Golf Ball GPS Tracker for Flight Path Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golfing computers fail to provide accurate information on the flight path or motion of a golf ball, only showing starting and ending points, which limits a golfer's ability to analyze their performance effectively.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball equipped with a GPS receiver and transmitter that acquires and transmits position data to a handheld unit, allowing for the tracking and analysis of the ball's flight path, including distance, trajectory, and deviations, which is then processed and displayed for performance analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hand-held devices with GPS receivers are used to track golf ball position, then the starting and ending points of each stroke can be recorded, but the flight path or motion of the ball cannot be accurately captured
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is divided into two functional segments: a stationary GPS receiver at the launch location and a mobile GPS tracker attached to the ball. This segmentation allows the stationary receiver to capture the starting point with high precision while the mobile tracker continuously records the flight path, resolving the contradiction between capturing only start/end points versus capturing the complete trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile GPS tracker serves as an intermediary device between the golfer and the stationary GPS receiver. This intermediary continuously transmits position data during the ball's flight, enabling the system to capture the complete flight path rather than just the starting and ending points, thus preventing loss of flight path information.
2Loss of information
If a GPS receiver is placed in the golf ball to track flight path, then detailed motion data can be collected, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile GPS tracker is designed as a multi-functional device that not only tracks the ball's flight path but also records the starting point, ending point, and various motion parameters. This universal approach consolidates multiple tracking functions into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete flight path data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile GPS tracker on the ball is a self-contained unit that autonomously records and transmits its own position data throughout the flight. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external tracking infrastructure, reducing device complexity while ensuring complete flight path information is captured.
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 accurate recording and analysis of the golf ball's flight path, providing valuable insights for golfers to improve their technique by displaying detailed flight data, including distance, trajectory, and deviations from the intended line of travel.
Implementation Method 1
a ball (12) equipped with a positioning receiver (16) and a transmitter (18) to acquire and transmit position data
Data Source
AI summary
A data collection and analysis system tracks motion of ball for analysis of a competitor's performance in a sport, such as golf or baseball. The data collection and analysis system comprises a ball equipped with a positioning receiver and a transmitter to acquire and transmit position data, and a handheld unit to receive and process the position data.