Embedded Golf Ball Spin Analysis via Magnetometer and Accelerometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face significant challenges in tracking and retrieving lost golf balls due to their increased distance and speed, leading to time-consuming searches and financial losses, while existing technologies fail to provide effective solutions for real-time tracking and analysis of golf ball performance.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball system featuring embedded electronics, including a processor, spin detector, and communications circuitry, connected to a central interrogator via Bluetooth, which monitors and analyzes the ball's rotation speed, direction, and trajectory, providing real-time data and location tracking through a smartphone app.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If improved golf ball materials and design are used to increase distance, then golf ball travel distance is improved, but golf balls are lost more frequently and become harder to retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball itself provides the tracking and location services through embedded electronics, sensors, and communication circuitry. The ball autonomously tracks its own position, spin, and flight characteristics, and can be located by the golfer through wireless communication without requiring external tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Electronic components including processors, sensors, and communication circuitry act as intermediaries between the golf ball and the golfer. These components enable the ball to communicate its location and performance data wirelessly, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the distant ball and the golfer seeking to retrieve it.
2Measurement precision
If embedded electronics are added to track golf ball location and performance, then measurement precision and data collection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components including processors, sensors for detecting spin and position, memory for data storage, and communication circuitry are merged into a single integrated electronic system within the golf ball. This consolidation enables comprehensive tracking and measurement capabilities while managing complexity through integration rather than separate components.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and processors are embedded in the golf ball to detect spin and position, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components including processors, sensors, and circuitry are nested within the golf ball structure, with the electronics housed inside the ball's interior cavity. This nesting approach allows the complex electronic system to be integrated within the existing golf ball manufacturing process, with the electronics package treated as a single insertable unit.
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 quick retrieval of lost golf balls using proximity and sound technology, while providing detailed analytics on golf ball performance, reducing search time and costs, and enhancing golfer experience by offering actionable insights for improvement.
Implementation Method 1
The spin detector may be a magnetoresistive sensor or gyroscope that detects the rotation of the spin detector
Implementation Method 2
The processor may be electrically connected to an accelerometer that measures forces acting on the golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for measuring golf ball trajectory characteristics is disclosed. A device may collect a user and ball magnetometer and accelerometer frame of reference vectors. A device may calculate frame of rotation coefficients from the user magnetometer frame of reference vector, the user accelerometer frame of reference vector, the ball magnetometer frame of reference vector, and the ball accelerometer frame of reference vector using a Kabsch Algorithm. A device may collect a ball magnetometer time series matrix from the ball magnetometer as the ball is in flight. A device may process the ball magnetometer time series through a Rodrigues Rotation Formula using the frame rotation coefficients to create a rotation vector. A device may calculate a prior vector difference and a second prior vector difference. A device may calculate the spin axes by multiplying the prior vector difference by the second prior vector difference. A device may calculate a Theta vector by taking an arccosine of a dividend of a product of the prior vector difference multiplied by the second prior vector difference divided by a product of an absolute value of the prior vector difference multiplied by an absolute value of the second prior vector difference. A device may calculate the spin rate by dividing a change in Theta by the change in time. A device may display the spin rate and the spin axes on a display device.