, and wherein the second direction faced by the at least one second camera is (i) substantially perpendicular to the first direction or (ii) linearly opposite to the first direction.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the second direction faced by the at least one second camera that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction is a direction facing the passage space, and wherein the second direction faced by the at least one second camera that is linearly opposite to the first direction is rearward of the device.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the second field of view encompasses the passage space when the second direction faced by the at least one second camera is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the second field of view is behind the frame when the second direction faced by the at least one second camera is linearly opposite to the first direction.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one second camera field of view encompasses the passage space.

7. The device of claim 2, including at least one third camera facing a third direction and being supported on the frame, the third camera being positioned to capture a third field of view, wherein the electronics comprising the at least one processor is configured to process information captured by the first camera, the second camera and the third camera, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate information comprising video and / or metrics about the object that is present or moving within one or more of the first field of view, the second field of view, and the third field of view.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one second camera faces the passage space, and wherein the at least one third camera faces rearward.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one first camera and the at least one third camera face linear opposite directions, and wherein the at least one second camera faces a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and third direction.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate from the information captured with the at least one first camera, video of a club striking the object taking place within the first field of view.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pair of spaced apart legs, and wherein the passage space is located between the legs.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the frame includes at least a center portion that extends between the legs, and wherein the center portion extending between the legs is raised, the frame center portion and legs defining the passage space, the passage space being located between the legs and below the frame center portion.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the frame includes at least a center portion that extends between the legs, and wherein the center portion extending between the legs is raised, the frame center portion and legs defining the passage space, the passage space being located between the legs and below the frame center portion, wherein the second camera is supported on the frame center portion and faces downward.

14. The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising at least one monitoring component, wherein the passage space is monitored by at least one monitoring component that detects the passage of the object passing within the passage space, and wherein the at least one monitoring component monitors the passage space and detects the presence or absence of the object in the passage space.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one monitoring component that detects the passage of the object passing within the passage space is disposed on the frame and comprises at leastone beam producing element that projects a beam in the passage space, and at least one detector to detect the presence or absence of the beam, wherein when the beam is interrupted, the detector generates a signal.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the beam spans between the legs.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein information captured by at least the first camera is stored in a buffer on the at least one storage component, wherein the monitoring component generates a detection signal when the object is detected within the passage space, wherein the detection signal is processed by a processor of the device to comprise a first trigger for the buffer to mark a capture point.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device is configured to record to capture information, and wherein when the detection signal is generated, the device marks a portion of the captured information stored in the buffer at a time (t=tD-tP) prior to the time of the detection of the object (t=tD) within the passage space as an event start time (tEs), and wherein the device designates a second trigger when the object is no longer within the second field of view or when the object stops moving, wherein the capture between the time (t=tD-tP) prior to detection and the time of the second trigger (tS) is a time of event (tE), and wherein the information is captured during the time of event (tE).

19. The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electronics include software, firmware or embedded logic that instructs the processor to process information obtained by one or more of the at least one first camera, the at least one second camera and the at least one third camera, and generate the information, and wherein the information comprises video of objects that include at least one or more of a ball and a club, and metrics for the at least one or more of the ball and the club.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the object that is present or moving within the first field of view includes a golf ball and a golf club, and wherein the object that is present or moving within the second field of view includes the golf ball.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the software, firmware or embedded logic that instructs the processor to process information obtained by the at least one first camera and the at least one second camera and generate one or more of ball metrics and club metrics, is configured to generate the metrics for the at least one or more of the ball and the club that comprises ball metrics that include speed, direction, spin, roll and slide.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the software, firmware or embedded logic that instructs the processor to process information obtained by the at least one first camera and the at least one second camera and generate one or more of ball metrics and club metrics, is configured to generate the metricsfor the at least one or more of the ball and the club that includes an impact location on the club face, lie angle, attack angle, open / closed club face.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the software, firmware or embedded logic that instructs the processor to process information obtained by the at least one first camera and the at least one second camera and generate one or more of ball metrics and club metrics, is configured to generate the metrics for the at least one or more of the ball and the club that includes an impact location on the club face, lie angle, attack angle, open / closed club face, and is configured to generate the metrics for the at least one or more of the ball and the club that includes the impact location on the club face, lie angle, attack angle, open / closed club face.

24. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one beam producing element that projects the beam in the passage space comprises a first detection laser that produces a first beam and a second detection laser that produces a second beam, and wherein the at least one detector to detect the presence or absence of the beam comprises at least one first detector associated to detect the first beam of the first detection laser and at least one second detector associated to detect the second beam of the second detection laser, wherein when the first beam from the first detection laser is interrupted, the first detector generates a first ball detection signal, and wherein when the second beam from the second detection laser is interrupted, the second detector generates a second ball detection signal.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the first detector generates the first ball detection signal at a first time (tDl), and wherein the second detector generates the second ball detection signal at a second time (tD2), and wherein the first detection laser and the second detection laser are spaced apart to generate the respective first beam and the respective second beam that are spaced apart at from each other at a distance that defines a ball travel distance (DT) between the respective first and second beams, and wherein the processor processes the information and provides the ball speed by taking the ball travel distance (DT), divided by the difference between (i) the ball travel time between the time of the first detection signal (tDl) and the ball travel time between the time of the second detection signal (tD2).

26. The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, including a mid laser that is disposed on the frame center portion and projects a beam into the passage space between the legs.

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