Golf Club Impact Analysis Using Acoustic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining golf club head speed and impact location are often costly, cumbersome, or require specialized facilities, making it difficult for golfers to efficiently improve their performance and match their equipment to their swing characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A system using consumer electronic devices, such as personal computers and mobile communication devices, that analyze impact data from golf clubs equipped with sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers, and sound analysis to determine club head speed and impact location, providing recommendations for golf ball selection and quality assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized measurement systems are used to determine club head speed and impact location, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with acoustic sensing. Microphones capture sound waves generated during club-head impact, and signal processing algorithms extract club head speed and impact location data from these acoustic signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors and reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium to transfer information about the impact event. The acoustic signal serves as a mediator that carries data about club head speed and impact location, which is then decoded through signal processing, replacing direct mechanical measurement approaches
2Measurement precision
If specialized facilities are used for golf equipment analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables golfers to perform their own equipment analysis using portable devices they already possess. The mobile device or computer with a microphone serves as both the measurement instrument and the processing unit, allowing users to independently determine impact characteristics without requiring specialized facilities or expert operators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses acoustic signals as an intermediary that can be captured by common consumer devices, bridging the gap between professional measurement capabilities and consumer-level equipment. This allows precise impact location determination using accessible technology rather than requiring specialized facility infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If conventional impact analysis methods are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and processes impact data in real-time during actual golf practice sessions. The continuous recording of acoustic signals during normal play allows immediate analysis of impact characteristics without requiring separate testing sessions or time-consuming manual measurement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement and analysis procedures with automated acoustic signal processing. The system continuously captures impact sounds and automatically extracts measurement data through digital signal processing, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing analysis time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system reduces costs and improves efficiency in measuring golf equipment characteristics, allowing golfers to optimize their equipment fit and performance without the need for expensive facilities, offering real-time feedback and recommendations for improved play.
Implementation Method 1
a computing system that uses an acoustic sensor to detect a sound generated during an impact of a golf ball with a face of a golf club
Implementation Method 2
golf clubs equipped with sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers
Implementation Method 3
golf clubs equipped with sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers
Data Source
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AI summary
Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.