Golf Flagstick Sensor Compartment for Accurate Ball Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf flagsticks lack electronic sensing capabilities to accurately track the location of golf balls relative to the cup, especially in situations with multiple balls in play, and existing sensors placed away from the cup fail to capture relevant visual data effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic golf flagstick equipped with sensors, processors, and a power source, capable of sensing objects proximate to the flagstick, analyzing their position, and transmitting data via a network, including video recording and LIDAR capabilities, to determine distances and classify events like hole-in-ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensors are placed away from the golf cup, then the sensing system has simpler installation, but the sensors fail to capture visual data of the golf ball from the flagstick perspective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic compartment assembly as an intermediary structure that houses sensors and positions them optimally near the golf cup. This compartment serves as a mediator between the flagstick structure and the sensing requirements, enabling precise visual data capture while maintaining structured installation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the flagstick, then object tracking capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flagstick into functional segments: the elongated pole, the electronic compartment assembly housing sensors, the power source, and the communication module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as an integrated system, managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic compartment assembly serves multiple functions: housing sensors for detection, containing the power source, and providing structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing overall device complexity while enhancing tracking capabilities.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a self-contained power source is integrated into the flagstick, then continuous operation is enabled, but the weight of the flagstick increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is nested within the electronic compartment assembly, which itself is integrated into the flagstick structure. This nested arrangement minimizes the external footprint and weight addition while enabling continuous operation of the sensing and communication systems.
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 real-time tracking and classification of golf ball positions and events, providing accurate distance measurements and composite video feeds to users, enhancing gameplay experience and efficiency in identifying the closest ball.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor may include a LIDAR sensor
Implementation Method 2
calculate a distance of the object from the electronic golf flagstick
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic compartment assembly is configured to be received along a longitudinal axis of a golf flagstick and includes a sensor array housing with at least two sensor top support features and at least two sensor bottom support features, which together define openings in a circumferential surface of the sensor array housing. The sensor array housing is configured to position sensors within the respective openings at any appropriate angle that allows sensor data to be captured substantially adjacent to the golf flagstick. Some sensor top support features include a protrusion for protecting the sensors in which, with a respective bottom support feature, define a linear span from which the openings are recessed such that an outermost sensor surface is recessed. Some compartment assemblies further include sensors and a processor for determining GPS coordinates associated with data captured by the sensors.