Smart Golf Ball Sensing for Consistent Spin and Precise Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball technologies struggle with accurate spin measurement and consistent location, with Doppler technology producing inconsistent results and RFID systems only guiding users to the ball's approximate position.
Innovation Solution
A smart golf ball equipped with inertial motion sensors, including a magnetometer and accelerometer, accurately measures spin up to 5000 RPM and uses Bluetooth Low Energy radio for precise location via triangulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Doppler technology is used to measure spin, then spin measurement is attempted, but the results are inconsistent and have aliasing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces Doppler technology (optical/electromagnetic system) with a magnetometer-based inertial measurement system. The magnetometer directly measures the magnetic field changes caused by the spinning golf ball, providing consistent and reliable spin measurements without the aliasing issues inherent in Doppler methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetometer as an intermediary sensor placed within the golf ball to directly detect spin. This intermediary device converts the mechanical rotation of the ball into measurable magnetic field variations, enabling precise and consistent spin measurement that serves as a mediator between the physical spin and the digital data.
2Loss of information
If RFID type circuitry is used to locate the golf ball, then the ball position can be found, but only approximate position is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RFID technology (electromagnetic tagging system) with a magnetometer-based detection system that measures the magnetic field signature of the spinning ball. This substitution enables precise location tracking by detecting the unique magnetic characteristics of the ball in motion, providing exact rather than approximate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from general electromagnetic presence (RFID) to specific magnetic field characteristics (magnetometer readings). By measuring the strength and orientation of the magnetic field generated by the spinning ball, the system achieves precise location and orientation information that RFID cannot provide.
3Measurement precision
If inertial motion sensors are placed in the golf ball, then accurate spin measurement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality to the magnetometer, which serves multiple purposes: measuring spin rate, determining spin axis orientation, and tracking ball location. This single sensor performs what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the magnetometer with the golf ball's existing electronic components into a single integrated unit. By merging the spin measurement function with the ball's core electronics and power system, the patent reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture while achieving accurate spin measurement.
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
The system provides precise spin measurement and easy location of the golf ball, enhancing golfer analysis and improving shot tracking.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic component detects a spin of the golf ball during flight. The spin and spin axis are determined from the magnetometer readings.
Implementation Method 2
The processor is configured to calculate a height H of the golf ball at impact, a launch angle L of the golf ball, a ball speed, a spin and spin axis
Implementation Method 3
The sensors of the golf ball comprises of an accelerometer and a magnetometer
Implementation Method 4
The golf ball further comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy radio. A user may then locate the golf ball using triangulation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for obtaining golf ball launch parameters is disclosed herein. The system comprises a golf ball with sensors, a vertical wall, and a monitor. The processor is configured to calculate the launch angle of the golf ball based on the height of the golf ball at impact with the vertical wall.