Golf Green Mapping Using Crowd-Sourced Putt Point Clouds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for mapping greens on golf courses lack efficient methods for collecting and processing putt data from multiple golfers to generate accurate and precise spatial representations.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing crowd-sourced putt signals from shot tracking devices equipped with GPS receivers, RTK receivers, transceivers, and memories to generate point clouds, defining the green's location from these coordinates, and optionally determining the hole location based on distance criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If crowd-sourced putt data is collected from multiple golfers using GPS receivers, then the accuracy and precision of green mapping is improved, but the complexity of data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shot tracking device is designed to serve multiple functions: it tracks shot data, collects GPS coordinates, and contributes to green mapping. By making the device universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated mapping devices, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes crowd-sourced data from golfers who are already using shot tracking devices for their own performance monitoring. The golfers inadvertently contribute to green mapping by continuing their normal putting activities while the system automatically collects and processes their GPS data, eliminating the need for separate data collection efforts and reducing operational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If real-time kinetics and high precision GPS are used for green mapping, then the spatial representation accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously operating high-precision GPS and real-time kinetics systems, the patent utilizes periodic data collection during natural putting activities. The system activates and collects data only when a golfer is putting, leveraging the periodic nature of golf rounds to reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining high spatial accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational parameters based on activity detection. When putting activity is detected, the system switches to high-precision GPS and real-time kinetics modes; otherwise, it operates in low-power mode. This parameter changing approach allows the system to achieve high measurement precision during critical moments while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
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 precise green mapping with high accuracy and real-time kinetics, allowing for detailed spatial representation of golf greens using crowd-sourced data.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS receiver, configured to receive satellite signals and to generate a coordinate for the location of the putt
Implementation Method 2
a real time kinetics (RTK) receiver, configured to receive correction signals and to generate a coordinate for the location of the putt
Implementation Method 3
The transceiver preferably operates on a BLUETOOTH communication protocol
Data Source
AI summary
A method for green mapping is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving at a server putt signals for putters. Each putter is associated with a shot tracking device comprising a GPS receiver or a RTK receiver. A point cloud is generated from each of the GPS coordinates for each of the putt signals.