Golf GPS Device with Spring-Plate Clip for Mode Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf GPS devices face challenges in efficiently managing display and audio output when clipped to a golfer's headwear or waist belt, leading to difficulties in reading information due to orientation issues and inefficient battery use.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a clip with a spring plate that determines when it is gripped and adjusts the display orientation and audio volume accordingly, turning off the display when clipped to headwear and adjusting volume when clipped to a waist belt, using sensors to monitor physical properties for mode detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display is always on to show distance information, then the user can read information, but the battery is drained faster and the display may be difficult to read when clipped to headwear
Solution Approach 1:
The display dynamically changes its state based on the detected clipping mode. When the spring plate detects that the device is clipped to headwear, the display turns off or changes orientation to be viewable from the side. When clipped to a waist belt or held in hand, the display remains on in its normal orientation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by showing information only when and where it is needed.
2Ease of operation
If the display orientation is fixed to show information upright, then the information is readable when held in hand, but the display becomes difficult to read when clipped to headwear where it would be upside down
Solution Approach 1:
The display orientation dynamically adapts based on the detected clipping mode. The spring plate sensor detects whether the device is clipped to headwear, and if so, rotates the display 180 degrees or changes it to a side-viewable orientation. This allows the display to be readable in both hand-held and clipped modes, resolving the contradiction between fixed readability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display can switch between different viewing dimensions - front-facing when held in hand, and side-facing when clipped to headwear. This dimensional change allows information to be accessible from different angles depending on how the device is being used, resolving the orientation contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If the audio volume is kept at a standard level, then the audio is clear when held in hand, but the volume may be insufficient when clipped to headwear where the speaker may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The audio volume dynamically adjusts based on the detected clipping mode. When the spring plate detects that the device is clipped to headwear, the system increases the audio volume to compensate for potential blocking by the headwear or the user's ear. When held in hand, the volume remains at the standard level. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between clear audio in hand-held mode and sufficient audio output in clipped mode.
4Measurement precision
If the spring plate continuously monitors grip force to detect clipping mode, then the mode detection is accurate, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate serves dual functions: it mechanically provides the clipping function and simultaneously acts as the sensor for detecting clipping mode through its own physical state (compression or extension). This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate complex sensor systems, resolving the contradiction between accurate detection and device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate is a multi-functional component that both clips the device to the user and detects the clipping mode through its physical state. This universal component performs multiple functions with a single element, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining accurate mode detection.
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 solution enhances user experience by optimizing display orientation and audio output based on usage, conserving battery life and improving readability when clipped, while allowing for user preferences in settings.
Implementation Method 1
a clip integrated with the body and comprising a spring plate that faces the rear surface; the one or more processors further configured to determine whether something is gripped between the spring plate and the rear surface by spring action of the spring plate
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure herein provides a golf GPS device with a sensor mechanism to automatically switch between video and audio only modes of the device. More particularly, when a player attaches the golf GPS device to a piece of clothing or hat, the device automatically switches to audio-only mode. When the player detaches the golf GPS device, the device automatically switches to video mode, with or without audio. The golf GPS device further includes one or more processors configured to repeatedly determine in which one of the plurality of holes the device is located, to repeatedly compute a distance between the device and a feature of the determined hole, and to cause to display the hole number of the determined hole and the computed distance on the display screen.