Golf Putting Camera Platform for Feedback and Competitive Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf putting aids lack the ability to accurately capture, analyze, and provide data-based feedback on putting performance, failing to correlate this data with user-specific instructional guidance, and do not offer a gaming platform for competitive play.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a base unit with a camera and processor that captures and analyzes putting performance data, correlates it with external variables, and provides feedback through a mobile device or terminal, enabling gaming and competitive play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive products like floor mats and ramp constructions are used for putting practice, then a semi-realistic experience can be provided, but they require large space and lack automated data capture and analysis capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical structures (floor mats, ramp constructions) with an active electronic system using cameras, processors, and software to detect, track, and analyze golf balls. This substitution eliminates the need for large physical structures while providing automated data capture and analysis capabilities through computer vision technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that combines putting practice simulation, automated ball detection, tracking, data analysis, and performance feedback in a single compact device. This universal system replaces multiple separate functions that previously required large space (physical practice surfaces, manual observation, data recording, and analysis tools).
2Area of stationary object
If passive apparatuses are used for putting practice, then compact space can be utilized, but they rely on flat or shallow simulated target holes making it difficult to tell if a shot was made or missed, and lack automated record-keeping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces shallow physical target holes with a virtual hole representation detected through camera imaging and processed by software algorithms. The system uses image recognition to precisely determine whether the golf ball enters the virtual hole, providing accurate shot detection without requiring deep physical holes, thus maintaining compact space while achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the system immediately analyzes captured images, determines shot outcomes (made or missed), and provides performance data to the user. This automated feedback loop replaces manual observation and provides precise, objective measurement of shot accuracy with actionable performance insights.
3Device complexity
If conventional products that simply count strokes are used, then basic record-keeping is provided, but they do not capture multivariate putting performance data or provide data-based proficiency analysis and actionable feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical stroke counters with an advanced computer vision system that captures multiple performance variables including ball position, velocity, acceleration, spin, and trajectory. The processor analyzes these multivariate data points to calculate proficiency metrics and provide actionable feedback, transforming basic counting into comprehensive performance analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-parameter counting (stroke number) to multi-parameter measurement (position, velocity, acceleration, spin, trajectory). By changing the measured parameters from simple to complex, the system provides comprehensive performance data while maintaining user-friendly interfaces for accessing results.
4Device complexity
If no computer-driven modeling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but there is no correlation of performance data to produce instructional guidance specific to each user's low-performance areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses computer-driven modeling to correlate multiple performance parameters (ball position, velocity, acceleration, spin) and identify patterns specific to each user's performance. The system processes these parameter changes over time to detect low-performance areas and generate personalized instructional guidance, adapting to each user's unique putting characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adaptive feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors performance data, compares it against ideal putting patterns, and provides personalized instructional guidance targeting specific weak areas. This feedback loop becomes increasingly tailored to each user as more data is collected and analyzed through computer modeling.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting, tracking, measuring and analyzing putted golf balls and golfers' putting performance. The system includes a pole securable in a golf hole cup and a capturing device mounted on an upper portion of the pole. The capturing device includes at least one camera and a viewing screen and is for detecting, tracking, measuring and analyzing golf balls putted along the ground and associated golfer performance data. The camera detects a golf ball as it enters the camera field of view, and tracks and stores a path and stopping point coordinates of the golf ball in relation to the golf hole cup, for analysis. Software on the capturing device includes algorithms which analyze individual performance measurements, formulate performance assessments, and provides personalized feedback and instruction output based on data captured by the capturing device.