Golf Impact Analysis via Acoustic Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for analyzing golf equipment characteristics, such as club head speed and impact location, are often costly and inefficient, requiring specialized equipment or cumbersome methods like impact tape, which can deter widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing consumer electronics, including mobile communication devices and personal computers, to analyze impact data through sound and sensor signals, determining characteristics like impact location, club head speed, and golf ball quality, using methods like Fourier Transforms and gyroscopic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized equipment or cumbersome methods like impact tape are used to analyze golf equipment characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical impact tape systems with acoustic sensing technology. Microphones capture the acoustic signature of ball-club interactions, and signal processing algorithms extract impact location and other characteristics from these acoustic signals, eliminating the need for physical tape application and complex mechanical detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to detect impact characteristics. Instead of directly measuring impact location with complex sensors, the system uses sound waves generated during impact as a mediator to convey information about impact location, club head speed, and ball characteristics, which are then decoded through signal processing.
2Measurement precision
If specialized facilities and expensive equipment are used for golf analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes acoustic sensing technology universal by implementing it in common mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These multi-functional devices already possess microphones and processing capabilities, allowing them to perform golf analysis functions alongside their primary communication and computing roles, eliminating the need for dedicated specialized facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform their own golf analysis using their personal mobile devices. The application processes acoustic signals captured by the device's built-in microphone, automatically determining impact characteristics and providing feedback without requiring professional facility access or complex manual setup procedures.
3Ease of operation
If acoustic sensing technology is used to analyze impact data, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processed acoustic signal information is used to refine measurements and provide actionable insights to users. The analysis of acoustic signatures provides feedback on impact location, club head speed, and ball characteristics, allowing users to adjust their technique and achieve more consistent, precise results over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms acoustic signal parameters (frequency, amplitude, timing) into meaningful golf performance parameters. By analyzing changes in acoustic signal characteristics during impact, the system extracts precise measurements of impact location, club head speed, and ball compression, converting simple acoustic data into accurate performance metrics through mathematical relationships and signal processing.
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
Provides a cost-effective and efficient means to analyze golf equipment characteristics, offering real-time feedback and recommendations for improving golf performance without the need for expensive facilities or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The impact data may be received based on detecting a sound generated by the impact
Implementation Method 2
The amplitudes and frequencies of the audio signal may be analyzed to determine various characteristics
Data Source
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.