Golf Ball Tracking Sensors Using Motion Detection and Signal Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face frustration in locating their golf balls on the course, especially when they go off the fairway or into rough areas, as existing methods lack efficient tracking and analytics to reduce lost balls and improve gameplay efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Deploying an array of sensors around the golf course to track the golf ball's trajectory, velocity, and direction, using motion detecting sensors to determine the initial impact location, velocity, and resting place, and accounting for topography and potential ricochets, with signals from multiple sensors averaged to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a transmitter or transceiver is embedded in the golf ball to transmit location signals, then the golf ball location can be detected, but the golf ball may be lost or difficult to locate in rough areas or off the fairway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/search-based system of manually locating golf balls with an optical detection system using sensors and image processing. The system captures images of the golf ball and uses computer vision algorithms to automatically determine ball location, eliminating the need for manual searching and significantly reducing time loss while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the golf ball through image capture and processing. By capturing visual information and creating a digital model of the ball's location and state, the system can track and analyze ball movement without physical interference, enabling precise location detection and automatic tracking throughout the game.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to track golf ball trajectory and velocity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional sensor system where a single integrated system performs multiple functions: capturing images, detecting ball position, calculating velocity, tracking trajectory, and identifying ball characteristics. This universal system eliminates the need for separate specialized sensors for each measurement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through coordinated multi-functional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a unified detection system. By merging image capture, position detection, and motion analysis into a single integrated system with centralized processing, the patent reduces the complexity that would arise from coordinating multiple independent sensor systems while achieving accurate trajectory and velocity measurements through combined data analysis.
3Reliability
If signal averaging from multiple sensors is used to determine velocity and direction, then measurement reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of sensor signals by pre-calculating and storing velocity and direction data from multiple sensors before final analysis. By preparing and organizing sensor data in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during actual ball tracking, enabling rapid processing while maintaining reliable measurements through pre-processed averaged data from multiple sensor sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements optimized signal processing that skips unnecessary computational steps in the averaging process. By using efficient algorithms that directly calculate velocity and direction from sensor data without redundant processing steps, the system achieves reliable measurements through proper signal averaging while minimizing processing time and maintaining real-time tracking capability.
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
This system effectively reduces lost golf balls, provides analytics for improved gameplay, and increases efficiency by quickly locating balls and optimizing playtime, allowing players to focus on their game without the delay of searching for lost balls.
Implementation Method 1
The motion detecting sensors may determine an initial impact location, a velocity, and/or a direction of travel of the golf ball along the golf course playing surface
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are disclosed herein for one or more sensors arrayed adjacent to a golf course playing surface to track the trajectory and determine a resting location of a golf ball it travels along the golf course playing surface. The sensors may include motion detecting sensors that may determine various measurements related to the location and/or movement of the golf ball, such as an initial impact location, a velocity, and/or a direction of travel of the golf ball along the golf course playing surface. The signals from the motion detecting sensors may further be used to determine a resting location for the golf ball and/or a rate of acceleration/deceleration of the golf ball. The various signals may be averaged together to determine a velocity and/or direction of travel of the golf ball.