Multiple Sensor Tracking System for Golf Ball Flight Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for tracking golf swings and ball flight paths at driving ranges are limited in providing a comprehensive view, as they often focus on specific parameters and lack uninterrupted tracking capabilities, failing to integrate data from multiple sensors effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-sensor tracking system comprising various sensors (infrared, radar, cameras) strategically positioned to detect and combine parameters like launch angle, spin, and three-dimensional coordinates, with a computer database processing these data to depict the complete golf ball travel path on a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor technology is used to track golf ball parameters, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot provide comprehensive tracking of all swing and flight path parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor technologies (infrared sensors, radar, optical cameras) into a single integrated tracking system. Each sensor type detects different parameters of the golf ball flight and swing, and their data is merged in a computer system to provide comprehensive tracking information that no single sensor could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed to perform multiple functions using different sensor types: infrared sensors detect ball launch and landing, radar measures flight path and spin, and optical cameras capture swing mechanics. This multi-functional approach allows the system to track comprehensive parameters while maintaining operational simplicity through automated data integration.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensor technologies are integrated to provide comprehensive tracking, then tracking completeness is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of data processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer system as an intermediary that automatically receives, processes, and integrates data from multiple sensor technologies. This intermediary handles the complexity of coordinating infrared sensors, radar, and optical cameras, converting their individual measurements into a unified comprehensive tracking output without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple digital representations (copies) of the golf ball's flight parameters from different sensor perspectives and combines them into a single comprehensive digital model. This allows the system to maintain complete tracking information while presenting it in a simplified unified format to the user.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor technologies are used to detect various parameters, then measurement precision and comprehensiveness are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring all parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into segments, assigning different sensor technologies to detect specific parameters: infrared sensors detect launch and landing events, radar measures flight path and spin rate, and optical cameras capture swing angle and club speed. This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in specific measurements, improving precision while the automated system manages the overall detection complexity.
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
Enables comprehensive and uninterrupted tracking of golf ball flight paths, providing golfers with a detailed analysis of their swing and shot, enhancing practice and entertainment experiences by integrating data from multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors include infrared sensors configured to detect the flight path of the golf ball
Implementation Method 2
The sensors include radar configured to detect the flight path of the golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for tracking the flight of golf balls at driving range. The system includes a plurality of hitting stations, a plurality of sensors, a computer, and a range surface. Each hitting station in the plurality of hitting stations includes a golf ball, a golf club, a monitor, and a sensor. At least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors is placed outside a hitting station. The flight path of the golf balls being calculated by the computer using parameters by the plurality of sensors. The method includes steps for determining whether a first sensor detected a first parameter and a second parameter, whether a second sensor detected a first and a second parameter, whether a third sensor detected a third parameter, and depicting the flight path of the golf balls using the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.