Golf Data Hub Using Sensor Segmentation for Community Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack effective methods for providing golfers with easy access to information and feedback to improve their game, and for forming electronic golf communities that can collect, store, and share golf data among players.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for collecting, storing, and analyzing golf swing dynamics and ball flight data, using sensors integrated into golf clubs, shoes, and apparel, which transmit data to a central hub for coaching, equipment fitting, and community sharing, allowing for personalized feedback and community interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If golf data is collected and stored at a central hub for community sharing, then community engagement and access to golf information are improved, but system complexity and data management requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunity engagementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the centralized data hub functionality into distributed components: individual golfer devices store local data, community servers provide centralized access, and mobile applications enable portable interaction. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single component while maintaining community engagement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central hub system is designed to perform multiple functions: storing individual golfer data, enabling community sharing, providing coaching feedback, and supporting various golf metrics tracking. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, managing complexity through unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are integrated into golf clubs, shoes, and apparel for data collection, then measurement precision and data accuracy are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is divided into separate modular components: sensors in golf shoes, sensors in golf clubs, and sensors in golf apparel. Each module can be manufactured and tested independently, then integrated into the complete data collection system. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless communication modules serve as intermediaries between the physical sensors and the data processing system. These intermediaries simplify the integration process by providing standardized communication protocols, reducing the manufacturing complexity of direct sensor-to-system connections while preserving data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If personalized coaching feedback is provided based on swing data, then player performance improvement is enhanced, but data processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer performance improvementVSAvoiddata processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-processes swing data during the golf swing itself, capturing and initial-analyzing data in real-time. Coaching feedback is prepared in advance based on historical performance data and swing patterns, reducing the computational burden during actual play while maintaining personalized feedback quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where swing data is collected, analyzed against performance goals, and used to generate coaching recommendations. This feedback mechanism automates the personalized coaching process, reducing manual data processing requirements while enhancing player performance through targeted insights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2694166B1Systems and methods for storing and analyzing golf data, including community and individual golf data collection and storage at a central hub
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 KARSTEN MFG CORP
  • EP2694166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2694166B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2694166B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.