Golf Ball Positioning With RTK Beacons and Laser Rangefinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf tournament systems require significant manpower, equipment, and resources to accurately track and synchronize golfer locations and scores in real-time, particularly for smaller players, and existing tracking modules are bulky and interfere with golf swings.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing beacons that collect GNSS locations and communicate with portable devices to determine golf ball positions, incorporating RTK corrections for accuracy, and using laser rangefinders to measure relative positions, allowing for real-time, self-authenticating location and score association without continuous synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous tracking modules are used to monitor golfer locations in real-time, then location accuracy and real-time data availability are improved, but device size and weight increase, interfering with golf swings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the continuous tracking function from a single bulky module and redistributes it across multiple smaller wearable devices (one on the golfer, one on the caddy). Each device performs limited tracking functions locally, eliminating the need for a single large continuous tracking module while maintaining real-time location accuracy through coordinated operation of multiple lightweight devices.
2Reliability
If extensive synchronization systems are implemented to coordinate tracking modules and scoring systems, then data accuracy is improved, but system complexity and manpower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service data association where the scoring system automatically links stroke events to location data through time-proximity matching without requiring complex external synchronization. The system self-regulates by associating data points that occur within a predetermined time window, eliminating the need for manual synchronization coordination while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary time-window filtering to pre-organize data before final association. By establishing time-proximity criteria in advance and pre-sorting data structures, the system reduces the complexity of real-time synchronization operations while ensuring accurate matching between stroke events and location records.
3Measurement precision
If multiple volunteers and staff are deployed to manage tracking and scoring, then location and score tracking accuracy is improved, but operational cost and manpower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional wearable system where a single device on the golfer performs both location tracking and stroke detection, while the caddy's device handles additional scoring verification. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into unified devices, reducing the need for separate dedicated tracking volunteers while maintaining tracking accuracy.
4Speed
If continuous location data collection is performed, then real-time position information is improved, but energy consumption and battery requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic location sampling at key event moments (stroke preparation, shot execution, ball landing) rather than continuous monitoring. The devices collect location data periodically at these significant moments, maintaining real-time position information when needed while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption and battery power requirements during the golf round.
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
Reduces the need for extensive manpower and equipment by enabling efficient, accurate, and real-time golf ball positioning and scoring, minimizing interference and optimizing resource utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a beacon configured to collect or receive a location signal transmitted from one or more global navigation satellite system (GNSS) satellites
Implementation Method 2
measuring, using a hand-holdable laser rangefinder operated by the user, the relative position of the golf ball, wherein the relative position of the golf ball is determined from the straight-line distance, inclination angle, and azimuth value
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining the at-rest position of the golf ball of one or more golfers during tournament play. Beacons worn either by a golfer or another person associated with the golfer's playing group collect or receive a location signal from one or more global navigation satellite system (GNSS) satellites, wherein the signal's accuracy can be enhanced using real time kinematic (RTK) correction data. Location signals collected or received by the beacons are requested by, and transmitted back to, a portable device in radio frequency (RF) communication with one or more of the beacons and operated by the user. Methods and systems of the present invention can also utilize a laser rangefinder, operated by the user, to measure line-of-sight distance, inclination angle, and azimuth to a golfer's golf ball from the user's determined GNSS location when the beacon is worn by the user.