Golf Ball Tracking Using Downrange Sensors for Trajectory Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball launch monitors can only predict the trajectory of a golf ball and not accurately track its actual trajectory and position, especially in multi-bay driving ranges where multiple balls are struck simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that integrates downrange sensors with a central processor to map golf ball locations using a prediction algorithm, correlating launch parameters with actual ball positions and trajectories, enabling accurate tracking and mapping of golf balls in multi-bay environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a launch monitor is used to predict ball trajectory, then flight path information can be provided, but the actual trajectory and position of multiple golf balls cannot be accurately tracked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces downrange sensors as an intermediary component between the launch monitor and the actual ball position detection. These sensors act as mediators that capture real ball positions and feed this data back to the system, enabling accurate tracking of actual trajectories without requiring direct complex monitoring of each ball throughout its entire flight path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using downrange sensors to detect actual ball positions and feeding this information back to the central processor. This feedback loop allows the system to compare predicted versus actual trajectories and continuously improve tracking accuracy for multiple balls simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to track actual ball positions, then accurate trajectory tracking is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into distinct functional segments: launch monitors at each bay for initial ball detection, downrange sensors for position verification, and a central processor for data integration. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving high measurement precision without requiring a fully complex system throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional launch parameter data to three-dimensional actual position tracking by introducing downrange sensors that provide spatial verification. This dimensional enhancement enables accurate tracking of ball positions in space without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the sensors are strategically positioned to maximize coverage.
3Measurement precision
If downrange sensors are used to detect ball positions, then actual trajectory can be tracked, but mapping balls to originating bays becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple sources including launch monitor data, downrange sensor detections, and environmental conditions to continuously refine ball trajectory predictions. This feedback mechanism enables the central processor to accurately map detected ball positions back to their originating bays by comparing actual positions with predicted trajectories from each bay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having launch monitors at each bay detect and record ball launch parameters before the ball travels downrange. This preliminary data collection establishes baseline information that facilitates later mapping of downrange detections to specific bays, reducing the complexity of the mapping problem.
4Productivity
If real-time tracking of multiple balls is implemented, then actual trajectory information is obtained, but processing and matching predicted vs. actual paths becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing system is segmented into modular components that handle specific tasks: launch parameter processing, trajectory prediction, sensor data filtering, and ball-to-prediction matching. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple balls in parallel without overwhelming complexity, as each module handles a discrete aspect of the tracking workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations or copies of ball trajectories at different stages (predicted paths, actual detected positions, matched results). These copies allow the processing system to work with manageable data structures that reduce computational complexity while maintaining the essential information needed for accurate multi-ball tracking.
Data Source
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AI summary
A ball tracking system is disclosed which includes a display, sensors, a launch monitor and a processor that receives data from the sensors and launch monitors and outputs a rendering to the display. Specifically the sensors are positioned to detect a plurality of observed ball flight paths, each in the plurality originating from a different ball strike at a different location. The sensors field of view is correlated to three-dimensional space. The launch monitor is positioned to detect one of the ball strikes, and measures the launch parameters of that ball strike. The processor performs several processing steps to match the ball strike detected by the launch monitor to the ball flight paths observed by the sensors, and creates a rendering using both the predicted and observed data.